The Wehrpass was the official German military service record used before and during the Second World War. It documented a man's military status and service history, including his personal details, physical examination, training, units, promotions, campaigns, wounds, awards, and discharge.

Unlike the Soldbuch, the Wehrpass was generally not carried by the serviceman during active service. It was normally retained by the appropriate military administrative authority and updated when new information was received.

A surviving Wehrpass can provide valuable information for researchers and family historians. Unit entries and dated postings may allow the military career of an individual to be reconstructed, while additional pages can record specialist training, issued equipment, hospitalisation, decorations, and participation in campaigns.

The information found in a Wehrpass should always be interpreted carefully. Entries may be incomplete, abbreviated, added retrospectively, or written in difficult handwriting. Whenever possible, the document should be compared with other sources such as Soldbücher, casualty records, photographs, letters, and military archives.

• Understanding the Wehrpass
• Understanding the Soldbuch
• Military abbreviations
• Research guide