WEHRPASS – WALTER WAGNER – ART. RGT. 229 -197. INF.-DIVISION – KIA MAY 8, 1944 – VITEBSK

WEHRPASS – WALTER WAGNER – ART. RGT. 229 -197. INF.-DIVISION – KIA MAY 8, 1944 – VITEBSK

DETAILS

Wehrpass issued to WALTER WAGNER, born October 14, 1906, in Herne. A civilian merchant (Kaufmann), Sasse was a seasoned veteran whose service spanned from the pre-war annexations to the elite training grounds of the Artillery School at Jüterbog.

BATTLE CALENDAR & COMBAT HISTORY

• Pre-War & 1940 Western Campaign: Sasse participated in the occupation of the Sudetenland in 1938. In 1940, he served as an anti-tank specialist with Infanterie-Regiment 464, participating in the invasion of Belgium, the breakthrough of the Dyle Line, and the pursuit across the Somme and Seine.

• Artillerie-Lehr-Regiment Jüterbog (1939–1941): From September 1, 1939, through June 30, 1941, he served with 3./Artillerie-Lehr-Regiment Jüterbog. Based at the German Army’s premier artillery school, this unit was responsible for training the cadre and developing tactical doctrine for the artillery branch.

• Eastern Front (Artillery Service): Later transferred to Artillerie-Regiment 229. By 1943/44, his unit was holding the critical Vitebsk sector against massive Soviet pressure on Army Group Centre.

KILLED IN ACTION (KIA)

Rudolf Sasse was Killed in Action on May 8, 1944. At the time of his death, he was serving with Artillerie-Regiment 229, the organic artillery component of the 197. Infanterie-Division.

He fell in the Vitebsk sector (modern-day Belarus) during the high-intensity positional warfare and heavy Soviet artillery barrages that preceded the total collapse of the 197. Infanterie-Division in June 1944. His death occurred exactly one year before the war’s conclusion, during the desperate defense of the central front.

AWARDS & RANK

• Sudetenland Medal (Sudeten-Erinnerungsmedaille): For the 1938 annexation.

• Black Wound Badge (Verwundetenabzeichen in Schwarz): Confirmed for a wound received in service.

• Rank: Obergefreiter (Promoted October 1, 1942).

UNITS

1. 6. Kompanie / Infanterie-Regiment 464

2. 14. (Pz.Abw.) / Infanterie-Regiment 464 (Anti-Tank specialist)

3. 3. / Artillerie-Lehr-Regiment Jüterbog (Artillery School)

4. Artillerie-Regiment 229 (197. Infanterie-Division) (Final Unit)