Description
WEHRPASS – WALTER ADAM – 60. + 8. INFANTERIE DIVISION – POLENFELDZUG – WESTFELDZUG – VOLKSSTURM 1944
DETAILS:
Wehrpass issued to Walter Adam, born 1 April 1917 in Braunschweig. Entered active service on 18 November 1938.
Adam initially served with Nachrichten-Abteilung 60, the signals battalion of the 60. Infanterie-Division (mot.), where he was trained and employed in communications duties at divisional level.
During the Polish Campaign (1939), serving with Nachrichten-Abteilung 60, he advanced through central Poland as part of his division’s operations. Entries document involvement along the Vistula (Weichsel), including combat near Puławy, followed by pursuit operations east of the river as German forces completed the encirclement and destruction of Polish forces. In his signals role, he would have been responsible for maintaining communications between infantry, artillery, and command elements under active combat conditions.
By the Western Campaign (1940), Adam had been transferred to Nachrichten-Abteilung 85, the signals unit of the 8. Infanterie-Division, continuing his role supporting front-line operations.
With this formation, he participated in the advance through the Netherlands and Belgium following the breakthrough at the Maas (Meuse) and the Peel Line, including operations connected to Rotterdam. Subsequent entries place him in combat in Flanders and Artois, and then along the Somme during the second phase of the campaign.
Adam was wounded on 9 June 1940, during Fall Rot, when German forces launched the offensive south of the Somme. At this time, the 8. Infanterie-Division was engaged in heavy fighting during the breakthrough toward the Oise River, particularly in the Amiens–Oise sector. As a signals soldier operating forward with combat units, he would have been exposed while laying and maintaining communication lines under artillery fire and counterattack. He sustained a light wound during these operations.
He was evacuated, treated, and subsequently awarded the Verwundetenabzeichen in Schwarz (Wound Badge in Black).
Adam was honorably discharged on 21 July 1941 through Wehrmeldeamt Braunschweig, with full demobilization documentation present.
AWARDS:
Verwundetenabzeichen in Schwarz (Wound Badge in Black) – awarded for wound received 9 June 1940
PROMOTIONS:
Gefreiter (date not explicitly recorded in visible entries)
WOUNDS:
9 June 1940 – Light wound during Western Campaign (Somme–Oise sector, with Nachrichten-Abteilung 85 / 8. Infanterie-Division)
NOTES:
Service reflects continuous employment in signals (Nachrichten) units, first with Nachrichten-Abteilung 60 (60. Infanterie-Division (mot.)) during the Polish Campaign and later with Nachrichten-Abteilung 85 (8. Infanterie-Division) during the Western Campaign.
The Wehrpass includes a printed “Westfeldzug” campaign insert, along with detailed handwritten combat entries confirming participation in both campaigns.
Complete discharge entries are present, including notation of 50 Reichsmark separation pay and post-service registration in Braunschweig (July 1941).
Also included is a Volkssturm registration document (November 1944), indicating later recall for home defense service.
The grouping is accompanied by period photographs of the soldier in uniform and in a relaxed setting, adding strong personal context.
STATUS: Discharged 21 July 1941; later Volkssturm service recorded November 1944
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