Germany Military Records Index

Germany’s military records reflect its complex history, spanning the German Empire, Weimar Republic, Third Reich, and the divisions of West and East Germany. Each period produced distinct military documentation, crucial for genealogical research. The German Empire (1871-1918) generated enlistment records and service logs. The Weimar Republic (1919-1933) maintained military archives amid political upheaval. The Third Reich (1933-1945) holds extensive records, including those of conscripts and war criminals, which can be pivotal for understanding family histories. Post-World War II, West Germany (1949-1990) and East Germany (1949-1990) developed separate military records reflecting their differing ideologies. Access to these archives is invaluable for anyone tracing German ancestry through military service.

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Collections available in Germany


Soviet Prisoners of World War II Held in Germany 1,654,115 records available Germany, Flossenbürg Prisoner Lists from JewishGen 88,011 records available Ordres Militaires et Melanges Historiques (Strasbourg) (1900) 868 records available See the entire collection catalog of military records in Germany

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