Original German WWII Document and Vehicle ID Flag Grouping from German Driver Josef Stein Original Items

Original Item: One of a Kind set. This is a fantastic German WWII Document set, complete with a Vehicle identification flag, purchased directly from the family of he owner, German Immigrant Joseph G. Stein. Born during 1907 in the Bavarian town of Watzling, Josef Stein served during WWII in the German armed forces, and is listed mainly as a Fahrer (driver), though he is listed as a Reiter (Rider) on a few documents. Stein looks to have served extensively during WWII in the München (Munich) area of Bavaria, though he also served in other locations. His unit is listed as Fahr-Ers.u.Ausb.Abt.7, on some documents. which looks to be an Ersatz (replacement) driver training unit. There is also a 1943 dated document placing him in the 3.Kradschtz.Ausb.Batt.7, which would be the 3rd Motorcycle Rifleman Training Battalion 7.

After the conclusion of the war, he emigrated to the United States at some point, and eventually passed away in 1987 at the age of approximately 79-80. Following his death this wonderful set was purchased from his family in 2019. It is a treasure trove of research material, with documents, newspaper clippings, and more! Please look at the many scans to show the depth of information provided by this material.

Key items of interest in this set include:

• A very good condition multi-piece construction double sided German WWII Vehicle identification flag. It measures approximately 31 x 39 inches and both sides have the standard NSDAP Swas (Hook Cross) dyed onto a circular white field. These were then sewn onto the red cotton body of the flag. There are grommets in each corner, which were secured to tension lines that secured the flag to the back of the vehicle laying flat. Thereby the flag was only visible to persons located above. Generally these flags were intended to be seen by German airplanes so as not to be struck by friendly fire. This would have been vital to Stein’s job as a driver.
• Stein’s Wehrstammbuch (Military Register) book, containing detailed information on his service 1939 – 1943.
• Stein’s Gesundheitsbuch (G=buch) Health Records Book, with dates up to 1943. It has the stamp Truppenarzt kraftf. Ers. Abt. 7, for the 7th Ersatz Battalion Physician.
• A copy of Ewanzig Jahre Deutsche Wehrmacht (20 Years of the German Armed Forces) dated 1939 in paperback.

There is also much much more, shown in the scanned pictures. Even with a translator app it would probably take weeks to fully get through the huge amount of information in this set. If you were looking for a great historical project, this is it!