Wehrpaß of Maschinenobergefreiter Josef Buchholz

This document was made available by Eric-Jan Bakker

        A Wehrpaß was an identity document issued to male members of the population at the time they registered for the military draft.  It was kept on his person and served as both a draft card and a military service book.  Entries included a photo and personal information, training and qualifications, commands assigned to, operations, wounds, promotions and awards.  The Wehrpaß was held by the individual until he entered military service at which time it was handed over in exchange for a Soldbuch (Paybook).  The Wehrpaß was held and kept up to date at the flotilla level.  If the man was discharged from the military he turned in his Soldbuch and his Wehrpaß was returned to him.  If he was killed it was returned to his next of kin.

        The cover of this Wehrpaß shows it is the mid-war version.  When the individual went on active duty the Service was stamped on the cover.  The first letter of the holders surname (in this case B) is entered in the box in the upper right corner corner for filing purposes.

        Josef Buchholz joined the German Navy as a volunteer on 1 Jan 41 at the age of 19 years 4 months.  After his basic training and U-boat training he was assigned to U-164 on 28 Nov 41, the day boat was commissioned. U-164 deployed on her first war patrol from 18 Jul 42 to 7 Oct 42.  The boat was sunk northwest of Pernambuco on her second war patrol on 6 Jan 1943 by a Catalina of VP-83.  There were only two survivors.

 

 
 

   
 
Summary of Josef Buchholz's service in the Kriegsmarine
  
     
Date
Event/Command
Location
 
1 Sep 21
   Born Bonn
     
7 Jun 40
   Wehrpaß issued Bonn Recruiting Office
    Wehr Number 21/3/8/8  
       
5 Aug 40
   Arrived as a volunteer (as opposed to a conscript) at 2. Admiral der Nord-seestation (2nd Admiral of the North Sea Station) Bonn Recruiting Office
       
1 Jan 41
   Began active duty in the Kriegsmarine  
    Service Number: U. N. 1136 / 41 T  
       
1 Feb to
  5./16. Schiffstammabteilung  [5th Company /16th Training Detachment] Bergen op Zoom, Netherlands
29 Mar 41
   [this was basic military training - boot camp]
       
30 Mar to
   8/1. U.Bootslehrdivision    [8th Company/1st U-boat Training Division] Pillau
26 Sep 41
   [this was the basic U-boat training course]  
       
27 Sep to
   5./1. U.-Ausbildungsabteilung  [5th Company/1st U-boat Training Unit] Plön (Holstein)
28 Sep 41
   [this was advanced training for specific career tracks/specialties]  
       
29 Sep to
   5./ L. U. B. S.  [still 5th Company presumably administratively under 1. U.-Ausbildungsabteilung, probably precommissioning Baubelehrung with U-164] Deutsche Schiff und Maschinenbau AG in Bremen
28 Nov 41
  
       
28 Nov 41
   U-164 Commissioned Deutsche Schiff und Maschinenbau AG in Bremen
       
1 Dec 41
   Promoted to Maschinengefreiter  
       
18 Jul to
   U-164's first war patrol Caribbean Sea
7 Oct 42
      
       
  Awarded U-boat Badge & Iron Cross 2nd Class ?  
       
29 Nov 42
   U-164 departed on second and final patrol  
       
1 Dec 42
   Promoted to Maschinenobergefreiter  
       
6 Jan 43
   U-164 sunk - Josef Buchholz died Northwest of Pernambuco, Brazil
       
20 Jan 43
   U-164 declared missing one star  
       
  U-164 declared lost by B.d.U. Operations Department with effect from 6 Jan 43  
     
     

 

Inside Cover  
   
Contents
   
   
Page
I. Information about the Person
3
II. Physical and Recruitment/Conscription
5
III. State Labor Service
8
IV. Active Military Service
11
V. Military Service in Reserve Status
36
  Regulations
52
     
   
This Wehrpaß has 52 pages
   
(Fifty-two pages)
     
    Forgery and misuse of this service record will be punished pursuant to statutory requirements of Sections 267-70 RStGB (Reich Penal Code)
     
Page 1    
     
Number/Title   Entry/Comments
     
Wehrnummer Service Number Bonn 21/3/8/8
    Bonn = issuing authority where Josef registered for military service.  21 = the last two digits of the year of his birth /  3 = number of the military registration police precinct / 8 = Serial number of the Wehrstammrollenblatt (roster induction sheet)/ 8 = Line number on the Wehrstammrollenblatt
Name des Paßinhaber Name of the pass holder  
Rufname First name Josef
Familienname Last name Buchholz
Nummer derKennkarte Number of the identity card A 00225
Nummer des Arbeitsbuches Number of the workbook 164Ba/2425
Nummer der Erkennungsmarke (im Kriege) Number of the dog tag (in war) Blank
Identität des Wehrbezirks-kommando Identity of the issuing office Bonn
     
  Stamp Wehrbezirkskommando - Bonn = Armed Forces Sub-District Recruiting Headquarters - Bonn .  National symbol in the center.
     
    Signed and dated by the administering officer
Tag, Monat, Jahr Day, Month, Year 7 June 1940
Unterschrift und Dienstgrad, Dienststellung Signature and title, position Major
     

Page 2    
     
    The photo was to be 37 x 52 mm and affixed to the page by rivets on the bottom left and top right.  The issuing office stamped the photo in the bottom right and top left.  The photo was usually in civilian clothes since typically the man was a civilian at the time the Wehrpaß was issued.
     
Eigenhändige Unterschrift des Inhabers - Rufname, Familienname Signature of owner - first name, last name Signed: Josef Buchholz
     
Page 3    
Number/Title   Entry/Comments
I. Angaben zur Person Part I. Information about the person  
1 Familienname Last name Buchholz
2 Vorname (Rufname unterscheiden) First name (underline name that one goes by) Josef-Andreas
3 Geburtstagm -monat, -jahr Birthday, month, year 1 September 1921
4 Geburtsstätte Place of birth Pützchen
  Verwaltungs-bezirk Administrative District Bonn = Landkreis - Köln    
  (z. B. Kreis,Regierungs-bezirke) For example District, Administrative region

[Landkreis = Administrative district = County -Bonn]

[Regierungsbezirk = Administrative district = Region - Köln]
5 Staatsan-gehörigkeit (auch [illegible]) Nationality (also [illegible] D. R. = Deutsch Reich = Germany
6 Religion Religion kath. = Catholic
7 Familienstand Martial status Ledig = not married
8 Berufs (nach berufs-verzeichnis) Profession (according to professional directory)  
  erlernter Learned Maschinenschlosser = Machinist
  ausgeübter Held Maschinenschlosser
9 Eltern Parents  
  Vater Father  
  (Rufname, Famillename) (First name, last name)

Andreas B.
  (Beruf nach berufs-verzeichnis) Profession (according to professional directory)

Rottenmeister = Corporal

[Rotten is a group of men in a file]
  (wenn verstorben: † year of death  (if deceased:  † and year of death  
  Mutter Mother  
  (Rufname, Famillename) (First name, last name) Possibly Gurtrud
  Mädchenname Maiden name S. . .
  (wenn verstorben: † year of death  (if deceased:  † and year of death  

Page 4    
Number/Title   Entry/Comments
nach I. Angaben zur Person Continuation Part I. Information about the person  
10 Schulbildung (nur Abschluß) Education (only graduation) Volksschule
11 Kenntnisse in fremdsprachen *) Knowledge of foreign languages *)  
12 Berufliche, tech. oder sportl. Befähigungs-nachweise **) Professional, technical or sporting qualifications **)

Grundschein der D.L.R.G.  (17.7.40) [Grundschein der D.L.R.G. = Grundschein der Deutsche Lebens-Rettungs-Gesellschaft = Basic level of the German Life Saving Society]

Reichssportabzeichen = National Sports Badge
13 Anschrift der nächsten Angehörigen (nur im Kriege auszufüllen) Address of next of kin (To be completed only in war)  
  Vor- und Zuname: First and last name: Buchholz
  Verwandt-schaftsgrad: Degree of kinship: Father
  Ort Location Pützchen / L Bonn
  Strasse, [illegible], ggf. Untermieter bei Street, [illegible],where applicable rented from Chaussee 42
       
  Nachträge Addendum  
*)  Schulkenntnisse, völlige Beherrschung in Wort oder Schrift, Dolmetscher-prüfung *) School knowledge, complete mastery orally or in writing, interpreting test  
**) kraftfahren, Reiten, fahren, Segeln, Seefahrtzeit, fliegen, Morsen, funken, Winken, Schwimmen, Leibesübungen usw. Vehicle driver, horseback riding, running, sailing, seagoing service fly, Morse Code radio, signaling, swimming, physical exercises, etc.  
       
Page 5    
Number/Title   Entry/Comments
IIa. Musterung IIa. Physical  
  Gemustert Mustered Dienstpflichtiger = Conscript
  Ärztlich untersucht Medically examined  
  (diensttüchtiger, Freiwilliger) (able-bodied volunteer)  
  Wehrbezirks Kommando, Truppenteil, Konsulat Recruiting District Headquarters, Unit, Consulate Wehrbezirkskommando - Bonn = Armed Forces Sub-District Recruiting Headquarters - Bonn
  Tag, Monat, Jahr Day, Month, Year 7.6.1940
14      
  Entscheid Decision  
  Tauglichkeitsgrad Degree of fitness kriegsverwendungsfähig = fit for active service
  Wehrdienst-verhältnis Military service status Ersatz. Reserve I = Replacement Reserve I   [Reserve I = untrained under 35 years of age]
       
  Kreispolizei-behörde/Konsul Unterschrieben Wehrbezirks-kommandeur County Police authority/Consulate Signed Armed Forces Sub-district Commander  

Page 6    
Number/Title   Entry/Comments
IIb.  Aushebung Part IIa Recruitment  
15 Entscheid über das Arbeits Dienstverhältnis Decision on labor employment  
  Datum    
       
16 Entscheid über die Aushebung zum aktiven Wehrdienst Decision on recruitment for active military service Angenommen als freiwilliger . = Accepted as volunteer for the Kriegsmarine at 2. Admiral der Nordsee station, Wilhelmshaven
  I*) siehe S. 7 I*) See page 7  
       
  Dienststelle des Wehrbezirks-kommando Office of the Recruiting District Headquarters Bonn
  den Tag, Monat, Jahr Day, Month, Year 5 August 1940
       
  Dienststempel Stamp  
  Wehrbezirks-kommando - Recklinghausen Recruiting District Headquarters Recklinghausen  
       
  (Unterschrift und Dienstgrab, Diesntstellung) (Signature and tank, position) Signature  Fregattenkapitän = Commander
       

Page 11    
Number/Title   Entry/Comments
IV. Aktiver Wehrdienst Part IV Active Military Service  
       
  Einstellungs-untersuchung Preemployment examination   
  Datum / Truppenteil, Standort / Ärztliches Urteil Date / Unit, Location / Doctor's judgment

1 Feb 41     5./- 16 S.St.A.    Kmdo. Qu.

[5./16. Schiffstammabteilung = 5th Company /16th Training Detachment]
18      
  Einstellung Placement  
       
  Einstellungstag Placement day 1 Feb 41
      (Tag, Monat, Jahr) = (Day , Month, Year)
  Einstellt bei (truppenteil, Standort) Placement at (Unit, Location) 5./- 16 S.St.A.    Kmdo. Qu.
  Dienstzeit rechnet ab Service time calculated from 1 Jan 41
  [Illegible] Einstellungtag) ([illegible] placement day)  
  Vereidigt am Sworn on 26 Feb 41
      (Tag, Monat, Jahr) = (Day , Month, Year)
       
       
  Nicht eingestellt auf Grund der Einstellungs-untersuchung Not placed on the basis of the recruitment examination  
      (Wohnsitz) = (Residence)
  In Marsch gesetzt nach Ordered to proceed to  
       
  am on  
      (Tag, Monat, Jahr) = (Day , Month, Year)
  überwiesen an Transferred to  
      (Whermeldeamt) = (Military Record Section)

Page 16/17    
Number/Title   Entry/Comments
nach IV. Aktiver Wehrdienst Continued Part IV Active Military Service  
20 Landkommandos bei der Kriegsmarine (auch im kriege) Shore Commands of the Kriegsmarine (including in war)  
  Stamm-Marineteil Parent Navy Section 2. Admiral der Nordsee. = 2nd Admiral North Sea
  Stammrolle Nr. Personnel roster Number [Service No.]

U. N. 1136 / 41 T

[Breakdown of Serial Number U = prefix for U-boat men.  N = Depot (Stammarineteile) of the Admiral Commanding the Baltic and the Admiral Commanding the North Sea. O (Ostsee), or N (Nordsee) accordingly.  1136 is the serial number of the individual (Jahrgangsnummer).  41 is the year of entry (Einstellungsjahrgang) viz: 1941.  The letter T stands for Technische (Technical Branch) as opposed to S for Seemännische (Seaman Branch).
  von / bis / Dienststelle (Marineteil usw.) from / to / Duty station (Navy unit etc.)  
      1 Feb 41 to 29 Mar 41 /  5./16. Schiffstammabteilung  [5th Company /16th Training Detachment]
      30 Mar 41 to 26 Sep 41 /  8/1. U.Bootslehrdivision    [8th Company/1st U-boat Training Division]
      27 Sep 41 to 28 Sep 41 /  5./1. U.-Ausbildungsabteilung  [5th Company/1st U-boat Training Unit]
      29 Sep 41 to 28 Nov 41 /   5./ B. U. B. N.   Possibly Baubelehrung U-Boote Nordsee - [Josef may have been assigned U-164 during the final stages of construction before commissioning "Baubelehrung" and administratively was under the 5th Company/ 1. Ausbildungsabteilung]

Page 18/19    
Number/Title   Entry/Comments
nach IV. Aktiver Wehrdienst Continued Part IV Active Military Service  
  Landkommandos bei der Kriegsmarine (auch im kriege) Aboard Ship Commands of the Kriegsmarine (including in war)  
  Schiff / eingeschifft / davon Seefahrtzeit in außerheimschen Gewässern Ship              / embarked / thereof seagoing except home waters
  von / bis / mithin Jahre / Tage                               from       /      to           thus years / days
        4.U.-Flottille  / 29.11.41   / 10.7.42                      -    224
      10.U.-Flottille / 11.7.42     /    6.1.43                      -    180
21      
       
       
     
  von / bis / anrechnungsfähig Jahre / Tage                           from      /   to             eligible years / days
       

Page 20/21    
Number/Title   Entry/Comments
nach IV. Aktiver Wehrdienst Continued Part IV Active Military Service  
  Ausbildung (auch im kriege) Training (including in war) Inf. Ausbildung = Infantry Training
  Mit der Waffe With weapons  
       
22      
  Sonstige Ausbildung, Lehrgänge Other training courses U. Lehrgang = U-Boat training course from 31 Mar to 27 Sep 41
      Flak S. Lehrgang = Shipboard Anti-aircaft training course from 20 Jan to 15 Feb 41
  Abzeichen usw. (auch im Kriege) Badges etc. (including in war)  

Page 22    
Number/Title   Entry/Comments
nach IV. Aktiver Wehrdienst Continued Part IV Active Military Service  
  Beförderungen und Ernennungen* (auch im kriege) Promotions and appointments* (including in war)  
  Mit Wirkung vom / Beförderungen und Ernennungen zum With effect from / Order or promotion to  
      1 Dec 41 / Maschinengefreiter = Seaman 2nd Class
      1 Dec 42 / Maschinenobergefreiter = Seaman 1st Class
23      
    stamp Kommandierender Admiral der Unterseeboote Personalbüro U-Boote = Kommandierender Admiral U-boat Personnel Bureau
       
    stamp Kriegsmarine Personalbüro U-Boote = Kriegsmarine U-boat Personnel Bureau
       
      Signature Leutnant M.A. = Ensign Naval Artillery
       
*) Bestätigung der Beförderungen und Ernennungen nach Abschluß der aktiven Dienstzeit durch den Entlassungstruppenteil usw. mit Dienststelle, Unterschrift, Dienstgrad, Dienstellung und Dienststempel. *) Confirmation of promotions and appointments after completion of active service by the discharging military unit, etc. with service, signature, rank, service position and stamp.
       

Page 32    
Number/Title   Entry/Comments
nach IV. Aktiver Wehrdienst Continued Part IV Active Military Service  
  Im Kriege mitgemachte Gefechte, Schlachten, Unternehmungen In war combat, battles, patrols taken part in  
      Tag, Monat, Jahr / Ortsangabe, Truppenteil usw.
      Day, month, year / Location, Unit etc.
       
28     18 Jul 42   to 7 Oct 42        U-boat operation
      29 Nov 42 to 6 Jan 43
       

Page 34    
Number/Title   Entry/Comments
nach IV. Aktiver Wehrdienst Continued Part IV Active Military Service  
  Im Kriege Verwundungen und ernstere krankheiten In war Wounds and serious diseases  
      Tag, Monat, Jahr / Art / Truppenteil, Kriegsschauplatz
      Day, month, year / Type / Unit, Theatre of war
       
29     Killed on 6 Jan 1943
      on a U-boat
       
    stamp Kommandierender Admiral der Unterseeboote Personalbüro U-Boote = Kommandierender Admiral U-boat Personnel Bureau
       
    stamp Kriegsmarine Personalbüro U-Boote = Kriegsmarine U-boat Personnel Bureau
       
      Signature Leutnant M.A. = Ensign Naval Artillery