KIA! 1935 Nazi German Third Reich Birth Certificate Soldier Killed in action Document Eagle Swastika Stamp

Offered here is an original 1935 German “Geburtsschein” (birth certificate) issued by the civil registry office at Oldenstadt, Kreis Uelzen, and bearing a particularly attractive large purple official seal featuring the German eagle and swastikas.

The printed heading reads:

“Geburtsschein” – “Birth Certificate”

Directly underneath is the important statement:

“Nur gültig für Schul- und Unterrichtszwecke einschließlich des Konfirmationsunterrichts.”

Translation:

“Valid only for school and instructional purposes, including confirmation instruction.”

This indicates that the certificate was specifically issued as an official extract for educational and church-confirmation purposes rather than as a general-purpose civil certificate.

The document is Register No. 8 and records:

Name: Wilhelm Heinrich Hans Grots
Birth: 8 February 1924
Place of Birth: Kl. Liedern
Father: Heinrich Grots, Ziegelmeister — approximately brickworks master/foreman
Mother: Hennig, née Behrens

The certificate was issued at Oldenstadt on April 29, 1935 and is signed by the Standesbeamte (civil registrar), Schütte.

Large Official Oldenstadt Seal

At lower left is a large purple circular Standesbeamter in Oldenstadt, Kr. Uelzen official seal. The center displays the period German national eagle, surrounded by swastikas and the registrar’s identification.

Oldenstadt is historically associated with Uelzen in Lower Saxony, and period administrative references place Oldenstadt within the Uelzen district.

Later Wartime Notations

The front also carries several later handwritten pencil annotations. Most interesting is an upper-right notation that appears to include:

“gefallen 24. Aug. 1944”

The German word “gefallen” was commonly used for someone killed/fallen in military service, so this appears to record that Wilhelm Grots was killed on 24 August 1944. Additional wartime-era notes are present along the right side, including references and dates that appear to relate to subsequent official record entries.

Because these annotations are handwritten and partly difficult to decipher, they are best retained and studied as part of the document’s history rather than over-interpreted.

This transforms the piece from a straightforward 1935 birth certificate into a much more poignant document apparently following one German individual’s life from his 1924 birth through the Third Reich period and ultimately his reported death in 1944.

Condition

Original period-used condition with age toning, scattered spotting, fold/crease lines, edge wear and a small amount of corner/edge loss. There is a long diagonal crease through the lower-left portion. The handwriting remains generally legible and the large purple eagle/swastika official seal is exceptionally strong and clearly visible.

Please examine all photographs carefully for exact condition and handwritten details. The exact original document shown is included.

A very interesting named piece of German civil, genealogical and WWII-era history, particularly desirable for its 1935 date, Oldenstadt/Uelzen provenance, large official eagle/swastika seal, original registrar signature and apparent 1944 “gefallen” notation.

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