Wehrpass, Medals and Documents Group of a German Soldier Killed in Russia in 1942

The group of documents and medals relate to Ernst Hofmann, who was killed in action in Russia on October, 26, 1942, while serving in Pioneer Battalion 246. The group includes Hofmann’s Wehrpass, which on page 23 records awards which included the 1939 Iron Cross, Second Class; the General Assault Badge; and the Wound Badge. The group further includes a 1939 Iron Cross, Second Class, and a wound badge, both showing age and in very good condition. The Iron Cross shows some wear to the matte black paint on the iron core, with the silver frame exhibiting patina and verdigris. Also in the group is a death card which depicts Hofmann wearing his waffenrock as well as newspaper clippings of his death announcement. The group includes Hofmann’s identification Kennkarte, issued in 1941. There is a 1943 document from the DAF which certifies that “the fallen Ernst Hofmann has given his earnings to his parents without any return”. There is a typed and signed note dated June 5, 1944, by which the army forwarded Ernst Hofmann’s Wehrpass to his father as a memento of their son, “who gave his life for the freedom of the Greater German Reich and people”. There is a death certificate (“Sterbeurkunde”) dated March 22, 1943. There is also within the group a typed document, dated September 7, 1942, signed by Ernst Hofmann, in which he certified that he was of German blood and that he was not Jewish. The group further includes the official military notice, dated October 27, 1942, that was sent by registered mail (“Einschreiben”) to Hofmann’s father to notify him of his son’s death in Russia. The letter states in pertinent part that “As a result of a deployment at Pushkari on 26.10.1942, your son, the pioneer Ernst Hofmann, fell in soldierly duty, true to his oath of allegiance, for the Führer and the Fatherland”. There is a postcard that was sent by Hofmann to his family in 1941, as well as an allied propaganda leaflet (titled “Soldatenpflicht”) which asserts that Germany is losing the war. The group also includes a handwritten letter dated 26 December, 1942, to Hofmann’s family and apparently written by Hofmann’s commanding officer following his death in combat. Overall the items in the group comprise an exceptionally complete archive of a German soldier who was killed in action in World War II, and the items are in very good condition.