Germany, Heer. A Soldbuch & 7 Photos, 369th (Croatian) Infantry Division, Iron Trefoil Recipient

The Soldbuch is dated to August 28, 1939. Measuring 103x145mm, fair condition with scuffing and creasing of the cover, damage to the spine, and some water damage to the body of the book. Four of the photos shows Gollin with two to five men and women, presumably family members. Gollin and another man are in the rank of Lieutenant. Gollin wears a War Merit Cross with Swords 1st Class and a Wound Badge. One photo is a studio portrait of Gollin, his ribbon bar shows the Iron Cross 2nd Class, the Eastern Front Medal, the Croatian Military Order of the Iron Trefoil, and what may be an NSDAP Long Service Medal. The other two photos show a mansion, presumably Gollin’s home, and a woman on a sailing boat. They measure between 58x79mm and 73x104mm, very fine to near extremely fine.

Footnote: Wilhelm Gollin was born on June 24, 1908 in Dortmund (western Germany). He joined the army at an unknown date and served mainly in the Beobachter-Abteilung (Observer Battalion) 26, the 369th (Croatian) Infantry Division, and the General Command Army Corps 27. On December 1, 1939 Gollin was promoted to Unteroffizier (NCO), on April 1, 1940 to Wachtmeister (Sergeant), and on February 1, 1941 to Lieutenant of the Reserve. Gollin spent three days in hospital, starting on March 17, 1942, due to a graze wound on the left lower arm. For this, he received the Wound Badge in Black on March 22. Other awards that followed were the Iron Cross 2nd Class on April 13, 1942, and the Eastern Front Medal at an unknown date during that same year. On February 1, 1943, Gollin received his final promotion, the one to Oberleutnant (Senior Lieutenant) of the Reserve. During this time he must have been serving with the 369th Infantry Division in the Balkans, as he received the Croatian Order of King Zvonimir 3rd Class with Oak Leaves on March 25, 1943. A good year later, on April 18, 1944, Gollin was awarded both the War Merit Cross 1st and 2nd Class, as well as the Croatian Military Order of the Iron Trefoil 4th Class. Towards the end of the war and beyond, Gollin was placed in hospital again, between May 2 and August 9, 1945. However, it is unknown why, but he received the Wound Badge in Silver on May 7.