Looking for help to identify a soldiers rank and unit

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#1

Hello,
I have this photo from my grand pa:

… see next post …
I know he’s wearing the Edelwais insignia on the shoulder, but I do not know what he’s ranks is nor any other information. Can anyone help out?

Here is picture of the back of the photo. Note his name (Feliks Jancic) and, in blu, I guess it’s the location name, but I can’t read German so I don’t know what that is…

… see next post …

Thanks and regards,
Mauricio Jancic

#2

Photos:


#3

The few things I can add I wrote on the photo site:

http://www.ww2incolor.com/updates?g2_itemId=655675
http://www.ww2incolor.com/updates?g2_itemId=655667

How did he get into German (Heer-) service?

#4

What we know is that he was captured in Yugoslavia. That’s about it…
Why?

#5

FYI, the should number is 118, from what I can see.

#6

I think it’s rather unusual to see non-German personnel in regular army units. Jancic sounds Slovenian or Croatian to me (correct me if I’m mistaken).

#7

Hi again,
Let me clarify this.

The shoulder strap reads 118 although the 1s can be 2s, it’s a bad angle.
The story we have tells us that he’s from Slovenia and he was captured by the Germans when they invaded Slovenia.
Later on he was rescued by the British and served on the RAF on a ship called HMS Mallow.
On the transition he was held prisoner in Tunisia.

What I’ve been told is that the cap is not one from a low rank soldier so I was always intrigued of his story was true or not.

Makes sense?
Mauricio

#8

A “118” is most unlikely, possible options are 138 or 218.

The story we have tells us that he’s from Slovenia and he was captured by the Germans when they invaded Slovenia.
Later on he was rescued by the British and served on the RAF on a ship called HMS Mallow.
On the transition he was held prisoner in Tunisia.

That’s some way to live through WW2!:shock:

What I’ve been told is that the cap is not one from a low rank soldier…

It is, otherwise there would be silver braid.
“Schirmmütze für Mannschaften der Gebirgstruppe” (uniform peaked cap for enlisted men of the mountain troops)

#9

If you want to choose the official path and you’re ready to spend a little money (and much time) try the WASt/DD.
They got files on every person who served in the German armed forces:
http://www.dd-wast.javabase.de/