WEHRPASS – ERICH BAURIES – LANDESPOLIZEI DANZIG – BATTLE OF WESTERPLATTE + FRANCE & RUSSIA

WEHRPASS – ERICH BAURIES – LANDESPOLIZEI DANZIG – 60. INF. DIV. – BATTLE OF WESTERPLATTE

DETAILS

This Wehrpass documents the service of Erich Otto Bauries, born April 27, 1905, in Tiegenhof (Free City of Danzig). A bank clerk and cash inspector by trade, Bauries entered service as a volunteer. The portrait photo on Page 2 shows him in uniform.

MILITARY PATH & THE LANDESPOLIZEI DANZIG

The primary historical significance of this document is Bauries’ entry into the Pionier-Zug der Landespolizei Danzig (Pioneer Platoon of the Danzig State Police) on July 4, 1939. The Landespolizei Danzig was a paramilitary organization that functioned as the “secret army” of the Free City. Because Danzig was officially demilitarized, this unit served as the hidden core for later Wehrmacht formations.

BATTLE CALENDAR & THE BATTLE OF WESTERPLATTE

Bauries was a “Man of the First Hour.” His unit was involved in the very first combat actions of WWII:

• The Battle of Westerplatte (Sept 1–7, 1939): As a member of the Danzig Landespolizei Pioneers, Bauries was part of the force supporting the assault on the Polish Military Transit Depot at Westerplatte. While the Schleswig-Holstein provided the naval bombardment, the Landespolizei and Pioneers were the ground troops tasked with clearing the heavily fortified Polish positions.

• 1939 Poland Campaign: Following Westerplatte, he engaged in the “Battles before Danzig,” as well as the securing of the Baltic coast at Gdynia (Gdingen) and Oxhöft.

• 1940 Western Campaign: Participated with the 60 Inf. Div. in the breakthrough of the Maginot Line south of Saarbrücken and the advance to the Rhine-Marne Canal.

• 1943 Eastern Front: Deployed with Army Group North (AOK 18) during the high-attrition “3rd Defensive Battle South of Lake Ladoga” (Operation Iskra period).

AWARDS

• Kriegsverdienstkreuz 2. Klasse mit Schwertern (KVK II): Awarded January 30, 1945. This late-war award suggests merit in technical or logistical support (Railway Construction) during the difficult withdrawal phase.

PROMOTIONS

• Gefreiter: December 4, 1939

• Obergefreiter: June 1, 1944

UNITS

1. Pionier-Zug der Landespolizei Danzig (Original Cadre)

2. 7. Kompanie / Infanterie-Regiment 244 (60. Inf.-Div.)

3. 7. / Infanterie-Regiment 120 (mot.)

4. Stamm-Kompanie / Bau-Ersatz-Bataillon 2

5. 3. Kompanie / Eisenbahn-Baubataillon 2

SUMMARY

A premier document for a Danzig specialist. The entry Pionier-Zug der Landespolizei Danzig marks him as part of the elite paramilitary force that initiated the war at Westerplatte, before serving as a specialist in provisions and railway construction through the end of the conflict.