This lot of identity and service books belonged to one Andreas Igelspacher from Stuttgart, Germany. Both books are worn but the identity book, which was carried by Ingelspacher throughout the war, shows the heaviest wear and is handstitched together.

The identity book meas. approx. 4.25 x 5.75 inches with 24 pre-printed pages many of which are filled in with ink. Several pages also bear the government’s eagle and swastika stamp. Cover is a mustard color paper with tape binding. Printed on the front is a black Army eagle and swastika with “SOLDBUCH” and in smaller print “ZUGLEICH PERSONALAUSWEIS” or “Pay Book and Identity Card.” As stated above the book is heavily worn and shows much surface dirt.

The “Wehrpass” or “SERVICE RECORD” book was kept by a headquarters unit and was not carried by the soldier day in and day out like the identity book, so it is in better condition and shows light to moderate wear. The book meas. about the same size as the identity book and runs 56 pages. Again, many pages are filled in and stamped. Grayish-green cover has eagle and swastika over “WEHRPASS.”

The information gleaned from these two books tells us that Andreas Ingelspacher was born August 3, 1914. He entered the Army in July of 1935 and was assigned to the 25^th Artillery Regiment and in 1940 to the 54^th Artillery Regiment. From 1941- 1945 he was with Railway Engineer Regiment 63 (motorized). Ingelspacher was awarded the Iron Cross 2^nd Class in February 1943, the East Medal for service in Russia in September of 1942 and a Driver’s badge in May of 1943. Other awards are listed but are unreadable.

The records show that Ingelspacher was trained on the Light Field Howitzer 18 and the K98 rifle. He made it through the war without a scratch and enjoyed a leave in Stuttgart each year of the war. He was promoted to Gefreiter in October 1937, Obergefreiter in June 1941 and Stabsgefreiter (senior Corporal) on June 1, 1944. Records also show that he passed through a number of security checks.

It is unusual to find an identity book and record book for the same man. Usually these things were separated and scattered after the war.  [ad]

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