Soldbuch to Maschinisten-Obermaat Friedhelm Krautscheid. First issue from May 1941. Krautscheid was already an NCO as Maschinenmaat at this point, and he had been serving with the Kriegsmarine in the 1930's, earning the Spanienkreuz mit Schwertern in Silber in June 1939, and a Verwundetenabzeichen in Schwarz in January 1940, possibly also awarded for a wound sustained in the Spanish civil war.  

Krautscheid must have worked primarily in technical or desk jobs for the most part of the war, his units include the Marineschule Wesermünde and the 2. Ausbildungsabteilung für Kriegsschiffneubauten. But in July 1944, his career took an interesting turn when he joined the "K-Verbände", the Kleinkampf branch of the Kriegsmarine fighting the enemy with experimental midget submarines and explosive speed boats. On 19th of October 1944, he is transfered to the newly formed K-Flottille 613 on the Adriatic sea in Italy. It was part of the Lehrkommando 600 specialised in the use of "Sturmboote", and consisted of MTM-Sprengboote, MAS-Sturmboote and MTSMA-Sturmboote; these midget torpedo and explosive boats were all Italian made.  

Krautscheid remained with this highly interesting Kleinkampf unit until the end of the war, but was killed during the very last days, on 3rd of May 1945 in northern Italy. He is today buried in the German war cemetery of Costermano, Block 14, Grab 930.  

The Soldbuch is in well used but 100% complete and good condition. Interesting entries include a Mauser pistol, a Kriegsmarine Zenton wristwatch, a Fronturlauberpaket, and lots of tropical uniforms and equipment.