Germany, Heer. The Soldbuch Of Construction NCO In Norway Under Allied Control, Kurt Neumann (EK2 In July 1945)

The Soldbuch was issued on October 21, 1940. On the final page there is a Royal Navy ID card, stating that Neumann belongs to a disarmed Wehrmacht unit now under the control of the Allied authorities. Measuring 101 mm (w) x 143 mm (h), with creasing of the cover and extensive period repair, and the body of the book having come loose on the upper staple, remaining in fair condition.

Footnote: Kurt Neumann was born on September 3, 1904 in Zittau (Saxony). He worked as a builder, and eventually joined the army in the rank of Bausoldat (Construction Soldier). Neumann joined Bau-Bataillon (Construction Battalion) 425, which was formed in 1942 and was deployed exclusively to Norway. On May 1, 1941 he was promoted to Oberbausoldat (Senior Construction Soldier), to Gefreiter (Lance Corporal) on February 1, 1942, and to Obergefreiter (Corporal) on October 1, 1943. At the end of the war, Neumann’s unit surrendered to the British. Afterwards, the German soldiers were put to work to clear mines. Neumann’s unit for this time is given as Pi. Verf. Zug (Pionier Disposal Platoon) Bergen. Since it was against international law to use POWs to clear mines, the Germans were dubbed “disarmed forces” and given a salary. At least 475 German soldiers were killed by mines between the end of the war and late August 1945. Due to working as disarmed soldiers, the command structure didn’t change. Because of this, Neumann was promoted to NCO on July 1, 1945. On July 28, he was awarded the Iron Cross 2nd Class, surely one of the latest awardings documented. A nore from October 1, 1945 states that he was no longer receiving a salary from the German army, since he belonged to the so-called “frozen personnel” in Norway working for the Allies, being compensated by them. It is unknown if and when Neumann returned to Germany.