WEHRPASS – GERHARD FRANKE – INF. REGT. 67 – 23. INFANTERIE-DIVISION – POLENFELDZUG – WESTFELDZUG – OSTFRONT – WOUNDED 1941

Description WEHRPASS – GERHARD FRANKE – INF. REGT. 67 – 23. INFANTERIE-DIVISION – POLENFELDZUG – WESTFELDZUG – OSTFRONT – WOUNDED 1941 Details: Wehrpass issued to Gerhard Franke, born 5 December 1919 in Berlin-Neukölln. Protestant, occupation Schüler (student). Examined in Berlin and accepted as a Freiwilliger (volunteer), later entering active service on 15 November 1938 with 7. Kompanie, Infanterie-Regiment 67 at Berlin-Spandau. Franke served with Infanterie-Regiment 67, part of the 23. Infanterie-Division, seeing early-war service in Poland, the Western Campaign, and the opening phase of the Eastern Front. He was wounded on 23 July 1941 in Russia while serving with Infanterie-Regiment 67. Service & Campaigns: Served primarily with 7. Kompanie, Infanterie-Regiment 67, with later postings to replacement and convalescent units connected to Infanterie-Ersatz-Bataillon 67. Poland 1939 (Polenfeldzug): Participated in the September campaign, including: Battle in West Prussia Fighting for the Brahe crossings Fighting in the Tucheler Heide Pursuit operations in East Poland Western Campaign 1940 (France): Participated in operations including: Fighting in Belgium and France Advance through Luxembourg / Belgium Fighting near Rancourt and Chaumont Crossings and advance operations toward the Aisne / Marne / Loire sectors Eastern Front 1941: Participated in early Operation Barbarossa fighting, including: Fighting near Suraz on 24 June 1941 Forest fighting near Suprasl on 28 June 1941 Wounded in Russia on 23 July 1941 Awards: Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen (Infantry Assault Badge) – awarded 30 July 1941 Verwundetenabzeichen in Schwarz (Wound Badge in Black) – awarded 12 May 1942 for wound received in Russia Promotions: Obergrenadier – 1 October 1939 Gefreiter – 1 January 1940 Obergefreiter – 1 May 1941 Unteroffizier – 1 October 1942 Wounds: 23 July 1941: Wounded in Russia, recorded as a gunshot wound / splinter injury, while serving with Infanterie-Regiment 67 Later medical/recovery entry noted from 20 July 1942 – 19 September 1942 with a reserve hospital stay Service Notes: Trained and qualified on: Gewehr 98k l.M.G. 34 Pistole 08 Hand grenade Included with the Wehrpass is an original company letter dated 8 August 1941 from 7./I.R. 67, informing Franke that the company was forwarding his Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen and congratulating him for front-line actions at Rancourt, Chaumont, Suraz, and Suprasl. Discharge / Status: Continued wartime service after recovery and replacement-unit postings Final Wehrpass entry dated 20 April 1945, noting discharge after release from a home/recovery unit in Berlin-Spandau Survived the war as far as recorded in the Wehrpass   “`