Description
PANZERGRENADIER SOLDBUCH & DOCUMENT GROUPING – GEORG KIENZLER – INFANTRY ASSAULT BADGE – SOVIET POW – Pz.Gren.Rgt.20
SOLDBUCH & MILITARY SERVICE
Interesting and extensive document grouping belonging to Georg Kienzler, born on October 19, 1925, in Unterweiler, near Ulm. The grouping documents his progression from the Hitler-Jugend through his civilian apprenticeship and wartime service in Pz.Gren.Rgt.20, followed by captivity as a Soviet POW and eventual return to Germany.
Kienzler's Soldbuch was issued on July 27, 1943, by Stamm-Kp./Pz.Gren.Ers.u.Ausb.Btl.215. His military service is documented through numerous unit entries, including Pz.Gren.Ers.u.Ausb.Btl.215, Pz.Gren.Ers.Btl.215, and Pz.Gren.Rgt.20. Later entries record additional assignments, including Pz.Korps-San.Komp.448.
The Soldbuch contains his original uniform portrait, numerous military stamps, equipment and weapons entries, inoculations, medical records, pay entries, and leave authorizations. His rank progressed from Pz.Gren. to Gefreiter, with an Obergrenadier entry also recorded.
Of particular interest is an entry documenting his LATE-WAR award of the Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen in Bronze on February 8, 1945. The accompanying original Besitzzeugnis, issued at Altranft, identifies him as a Gefreiter serving with Stab I./Pz.Gren.Rgt.20 and bears the signature of the Major and Regimental Commander.
Also included is his original Wehrmachtführerschein, issued December 15, 1944, authorizing him to operate Class 2 motor vehicles. The document bears the stamps of Pz.Gren.Ers.u.Ausb.Btl.10.
HITLER-JUGEND & CIVILIAN DOCUMENTS
Kienzler's early years are documented by his original Mitglieds-Ausweis der Hitler-Jugend, recording admission into the organization on October 1, 1936. The booklet includes official stamps and signatures.
His Deutsche Arbeitsfront Mitgliedsbuch contains his photograph, personal information, membership entries, and numerous contribution stamps extending into the wartime years.
An attractive red-covered Facharbeiterbrief records his completion of training as a Stahlbauschlosser with Karl Kässbohrer, Wagen- und Karosseriefabrik, Ulm (Donau). The certificate is dated February 19, 1943, and bears the official Industrie- und Handelskammer Ulm stamp and signature.
SOVIET POW DOCUMENTATION
An especially interesting aspect of the grouping is the documentation of Kienzler's postwar captivity and release from Soviet custody.
His Soldbuch contains an original Soviet-issued prisoner-of-war release certificate, printed in Russian and completed with his personal information. It bears Soviet military stamps and subsequent German administrative markings.
A separate document headed Ausweis – Ehemaliger Kriegsgefangener records his release from a POW camp and subsequent processing in the Soviet and American occupation zones. The document bears stamps from the Übergangslager Petersberg, Erfurt, as well as additional postwar administrative markings.
These documents provide a fascinating conclusion to his wartime history, tracing his eventual return to civilian life after captivity.
GROUPING INCLUDES
Original Soldbuch with photograph, unit entries, and award documentation
Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen in Bronze Besitzzeugnis – February 8, 1945
Original Wehrmachtführerschein – December 15, 1944
Hitler-Jugend Mitglieds-Ausweis
Deutsche Arbeitsfront Mitgliedsbuch with contribution stamps
Facharbeiterbrief – Karl Kässbohrer, Ulm – February 19, 1943
Original Soviet POW release certificate
Postwar Ausweis for a former POW
Original photograph showing Kienzler in Hitler-Jugend uniform
A substantial and historically interesting grouping documenting the life of a young German who entered the Hitler-Jugend, trained in an important vehicle-manufacturing firm, served in the Panzergrenadiers during the final years of World War II, received the Infantry Assault Badge, and subsequently experienced Soviet captivity before returning home.
