Germany. A Soldbuch to Flak Artillery Obergefreiter Willi Sandow (POW in Russia)

Measuring 105x145mm, very fine condition with scuffing and creasing of the cover, and some damage to the spine. The document is dated to Bremen on June 18, 1940. The back pocket contains a reference card stating that Sandow became a Russian POW.

Footnote: Willi Sandow was born on January 11, 1905 in Reinickendorf (Berlin). He received his military training with the 2nd Company of Panzerjäger Replacement Battalion 20 in Bremen, starting June 18, 1940. The Soldbuch mentions a number of field units in which Sandow served, however no dates are given. These are: 3rd Company (Field Recruits) of Sapper Battalion 200, stationed in Poland; 5th Battery of Heavy Flak Battalion 382; Luftwaffe Sperrfeuer (curtain fire) Battery 190; 1st Company of mixed Flak Battalion 282. On March 1, 1941 he officially joined the Luftwaffe. Sandow was promoted to Oberkanonier (Senior Gunner) on April 1, 1941, to Gefreiter (Lance Corporal) on August 1, and to Obergefreiter (Corporal) on June 1, 1942. In between, from November 8 to December 22, he had to be treated for a stomach and intestinal disease in a military hospital. Sandow received the only decoration that is mentioned in the Soldbuch on June 9, 1944, the Tätigskeitsabzeichen der Flakartillerie (Luftwaffe anti-aircraft artillery badge), which was awarded for at least nine months of service in a flak unit. On August 31, 1944 he was hospitalized again due to an intestinal disease, and spent almost three months in a military hospital in Prague. On December 20 Sandow joined the 2nd Replacement Battery of Heavy Flak Replacement Battalion 38. During a physical a week later Sandow was deemed only conditionally fit for war service due to a condition after an appendix operation and stomach and intestine disease. He was redeployed to Home Flak Battery 212/III on February 14, 1945, and on April 18 to the 2nd Company of mixed Flak Battalion 215. After the war he became a POW in Russia. (C:166)