Wehrpass and medal grouping - Sergeant, KIA Battle of Moscow 41

Wehrpass, medal and documents grouping for Oberfeldwebel (Senior Sergeant or Sergeant Major) Karl Matthäus. Consists of:

-4 year army service medal with ribbon, Heer eagle cypher attached, parade mount with metal attachment device on the reverse. Comes with its award document, stating that Unteroffizier Matthäus was serving with 1. Kompanie Infanterie Regiment 87 and is dated October 1937. Signed by his regimental commander, Ernst Dehner. Dehner would rise to the rank of General der Infanterie and would commande several divisions and corps. He was awarded the Knight’s Cross in Oct 41. He was found guilty of war crimes and sentenced to 7 years during the “Hostages Trial”.

-1st edition Wehrpass, issued to Matthäus in 1937. Born in Feb 1912, he began his military career in Oct 1933. Before the outbreak of war he served with Infanterie regiments 80, 81 and 87 in Mainz. From late August 1939 until his death he served with Infanterie Regiment 463, which was part of Infanterie Division 263. He rose through the NCO ranks, being promoted to Feldwebel in Oct 39 and Oberfeldwebel in April 41. He was trained to use a variety of small arms, including the standard Gewehr 98k rifle, the Pistole 08 “Luger”, the MP40 submachine-gun and 3 machine guns (L. MG 34, MG 13 and LMG 08/15 “Spandau”). He was awarded a sports badge (Reichssportabzeichen) and his 4 year service medal. His uniform size and blood type are indicated. 

His service / combat history states that from sept 39 to may 1940 he secured the German border regions (Westwall). His regiment then fought its way through Southern Belgium into Northern France throughout May 1940. He then guarded the Atlantic coastline and the demarcation zone with Vichy France until May 1941. His regiment was then sent to Poland in anticipation of Operation Barbarossa. His unit fought its way through Belarus, assisting with the Minsk encirclement. From early July to October 1st he fought in the area of Smolensk in Russia. His regiment participated in the opening phase of the Battle for Moscow, fighting in the massive Vyasma-Bryansk encirclement. He was killed during stage of this battle on October 3rd. 

-4 promotion certificates (Bestallung) for the ranks of Wachtmeister (Oct 35), Truppwachtmeister (Jan 36), Feldwebel (Oct 39) and Oberfeldwebel (April 41). 

-Military honours death certificate (“Died fighting for Greater Germany’s Freedom” / Starb im kampf um die Freiheit Grossdeutschlands), issued to his widow / family in December 1942.

-One page letter written by his company commander to his widow, stating that Oberfeldwebel Matthäus was killed by mortar shell shrapnel to the head (Granat-splitter verletzte ihn am Kopfe tötlich). He was buried in a military cemetery East of Smolensk, in the area of Vassilykovo. Dated Nov 1941. 

-2 Compensation payment sheets, stating that his widow would receive back pay of 527 Reichsmarks and a service reward (dienstbelohnung) of 700RM for just barely under 8 years of service. 

-Bekleidungsnachweis (Uniform and accesories record), issued for Matthäus in June 1939 while he was serving with Inf Reg 80. He was issued the usual clothing, as well as a tornister backpack, ammo pouches, sports clothes, a whistle, a service armband, a ceremonial sword knot, etc. 

-2 pages leaflet on pension benefits (Merkblatt für Empfänger von Versorgungsbezügen).

One of the larger groupings offered on the website. Very extensive grouping for a career NCO and hardened battle veteran.