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

[Gildwiller1918]

Eastern Front photo of LW troops with at least 3 wearing the Krim Schild. It is not uncommon even today for flight crews to be highly decorated, especially in war zone support roles. 

[Gildwiller1918]

Good view of the breech of a 10.5 CM Feldhaubitze leFH 18M. Note the gas cape pouch on the man on the right, covering his bayonet.

[Gildwiller1918]

German troops in Russia, 1942. You can clearly see the strain on the faces. Lots of grenades, note the grenade sacks around the man in the center. Sometimes these were made from sandbags. 

[Gildwiller1918]

German troops with magnetic anti-armor charges also known as the Panzerhandmine, Hafthohlladung 3, or Panzerknacker. This was a shaped charge that fired a high explosive anti-tank (HEAT) round that could penetrate armor up to 140mm or armor and 20 inches of concrete. This device was introduced in late 1942, however it was replaced by the Panzerfaust in 1944, however remaining stocks were used till the end of the war. Anti-magnetic paste was added to tanks later in the war to prevent these and similar charges from sticking to the tanks and armored vehicles. 

[Gildwiller1918]

Nice view of LW troops in the field. I particularly like seeing the zeltbahns (shelter halves) in actions. Good view of what they wore under the tunics as well. 

[Gildwiller1918]

Nice detailed photo of 2 LW Flak members, both have the LW Flak badge, EK 2, EK 1, and the RK. The man in the rear also has the wound badge. 

[Kenny Andrew]

They seem very highly decorated for flak crew, have you any further information why they received the RK's?   

[Gildwiller1918]

No, unfortunately the photo source did not have any details. 

[Kenny Andrew]

I did some research and their names are Arnold Huebner and Erich Heintze.

Unteroffizier Erich Heintze (left) and Gefreiter Arnold Huebner (right), in a conversation with a radio war correspondent, April 1942. They were just received the coveted Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes (Knight's Cross of the Iron Crosses) a month before, in 7 March 1942. Heintze as a  Geschützführer, while Huebner as a  Richtkanonier. Both from 3.Batterie / I.Abteilung / Flak-Regiment 33 (motorisiert). The picture was taken by Bildberichter Eisenhardt.

Unteroffizier Erich Heintze and Gefreiter Arnold Hübner, members of a Flak-Regiment, were given the high award by the Supreme Commander of Panzerarmee Afrika, Generaloberst Rommel. They have proven themselves in the highest degree through their heroic bravery and decisiveness during the fighting of the Panzerarmee on the north African front. Through the destruction of numerous tanks and enemy battery positions they have brought about decisive battlefield results.

Erich Heintze

In the middle of the fierce battles, Unteroffizier Heintze and his gun were repeatedly engaged in heavy firefights with the enemy without cover. In this time Heintze successfully led his gun and cannoneers. Despite heavy losses he repeatedly led them into combat while showing personal bravery and cold-bloodedness. Up until his wounding he and his gun alone destroyed 23 tanks and an enemy battery over the course of 20 engagements.”

Arnold Huebner

On the 16.06.1941, during Operation Battleaxe, the 3./Flak-Regiment 33 (mot) was positioned on Hill 208 (between Capuzzo and Sidi Azeiz). On this day one of its gunners, Gefreiter Huebner, managed to destroy 8 enemy tanks in just a few minutes. Two days later, on the 18.11.1941, the Batterie fought near Bardia while subordinated to the 21. Panzer-Division. Here Huebner eliminated another 8 tanks. In total Huebner was able to raise his total of destroyed enemy materiel to 24 tanks and an artillery battery. For this he was decorated with the Knight’s Cross as the first enlisted man of the Afrika-Korps to be so honoured. 

 

[Gildwiller1918]

Great work Kenny, interesting story!

[Gildwiller1918]

Image of a an Army Obersoldat or a senior private at the demonstrating how to throw the M24 grenade at the military academy in Doberitz, Germany, 21st December 1938. Nice early war tunic with the bottle green collar. 

[Fritz]

Regarding Ritterkreuzträger - there is the official list by Fellgiebel, 1945, reprints can be found, or eventually the information somewhere online.
There are also postwar complete lists etc. such as by Klaus Patzwall and other authors.

Another source with short biographies, as far as known:

https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/country.asp?countryid=18

 

 

[Gildwiller1918]

Nice image of German soldiers with the Sturmgewehr 44 and the Raketenpanzerbuchse 43. Note the dark green collar on the man on the left as well as the nice condition of the uniforms.

[Fritz]

On the corner of Steenstraat near the Musis Sacrum in Arnhem, the German Kriegsberichter Lt. Erwin Seeger took a photo of two British prisoners of war paratroopers, who were taken away by German soldiers in a captured British jeep.
Late September 1944
The British take a seat on the back of the jeep, as can be seen, the atmosphere is relaxed. The British are probably from the Musis Sacrum. During the war, the Musis was used as a ‘Wehrmachtsheim’ (Wehrmacht rest home) and during the Battle of Arnhem served as a collection point for British POWs.
From Musis, the POWs were transported to various barracks outside Arnhem, from where they were transported by train to large prisoner of war camps in Germany.
The jeep originally belonged to the 1st Airlanding Light Regiment, this was an artillery regiment that used the jeeps to transport cannons. For most of the Battle of Arnhem, the guns of this regiment were stationed at the Oude Kerk on the Benedendorpseweg in Oosterbeek.
Leutnant Erwin Seeger was with the Luftwaffe Kriegsberichter Abteilung of the Fallschirmjäger AOK.
The soldier on the left is in fact one of a group of Naval Personnel (Marine-Artillerie-Abteilung) that were attached to the 9th SS-Pz Div., there were over 2000 "Marines" fighting in and around Arnhem. They fought as cohesive units supplemented with Heer or SS NCOs attached for leadership and direction (naval personnel not so well trained in street fighting). They were also thrown into Kampfgruppen already fighting in situ. They wore a golden eagle, buttons and shoulder board insignia.
(Photo source - Bundesarchiv Bild 101I-590-2330-12)

[Fritz]

Late 1920s in Munich

Hitler and Kronprinz Wilhelm, ca. 1933

Hitler with Reichspräsident von Hindenburg, Potsdam 1933

Hitler's private life was strictly private

"Kunst kommt vom Können, die Kunst ist über über die Technik und die Wissenschaft erhaben...." (Göbbels)

Hitler with Edda und Emmy Göring

"Rast im Harz"

Berchtesgaden and Obersalzberg, examples of the many popular postcards of the time

Hitler at the grave of his parents in Leonding

With Eva Braun at the Berghof in Berchtesgaden, June 1942

March 1943

Hitler with his last Adjutant, Otto Günsche in the Reichskanzlei in Berlin

The last public appearance and some of the last photos, April 1945

[Gildwiller1918]

I have always liked the crispness and clarity that B/W photos show, a lot of details present. Nice additions Fritz!

[Gildwiller1918]

15 cm Nebelwerfer 41 crew loading rockets into the barrels. The Nebelwerfer fired rockets that had various heads, such as high explosive, poison gas and incendiary. There is an additional picture of the ordinance used. 

 

[Fritz]

 

Das in Bielefeld stationierte 3. Bataillon des Infanterieregiments 18 wurde am 25. August 1939 zur Sicherung des Westwalls in die Saarpfalz verlegt; Stadtarchiv Bielefeld, Bestand 300,11/Kriegschronik der Stadt, Nr. 1: Kriegschronik 1939-1940, Teil 1

Bielefeld: Am Klosterplatz sammelten sich Kompanien eines Landesschützenbataillons; Stadtarchiv Bielefeld, Bestand 400,4/Fotoalben, Nr. 77: Fotoalbum des Hauptmanns Wilhelm Kurzhahn über das Landesschützen-Bataillon XXIV/VI, 1939-1943

Der gebürtige Bielefelder Fritz Dingerdissen fiel als Panzerkommandant am 1. September 1939 im polnischen Mokra III, Foto etwa 1937; Stadtarchiv Bielefeld, Bestand 400,3/Fotosammlung

Die WNN veröffentlichten Todesanzeigen für die ersten gefallenen Bielefelder; Stadtarchiv Bielefeld, Bestand 400,2/Zeitungen; Westfälische Neueste Nachrichten v. 13. September 1939

Quelle: historischer-rueckblick-bielefeld.com

 

[Fritz]

A German prisoner, captured near Otterlo,after the German counter-attack towards the tiny Dutch village in an attempt to cut the 5th Canadian Division spearhead. 17 Apr. 1945, Otterlo, The Netherlands.

[Fritz]

German soldiers pose in front of the abandoned French (Forges & Chantiers de la Méditerranée) FCM-2C heavy tank "PICARDIE" No.92 of 51 E BCL (Bataillon de Chars Lourds) 1ère Compagnie at Piennes, in the Meurthe-et-Moselle department in north-eastern France. Late June 1940.

(The soldier on the right is sitting on one of the tanks drive motors.)

The Picardy suffered electrical failure at Piennes (2 km SW of Landres) 12 June 1940.
She was scuttled by her crew on June 13.
Research by Doug Banks.
(Colourised by Richard James Molloy)

[Fritz]

2 Luftwaffen Ground troops wearing Italian M29 camo and carrying captured American weapons. Near Nettuno, Italy."
16-18 February 1944
 two varieties of Thompson SMG's, M1 Garands, Springfield rifle, etc
Other sources give them as " .... two Jägers belonging to the armored battalion of the reconnaissance parachutist "Hermann Göring" (Fallschirm-Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung, commanded by the Hauptmann Rebholz).
Photographer: Rauchwetter, Gerhard (Luftflotte 2)

 

(Internet photo)

 

 

 

 

[Fritz]

A dramtic photo stated as Ukraine, 1943, no further details known. The lightweight cotton drill tunic, normally a working garment, was favoured in hot climatic conditions for combat. As well as a pistol, he seems to be carrying an entrenching tool, an effective weapon in close combat.

[Gildwiller1918]

Luftwaffe troops using an Enigma machine, no details on location/date. The Enigma machine was a remarkable piece of technology, and the Germans felt it was impossible to de-cypher. However this proved a fatal error, and decrypted enigma messages helped the allies immensely. 

Image source, internet.

[Gildwiller1918]

Infantry and Panzer III's advancing in Russia in July of 1941. 

[Fritz]

Wartime Deutsche Reichsbahn photos

Truppenverpflegung, 1940

Wehrmachtverpflegungsstelle, Bahnhof Saalfeld/Saale, 1942

Plakat: Räder müssen rollen...

Zurückbleiben! Der Zug fährt gleich ab...

Entgegennahme von Meldungen am Dienstfernsprecher, 1942

Gleisschaltung

Stationsvorsteherin and Lokführer, 1943. Women were conscripted to war service.

Publicity photo, 1942

Fahrkartenkontrolle, Düsseldorf-Wuppertal, 1943

Berlin, 1944

Wirballen/Ostpreußen, Lok from the RVD Riga

Streckenbau, Ukraine, August 1943

Near Dnepropetrovsk, 1943

Caused by partisans, Russia, 1943

Bw Kroleoschina (?), Heeresgruppe Mitte

Partisanenanschläge (2 photos), "Hilfswillige" clearing up

Russian prisoners of war in rail transport

French prisoners of war working on the Strecke Mährisch-Schönberg - Zöptau, Bahnhof Petersdorf, 1943

Kälna, Ukraine, in the middle of nowhere.

Kälna, Ukraine, 1943, a wayside blockhouse. Manning these was extremely dangerous, due to the isolated situation and constant partisan activity. Reichsbahn personnel were generally armed.

Diese Lok vor einem Arbeitszug wurde als eine pr. S 10 (ex PKP Pk1-5, ex 1001 Cassel) vom Bw Molodetschno (bei Minsk) identifiziert, die hilft, die Schäden an einer gesprengten Strecke zu beseitigen. Im rückwärtigen Gebiet der Heeresgruppe Mitte - dem hauptsächlichen Operationsgebiet der Partisaneneinheiten - kein ungewöhnliches Bild. Allein zwischen Juni und Dezember 1942 durchschnittlich fünf bis sechs Anschläge auf Bahneinrichtungen pro Tag verübt. Im Jahr 1943 wurden insgesamt ca. 11.000 Gleissprengungen, 9.000 entgleiste Züge und 40.000 zerstörte Wagen gezählt.

Winter in Minsk, 1943

Bridge at the Harburger Chaussee, Hamburg-Veddel, 29.7.1944

KLV - Kinderlandverschickung - children from larger cities were sent to more remote country areas for safety, especially to East Prussia, however, as the tide turned and the Red Army moved nearer, they had to be evacuated, often back to the bombed out cities.

Source: Eisenbahnstiftung