Germany, Luftwaffe. A Rare Wehrpaß and Sniper’s Badge to Martin Schwarz, 10th Luftwaffe Field Division, Eastern Front KIA

(10. Luftwaffen-Feld-Division Wehrpaß und Scharfschützenabzeichen). A rare Wehrpaß and Sniper’s Badge set named to Obergefreiter Martin Schwarz, the former constructed of a card stock binding with all 52 paginated interior pages intact, full of handwritten entries and retaining a certified black-and-white studio portrait of the bearer in a Sturmabteilung (SA) uniform, measuring 104 mm (w) x 145 mm (h), with minor material fatigue evident, in near extremely fine condition; the latter constructed of slate-grey wool, the obverse bearing a central machine-embroidered black eagle’s head with featuring highlighted in white chain stitching, peering between a clutch of three oak leaves within an acorn, set within a dual green threaded and gold bullion wire wreath, the reverse retaining an intact paper liner, unmarked, measuring 57 mm (w) x 70 mm (h), demonstrating evident of uniform removal, an exceptionally rare and desirable decoration in extremely fine condition.

Footnote: Martin Schwarz was born on 31 October 1916 in the Breslau area. He performed mandatory Reichsarbeitsdienst (RAD) service between 1936 and 1937, and entered active Wehrmacht duty in April 1939, initially serving with Flieger-Ausbildungs-Regiment 71. During the Second World War, Schwarz notably served with 10. Luftwaffen-Feld-Division (10th Luftwaffe Field Division) and subordinate units (including 19. Luftwaffe Jäger-Regiment) from 27 September 1942 until 6 January 1944, when he was killed in action on the Eastern Front in the vicinity of the Oranienbaum Bridgehead (near Leningrad). Notably, Schwarz’s Wehrpaß contains a rare entry confirming that he attended sniper training from 17 July until 7 August 1943.