Original German WWII Set of Four Identification & Document Books - Wehrpaß, Passport, and Workbooks

Original Item: One-of-a-kind Set. Here we have a very nice set of four Identification books from NSDAP ruled WWII Germany. During the period many new types of identification were required, both for civilians and military personnel, both as a method of control and to help protect vital parts of the German war machine. These books often recorded quite a bit about the owners life, much more than just their basic information. The military issued books in particulars also served as records of their service as well as pay books, so they were definitely important to keep safe.

This lovely set consists of the following Identification books:

- One German WWII Deutsches Reich Arbeitsbuch (German National Workbook), named to Rudolf Knobloch, as indicated on the first page and the rear cover. As indicated on page 5 the book was issued 23. Sep. 1935, and it is the early 1935 pattern book, with the old Weimar style national eagle design, though there are still swasses in the corners. These books grew out of a 1935 law requiring registration of work, and documentation of work history for German citizens-and only German citizens. Foreigners who worked in Germany carried an Arbeitsbuch für Ausländer which had a picture of the owner.

Of interest is that there is an additional piece of paper in the rear of the book from the company Knobloch was working for, representing additional research potential.

- One German WWII Wehrpaß Identification Book stamped Heer on the front, issued 5. Aug 1937 and named to Xaver Moosbauer, short for Franz Xaver Moosbauer. His last name is also listed on the front on a piece of paper tape. These identification books were required beginning in 1935 with the beginning of conscription in NSDAP-ruled Germany, and all eligible males were required to get one. His date of birth is listed as 5. Juli. 1899, so he was also quite a bit older than the usual recruit when the book was issued.

- One German WWII Deutsches Reich Arbeitsbuch (German National Workbook), named to what looks like Maria Hallefas geb. Cowwer (???), indicating both her married and maiden names. As indicated on page 5 the book was issued 17. Sep. 1942, and it is the 1935 pattern book, with the new Reichsadler Design. These books grew out of a 1935 law requiring registration of work, and documentation of work history for German citizens-and only German citizens. Foreigners who worked in Germany carried an Arbeitsbuch für Ausländer which had a picture of the owner.

- One German WWII Reisepass (Passport), named to Leopoldine Brunhuber geb. Stessl, indicating both her married name and her maiden name. It was issued 3. Mai, 1938, and she definitely did travel a bit during the war, as indicated in the later pages.

A great set of German WWII Era Identification material, full of great translation and research possibilities!

Of note: some of the writing in this book is in Kurrentschrift, an older form of Germanic script writing, which is why the all the "u" letters are written as "ŭ". In this script the lowercase "n" and "u" are identical, so the latter gets the arc shaped mark over it. This is not indicative of an umlaut or other diacritical marking.