Withdrawing German Troops Near Train Station of Ancona

A day before Walter Hollnagel arrived as a photographer of the RVM (Reichsverkehrsministerium) in Italy, Rome was occupied by the Allies on 4 June 1944 without resistance. We can only speculate then about the propagandistic success of Hollnagel mission there. The image that he made ​​of the withdrawing troops near the train station of Ancona on the Adriatic today are described as a unique historical document in color that we want to show here, although sometimes lack of direct rail reference

Source:
http://www.eisenbahnstiftung.de/bildergalerie/Reichsbahn%20im%20Krieg

War Conference at Führerhauptquartier

Lagebesprechung in the Führerhauptquartier, 15 September 1943. FLTR: Oberstleutnant Nicolaus von Below (Luftwaffen-Adjutant der "Adjutantur der Wehrmacht beim Führer und Reichskanzler"); Oberstleutnant Gerhard Engel (Heeres-Adjutant der "Adjutantur der Wehrmacht beim Führer und Reichskanzler"); Generalfeldmarschall Erich von Manstein (Oberbefehlshaber Heeresgruppe Süd); Oberst im Generalstab Joachim Meichßner (Chef der Organisationsabteilung im Wehrmachtführungsstab); Generalleutnant Theodor Busse (Chef des Generalstabes Heeresgruppe Süd), Adolf Hitler (Führer und Reichskanzler), and General der Infanterie Kurt Zeitzler (Chef des Generalstabes des Heeres)

Source:

http://www.historicalwarmilitariaforum.com/topic/6937-ritterkreuztr%C3%A4ger-photos-in-color-thread/page-54

Railway Destruction at Rioveggio

This destruction of the railway was caused by a partisan attack which targeted for disruption of rail services in Rioveggio, north Italia. The picture was taken by Reichsbahn photographer Walter Hollnagel in August 1944

Source:
http://www.eisenbahnstiftung.de/bildergalerie/Reichsbahn%20im%20Krieg

Sabotaged Monzuno Train Tunnel

Air attacks and guerrilla attacks, such as shown here at the train tunnel of Monzuno (route Bologna - Prato) showed obvious effect. It started immediately to rebuild the infrastructure. The picture was taken in August 1944 by Reichsbahn photographer Walter Hollnagel

Source:
http://www.eisenbahnstiftung.de/bildergalerie/Reichsbahn%20im%20Krieg

Milan Train Station

the roof of the imposing structure in Milan railway station and the improvised long passenger train indicate the circumstances of the war. The picture was taken in August 1944 by Reichsbahn photographer Walter Hollnagel

Source:
http://www.eisenbahnstiftung.de/bildergalerie/Reichsbahn%20im%20Krieg

The Extent of the Destruction in Florence

The elevated position clarifies the extent of the destruction after an American air attack on the Tuscan capital Florence. The picture was taken in August 1944 by Walter Hollnagel

Source:
http://www.eisenbahnstiftung.de/bildergalerie/Reichsbahn%20im%20Krieg

Targeted strikes at Reichsbahn Infrastructure in Northern Italy

Targeted air strikes and guerrilla attacks in the summer of 1944 in northern Italy caused lasting damage to the infrastructure, such as here on the route of Bologna - Prato. The picture was taken in August 1944 by Walter Hollnagel

Source:
http://www.eisenbahnstiftung.de/bildergalerie/Reichsbahn%20im%20Krieg

Tavernelle-Emilia train station

In the Tavernelle-Emilia train station (north of Bologna) it goes quite relaxed and seemingly everything takes its usual course. At the right is E 626 114 locomotive. The picture was taken in July 1944 by Reichsbahn photographer Walter Hollnagel

Source:
http://www.eisenbahnstiftung.de/bildergalerie/Reichsbahn%20im%20Krieg

Italian Train Station After Allied Bombing

An unknown train station in Italy rendered useless by the Allied bombing. The picture was taken in July 1944 by Walter Hollnagel

Source:
http://www.eisenbahnstiftung.de/bildergalerie/Reichsbahn%20im%20Krieg

Restoration of the Railway Tracks by POWs

Restoration of the railway tracks manifested by prisoners of war after an air raid at Ostiglia, Italy. What looks like a lunar landscape, was actually taken in the middle of summer (July 1944) by Reichsbahn photographer Walter Hollnagel

Source:
http://www.eisenbahnstiftung.de/bildergalerie/Reichsbahn%20im%20Krieg

The Destruction at Florence Main Station

The elevated position clarifies the extent of the destruction in the main station of the Tuscan capital Florence (Italy). The picture was taken in July 1944 by Walter Hollnagel

Source:
http://www.eisenbahnstiftung.de/bildergalerie/Reichsbahn%20im%20Krieg

Destruction in Florence Porta Psato

Destruction in Florence Porta Psato. In the background are virtually undamaged plants to recognize the station ahead. The picture was taken by Walter Hollnagel in July 1944

Source:
http://www.eisenbahnstiftung.de/bildergalerie/Reichsbahn%20im%20Krieg

Destruction in Florence

Shortly after Reichsbahn photographer Walter Hollnagel taken these images that made ​​in Florence (July 1944), a fierce battle raged around the city between the German armed forces vs allied forces. On 10 August 1944, the Allies finally liberated Florence

Source:
http://www.eisenbahnstiftung.de/bildergalerie/Reichsbahn%20im%20Krieg

After Air Attack at Porta Psato Florence

The particularly large destructive force after the heavy air attack on the repair shop of Florence Porta Psato, Italy. Front is either 428090 or E 242, both were written as war losses. The picture was taken in July 1944 by Walter Hollnagel

Source:
http://www.eisenbahnstiftung.de/bildergalerie/Reichsbahn%20im%20Krieg

After American Air Attack in Florence

Plenty of useful material is not much left after an American air attack on Florence, but is cleaned up undaunted. The picture was taken in July 1944 by Walter Hollnagel

Source:
http://www.eisenbahnstiftung.de/bildergalerie/Reichsbahn%20im%20Krieg

After an American Air Attack on the Repair Shop of Porta Psato Florence

After an American air attack on the repair shop of Porta Psato Florence (Italy). the entire site was plowed literally and locomotives (number E 636 054 at the front, which was repaired, and a steam locomotive 740 series) were all destroyed. The picture was taken by Walter Hollnagel in July 1944

Source:
http://www.eisenbahnstiftung.de/bildergalerie/Reichsbahn%20im%20Krieg

Intact Railway Track in Florence

Looking into the track ahead of Florence, Italy. This part of the station remained amazingly almost intact, while the Florence Santa Maria Novella railway station was razed to the ground! The picture was taken by Walter Hollnagel in July 1944

Source:
http://www.eisenbahnstiftung.de/bildergalerie/Reichsbahn%20im%20Krieg

Damage Assessment in the Verona Depot

Damage assessment in the Verona depot. The transverse standing 729089 (right) belongs to the depot Trieste. The picture was taken in August 1944 by Walter Hollnagel

Source:
http://www.eisenbahnstiftung.de/bildergalerie/Reichsbahn%20im%20Krieg

Destruction in the Verona Porta Nuova Railway Station

Destruction in the Verona Porta Nuova railway station. The electric locomotive in the background belongs to the Bologna depot. The picture was taken in August 1944 by Walter Hollnagel

Source:
http://www.eisenbahnstiftung.de/bildergalerie/Reichsbahn%20im%20Krieg

The Ruins of Verona Porta Nuova Railway Station

With a few blades, cleanup was not done well in the Verona Porta Nuova railway station. The picture was taken in August 1944 by Walter Hollnagel

Source:
http://www.eisenbahnstiftung.de/bildergalerie/Reichsbahn%20im%20Krieg

POW Cleared the Damage of the Railways Tracks in Verona

Obviously, Italian prisoners of war had been assigned to removed the damage to the railway tracks in Verona with simple means. The picture was taken in August 1944 by Walter Hollnagel

Source:
http://www.eisenbahnstiftung.de/bildergalerie/Reichsbahn%20im%20Krieg

The Wrecked Verona Train Station

The North Italian train station at Verona came into the sight of Allied bombers. The picture was taken in August 1944 by Reichsbahn photographer Walter Hollnagel

Source:
http://www.eisenbahnstiftung.de/bildergalerie/Reichsbahn%20im%20Krieg

La Spezia Train Station in Northern Italy

View of the still-spared-from-war La Spezia train station in northern Italy, August 1944. The picture was taken by Reichsbahn photographer Walter Hollnagel

Source:
http://www.eisenbahnstiftung.de/bildergalerie/Reichsbahn%20im%20Krieg

La Spezia Train Station

In contrast to the other places in Italy and Germany, in La Spezia train station in the northern Italian region of Liguria the condition is still quite relaxed. The picture was taken by Walter Hollnagel in August 1944

Source:
http://www.eisenbahnstiftung.de/bildergalerie/Reichsbahn%20im%20Krieg

Repair Work on the Route Bologna - Verona in Ostiglia

Repair work by the Reichsbahn worker on the route of Bologna - Verona in Ostiglia, Italy, August 1944. Photo by Walter Hollnagel

Source:
http://www.eisenbahnstiftung.de/bildergalerie/Reichsbahn%20im%20Krieg

The Ruins of Choas

Reichsbahn photographer Walter Hollnagel loved the elevated positions, and dared even in the ruined Choas (Italy) still on a signal bridge whose stability was certainly not predictable! The picture was taken in August 1944

Source:
http://www.eisenbahnstiftung.de/bildergalerie/Reichsbahn%20im%20Krieg

Cleanup in Florence Fresole Station

Cleanup in Fresole train station, Florence (Italy), August 1944. Photo by Walter Hollnagel

Source:
http://www.eisenbahnstiftung.de/bildergalerie/Reichsbahn%20im%20Krieg

Bomb Crater on a Freight Station in Florence

Bomb crater on a freight station in Florence, August 1944. Photo by Walter Hollnagel

Source:
http://www.eisenbahnstiftung.de/bildergalerie/Reichsbahn%20im%20Krieg

The Destructive Power of Bomb War in Florence

The impressive shoot of the destructive power of the bomb war in Florence (Italy) by Reichsbahn photographer Walter Hollnagel. Such image were probably not suitable for propaganda purposes. The picture was taken in August 1944

Source:
http://www.eisenbahnstiftung.de/bildergalerie/Reichsbahn%20im%20Krieg

Damage Removal of Railway Destroyed by Allied Air Strike

Despite the devastation caused by an Allied air strike, this picture shows the typical type of damage removal of the continuous main tracks by the Reichsbahn recovery team. The picture was taken by Walter Hollnagel in August 1944

Source:
http://www.eisenbahnstiftung.de/bildergalerie/Reichsbahn%20im%20Krieg