(Luftwaffe Soldbuch und Wehrpaß). A pair of identity documents to Dr. Manfred Vukits, including a Luftwaffe Soldbuch, constructed of a blue-grey card stock binding, the interior with 24 pages, featuring handwritten entries, measuring 104 mm (w) x 145 mm (h), with minor material fatigue evident, in overall near extremely fine condition, and; a Wehrpass, constructed of a field-grey card stock binding, the interior with 52 pages, featuring handwritten entries and a black-and-white photograph of Vukits, measuring 108 mm (w) x 150 mm (h), with minor material fatigue evident, in overall near extremely fine condition; the latter including two studio photographs of Vukits in civilian clothing, one measuring 62 mm (w) x 86 mm (h), the other measuring 58 mm (w) x 83 mm (h), one studio photograph of Vukits in a Luftwaffe Flieger’s uniform, measuring 40 mm (w) x 58 mm (h), in overall extremely fine condition.
Footnote: Manfred Vukits was born on 3 November 1915 in Graz, Austria-Hungary to Oskar and Iva Vukits. Active in athletics, he was awarded the Austrian Sports Badge and the SA Sports Badge. He attended university and eventually completed a PhD, while also volunteering for Wehrmacht service on 20 August 1938. His service began on 1 October, with a swearing in on 19 November of the same year. Vukits was assigned to Luftwaffe service and attend pilot school through the end of 1939, completing specialized training at Blindflugschule 5 in May 1940. During this time, he was awarded the Pilot’s Badge (12 March 1940). He also notably received the Iron Cross in both II and I classes on 2 September 1940. However, Vukits’ success in the Luftwaffe was to be short-lived, as he was listed as missing in action and presumed dead following combat with the Royal Air Force on 12 March 1941.