Germany, Ordnungspolizei. A Grouping of ID Books Belonging to Ernst Seidel

1) A Soldbuch zugleich Personalausweis (Pay Book and Identity Card). The cover is light green with a printed Polizei-style eagle within a laurel wreath holding a wreathed mobile swastika, below the eagle is the title “Soldbuch” followed by the words “zugleich Personalausweis.” The book has a total of 36 numbered pages. The inside cover presents an ID photo glued to the page, stamped on opposite corners, above the owner’s signature in black ink. The Soldbuch includes personal information, marital status and ancestry, assigned units, and weapons and equipment. It measures 107 mm (w) x 148 mm (h) and is in very fine condition.

2) A Polizei-Dienstpaß (Police Service Pass) issued on 1 December 1940 to Ernst Seidel. The Service Pass has a light-green, thin cardboard binding with a cover displaying a Polizei-style eagle within a laurel wreath holding a wreathed mobile swastika, below the eagle is the title “Polizei-Dienstpaß” in Gothic script. The owner’s last name is signed in black ink on the top right of the cover. The Pass contains 32 pages with information regarding personal data, Reich labour and military service, employment, training and special courses, special operations, vaccinations, and promotions. The Pass measures 106 mm (w) x 148 mm (h) and is in very fine condition.

3) A Dienstausweis (Service Identification Card) constructed of linen in celluloid husk, issued to Polizeianwärter Ernst Seidel in Fürstenfeldbruck on 30 July 1940, stamped photograph and signature of owner on back exterior, measures 73 mm (w) x 102.5 mm (h), and in fine condition.

Footnote: Ernst Seidel was born on 25 September 1919 in Adelebsen, Germany to Wilhelm Seidel and Elfriede (nee Wirth) Seidel. He entered the Schutzpolizei on 5 June 1940 as Polizeianwärter (Constable Cadet). Seidel received his training from 5 June 1940 to 5 December 1940 at Polizei-Ausbildungs-Bataillon (Police Training Battalion) in Fürstenfeldbruck. He served with the 1st Company of Polizei Bataillon (Police Battalion) 253 from 6 December 1940 to 4 April 1941. Seidel was a Kraftfahrer (motorist) with the 253rd Battalion from 5 April 1941 to 31 October 1941 and then transferred to the Polizei Bataillon 255 where he remained until 21 April 1942. He transferred to the Polizei Bataillon 312 and remained until 31 May 1942 when he moved again to the Reserve Polizei Bataillon 44. By the summer of 1943, Seidel was a Rottwachtmeister (Corporal) with the Schutzpolizei in Munich.