United States. A Naval Aviation Pilot Badge by Freeds, c.1918

The Wehrpaß is dated to Karlsbad (present-day Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic) on May 25, 1939. The Health Book comes with five additional doctor’s notes in the back cover pocket: a medical summary of Fuchs’s process of his recovery after being wounded, a note concerning award of Eastern Front Medal, a request for an orthopedic glove, a request for re-evaluation of Fuchs’s degree of fitness, and a health card with chest x-ray. Wehrpaß measuring 104x148mm, Health Book measuring 144x207mm, both better than very fine condition with light scuffing and some creasing of the cover.

Footnote: Johann Fuchs was born on February 25, 1910 in Neudek near Karlsbad (present-day Nejdek, Czech Republic). He did his military service in the Czech Infantry from October 1932 to March 1934. After the beginning of the Second War Fuchs was drafted on March 14, 1940 and joined Infantry Replacement Battalion 481. Two weeks later he was transferred to the 5th Company of Infantry Regiment 282. He served on the Western Front in the campaign against France. Afterwards Fuchs stayed as part of the occupation forces. He was promoted to Oberschütze on July 1, 1940 and to Gefreiter (Lance Corporal) on May 1, 1941. On July 8Fuchs’s unit was redeployed to the Eastern Front. On November 11 he was transferred to the 8th Machine Gun Company. He received the Infantry Assault Badge on December 15, 1941. On January 13, 1942 Fuchs was severely wounded. He took a grenade splinter to the right thigh and the left hand. Recovery took until mid April 1943. While the thigh healed without complications and no permanent damage to hip mobility, Fuchs lost the ring finger of his left hand, and after a few months the middle finger had to be amputated as well, since it could not be saved. The little finger ended up completely immobile in a bent position, while the index finger was left with restricted mobility. Fuchs was returned to Grenadier Replacement Battalion 481. On March 6, 1942 he received a Wound Badge. On September 11, 1942 the Eastern Front Medal followed. After his recovering Fuchs was deemed fit only for homeland garrison duty. Later this was changed to just work duty. On June 1, 1943 Fuchs received his final promotion to Obergefreiter (Corporal). On December 9, 1943 he was placed in the 3rd Company of Landesschützen Battalion 847.