Heinz Vogel

Heinz Vogel was born 3 Oktober 1921 in Breslau.
When he was 7 years old, he went to the Volksschule (school), where he graduated 4 years later in 1932. After that he continued his education at the Oberrealschule, where he graduated 7 years later in 1939. Heinz was about 18 years old, he began working at the Post office in Breslau as postinspektor. Next to his work he also learned for the job Oberpostinspektor, which according to his Arbeitsbuch was completed, with a test, in 1941.

After this in 1941, the notes in the Arbeitsbuch stop untill the end of the war. This was because Heinz was enlisted in the army. Because Heinz wears the ribbon for the eastfront medal on the picture in his Wehrmacht-führerschein, he must have been on the eastfront between 15 Nov. 1941 and 26 April 1942. And must either have had 14 days of combat, 60 days of service or have been wounded (qualifications to earn the medal).

So keeping this in mind, plus the fact that Heinz must have got army training before his time on the eastern front, which takes months, he must have joined the army right after he was done with his learning job in 1941. Then it all fits fine.

Its unknown to me in what training unit Heinz would have been, or in which combat unit after that. Only that the latter one must have been on the eastern front. At the time the Wehrmacht-führerschein was made, on 18 Januari 1945, Heinz was 23 years old. The führerschein was made based off info out of Heinz´s Wehrpass. So that means that Heinz had gotten his licence before, but due to unknown reasons was issued a fresh new Wehrmacht-führerschein. The old one was probably damaged or outdated. Heinz was qualified for Klasse III vehicles, which were cars/small trucks.

The Wehrmacht-führerschein was issued by the commander of Heinz´s unit. The unit, Armee-Panzerjäger-Abteilung 721, was one year old at the time and Heinz was in the Staff. The unit was made in Januari 1944, the staff came from Stab/Pz.Jg.Abt. 173, and a Kompanie from both 2./Pz.Jg.Abt. 125 and 198. Looking at that, its a big chance that Heinz came from Stab-Panzerjäger-Abteilung 173. If thats true, then Heinz was lucky since after the change, Pz.Jg.Abt. 173 got destroyed in Sewastopol.

The Armee part before Panzerjäger-Abteilung 721 meant that it was an independent Anti-Tank Unit.
It was placed under Heeresgruppe Süd and fought in the southernpart of the eastfront. Around late 1944 the unit was pushed back towards Hungary and later in early 1945 fought in Hungary itself.

Heinz survived the war, in what condition and if he has been taken prisoner is unknown to me.
On 6 September 1947, he marries with Ilsetraut Schlobach in Lutherstadt Wittenberg. In 1950 he continues with his work at the post, and from 1953 as Abteilungsleiter (department chief). Heinz did this in the town of Lutherstadt Wittenberg, since Breslau was lost to Poland after the war. In 1958 Heinz´s wage was 3123 DM and he had to pay 329 DM tax and 312 DM for healthcare.