#Thread This thread is about the life of a German soldier that I did research on. Meet Heinrich, born in January 1917. His father was a farmhand, mother a housewife. He attended school in Bremen and learned for plumber, but became a factory worker instead. 1/

When he turned 20, he got called up for military service. He somehow was not needed at first and returned to his work. In April of 1938 he got called up for his 'RAD-service' (Reichsarbeitsdienst). He gave his oath in may that year and worked as a normal labourer. 2/

He was already discharged in October, due his military service. In the army, he joined Panzerabwehr-Abteilung 16. He became trained on the Kar98, Pistole 08, MG34 and eventually the Pak 36. He managed to get his 'Führerschein I' (military driving license) as well. 3/

In 1939 he saw no action in Poland, but was sent to guard the German-France border instead. In March 1940, just before the attack on France, his unit became motorized and was renamed as well to Panzerjäger-Abteilung 16. 4/

On the 10th May 1940 his relative quiet life changed. His unit was to break through Luxembourg and advance into the Ardennes. His unit was active in vanguard actions near Sedan and was later ordered to take the high ground at Stonne. 5/

After the breakthrough at Sedan, Heinrich and his unit were fighting in defensive positions to protect the main trust into France. After 8 june 1940, his unit moved up to conquer Verdun, which they did on the 15th. They then chased French troops towards the south. 6/

The French made a stand at Pierrefitte and Heinrich's unit once again was to lead the push. Heinrich was unlucky here, as he got wounded. A bullet in his right shoulder meant that this was the end of his campaign in France. 7/

After the fall of France and his time in the hospital, Heinrich was awarded the woundbadge in black and he and his unit were send back to Germany. The division was then rebuild to a Panzerdivision and Heinrich got a promotion to Obergefreiter. 8/

It was in January 1941 that his unit and Heinrich saw action again in the Legionnaires' rebellion in Romania were they were to train and support the Romanian army. He was sent to Bulgaria during the Balkan campaign, but saw no action then and instead enjoyed his time 9/

In June 1941, Heinrich saw the frontlines once again. His unit was to advance with army group south. Heinrich was a motorcyclist at this point and was to advance in the first lines to scout for the panzerdivision. 10/

After fierce fighting and breaking through the Stalin-line, Heinrich and his unit were send to conquer Uman in the Ukraine. Here his unit suffered terrible losses and was more or less completely wiped out. Heinrich was one of the lucky few who survived. 11/

His unit advanced further and Heinrich saw continuously frontline service. They advanced upon the sea of Azov and had encirceled a large Soviet army. During one attempt of this soviet army to break out, Heinrich showed once again how brave he was by engaging in close quarter 12/

combat. A day later, the 9th of October 1941, Heinrich once again lead a attack on the Soviets. He showed heroic deeds and motivated his men, but eventually was hit by a soviet shell splinter and died instantly. He got an Iron Cross 2nd class for his actions those days. 13/

His comrades buried him and showed their respects at his grave. They took a photo of it and send it to his mother. A year later his best friend decided to send his mother a letter, telling what they had been through during their time. His Wehrpass was send home in 1943. End/

Edit: For those wondering why some photos are damaged, Heinrich had several of his photos in his breast pocket were the splinter hit him. So the damage is from the soviet shell. There are in total two or three photos damaged with blood as well, but for reasons I won't post those.