High quality color & exceptional B/W photographs. German side

[Fritz]

On 25/12/2019 at 03:16, Gildwiller1918 said:

This is a nice original period 'Gebirgsjäger' (German Mountain Troops) Propaganda Postcard, and it was published by the 'Kunstverlag E.A. Schwerdtfeger & Co. AG.' from Berlin. The postcard measures approximately 15 x 10,5 cm. Gebirgsjägers wore essentially the same core uniform as regular infantry with some exceptions—mountain boots (Bergstiefel), the short-brimmed mountain cap (Bergmütze), and a reversible Windbluse (anorak) are the most visible differences. In addition to the core field gear (canteens, mess kits, etc.), Gebirgsjäger sometimes carried climbing equipment, skis and snow shoes. Weaponry included the K98 Mauser rifle, MP40 submachine gun, MG34 and MG42 machine guns, like their regular army counterparts. A shorter-barrelled K98, called the Gewehr 33/40 was also issued, more suited for carrying into the mountains. The infantry regiments were also supported by anti-tank guns, mortars and howitzers from the division. A typical division numbered about 15,000 men, 1,400 vehicles and up to 6,000 pack animals, ranging from horses of varying breeds to camels. 
 

Keilhose für Gebirgsjäger.  For full effect, best viewed from the side. (internet photo example, now hard to find)

As for the special equipment, they also had a "Keilhose", which was of different cut to the normal infantry trousers. These used to be still available on the collectors' market up till around the mid 90s, have not seen any since. "Keil" is like a triangular form, and that gave the trousers a triangular silhouette viewed from the side. They were usually tied at the ankles or with loops under the feet, and worn without gaiters. A special form of gaiters resembling "spats" were also sometimes worn. They usually had a reinforced seat and sometimes also knee patches. Shown is an early example with v-cutout and waist adjustment strap to centre rear.

 

[Fritz]

(See illustration above)

[Gildwiller1918]

Very nice! It is interesting to see the many variations and special items used by the troops.

[Gildwiller1918]

Here is a photo of a sniper and spotter team, most likely staged. Interesting to note the close combat badge on the spotter/NCO.  

[Gildwiller1918]

Nice example of the paratrooper ensemble. He has the bandolier, gloves, Mauser rifle, 2 M24 grenades, jump smock and helmet. 

[Gildwiller1918]

Here we have a NCO giving instructions on the 8 cm Granatwerfer 34, which was a standard mortar for the Germans in WW2. Note the member on the left, wearing the bottle green shoulder tabs, while the man next to him has the field grey version, and the NCO next to him does not appear to be wearing shoulder boards at all. The man to the right seems to be wearing a summer tunic as well. 

[Gildwiller1918]

This one said it was a inspection outside a barracks. Must be early war as they are wearing the soutache on the hats, and the gear is all immaculate condition. Some still have the bottle green collars while some have the field grey collars. 

[Gildwiller1918]

I did find some info that might date this photo, in January of 1939, a list of gas protection items was released, one of these was the gascape which is on the soldiers chest in the photo above. The pouches appear to be cloth which would make them early war as well, later wartime examples were rubberized. March 1939, amended instructions were released on how to properly wear and use the gascape, this included wearing the cape in its pouch across the wearers chest for easy access in case of gas attack. In an order from march 18, 1940 it was dictated that the sling of the gas mask canister had to be put through the upper loop of the pouch twice to prevent sliding. Wearing of the gascape on the front did not sit well with the troops and they began strapping them to the gas mask containers, which was against regulations. However in December 1942, orders were given that the capes were to be attached to the gas mask canister instead of wearing on the chest. So the picture above would be from 1939 to 1942. Also in 1942 the soutache was removed from the side caps as well. 

[Gildwiller1918]

Interesting photo of a Unteroffizier checking out damage to rear of the ME-109. He has the EK2 ribbon and seems to have suspenders for flight pants perhaps. 

[Gildwiller1918]

A Kriegsberichter (war correspondent) holding an Arriflex 35mm camera ACR 0292 and he is leaning against a knocked out Soviet BT-5 light tank. 1942

[Gildwiller1918]

A Focke Wulf FW-190 A6 Nº20 of 4./Jagdgeschwader 54 (JG 54) on the airfield at Immola in Finland,  July 1944. 

[Gildwiller1918]

Two German members of the Organisation Todt (involved in the construction of the Atlantic Wall) are sitting on the Spitfire brought down on the wet sands at Calais.

[Gildwiller1918]

Organization Todt members captured in Normandy after the landings. 

Organisation Todt (OT) was a civil and military engineering organisation in Germany from 1933 to 1945, named for its founder, Fritz Todt, an engineer and senior Nazi. The organization was responsible for a huge range of engineering projects both in Nazi Germany and in occupied territories from France to the Soviet Union during World War II. It became notorious for using forced labour. From 1943-45 during the late phase of the Third Reich, OT administered all constructions of concentration camps to supply forced labor to industry.

Todt was succeeded by Albert Speer as Minister of Armaments and Munitions, and de facto manager of the Organisation Todt. Despite Todt's death, the OT continued to exist as an engineering organisation and was given more assignments. At the beginning of 1943, in addition to its continuing work on the Atlantic Wall, the organization also undertook the construction of launch platforms in northern France for the V-1 flying bomb and V-2 rocket. 

The OT was a co-operative effort of the German government and the German construction industry; the former supplied the manpower and the material, the latter supplied the technical know-how in the form of individual contractors (OT-Firmen) with their staff and equipment. Up to about 1942 the construction companies dominated the OT, but after Speer became its director, the governments control of the organization increased through standardized contracts and uniform pay scales. The volunteer contracts with the OT were later augmented with compulsory contracts, forcing construction companies to work for the OT. The construction company contracted became a self contained unit within the OT, composed of technical and administrative staff with the skill and equipment necessary to execute the construction tasks assigned to it. Smaller companies were hence combined to form an Arbeitsgemeinschaft. The organization of the OT contractors were standardized though instructions issued by Wirtschaftsgruppe Bauindustrie, the German construction industry association. Among the OT contractors were also construction companies in occupied Europe. French, Danish, and Norwegian companies contracted with German companies as sub-contractors for OT building projects.

[Fritz]

Their armbands have been removed.

[Gildwiller1918]

They were probably taken from them as souvenirs. 

[Gildwiller1918]

Here is an interesting photo. First I believe he is a feldwebel, if you look at the shoulder boards, the right side has the lace, and looks like 2 prongs for a pip that are showing on top. The left side shoulder board appears to be upside down. His tunic has the bottle green collar and early style litzen. The Y straps have been modified also, they are missing the side straps, you can see the holes where these have been removed. Around his neck are service binoculars, probably 6x30 type. Next to those he has the MP-40 triple pouch next to the weapon itself. On the right side he has a periscope and what looks like a map case as well. He is wearing the Iron cross first class and has a ribbon bar, left one look like the 4 year service medal, the right side is hard to make out, it may be the iron cross 2nd class. I like how he used his helmet chinstrap to hold foliage as well. Obviously a field taken picture, unknown location and date. 

[Gildwiller1918]

Here are soldiers of the 9th company, 110th Infantry regiment, learning how to use the MG34. They appear to be wearing the early white drill pants, which were later replaced by a green colored version. they all appear to be wearing the early style tunic with the green collar and shoulder boards. The helmets still have the tri-color decals as well. The soldier on the right is holding a spare barrel from the carrier underneath. Nice pre-war or early war photo. 

[Gildwiller1918]

Here is an interesting photo, Army troops preparing to fire the Mg-34 while on the shoulder of a fellow comrade. Interestingly enough the fellow whose shoulder the weapon is on in a senior NCO, he has the double rings on his sleeves for "Der Spiess" which could indicate he is a Oberfeldwebel or Hauptfeldwebel. This position was similar to a company sergeant major. Unfortunately we cannot see his rank, and he is also equipped with a Russian SVT-40 semi-auto rifle. I can honestly say I would not like to experience the noise of the MG-34 going off near my head. 

[Gildwiller1918]

Here is another good view of the MG-34 with a gun crew. The soldier on the right has the green collar and shoulder tabs on his tunic, probably a M36 type. The two prone troops have the greatcoat on, the collars on these are not bottle green but grey indicating they are the m40 pattern, they still have the bottle green detachable shoulder boards in place. I would say this is another early war photo, as their equipment looks very clean and in good shape. 

[Gildwiller1918]

In WW2 it was no secret that all sides used weapons from other countries as needed, Germany was no exception, here we have Luftwaffe crew using a Czech built ZB-60 heavy machine gun. This fired a 15mm cartridge at a rate of 420 rounds per minute.  The Germans designated this gun as the 15 mm FlaMG 490(j) and was used in an anti-aircraft role. A impressive sized weapon nonetheless. 

 

[Fritz]

All textbook quality - first picture - shoulder straps worn in reverse! Yes, they did actually do that (probably to make his rank less conspiquous in the field, esp. concerning snipers, etc.). With one pip he would be a Feldwebel.
Ribbon bar: Most likely the Sudetenland medal after the long service medal. The Iron Cross ribbon is always before all other decoratons!

Second photo - note also the early shoulder boards - unpiped, pointed top and the regimental numbers embroidered in the specific colour, in this case white, the shoulder buttons with company number.

Third photo: The two rings as "Kompaniespieß" were for Stabsfeldwebel or Hauptfeldwebel (not Oberfeldwebel). These were not ranks (Dienstgrad), but "Dienststelle"!

The Germans did make a lot of use of captured weapons and equipment, probably more than any other army (apart from partisans, etc.)

[Gildwiller1918]

In the first photo where the shoulder strap is reversed, just found it strange that only one was completely reversed while the other is in its normal position with the rank pip switched to the underside, would it not be easy to just reverse both? Good point on the ribbon bar, I did not think about that. 

[Fritz]

If you look closely at first photo or enlarge, you will see both straps are reversed. Ribbons were always set in the order of their seniority!

[Gildwiller1918]

Here is a picture of Oberfeldwebel Erich Hellmann (born 13 February 1916 Zollerndorf, East Prussia), who was a decorated paratrooper, he ended the war as an Oberleutnant and leader of 1./Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 3. He fought on the Eastern Front as well as the Italian Front, and was at Monte Cassino. 

Awards: Parachutist Badge,  Iron Cross (1939) 2nd Class and 1st Class,  Ground Assault Badge of the Luftwaffe,  Wound Badge in Black, Silver and Gold, the German Cross in Gold, Lastly, Knight Cross of the Iron Cross. 

[Gildwiller1918]

Here is a often seen photo of German troops during the initial invasion of Russia in 1941. Good view of the MG-34 and associated equipment.