Description
WEHRPASS & AWARD DOCUMENT GROUPING – ALFONS BLOME – GEFREITER – INFANTERIE-REGIMENT 15 (MOT.) – POLAND CAMPAIGN – WIA 1939 – DIED OF WOUNDS 2.11.1939 – IRON CROSS 2ND CLASS
A complete and early-war Wehrpass grouping to Gefreiter Alfons Blome, documenting his service from pre-war conscription through the Polish Campaign of 1939, during which he was wounded in action and later died of his wounds on 2 November 1939.
Blome was born 11 November 1915 in Kreis Warburg, and was called up in June 1936 through Wehrbezirk Kassel II. He completed his Reichsarbeitsdienst (RAD) service in 1937, before entering active Wehrmacht service in November 1937 with 5. Kompanie, Infanterie-Regiment 15 (motorized), Kassel. He later served with the Stab II./I.R. 15 (mot.), indicating attachment at battalion staff level within a fully motorized infantry formation.
His training is well recorded, including proficiency with:
- Karabiner 98k
- MG 34
- Pistol
- Hand grenades
Blome was promoted to Gefreiter on 1 October 1938.
The Wehrpass clearly details his participation in the Polish Campaign, including:
- 6–17 September 1939: Advance fighting toward the Vistula (Weichsel) River
- 18–19 September 1939: Engagements in the Battle for Warsaw
During these operations, Blome was seriously wounded on 19 September 1939, suffering artillery-related injuries to the face and upper body, after which he was evacuated through field and reserve hospitals (Lazarett). Unfortunately, he died in hospital on 2 November 1939 as a result of these wounds.
For his actions in Poland, he received:
- Iron Cross 2nd Class (Eisernes Kreuz II. Klasse) – awarded 9 October 1939 in Radzyń
- Wound Badge in Black (Verwundetenabzeichen in Schwarz)
Included in the grouping is the original Iron Cross award document, along with a congratulatory wartime letter dated 14 October 1939, confirming the award for bravery during combat near Stara Dąbrowa. Also present is official correspondence sent to his family in September 1940 from the Wehrmeldeamt, indicating the return of his personal effects following his death.
LETTER TRANSLATION:
Łuków, 14 October 1939
Dear Blome,
I was very pleased to hear that you are in reasonably good condition and are currently in the hospital in Liegnitz.
I am also pleased to inform you that the division commander has awarded you, in the name of the Führer and Supreme Commander of the Wehrmacht, the Iron Cross 2nd Class on 9 October for your brave conduct in the forest fighting near Stara Dąbrowa.
I congratulate you on this distinction and know full well that you have earned it.
Otherwise, things are going well here with the staff. In the first days of October we were still engaged in fighting between the Vistula and the Bug Rivers. What will happen with us now we do not yet know. While we were previously supposed to remain in Poland, there are now indications that we will return to Germany.
Do let us hear from you sometime. I wish you yourself a speedy recovery.
With best regards,
Your
Knoblauch
The award certificate will follow later.
Please sign and return the enclosed receipt.
