German POWs at El Guettar Valley

German POWs receive water ration in an Allied-controlled prison camp at El Guettar Valley, Tunisia, 1943. in mid-February 1943 the Axis forces launched a strong counter-attack against the US II Corps in south-western Tunisia. The 1st Armored Division's counter-moves ended in a complete disaster, the division losing two of its tank battalions in two days, with over 2,500 American soldiers being taken prisoner on February 16 and 17. After 22 days of tough fighting at El Guettar the US Army were regenerated after its unfortunate setback. Now under George S Patton's energetic command, the self-confidence and offensive spirit of the 1st Armored and 1st Infantry Divisions returned and the 9th Infantry Division had gone from being a green, inexperienced outfit to a combat-experienced and able fighting unit. The Battle of El Guettar was fought between elements of the Heeresgruppe Afrika under Generaloberst Hans-Jürgen von Arnim - along with Italian forces under General Giovanni Messe - and U.S. II Corps under Lieutenant General George S. Patton in south-central Tunisia. It was the first battle in which U.S. forces were able to defeat the experienced German tank units, but the followup to the battle was inconclusive. The picture was made by LIFE photographer Eliot Elisofon

Source:
http://www.afterthebattle.com/store/index.php?id_product=149&controller=product
http://life.time.com/?N=0&Nty=1&p=0&cmd=tags&srchCat=LIFE&s=eliot+elisofon

Afrikakorps Soldiers with their Kübelwagen

Somewhere in the North African desert: DAK (Deutsches Afrikakorps) soldier get ready to wear his shoes in a feldbett (field cot) near his Kübelwagen (number plate WH, Wehrmacht Heer, 936769) while his friend still wrapped in blanket. These feldbett could be a "liberated" cots - either British or American because it had a different style of cot than the one seen being used in Russia - more akin to US cots

Source:
http://thirdreichcolorpictures.blogspot.com/2010/11/cars-of-wehrmacht-in-color.html

Hitler and Mussolini During Hitler's 1938 State Visit to Italy

 His face expressionless, Benito Mussolini rides in an open-air car with Adolf Hitler in Florence, 9 May 1938, during Hitler's state visit to Italy. Hitler beamed and strutted like a peacock across his host’s stage, having pulled off his bloodless coup in Austria (Anschluss) earlier in March after Mussolini had abandoned his northern neighbor to the Nazi predator. Although Germany and Italy were allies Hitler didn’t go to Italy that often. He was in Venice for a few days in May 1934. There he met Mussolini. In 1938 Hitler was in Italy for a week. He saw Napoli, Florence and Rome. In Rome he met Mussolini and the king of Italy. He visited the Palazzo del Quirinale, the Palazzo Venezia and the Pantheon. Hitler and Mussolini also met on the Brennerpass, near the border between Italy and Austria, in 1940. In 1943 Hitler was in Italy again for a meeting with Mussolini in Feltre

Source:
http://hitlerpages.com/pagina44.html
http://life.time.com/history/adolf-hitler-benito-mussolini-color-photos-of-chummy-warmongers/#1

Photo of Finnish Journalist and Poet Olavi Paavolainen

Photo of Finnish journalist and poet Olavi Paavolainen at Mikkeli, Eastern Finland... in its most appropriate uniform! Paavolainen (1903 - 1964) was a Finnish essayist, journalist, travel book writer, and poet. During World War II Paavolainen served at the Information Department of the Headquarters. He was posted after the outbreak of the Winter War to Mikkeli in eastern Finland, as adjutant to an infantry general and visited Vienola in 1944. His childhood home with its famous palm tree room was destroyed. It was the last time he saw his place of birth. Paavolainen's critical World War II diary "Synkkä Yksinpuhelu" which was published in 1946, was attacked domestically because of its opposition and surmounted opinions of the war between Finland and the Soviet Union, and hidden anticipation of the defeat in the early war years. When Paavolainen's travel book from Germany were more or less enthusiastic, now he had his own reservations about the Finland's alliance with Nazi Germany. After the major criticism in Finland, Paavolainen made the decision to publish no more books and retreated. In 1945 Paavolainen married journalist Sirkka-Liisa Virtamo; but the marriage ended officially eight years later in 1953.

Source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olavi_Paavolainen
http://sa-kuva.fi/neo?tem=webneoeng

Hitler Inspecting Railway Gun Gustav

This picture was taken by Walter Frentz in 4 April 1943 at Reichswerke Hermann Göring, Linz (Germany), when Hitler visited the Eisenbahngeschütz 80 cm Kanone Schwerer Gustav. FLTR: Generalleutnant Walter Buhle (Chef vom Heeresstab im Oberkommando der Wehrmacht), Ingenieur Erich Müller (Wehrwirtschaftsführer), Generalfeldmarschall Wilhelm Keitel (Chef des Oberkommando der Wehrmacht), Reichsleiter Martin Bormann (Stabsleiter im Amt des Stellvertreters des Führers), Adolf Hitler (Führer und Reichskanzler), Prof.Dr.-Ing.Albert Speer (Reichsminister für Rüstung und Kriegsproduktion), and SS-Gruppenführer Julius Schaub (not visible in this picture, Chefadjutant des Führers Adolf Hitler)...

Source:
http://elektra.bsb-muenchen.de/servlet/Top/frames/hitsframe#bildarc

Luftwaffe Soldiers with Radio

This picture from SIGNAL magazine (French edition) showing German Luftwaffe soldiers using Torn. Fu. d 2 field radio in the front. This portable transceiver Torn.Fu.d2 is a VHF 2 way communications device with modes A1 "Telegrafie tonlos" and A3 "Telefonie" operated in the frequency range 33.8 to 38 MHz. Communication range in A3 mode is approximately 3 km and 10 in A1 mode. The Torn.Fu.d2 can be operated from a field telephone via a 1 to 2 km long field line. Transmitter has 3 tubes and a output power of 1 watt. Receiver has 6 tubes with a IF on 2.1 MHz.

Source:
http://fykse.dnsalias.com/bilder/tornfud2/

German Banner Holder at Hitler's Birthday

The picture was taken in Berlin at the military demonstration for Hitler’s 50th birthday (Führergeburtstag), 20 April 1939. These Fahnenträger are from Infanterie-Regiment 102 led by Oberst Stephan Rittau, latter Generalleutnant. The picture itself was taken by Hugo Jaeger, Hitler's personal photographer

Source:

https://www.google.com/search?site=&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=1440&bih=743&q=source%3Alife+jaeger&oq=source%3Alife+jaeger&gs_l=img.3...1109.7214.0.7559.18.8.0.10.0.0.240.841.0j4j1.5.0....0...1ac.1.58.img..14.4.683.uQThMVWSJEo

American Troops on their Way to the British Dock before D-Day

American troops of the 2nd Ranger Battalion march through Weymouth, a southern English coastal town, on their way to the docks where they will be loaded into landing craft for the big assault on D-Day, June 1944. The massive concrete cliff-top gun emplacement at Pointe du Hoc was the target of the 2nd Ranger battalion, commanded by James Earl Rudder. The task was to scale the 30 meter (100 ft) cliffs under enemy fire with ropes and ladders, and then attack and destroy the guns, which were thought to command the Omaha and Utah landing areas. The Ranger commanders did not know that the guns had been moved prior to the attack, and they had to press farther inland to find them but eventually destroyed them. However, the beach fortifications themselves were still vital targets since a single artillery forward observer based there could have called down accurate fire on the U.S. beaches. The Rangers were eventually successful, and captured the fortifications. They then had to fight for 2 days to hold the location, losing more than 60% of their men

Source:
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Operation_Overlord

Panzer 38(t) and Panzer II on the Move in France 1940

Panzerkampfwagen 38(t) (SdKfz 140), extreme left, and Panzerkampfwagen II (SdKfz 121) climbing a grade, right, on the move. This is a rare color shot, which may be staged for the German war photographer. Please note that these two tanks have a clean rear deck and the helmets hanging over the side and rear of the Panzer II! It was taken in 1-10 June 1940 during the breakout of 7. Panzer-Division (Generalmajor Erwin Rommel) out of a valley near the Somme river. Originally the picture was published in the book "Entscheidende Stunden", a German propaganda book printed in 1941

Sources:
http://www.worldwar2database.com/gallery/wwii0116
http://www.ww2incolor.com/german-armor/ajr.jpg.html

Soldiers of the Red Kuban Cossacks during Victory Parade

 Soldiers of the Red Kuban Cossacks at attention during the victory parade in 24th June 1945. The Moscow Victory Parade was held by the Soviet army (with a small squad from the Polish army) after the defeat of Nazi Germany in the Great Patriotic War. It took place in the Soviet capital of Moscow, mostly centering around a military parade through Red Square. The parade took place on a rainy June 24, 1945, over a month after May 9, the day of Germany's surrender to Soviet commanders. The parade itself was ordered by Marshal of the Soviet Union Joseph (Iosif) Stalin on June 22, 1945, by virtue of Order 370 of the Office of the Supreme Commander in Chief, Armed Forces of the USSR

Source:

http://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1398829/posts

Victory Parade of Red Army in June 1945

Soldiers of the Red Army at attention during the victory parade in 24th June 1945. The Moscow Victory Parade was held by the Soviet army (with a small squad from the Polish army) after the defeat of Nazi Germany in the Great Patriotic War. It took place in the Soviet capital of Moscow, mostly centering around a military parade through Red Square. The parade took place on a rainy June 24, 1945, over a month after May 9, the day of Germany's surrender to Soviet commanders. The parade itself was ordered by Marshal of the Soviet Union Joseph (Iosif) Stalin on June 22, 1945, by virtue of Order 370 of the Office of the Supreme Commander in Chief, Armed Forces of the USSR

Source:
http://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1398829/posts

Adolf Hitler Visiting Rügenwalde

On 18-19 March 1943 Hitler visited the town of Rügenwalde/Pomerania (Germany) to see the 80 cm. Eisenbahngeschütz "Dora", the largest gun in the world. While Hitler was there the gun fired two granates. This picture was taken in 19 March 1943 by Walter Frentz and shows, from left to right: General der Artillerie Alfred Jodl (Chef Wehrmacht-Führungsamt), SS-Oberführer Prof. Dr.-Ing. e.h. mult. Ferdinand Porsche (Vorsitzender der Panzerkommission), Generaloberst Heinz Guderian (Generalinspekteur der Panzertruppen), Generalleutnant Walter Buhle (Chef vom Heeresstab im Oberkommando der Wehrmacht), Adolf Hitler (Führer und Reichskanzler), Generalfeldmarschall Wilhelm Keitel (Chef des Oberkommando der Wehrmacht), Hauptdienstleiter Dipl.-Ing. Karl-Otto Saur (Staatssekretär im Reichsministerium für Bewaffnung und Munition), and SS-Gruppenführer Julius Schaub (Chefadjutant des Führers Adolf Hitler)

On 18-19 March 1943 Hitler visited the town of Rügenwalde/Pomerania (Germany) to see the demonstration of 80 cm. Eisenbahngeschütz "Dora", the largest gun in the world, and newly built panzers. This picture was taken in 19 March 1943 by Walter Frentz and shows, from left to right: General der Artillerie Alfred Jodl (Chef des Wehrmachtsführungsstabes im Oberkommando der Wehrmacht, OKW), Dr.-Ing. Albert Speer (Reichsminister für Bewaffnung und Munition), Adolf Hitler (Führer und oberster Befehlshaber der Wehrmacht), Hauptdienstleiter Dipl.-Ing. Karl-Otto Saur (Staatssekretär im Reichsministerium für Bewaffnung und Munition), SS-Gruppenführer Julius Schaub (Chefadjutant des Führers Adolf Hitler), Generalleutnant Walter Buhle (Chef vom Heeresstab im Oberkommando der Wehrmacht), and Oberstleutnant Friedrich-Wilhelm "Fritz" Holzhäuer (Abteilungsleiter im Waffenamt Prüfwesen 6, Abteilung Panzer- und Motorisierung, beim Oberkommando des Heeres).

Source:
http://fuehrer3345.tumblr.com/post/76948612504/wartime-super-color-photo-hitler-confers-with
http://www.hitlerpages.com/pagina42.html

German Soldiers Enjoying Ice Cream

German Heer soldiers enjoying ice cream in the middle of summer heat near the Charleroi–Brussels–Willebroeck Canal (Belgium), 17 May 1940. On this day Brussels - the capital of Belgium - was occupied by German forces after British Expeditionary Force commander General Lord Gort, fearful of being surrounded, ordered his troops to fall back to the Scheldt River; this move allowed German General Walther von Reichenau to capture Brussels. Meanwhile, Dutch resistance to the German invasion comes to an end with the evacuation, by French destroyers, of the survivors of the Franco-Dutch forces in Zeeland and on the islands of Walcheren and Beverland

Source:
http://joanerges.livejournal.com/1792809.html

Wilhelm Keitel Saluting on Reichs Veteran Day

Generaloberst Wilhelm Keitel (Chef der Wehrmacht) saluting in the Reichs Veteran Day (Heldengedenktag) that held in Kassel, 4 June 1939. Please note that he is wearing Goldenes Parteiabzeichen that he received in April 1939. On 3 April 1946, Keitel commented on his alleged membership in the NSDAP before the International Military Tribunal at Nürnberg: “Hitler presented this Golden Badge of the Party to me in April 1939, at the same time that the Commander-in-Chief of the Army, General von Brauchitsch, received it. The Führer said it was to be in commemoration of the march into Czechoslovakia. The Golden Badge had ‘16 and 17 March’ engraved on it.” The picture itself was made by Hitler personal photographer, Hugo Jaeger

Source:
http://thirdreichcolorpictures.blogspot.com/2010/02/full-decorations.html

Walther von Brauchitsch in Reichs Veteran Day

Generaloberst Walther von Brauchitsch (Oberbefehlshaber des Heeres) saluting in the Reichs Veteran Day (Heldengedenktag) that held in Kassel, 4 June 1939. Please note that he is wearing Goldenes Parteiabzeichen that he received in 20 March 1939. The picture itself was made by Hitler personal photographer, Hugo Jaeger

Source:
http://thirdreichcolorpictures.blogspot.com/2010/02/generalfeldmarschall-walther-von.html

A Grenadier from Hermann Göring Division Riding Motorcycle

A Grenadier from Hermann Göring Division in Tunisia, 1943. He ride an Italian Bianchi motorcycle (produced in 1936-1940 period). Not enough of the bike is shown to identify the model, but possibly a 500cc model. He also wears SS-Palmenmuster camo uniform

Sources:
Book "Afrikakorps: Rommel's Tropical Army in Original Color" by Bernd Peitz
http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?f=47&t=184255&start=255

Quiet Days before Operation Barbarossa

Quiet days in Johannisburg (East Prussia) with the blooming tulips while the war against Soviet Union was imminent, early summer 1941. Left is Oberleutnant Hermann Budenbender (Abteilungsadjutant Aufklärungs-Abteilung 35 / 35.Infanterie-Division) while at right is unknown Führer Panzerspähzug from the same unit. In early April 1941, the 35. Infanterie-Division (known as "Fish Division") began moving to the east - originally was staying in the area north and east of Warsaw but then moved to East Prussia in the space around Johannisburg. They stayed until 10 June 1941 and then march further to the east in "Suwalkizipfel" for the upcoming Unternehmen Barbarossa

Source:
http://kavallerie-regiment18.de/aa35.html

Heinz Guderian and Walther Wenck

Generaloberst Heinz Guderian (Generalinspekteur der Panzertruppen) and Generalleutnant Walther Wenck (Chef des Generalstabes 1. Panzerarmee) planning the next operation (possibly Unternehmen Zitadelle/Kursk), spring 1943. Wenck (last rank General der Panzertruppe) wearing the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes which he received on 28 December 1942. He was a talented general, and enjoyed (if that is the word) a distinguished career on the Eastern Front, serving a considerable period in command of German forces operating in conjunction with Romanian forces (he was highly decorated by Romania), and in key staff posts. He is best remembered, however, for his actions as commander of the 12. Armee in April 1945. This recently-formed Army, which had been fighting the Americans, responded to orders to turn about and attack towards Berlin with the object of relieving the city. It is a tribute to the skills of Wenck and his officers in the staff area that they accomplished the turn-around, and launched an attack on the Soviets that acheived a surprise breakthrough. However, Wenck was neither a Nazi nor a madman; he limited his breakthrough to one with more-or-less sustainable flanks, rather than pressing through (suicidally) to Berlin, and invited German military formations and civilians within reach to use it as an escape corridor to the West. The number of "kettled" German soldiers and Berliners who escaped through this corridor is uncertain - but it was probably not less than 300,000. There is some dispute as to how one should interpret Wenck's actions. It did after all constitute disobedience of orders. But more likely a sign of a realistic officer who served not the Nazis in the end, but Germany

Source:
http://weltkrieg2.de/Kriegstagebuch/1943/02/22-28-Februar.htm#mainEvent

Heinz Guderian and Walther Wenck

Generaloberst Heinz Guderian (Generalinspekteur der Panzertruppen) and Generalleutnant Walther Wenck (Chef des Generalstabes 1. Panzerarmee) planning the next operation (possibly Unternehmen Zitadelle/Kursk), spring 1943. Wenck (last rank General der Panzertruppe) wearing the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes which he received on 28 December 1942. He was a talented general, and enjoyed (if that is the word) a distinguished career on the Eastern Front, serving a considerable period in command of German forces operating in conjunction with Romanian forces (he was highly decorated by Romania), and in key staff posts. He is best remembered, however, for his actions as commander of the 12. Armee in April 1945. This recently-formed Army, which had been fighting the Americans, responded to orders to turn about and attack towards Berlin with the object of relieving the city. It is a tribute to the skills of Wenck and his officers in the staff area that they accomplished the turn-around, and launched an attack on the Soviets that acheived a surprise breakthrough. However, Wenck was neither a Nazi nor a madman; he limited his breakthrough to one with more-or-less sustainable flanks, rather than pressing through (suicidally) to Berlin, and invited German military formations and civilians within reach to use it as an escape corridor to the West. The number of "kettled" German soldiers and Berliners who escaped through this corridor is uncertain - but it was probably not less than 300,000. There is some dispute as to how one should interpret Wenck's actions. It did after all constitute disobedience of orders. But more likely a sign of a realistic officer who served not the Nazis in the end, but Germany

Source:
http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=151514&start=45

Heinz Bär

 

 Major Heinz Bär (last rank Oberstleutnant) is one of only a small handfull of “First to Last” pilots, flying from the first day to the last. Also fighting and scoring on every front, from Holland and France, to the English Channel, to Russia, to the Mediterranean, to North Africa and back to defend Germany. And this in both of propeller fighters : Me 109 E/F/G, FW 190 A-7/A-9, D-9 them Me 262 A/C, the first in combat used jet fighter. He's scoring 220 enemy planes shot down in about 1000 missions, shot down himself 18 times, taking to his parachute 4 times and making 14 belly landings. To survive this type of combat career is maybe due to his lucky “13”, carried on several of his planes, but is nothing short of remarkable!

Source:

http://www.historicalwarmilitariaforum.com/topic/6937-ritterkreuztr%C3%A4ger-photos-in-color-thread/page-15#entry36796

Result of an Air Raid on German Town

Result of an air raid on an unknown (north?) German city. The picture was made in 1943 by Reichsbahn photographer Walter Hollnagel

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

Signposts in occupied Warsaw

Signposts in occupied Warsaw. The picture was made in 1943 by Reichsbahn photographer Walter Hollnagel

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

Transport of Luftwaffe unit probably in Norway

Transport of Luftwaffe unit probably in Norway. In the left, the trimmed coaches are almost certainly a 4-axle 3rd class (maybe 2 / 3rd class) for the Norwegian State Railways with the Waggen no. 198. The picture was taken in February 1942

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

FS-741 241 freight locomotive makes its way over the last skiable track in Ancona train station

The FS-741 241 freight locomotive makes its way over the last skiable track in Ancona train station. The repaired tracks can still bring the locomotive and personnel in danger after the devastating Allied air attack. The picture was made in 1944 by Reichsbahn photographer Walter Hollnagel

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

The completely destroyed facilities of the Ancona railway station in northern Italy

The completely destroyed facilities of the Ancona railway station in northern Italy. The picture was made in 1944 by Reichsbahn photographer Walter Hollnagel

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

Not much left in Ancona Train Station after an Allied air raid

Not much left in Ancona Train Station after an Allied air raid. The picture was made in 1944 by Reichsbahn photographer Walter Hollnagel

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

A 741 FS locomotive carves its way carefully through the chaos in Ancona train station

A 741 FS locomotive carves its way carefully through the chaos in Ancona train station. The picture was made in 1944 by Reichsbahn photographer Walter Hollnagel

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

Bomb Crater in Ancona Railway Station

An aerial mine with tremendous destructive power of a crater in the track area of the station of Ancona, which ruptured water pipes and quickly formed an artificial lake. The picture was taken in 1944 by Reichsbahn photographer Walter Hollnagel

Source:

Damage After Allied Air Raid in the Railway Station of Ancona

Damage after Allied air raid in the railway station of Ancona. The picture was taken in 1944 by Reichsbahn photographer Walter Hollnagel

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

Panzer I Advance During Prewar Training

Nice color image of Panzer I’s advance during prewar training. Three-color prewar camouflage scheme can be seen to good advantage. No writing on reverse of this postcard which was printed and distributed by the periodical "Die Wehrmacht"

Source:
http://battlebornbooks.com/?page_id=29&paged=2