One-of-a-kind grouping to a Pionier officer who was awarded 3 Tank Destruction Badges (TDB).

This group was sourced in June 2008 from the granddaughter in Germany of Oberleutnant Herbert Trautmann. Oberleutnant Trautmann was an enlisted Pionier who was commissioned as a Leutnant later in the war. His vast array of awards includes: the DRL Badge, Czech Medal, Ost Medal, Black Wound Badge, General Assault Badge, Iron Cross I and II, and 3 Tank Destruction Badges. The Zimmermann Iron Cross I has his name period scratched on the back along with Pirna/Elbe which is a region in Saxony and the hometown of Trautmann. All awards but the Czech Medal, Iron Cross II, and TDBs are accompanied by their original award documents. It is exceedingly rare for any attributed group that includes a TDB to have a source document listing the award. The absence of documentation for them in this group does not detract from the significance of it as it was sourced directly from the granddaughter. The link from the Wehrmacht Awards Forum provides some background showing when it was sourced by the original purchaser: Tank Destruction Badge Grouping - Wehrmacht-Awards.com Militaria Forums

Accompanying this group is research material on Herbert Trautmann, some translated in English. After the war, and his subsequent release from captivity, Herr Trautmann was a public servant and active in his community of Gifhorn. For his contributions to his community, a small Platz was named after him which became the subject of controversy because of the laws prohibiting the naming of public places after former members of the Wehrmacht. After an investigation, he was cleared of any involvement in atrocities and Herbert Trautmann Platz still stands today.

Since its purchase in 2008, it has only been in the hands of three advanced collectors. Pionier Battalion 655 was part of the 16th Armee at the beginning of Operation Barbarossa.