Waldemar Klepke Visiting Luftwaffe Flugplatz in France (1940)

General der Flieger Waldemar Klepke (left, Höherer Fliegerausbildungskommandeur 3) visiting unnamed Luftwaffe Flugplatz in France, 1940. Klepke, born on 6 October 1882 in Bromberg, West Prussia, and a veteran of the Imperial German Army who transitioned into aviation roles during the First World War as an observer and commander of various Feldflieger-Abteilungen before serving as Gruppenführer der Flieger 16, played a significant organizational role in the Luftwaffe during the Second World War as Höherer Fliegerausbildungskommandeur 3. Recalled to active duty on 26 August 1939 amid the general mobilization following his earlier interwar service as Inspekteur der Aufklärungsflieger und des Luftbildwesens in the Reichsluftfahrtministerium and various staff and instructional positions that honed his expertise in flight training and reconnaissance, Klepke assumed command of this higher flying training command, which oversaw advanced pilot instruction, specialized aircrew development, and the coordination of training programs across assigned Luftwaffe schools and facilities to prepare air personnel for operational demands. Holding the post until the end of May 1943, his tenure as Höherer Fliegerausbildungskommandeur 3 contributed to the Luftwaffe's efforts to maintain a steady supply of qualified aviators amid the escalating requirements of the air war, drawing on his prewar experience as a flight instructor at institutions such as the Infanterie-Schule in Dresden and the Kriegsakademie in Berlin, as well as his deep knowledge of aerial observation and photography. Promoted to General der Flieger on 1 January 1939, Klepke ultimately retired from active service on 31 May 1943 and died by suicide in Berchtesgaden on 5 May 1945.

Source :
https://pixpast.wordpress.com/?query-10-page=3&cst&str=428&id_parent=7898&items=12&vd=downloaded&category=7902&flow=1

The The Surrender of General von Choltitz and the Liberation of Paris

General der Infanterie Dietrich von Choltitz surrendered to Général de brigade Philippe Leclerc de Hauteclocque (Commander 2e Division Blindée), 25 August 1944. On 7 August previously he was appointed as Kommandierenden General und Wehrmachtbefehlshaber von Groß-Paris (Military Governor of Paris). At a meeting in Germany the following day, Hitler instructed him to be prepared to leave no Parisian religious building or historical monument standing. After Choltitz's arrival in Paris on 9 August, Hitler confirmed the order by cable: "The city must not fall into the enemy's hand except lying in complete rubble." A week later Hitler, in a rage, screamed, "Brennt Paris?" (Is Paris burning?).

On 15 August 1944, the Paris police went on strike, followed on 19 August by a general insurrection led by the French Communist Party. The German garrison under Choltitz fought back but was far too small to quell the uprising. He brokered a ceasefire with the insurgents on 20 August, but many Resistance groups did not accept it, and a series of skirmishes continued on the next day. On 25 August, Choltitz surrendered the German garrison of 17,000 men to the Free French, leaving the city largely intact. Because Hitler's directive was not carried out, Choltitz has been described by some as the "Saviour of Paris". General von Choltitz later claimed in his memoir of 1951 that he defied Hitler's order to destroy Paris because he loved the city and had decided that Hitler was by then insane.

It is known that the Swedish consul-general in Paris, Raoul Nordling, and the president of the municipal council, Pierre Taittinger, held several meetings with Choltitz, during which he negotiated the release of political prisoners. The all-night confrontation between Nordling and Choltitz on the eve of the surrender, as depicted in the 1965 book and 1966 film, Is Paris Burning?, and again in the 2014 film Diplomacy — in which Nordling persuades Choltitz to spare the city in return for a pledge to protect his family — was reported as factual in some newspaper stories, but lacks a definitive historical basis.

Source :
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dietrich_von_Choltitz
https://wtop.com/europe/2019/05/rare-color-footage-brings-d-day-memories-alive-75-years-on/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbBA77lgbak

Prisoners of War: Wehrmacht Soldiers in U.S.Captivity

During the war, over 400.000 German Prisoners of War were sent to prisoner camps in the United States, mostly in rural areas. Here they were given adequate food, medical care, and humane treatment, often far better than what German soldiers experienced on the Eastern Front or what Allied POWs faced in German captivity. Many were put to work on farms and in factories, receiving small wages and some even developed friendly relationships with American guards and locals. After the war, tens of thousands were held longer to assist with reconstruction efforts in Europe. Some were sent to Britain and France for forced labor before being fully released. The "Rheinwiesenlager" (Rhine Meadow Camps) in Germany, run by U.S. and French forces, had harsh conditions, with some prisoners suffering from malnutrition and disease due to overcrowding and food shortages. By 1948, most German POWs had been released and sent back home.

Source :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlpi8K6WsEA

Panther Tanks Transported on the Rail

Two Panzerkampfwagen V Panthers transported on the rail. The picture was taken at Mailly le camp, Aube, France, circa 1944. Departure for Normandy?

Source :
Akira Takiguchi photo collection
http://www.history.jp/wehrmacht/034.htm
https://smolbattle.ru/threads/%D0%92%D0%BE%D0%BA%D0%B7%D0%B0%D0%BB%D1%8B-%D0%B8-%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B0%D0%BD%D1%86%D0%B8%D0%B8-%D0%B2%D0%BE-%D0%B2%D1%80%D0%B5%D0%BC%D1%8F-%D0%BE%D0%BA%D0%BA%D1%83%D0%BF%D0%B0%D1%86%D0%B8%D0%B8.74773/
http://souvenezvous44.blogspot.com/2020/07/depart-pour-zur-normandi-front.html
https://twitter.com/puyokuma7/status/1199381810691497984

German Pilots Playing Cards While Off Duty

Luftwaffe fighter pilots in northern France relaxing and playing cards while awaiting their next engagement. From 'Signal' magazine, April 1943 edition, a German propaganda magazine produced by the Wehrmacht from 1940 to 1945.

Source :
https://www.agefotostock.com/age/en/details-photo/world-war-ii-1939-1945-german-fighter-pilots-in-northern-france-relaxing-and-playing-cards-while-awaiting-their-next-engagement/IAM-0510005075
https://www.alamy.com/luftwaffe-image367666705.html?imageid=E12C27B6-621A-4D63-8F8D-F91670102BC4&p=236409&pn=1&searchId=93bc764563f7ddd20e4729a986adae0f&searchtype=0
https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/news-photo/german-airmen-off-duty-france-1943-a-print-from-signal-news-photo/463908117

First Batch of German POWs from Normandy

1,096 German prisoners of War have arrived at Hardway on HM Landing Ship Tank (LST-165) at Gosport. June 1944. This is the first transport with prisoners from Normandy invasion. They will be interrogated and distributed to various camps according to their classification but first, marched to either the holding camp in the Mill lane area or onward to other camps by rail from Gosport station.

Source :
https://www.agefotostock.com/age/en/details-photo/ww-ii-historical-war-world-war-second-world-war-operation-overlord-overlord-invasion-german-prisoners-nazi-national-socialist-soldier-march/H44-10957047
https://www.akg-images.co.uk/archive/-2UMEBM9OJZ.html
https://www.alamy.com/ww-ii-historical-war-world-war-second-world-war-operation-overlord-image68448510.html
https://www.bridgemanimages.com/en/noartistknown/1-096-german-prisoners-of-war-have-arrived-on-hm-landing-ship-tank-lst-165-at-gosport-hampshire/photograph/asset/860850
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=813159515881924
https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/some-of-the-1-096-german-prisoners-of-war-who-have-arrived-news-photo/183097384

Eisenhower Speaks in Front of the 101st Airborne Division

General Dwight D. Eisenhower, Supreme Allied Commander, addresses troops of the 101st Airborne Division during ceremonies in which the entire division received the Presidential Citation, the first division so honored. The picture was taken at Mourmelon, France, March 15, 1945.

Source :
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=9254131128006951&set=gm.2372742259577850&idorvanity=237076659811098
https://www.reddit.com/r/wwiipics/comments/o48pzw/general_dwight_d_eisenhower_awarded_the/

Mustang Pilot William R. Groseclose

Portrait of Lt William R Groseclose from Pierre, South Dakota. Pilot of a P-51D Mustang of the 8th Air Force in England.  Assigned to 335FS, 4FG, 8AF USAAF. Lt Groseclose was apparently shot down while flying his P-51D Mustang 44-14432 on 11 September 1944 when the 4th Fighter Group was bounced by 30+ Messerschmitt Bf109's. His aircraft crashed 2 miles south of Erkeln, Germany. POW. MACR 8990. Awards: AM (OLC), POW, WWII Victory. Post War: Retired as a Major having served in Korea and Vietnam.

Source :
NARA Ref 342-FH-3A49666-K2431
https://www.americanairmuseum.com/archive/person/william-r-groseclose

Group Photo of Mustang Pilots

Pilots of a North American P-51 group in flying togs and Mae West jackets at a base in England. In the background is an interesting writing on the wall: "Narvik. Hell' Sapoppin Here!". They are, front row, from left to right: Lieutenant Nicholas W.J. Rosenson (Monessen, Pennsylvania); Lieutenant Charles L. Brock (Lockhart, Texas); Captain Robert J. Mabie; and Lieutenant William R. Groseclose (Pierre, South Dakota). Second Row, from left to right: Lieutenant George D. Green (Whittier, California); Lieutenant Robert J. Cooper (Chicago, Illinois); Lieutenant Hugh W. Lindsay (Paoli, Pennsylvania); and Lieutenant Zack S. Sensibaugh (Decatur, Texas). The Captain, Bob Mabie, flew with the 4th Fighter Group from July 13, 1944 to May 4, 1945. In January 1945 he was designated Flight Commander of D Flight. He flew a P-51D, serial number 5-NA 44-14221, coded WD-I. In February of that same year he was designated Assistant Squadron Operations and Gunnery Officer for the 335th. Mabie flew 80 missions and claimed 3 damaged aircraft.

Source :
NARA Ref 342-FH-3A49647-K2426.
https://www.americanairmuseum.com/archive/media/media-21452jpeg

Lieutenant Groseclose Prepares to Depart for a Mission in His Mustang

USAAF Lt. William Groseclose prepares to depart for a mission from an English base in his North American P-51D Mustang of the 335th Fighter Squadron, 4th Fighter Group. He was captured when shot down over Germany on September 11, 1944.

Source :
National Archives and Records Administration, 342-C-K-3914
Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
https://www.flickr.com/photos/airandspace/albums/72157715574200936

Eighth Air Force Losses during World War II

Replacement Boeing B-17G Flying Fortresses lined up on an English airfield to replace squadron losses for the U.S. Eighth Air Force.

The 8th Air Force’s success during World War II came at a high price. Its losses – of both men and machine – were by far the most significant of any branch of the military at that time. The drawback of precision bombing was that it was necessary to bomb by day. Without night vision goggles, or radar technology, sunlight and clear skies were needed to find the targets. Unfortunately, if the bombers could see the targets, then the enemy could see the bombers. Initially the 8th Air Force took staggering losses – up to 86% of fliers were killed, MIA or POW. Although the Flying Fortress had twelve machine guns to defend itself, heavy attacks by German fighters and anti-aircraft ground cannons soon proved that a single squadron was too small of a combat unit. In fact, the Bombardment Group, with the combined force of four squadrons, was also too small. In total, the 8th Air Force lost over 26,000 men. An additional 28,000 men became prisoners of war. Aircraft losses were also grim: 10, 561 planes of varying types were shot down, 4754 of those were B-17 heavy bombers. The 390th Bomb Group lost 176 of its 275 assigned aircrafts.

Source :
National Archives and Records Administration, 342-C-K-2418
Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
https://390th.org/learn-about-390th/wwii-air-war-over-europe/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/airandspace/albums/72157715574200936

German Soldiers Visiting Cemetery in Channel Islands

Channel Islands, German officers visiting the graveyard of their comrades, circa 1940. The military occupation of the Channel Islands by Nazi Germany lasted for most of the Second World War, from 30 June 1940 until liberation on 9 May 1945. The Bailiwick of Jersey and Bailiwick of Guernsey are two island countries and British Crown dependencies in the English Channel, near the coast of Normandy. The Channel Islands were the only de jure part of the British Empire to be occupied by Nazi Germany during the war. However, Germany's allies, Italy and Japan also occupied British territories in Africa and Asia, respectively. Anticipating a swift victory over Britain, the occupying German forces initially experimented by using a moderate approach to the non-Jewish population, supported by local collaborators. However, as time progressed the situation grew gradually worse and ended in near starvation for both occupied and occupiers during the winter of 1944-45. Armed resistance by islanders to the German occupation was nearly non-existent. Many islanders were employed by the Germans, and Germany imported thousands of captive workers to build extensive defensive works on the islands. Island leaders maintained some authority, independence, and freedom of decision from the German occupiers.

Source :
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_occupation_of_the_Channel_Islands
https://forum.axishistory.com/index.php

German Soldiers Observe the Coast

German soldiers observe the coast during the occupation of Normandy by German forces in the spring of 1944. The Germans expected the Allies to come ashore at Calais on the French coast, as this is the narrowest point along the Strait of Dover between England and France, and had heavily reinforced the Atlantic seawall with a vast network of shore batteries, beach obstacles, and minefields. The Allies instead chose to invade the European continent along the Normandy region coastline in the Bay of the Seine, roughly between Le Havre in the north and Cherbourg on the Cotentin Peninsula in the south.

Source :
https://rarehistoricalphotos.com/d-day-rare-photographs/

Capt. Jack Westward instructs combat fliers

Captain Jack Westward of Lewiston, Idaho, instructs combat fliers on the fine points of B-17 formation flying at an Eighth Air Force base in England. The basic element of a typical formation was a squadron “box” of 9 or 12 aircraft; three squadron boxes staggered vertically and horizontally formed a group, and three groups in trail formed a combat wing. In the event, the need to keep such tight defensive formations over Europe compromised the accuracy of the Norden bombsight, since individual bomb runs were not possible without breaking the formation. Whole bomb formations had to drop their loads on the lead bombardier’s command, and the inevitable small differences in timing and heading led to dispersed bomb patterns.

Source :
https://www.britannica.com/technology/B-17
National Archives and Records Administration 342-C-K-2268
Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
https://www.flickr.com/photos/airandspace/albums/72157715574200936

Luftwaffe Ace Werner Machold and His Aircraft

Oberfeldwebel Werner Machold (Flugzeugführer in 7.Staffel / III.Gruppe / Jagdgeschwader 2 "Richthofen") stands by his Messerschmitt Bf 109 E-7 "Weisse 1" fighter aircraft. The picture was taken in France, April 1941. At the beginning of World War II, Machold was serving with 1./JG 2. He was particularly successful over France in 1940 gaining at least 10 victories, including his first on 14 May. Oberfeldwebel Machold continued to score heavily during the Battle of Britain. He was the eighth German fighter pilot to reach 20 victories. On 5 September 1940, he was awarded the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes for 21 victories.On 7 September, Machold was transferred to 9./JG 2. He recorded his 24th through 26th victories on 30 September, shooting down three RAF fighters. Oberleutnant Machold was appointed Staffelkapitän of 7./JG 2 in spring 1941. On 9 June 1941, Oberleutnant Machold, flying his Bf 109 E-7/Z (W.Nr. 5983) “White 15”, force-landed near Swanage, Dorset after receiving damage from anti-aircraft fire from a Royal Navy destroyer during a low-level Jabo attack on a shipping convoy off Portland. He became a prisoner-of-war for the remainder of hostilities. Werner Machold amassed 32 victories in over 250 combat missions. All his victories were recorded over the Western front.

Source :
https://www.asisbiz.com/il2/Bf-109E/JG2-III/pages/Messerschmitt-Bf-109E7-7.JG2-White-1-Staka-Werner-Machold-France-Apr-1941-02.html
https://waralbum.ru/403494/

Idiot's Delight

Master Sergeant Penrose Bingham watches Sergeant Pilla (no first name given) paint another bomb on the side of a Boeing B-17F Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress heavy bomber, nicknamed 'Idiot's Delight' of the U.S. 8th Air Force, England, to commemorate the planes 50th successful mission, 1944. Idiots’ Delight (42-30301 XM * J) belonged to the 94th Bomb Group, 332nd Bomb Squadron and was the first in that group to survive 50 missions. She flew her first mission on July 14, 1943 to Le Bourget and her fiftieth mission on March 22, 1944 to Berlin. Camouflage is standard Olive Drab over Neutral Gray with Neutral Gray (instead of white) stars in the national insignia.

Source :
https://www.facebook.com/groups/2598504867039308
https://www.ipmsstockholm.se/home/in-colour/

German Reconnaissance Pilot

Luftwaffe Fernaufklärer (long-distance reconnaissance pilot) with his aircraft in 1940. He is wearing Fliegerkopfhaube (aviator head cover) and Fliegerschutzbrille (aviator goggles). Despite a considerable technological and numerical head start, Germany gradually neglected aerial reconnaissance, at least relative to Britain. The reason, grounded in history and geography, was that Germany had no strategic bombing doctrine and viewed air power as an auxiliary of land armies. Numerous Aufklärungs (up-clearing, i.e. reconnaissance) units were established for marine and ground support purposes, but while this was effective in the tactical sense, the intellectual investment in interpretation, analysis, and strategic estimation lagged. From the German perspective, this was defensible considering that about 90% of the action lay in large land-battles in the East, and an expensive long-range air capability would have been unlikely to effectively change the outcome.

Source :
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aerial_reconnaissance_in_World_War_II
https://ww2aircraft.net/forum/threads/airwar-ww2-the-pilots.54010/page-16

Maintenance of Ju 88 Aircraft

Maintenance of a Junkers Ju 88 bomber at a German air force base in Northern France, autumn 1940 (or spring 1941). Photographer: Artur Grimm. The Ju 88 sported a rather ungainly appearance but was consistent with the German bomber design trend of the period. The heavily-framed cockpit was held in a stepped arrangement overlooking a short, glazed nose section. The fuselage was expectedly tubular and terminated in a single rounded vertical tail fin at rear. The wing mainplanes were low-mounted along the forward section of the aircraft with the engine nacelles installed at each wing leading edge. The engines sported large spinners and drove three-bladed propeller units. Most Ju 88 versions held a belly gondola for a defensive machine gun position. The undercarriage arrangement was of the typical tail-dragger configuration featuring two main legs.

Source :
https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/world-war-ii-air-battle-over-england-maintenance-of-a-ju-88-news-photo/548132153?phrase=artur%20grimm
https://www.militaryfactory.com/aircraft/detail.php?aircraft_id=98

German Victory Parade in Paris

German victory parade at Place de la Concorde, Paris, June 14, 1940. Front row from left to right: General der Kavallerie Georg Stumme (Kommandierender General XXXX. Panzerkorps), General der Artillerie Georg von Küchler (Oberbefehlshaber 18. Armee), and Generaloberst Fedor von Bock (Oberbefehlshaber Heeresgruppe B). Far left is Generalmajor Erich Marcks (Chef des Generalstabes 18.Armee), while closest to the camera is Generalleutnant Hans von Salmuth (Chef des Generalstabes Heeresgruppe B). Photo by Hugo Jaeger.

Source :
http://alifrafikkhan.blogspot.com/2010/10/koleksi-ratusan-foto-berwarna-dari-life.html

Bf 109 of JG 53 in French Airfield

This picture was taken by photographer Artur Grimm during the Battle of Britain, and its shows Messerschmitt Bf 109 "Emils" of III.Gruppe / Jagdgeschwader 53 (JG 53) at an airfield in northern france, autumn 1940 (or spring 1941). They were seen after the restoration of the ‘Ace of Spades’ badge in November 1940. At some point during September 1940. it is reported that Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring ordered the covering-up of the unit's well-known Pik As 'Ace of Spades' emblem. It was to be replaced with a red cowl band. The precise reasons for this remain unknown.

Source :
http://falkeeins.blogspot.com/2022/07/rote-ringe-red-bands-and-swastikas.html
https://www.gettyimages.com/photos/jg-53?family=creative%2Ceditorial&assettype=image&phrase=jg%2053&suppressfamilycorrection=true