German WW2 Certificate for likely POW Guard Killed in Summer 1944

A rare certificate for a German killed in the Summer of 1944.

It translates to

DURING THE BATTLE FOR
THE FREEDOM of
GREATER GERMANY
Edward Huffer
Private in the
2 [Company]
Landesschütze Battalion 334
Died IN SERVICE FOR The
Fuhrer the PEOPLE AND the FATHERLAND
August 3, 1944
signed
Captain and Company Commander

Landesschützen units were raised with the mobilization of 1939. Landesschützen were soldiers from the 30 to 45 age group who were too old or unfit for front line service.

These troops were not offensive troops with their role is to provide internal security. The Mob-Plan has the number of Landesschützen units with 5292 officers, 287 officials, 22 554 NCO´s and 1149 359 men (+8700 total in eastern prussia).

The Lds.Schtz. units were part of the Ersatzheer also tactically subordinated to the Feldheer if in occuppied territories.

At the beginning of the war their duties were all rear guard and security duties .. POW´s, bridges, installations, transports etc…
Later special units like bridge-, transport guard units were formed leeaving them mainly POW guard duties. Of course some units in occupied territories were also involved in anti partisan etc.. operations.

In 1942 a Landesschützenbataillon had 3 companies (4/19/129) and a Stabskompanie.