By avenger ( August 27, 2017 at 10:07 am)
· Filed under History forum
Picked up this brief but interesting Wehrpass of a panzerman from the 21st Regiment of the 20th Panzer division, part of the 4th Army under Generalfeldmarschall Günther von Kluge and later joined by Generalfeldmarschall Fedor von Bock. This unit participated in operation Barbarosa from the beginning, pushing eastward into Russia and participating in the battle for Minsk, Smolensk, and moving further east to Moscow. At the time the battle for Moscow began, the 21st was unable to join the assault due to equipment disrepair. However, they soon joined the rest of army group Center in it’s advance on the Russian capital, fighting to secure the difficult ground around Koje and Matschichino east of the Nara. Unfortunately for the German army, this would be the end of their advance. On December 5, 1941 the 20th Panzer division began a northward retreat, with orders to take a reserve position. However, with well less than a year of combat service Mr. Frisch would remain behind near a place called Namenskoje, as on or around December 1st 1941 he gave his life in service to the fatherland, just four months short of his 20th birthday.
He was awarded the Panzer Assault Badge in silver, and the eastern front medal posthumously.
Frisch was trained to use the 98k, lMG13, MG34, Pistol 08, MP28, Handgrenade 24, MG37, the Mauser Pistol and the Kampfwagen Kanone 38 "KwK 38 (t)". I believe the 38 (t) was similar to a panzer II. But, I’m a bit confused as the KwK38 was a panzer II canon designation, while the 38 (t) was a Czech tank. I’m not sure if this training implies he would have been in an panzer II during this assault,, the 38(t), or if this is simply regarding training and he may have been in a more modern tank. My guess is he was in the 38(t), as I found record that they were supplied to the 20th Panzer Division. I’m not sure if the pass would indicate what his specialty was (gunner, driver, etc.), though I assume he was the gunner based on the training records. Would love some clarification on these points if anyone gleans applicable info from the pass.
