Soldbuch
The Soldbuch was the German military pay book and personal identification document used during the Second World War. It was normally carried by the serviceman and contained important administrative, financial, medical, and military information.
A Soldbuch usually recorded the holder's personal details, photograph, rank, unit, pay group, issued equipment, weapons, vaccinations, hospital treatment, leave, and decorations. Entries were added throughout the serviceman's career by different military offices, units, hospitals, and administrative authorities.
Unlike the Wehrpass, which was generally kept by the military administration, the Soldbuch remained with the serviceman. Because it was used regularly, surviving examples often show wear, corrections, replacement pages, handwritten amendments, and numerous official stamps.
For researchers and family historians, a Soldbuch can provide valuable evidence about an individual's military service. Dated entries may help identify units, transfers, medical treatment, promotions, and periods of leave. However, the information may be incomplete or difficult to interpret, and should whenever possible be compared with other documents and archival sources.
