The Front Cover.
This usually was plain. The national symbol was followed by
the words:
Soldbuch zugleich
Personalausweis-(Paybook also to used as personal identification)
On the top right hand cover there could sometimes be a letter followed by a
number. The letter would be the bearer's last initial and the number would be
the Soldbuch's number from the page 1. On the example picture the bearer's last
name is written in ink.
INSIDE COVER
The inside cover was blank in most cases. Some late war Soldbücher had the information from the back cover flap printed on the inside
cover. As the war progressed there were two security measures introduced to this
cover. In late 1943 or early 1944 pictures were required to be placed in this spot. The photo,
which was usually a 2”x3”, was either stapled or riveted into place. The photo
was then rubber stamped at the top left corner and the bottom right corner. The
stamped used was to be the unit stamp w/ the unit's name, but sometimes
Dienststelle Nr. Stamps were used. The photo was almost always in uniform and
the Soldat was always facing the camera so that his left ear could be seen. The
ear was a integral part of positive identification. The Soldat also was required
to sign under his picture.
PAGE 1
Soldbuch zugleich Personalausweis
(Paybook also personal identification)
Nr. (Number) This was the number, in series, of the Soldbuch. It
would not necessarily correspond with the person's Erkennungsmarke number. On
the one pictured it is number 236.
für den (for) Then followed by the rank of the Soldat when the
book was issued. The one pictured is for a Soldat (Private).
Dienstgrad (rank)
The next box is for promotions. The first section labeled ab/datum
(from/date) indicates the effective date of the rank change. The next
section neuer Dienstgrad (new rank) is for the promoted rank. A
rank change was also noted on page 3. This Soldat was promoted twice. On
February 1, 1945 he was made an Oberschütze (Rifle Company Private First Class),
then he was promoted on April 1, 1945 to Gefreiter (Corporal).
Vor- und Zuname (First and Last name) The one pictured is Hinrich
Schnakenberg.
Beschriftung und Nummer der Erkennungsmarke (Inscription and
number of the Dog Tag). If this was lost, the previous entry would be crossed
out and a corresponding entry would be made on page 3 to record this. The one
pictured is Stamm.Kp. Gren.Ers.Btl. 16 –5020-. This translates to Origination
Company of Grenadier Replacement Battalion 16 and his serial number was 5020.
Blutgruppe (Blood type) This would be A, AB, B or O. No + or—this was no yet understood. Usually found in red pencil or ink.
Gasmaskengröße (Gasmask size) This would be either I, II or III. I is the largest.
Wehrnummer (Service number) This was complex. It would be the Wehrbezirkskommando (armed forces sub-district recruiting headquarters), followed by the last two digits of the bearer’s birth year, then the police precinct where the bearer registered, the serial number of the roster induction sheet, and a number between 1 and 10 or letter between A and J.
Example- BremenII/19/67/1/6
This translates to Wehrmeldeamt Bremen No. 2, born in 1919, registered in police district 67, on register sheet 1, book 6.
Sometimes the Wehrnummer would not include all 5 parts, the serial number of the induction roster was the most commonly excluded element.