11.  PANZER SOLDBUCH, Photo Album & Document Group - Panzer Rgt 16 - NORMANDY (!) + Panzer Abt 5 PANTHER - Operation NORDWIND/Colmar Pocket!!

Top grouping to man in Panzer Rgt 29, Panzer Abt 5, and Panzer Rgt 16. From the dates in the Soldbuch, it is likely that he was serving with the famed 116 Panzer Division "Windhund" in Normandy!  Furthermore, he suffered an injury from an aerial attack on Sept 6, 1944, which would also fit the scenario of Jabo attacks in Normandy at the time. He likely went to Panzer Abt 5 after its new formation in Jan 1945 and definitely saw action with the unit in the Nord Elsass in Rittershoffen (fierce battle with US 14th Armored Div.) and the attack on Cernay in Jan & Feb 1945 (Einzatztage entries for qualification of Panzerkapfabz. state so) During operation NORDWIND and the Colmar Pocket. The Abteilung at this time consisted of one Kompanie with 14 PANTHER TANKS! (other sources mention Jadgpanzer IV's also). Comes with his EK2 & Russian Front Badge award documents from Feb 1942 when serving with Pz Rgt 29. Soldbuch is missing pages 1 and 2 but the rest is there - very nice original photo in Panzer uniform, all units, and awards - EK2, Wound Badge in black and Silver, Russian Front Medal, Panzer Assault Badge.  The album contains 112 super photos - many excellent Panzer photos of various types, many good portrait photos of the man, destruction, photos from France and Russia - good content. Also Feldpost, Red Cross post-war documents, and more. Super group!