Iron Cross 2nd Class Pionier 57.Infanterie-Division Russia 1942

(D26572B)
Josef Weilermann, Corporal (Obergefreiter) Army Pioneers / Luftwaffe Flak.

Iron Cross 2nd Class, 23.5.42. Signed by the CO of the 75.Infanterie-Division, Generalleutnant Ernst Hammer (Kn.Cr. 20.12.41). Comes together with copies of his other award documents (General Assault Badge 1942, Winter War Medal 1942 (Luftwaffe), Wound Badge in Black 1943).

He served 1942-1943 (and 1944?) with Pionier-Bataillon 157 of the 57.Infanterie-Division, then operating in Russia (Charkow, Woronesch, Dnjepr, Tscherkassy). He got wounded for the first time on 12.10.43 and was couple of weeks hospitalized in Matzenheim. June 44 the 57.Infanterie-Division was destroyed near Mogilew (central Russia) and 3.8.44 disbanded. Most likely he was then transferred to the Luftwaffe Flak as the award document to the Winter War Medal was issued by 3./Flak-Rgt.11. It is a fact that these award documents were issued often much later than the (1942) award date and 1944 issues are not uncommon. 3./Flak-Rgt.11 of Flak-Div.23 was 1944-45 active in the east (a.o. Radom (heavy losses), Oder, Neisse).