Germany, SS. A Waffen-SS Wehrpaß to SS-Unterscharführer Ferdinand Hödl

(Waffen-SS Wehrpaß). Constructed of a field-grey card stock binding, the interior contents consisting of 52 paginated pages filled with handwritten and stamped entries to SS-Rottenführer (later SS-Unterscharführer) Ferdinand Hödl, retaining two small period photos depicting Heer personnel and vehicles, in addition to a typewritten insert detailing Hödl’s service on the Eastern Front with 3rd SS Panzer Division Totenkopf, missing the bearer’s photo, measuring 10.5 cm (w) x 15 cm (h), demonstrating minor material fatigue, a Wehrpaß to a decorated Waffen-SS combatant in better than very fine condition.

Footnote: Johann Ferdinand Hödl was born on 7 June 1912 in Graz, Austria-Hungary. He became available for military service on 10 November 1939, and was posted to SS-Totenkopf Standarte Treskau, before shifting to 9. SS-Infanterie Regiment Thule, SS Panzergrenadier Division Thule, and SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 5 Totenkopf. The majority of his combat career was spent in the northern sector of the Eastern Front, including Finland and the Soviet Union, with additional security and garrison duties in Norway and France. He also participated in actions with 3rd SS Panzer Division Totenkopf as part of Army Group Centre. For his actions, Hödl was awarded the Infantry Assault Badge in Silver (15 November 1941), the Wound Badge in Black (4 May 1942), the Eastern Front Medal (1 July 1942), and the War Merit Cross II Class with Swords (1 September 1943). The final entry in his Wehrpaß is a promotion to SS-Unterscharführer on 1 July 1944.