Feldgrau.net

Hello- I am doing some research on my family and I'm looking to find my grandfather's military records. I'm told he was a prisoner of war in Russia. I have tried the Red Cross and have initiated a search with the Deutsche Dienststelle. I have also been advised it may be worth going to Freiburg in person to the archives there- anyone have any advice/experience of this? (I also posted this in the archive forum so apologies for duplicating!)
Finally, I'm trying to identify his regiment. This is a photo was taken shortly after his release from Soviet captivity at the end of January 1946 (or so I'm told- it seems quite early). He was sent to the front (I presume eastern) towards the end of 1942, aged 21, having previously been able to delay because of his engineering studies. I would be really grateful if anyone could help! (I'm also a German speaker so answers in German welcome!)

ETA it would make more sense that the date I read as "46" (the year I know he returned from captivity) may have been a messy "0" which would make this a picture on the day of enlistment in 1940. I know he didn't go the the front until 42 though, possibly because he managed to delay because of his engineering studies.

His name was Wolfgang von Schimmelmann

Hi,
I agree that the picture is earlier than 1946 for a couple of reasons. Firstly he wears the Infanterie schulterklappen with his unit on them, although they are not visible to decide his unit. Secondly there is a breast eagle on his tunic, which if the picture was taken during or shortly after Soviet captivity I would expect such a direct visual reference to the Nazi Reich to have been removed.

The Deutsches Dienstelle in Berlin is a good place to start.