Overview of the WWII German Soldbuchs

This video explains the details of the WWII German soldier's Soldbuch identify papers they carried with them at all times. The tour of the Soldbuch includes a brief explanation of what information was entered on each page. This video is a virtual presentation from the living history display of the 353rd German Infantrie re-enactment group based in the Chicago area.
For more information visit www.353ID.org

[@anthonymorgan6255]

Gives a whole new understanding of the phrase "Show me your papers".

[@agobc594]

I am an avid collector of SBs and here are a couple of clarifications/corrections. Please take this as it is intended - for education: The upper section of Page 1 does not show induction dates into units but rather changes in rank. These were NOT generally crossed out with changes in grade. Page 2 shows a SB opening date of 11 July 39. They actually started no earlier than the end of Aug 39 right before the invasion of Poland. Page 2 does not show next-of-kin - that is on page 5. Page 3 does not show dates of transfer - it documents the modifications made to pages 1 and 2 - such as a change in rank due to promotion, etc. Unfortunately you skipped page 4. That (and page 17) is very important to collectors as it lists the unit assignments of the soldier in sequential order. The hospital pages not only showed field hospital stays but all military hospitals. It's curious that you mention venereal diseases being common. I have well over 200 soldbücher and only 1 lists a VD. The most common afflictions are: code 31a (wound by gunshot), code 31b (wound by shrapnel or bombing), malaria (many of my books from Italy, Afrika, Rhodes, the Balkans, and Crimea have the entry), and frostbite.

[@persistent25u]

Thank you, that was very interesting

[@Halleran1963]

What did you use to rivet the photo?

[@johnbroadway4196]

Man !? Don't loose that book !

[@MarkDavies-s3g]

I have a soldbuch from a young chap from the kriegsmarine, u boats. It has a red cross ❌️ drawn in pen over the front cover. I believe this is killed in action ? Could someone confirm this for me please ? Thanks

[@janboysen6430]

Das mit dem ausfüllen üben wir aber noch einmal .....warum ist das Soldbuch grün?

[@TheKraut]

Nice can of Coca Cola on the feld desk top.

[@clofix_]

Hättet ja wenigstens deutsche Untertitel drunter packek können...

[@ryancollins3227]

He speaks clear enough to use the auto generated German subtitles my man