The Soldbuch is dated to October 9, 1942 and is signed in blue crayon by the deputy company leader of the 12th (Machine Gun) Company of Infantry Regiment 331, Oberleutnant (Senior Lieutenant) Karelsky. Measuring 105 mm (w) x 144 mm (h), with extensive creasing and scuffing of the cover, and period repair of the spine. The body of the book has come loose, but is largely intact, with light soiling. Overall in fine condition.
Footnote: Helmut Schmid was born on January 30, 1905 in Ulm (southern Germany). For most of his service, he was part of Infantry Regiment 331, later renamed to Grenadier Regiment 331. Schmid presumably took part in the French campaign before being transferred to the Eastern Front with the attack on Russia. On July 20, 1941, he was shot by a rifle and was admitted to hospital until July 29. For this, he received the Wound Badge in Black on the same day of being wounded. Schmid went on to receive the Iron Cross 2nd Class on January 15, 1942, and later that year the Eastern Front Medal on August 10. In 1943, Schmid presumably took part in the Battle of Kursk. He received the Iron Cross 1st Class on July 28 and was wounded by a grenade splinter to the right ankle on August 4. Both dates fall into the general Battle of Kursk period. Schmid was released from hospital on August 14. Later that year, he received the Infantry Assault Badge in Silver on October 8. He was wounded by a bullet on December 5, having to recover until January 11, 1944. Only two days later, Schmid was shot again, this time recovering until March 2. He would continue to act as a magnet for enemy fire, being wounded in an explosion (either by hand grenade, mortar, or artillery fire) on August 8 and taking another bullet on August 12. However, he was only admitted to hospital on September 6, staying until the 21st of the month, being awarded the Wound Badge in Silver on the 19th. Around this time, Schmid was redeployed to join Fortress Machine Gun Battalion 69 in West Prussia. He received the Wound Badge in Gold on February 10, 1945, however it is unknown why. At the end of the war, Schmid served with Abschnittsgruppe II Festungs-Pionier-Stab 7 (Section Group 2 Fortress Pionier Staff 7). His post war fate is unknown.