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.