Wehrmacht (Heer) Wehrpaß & Award Documents of Leutnant 'Heinz Voß', who has been a member within the Infantry Regiment 16.

When individuals received their registration notice they were to report to the appropriate recruitment center where they would be issued a 'Wehrpaß', until they were inducted into active duty. From the autumn of 1939, when an individual was inducted into active military service the Wehrpaß was exchanged at the recruitment office for the 'Soldbuch' (Pay Book), which remained in the recipients possession as his official military identification document. The recruitment office would retain the Wehrpass and chronicle the individuals active service record in it. This Wehrpaß belonged to 'Heinz Voß', he served in the RAD (Reichsarbeitsdienst) first and came into active military service as a volunteer on 1 October 1938. He served in several units during the war. He was promoted nine times and ended up being a 'Leutnant'. He followed several educations, he got his military driver's license (Wehrmacht-Führerschein) which is included in the grouping.

Heinz was awarded with the 1 October 1938 medal (Medaille zur Erinnerung an den 1.Oktober 1938) on 26 January 1940, at the time being a 'Schützen' within the '14.(Pz.Abw.) Kompanie Inf.Rgt.16'. On 18 May 1940 Heinz was awarded with the Iron Cross 2nd Class (Eiserne Kreuz 2. Klasse), this document is personally signed by Oberst 'Hans Kreysing'. Kreysing was awarded with the Knight's Cross on 18 May 1940 (the same day he signed this document), the Oakleaves on 20 January 1943 and the Swords on 13 April 1944. Obergefreiten Heinz Voß was wounded on 28 October 1941 and was awarded with the Wound Badge in Black (Verwundeten Abzeichen in Schwarz) on 22 November 1941. On 20 March 1942, on the front, Heinz signed up for a 12 year service in the Army, this document is personally signed by Oberst 'Dietrich von Choltitz' who was awarded with the Knight's Cross on 29 May 1940. On 10 November 1942 Heinz was awarded with the 'Ostmedaille' and finally on 10 December 1942 he was awarded with the 'Krimschild'.

Heinz took part in the Poland Campaign from 13/22 September 1939, 'Feldzug in Polen'. In May 1940 he took part in the invasion of Holland, 'Luftlandung u. Kämpfe in der Festung Holland'. From 8 August 1940 to 24 February 1941 his Regiment was stationed in Belgium as an occupation army, 'Besatzungstruppe in Belgien'. From 6 April 1941 to 29 June 1941 he took part in the German Military Operation in Romania, 'Verwendung bei der Deutschen Heeresmission in Rumanien'. From 30 June 1941 he was moved to the Eastern front and with his unit he took part in the battles at the Stalin-Linie, Dnjepr, Perekop, Krimengen, Landenge Perekop, Krim, Simferopol etc. From 17 November 1941 he took part in the surrounding of Sevastopol 'Einschließungskämpfe von Sewastopol', Siege battles for the fortress of Sevastopol, 'Belagerungskämpfe um die Festung Sewastopol' and finaly the assault of the Fortress of Stalin, 'Entsturmung des Forts "Stalin"'. From 24 to 30 September 1942 his unit saw action in Greece 'Sicherung von Griekenland', from 1 October 1942 to 26 March 1943 he saw action on Crete 'Sicherung von Kreta' and from 27 March 1943 to 16 October 1943 he was stationed on Rhodos 'Sicherung von Rhodos'. On Rhodos he was transferred to the '3./Sturmbrigade Rhodos', on Rhodos he followed an education for Reserve Officer Candidate (R.O.B.-Lehrgang = Reserve Offizier Bewerber-Lehrgang), see Wehrpaß entries. From 21 August 1944 untill 13 October 1944 he saw action in Italy. He was killed in action on 13 October 1944 in Italy near M.Stanco. Interesting original grouping which certainly merits further investigation!