An SS Identification & Service Book of Karl Lange 1944 POW

Measures 10.2 x 14.5 cm; Date of item: 1944. An SS identification and service book for Karl Lange from Erfurt. The front cover does not sport the regular pictures or inscriptions, instead it is blank with handwritten information: the name, the letters SS in the typical lightning shape, two indecipherable abbreviations, and the words “Kurmark Brandenburg”. The ID picture inside shows a very young man, almost a boy (no date of birth), nontheless married to Justina Lange, nee Mathly (or Matkly). His parents are Martin Lange and Berta Menge. His father’s profession: ropemaker. The next pages tell about the delivery of materials he received, then his duty record is shown. The first entry is from his duty station in Fulda-Werra, saying he reported on Oct 1st, 1944. He served in the SS-Panzer-Grenadier-Ausbildungs-und-Ersatz-Battaillon 9 (SS Panzer Division, Training and Replacement), the so called Hohenstaufen division. This division was made up of experienced soldiers, but also many young German conscripts. This would explain Karl Lange’s young appearance and his late battle deployment, only a good half a year before the end of the war. According to the final entry, he was discharged from the Wehrmacht in the prison camp of Burghausen on June 17th, 1945. A small photography (8.9 x 6.3 cm) has been inserted, showing a group of people with an older woman and a middle aged man in the front and a young soldier in the back. The back reads “Oma (grandma) Weller & Walter Semler”. The soldier on the picture does not appear to be Karl Lange. (C:44)