SS-WEHRPASS FROM AN AUSCHWITZ DOG-HANDLER

SS-WEHRPASS FROM AN AUSCHWITZ DOG-HANDLER
Extremely rare Wehrpass issued to SS-Sturmmann der Reserve Valentin 'Walker' Oblomijev, who was assigned as a dog handler at the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp. Born in Wossnessensk, Russia on Sept. 15, 1926, Oblomijev and his mother, Marie, resettled sometime after the start of Operation Barbarossa to an ethnic German camp in Brisau, Moravia. The Wehrpass was issued by the recruiting office in Zwittau, Germany, on May 24, 1944, and Oblomijev was assigned to the 4.SS-Totenkopfsturmbann Auschwitz (4th Company of SS Death's Head Battalion Auschwitz) nine days before it was issued. During his training, he qualified on the K-98 rifle, M.P. 38/40, M-24 stick grenade, P-08 Luger pistol, and the M.G. 34 and 42. Having been determined to be fit for guard duty service on May 26, 1944, he was reassigned to the 6./SS-Totenkopf Sturmbann Auschwitz (6th Company of SS Death's Head Battalion Auschwitz), which was assigned to the infamous central extermination center of the Auschwitz camp. From July 14 to September 20, 1944, Oblomijev attended the dog handler course in Oranienburg, then he was assigned to the infamous 'Hundestaffel' ('Dog Handler Company') at Auschwitz. These dog handlers were used to terrify prisoners upon arrival, to patrol the camp, to escort prisoners to the gas chambers, and sometimes to inflict horrific punishments -- either to torture supposed offenders of camp violations, or simply for the pleasure of sadistic guards. Oblomijev continued to serve with the Hundestaffel at Auschwitz until the camp was evacuated in January 1945. On January 21, he was reassigned to the 2./SS Totenkopf Sturmbann Flossenburg (2nd Company of SS Death's Head Battalion Flossenburg). At this point, Oblomijev's fate is unknown; however, when the Western Allies or Russians captured such Auschwitz guards and learned of their camp service, they often summarily executed them. Only about 200 guards served as dog handlers at Auschwitz. The pass is well-stamped and in near fine condition, with his portrait still present on the second page.