EK1 grouping NCO Grenadier-Regiment 454 254.ID Russia

(D23994)
Rudolf Marz, NCO (Unteroffizier) Infantry.

1) Soldbuch, 17.6.44. Duplicate (second) issue, “Zweitschrift”. Without pas photo as issued (not removed). Pass was issued by the CO of 4./Grenadier-Regiment 454, Oberleutnant. With an own made extra cover attached to it.
2) Iron Cross 1st Class, 7.2.44. Signed by the CO of the 254.Infanterie-Division, Generalmajor Alfred Thielmann (GCiS 3.12.42; GCiG 8.11.44; very rare both German crosses awarded to one person).
3) Iron Cross 2nd Class, 10.4.42. Signed by the CO of the 254.Infanterie-Division, Oberst Gerhard Graf von Schwerin (Kn.Cr. 17.1.42; Oak.L. 17.5.43; Swords 4.11.43).
4) Winter War Medal, 29.7.42. Signed by the CO of 4./Grenadier-Regiment 454, Leutnant.
5) Infantry Assault Badge in Silver, 30.1.42. Signed by the CO of Infanterie-Regiment 454, Oberstleutnant Kühne.

Also entitled to: Wound Badge in Black (8.10.41).

Born 1920 in Bonn. He served 1942-1944 with 4./Grenadier-Regiment 454 of the 254.Infanterie-Division. Service 1942-1943 under command of the 16th and 18th Army in Northern Russia (Leningrad, Wolchow); 1944 under command of the 1.Panzerarmee in Southern Russia and Northern Ukraine (Hube-Kessel, Tarnopol, Carpathes, Kaschau) and 1945 in Schlesia. A machine gun was issued to him on 1.6.44. he got wounded for the first time in Oct.41 and for the second time (by shrapnel) in Sep.44 and was Sep.-Nov.44 hospitalized. At the end of the war he served with Grenadier-Bataillon 454 “Westfalen” (?). This is most probably the remnant of his decimated former unit during the last days of the war active under the new formed Panzer-Division “Westfalen” also active at the Eastern Front.