German Soldier with Captured Soviet Rifle

German soldier with captured SVT-40 Soviet rifle. It is well known that the SVT-40 was a prized war trophy amongst the German troops, especially when on the Russian front. The SVT was so popular that the German ordnance and logistic cs manufactured slings and leather goods to support the rifle in the field! They liked them because they were light and - in well trained hands - effective. Plus, the invader grabbed just about anything they could get their hands on (with the glaring exception of French small arms). The Germans were using captured equipment a lot, for they couldn't produce enough to arm all their military and paramilitary units, as well as equipping some of their allies. They used anything, from tanks or artillery to guns to rifles and submachine guns.

Source :
https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?50458-tokarev-svt-40
http://theminiaturespage.com/boards/msg.mv?id=477002
https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/wwii-german-sling-svt40-k98-g43-g41-133018874

SS-Kriegsberichter Franz Roth

SS-Untersturmführer and SS-Kriegsberichter Franz Seraphicus Roth (5 April 1911 – 17 March 1943) was an Austrian photographer who worked as a free-lance photo reporter at the US-American Associated Press. His military career began before the war, when he - as an Austrian journalist working for a German newspaper - covered the Italian conquest of Abyssinia and the Spanish Civil War. Roth joined the SS soon after the Anschluss, and became an SS-Kriegsberichter (SS war-correspondent). At that time he also worked for the Reich Ministry of Public Enlightenment and Propaganda and as a photo editor for the American news agency Associated Press (The Associated Press photo department entered a formal cooperation with the Nazi regime in the 1930s and worked under the auspices of the German Ministry of Propaganda). Roth joined the Kriegsberichterstatter-Zug of the Leibstandarte SS under SS-Sturmbannführer Kurt Meyer in 1940, and covered the division in Greece (April 1941) and the first year in the Soviet Union (when this photo was taken, summer of 1941), through rebuilding in the west during the second half of 1942, and finally in the fighting around Kharkov in early 1943. He was awarded the Eisernes Kreuz II.Klasse in 1941 and promoted to SS-Untersturmführer in September 1942. Franz Roth died on 17 March 1943, after he was seriously wounded during the Third Battle of Kharkov. He was covering Kurt Meyer's reconaissance battlegroup (Kampfgruppe “Meyer”) at the time. Meyer mentioned Roth’s death in his memoirs ‘Grenadiere’. Roth left more than 120 rolls of film that give historians and history lovers a precious account of the war. The album contains more than 600 photographs from contact sheets kept by the U.S. National Archives in Washington D.C. Franz Roth was buried at Heldenfriedhof Askold's Grave on the right bank of the Dnieper River in Kiev in Ukraine, and posthumously awarded the Eisernes Kreuz I.Klasse on 25 March 1943. His images can be found in a variety of European World War II propaganda publications and in American newspapers.

Source :
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Franz_Roth_(Fotograf)
https://www.instagram.com/p/BtO_BV6HESq/
http://stabswache-de-euros.blogspot.com/2012/02/ss-unterscharfuhrer-hamsun-waffen-ss.html

Gebirgsjäger Postcard

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. 

Source :
http://www.2ndgebirgsjager.com/
https://militariaplaza.nl/postcards-40/gebirgsj%C3%A4ger-postcard-detail

A View of the Town of Kamianiec in Belarus

A view of the town of Kamianiec in Belarus. The round tower in the background is the Bielaya Vieža (Tower of Kamianiec). The white towers in the background belong to the Orthodox church of St. Simyaon. This photograph is part of the series that was taken by the German photographer Robert Bothner during the Second World War, and depict Smolensk, Warsaw and Ghent under occupation by Nazi Germany. As time goes on it seems there are more and more sets of original colour photographs turning up, and while the quality on some is not brilliant, they truly help the Second World War come alive. It were scanned from Afgacolor slides. Unfortunately the photographs are undated, but the Smolensk series look likely to have been taken in 1941, as the damage to the city is still fresh, and there are discarded ammunition boxes in one of the photographs.

Source :
http://ww2incolour.blogspot.com/2013/05/occupied-warsaw-smolensk-and-ghent-in.html

Fallschirmjäger Wearing Early Pattern Jump Smock

German Fallschirmjäger (Paratroopers) at Crete with graugrun knochensack, summer of 1941. The Fallschirmjäger, like all paratroopers from all countries in World War II, had special clothing and equipment that the standard Infantry did not have. The knochensack (jump smock or bone sack) was one of these unique pieces of clothing that only the German Paratroopers of WW2 had. This pictures shows the early green pattern of Fallschirmschützenbluse M1940, intended to be worn over the standard uniform and personal equipment when descending by parachute. The generous amount of pockets and zipper openings made it possible for the man to gain access to his equipment, and if worn at the time of the jump, a side-arm, as in German practice personal weapons were carried in drop-containers. Other variations of jump smocks were those earlier ones of the Army Fallschirmjäger-Infanterie-Bataillon (later incorporated into the Luftwaffe), a light green shorter collarless garment distinguished by having two parallel zips from throat to thigh; a green step-in smock similar to this example; a full front-opening smock with no 'legs'; and one that featured a fitted pistol holster made of fabric attached to rear right. Late-war examples also appeared in tan 'water' pattern camouflage material. Physical description for Fallschirmschützenbluse M40: Single-breasted step-in mid-thigh length jump oversmock made of splinter pattern printed gabardine. The smock has a zipper fitted to the front and is concealed with a fly front, has two deep hip pockets and two diagonal pockets to the upper chest with two deep vertical access slits, one at either side of the low hip, closed by zips with black leather tags. All are fly fronted as is the main vertical closure that has six additional pressure studs. Fitted to the right of the lower front fly is an additional short concealed secondary zip with leather tag that permits the wearer to urinate without removing the garment. The cuffs are closed by a metal studs and have short elasticated inner wind resistant shrouds of brown cotton material. There are a pair of metal pressure studs fitted to the outer legs of the garment, allowing the legs to be adjusted to fit the legs tighter when parachuting. There are large open apertures underneath the arms, with below, a series of six air vent holes. Triple vertical holes are seen at either side of the waist for fitting metal belt equipment support hooks. A machine-embroidered Luftwaffe eagle and swastika insignia in white on dark grey is sewn to the right upper chest.

Source :
https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234984342-lead-sled-morris-cs815cwt-a-pak37-and-13-fallschirmjager/
https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/30100832

Sherman Tank of a Canadian Unit in Normandy

A nice color shot of an M4A4 Sherman tank from the 4th Canadian Armoured Division - with some hay on it - in the field near the French village of Vaucelles, Normandy, summer of 1944. The 4th Canadian (Armoured) Division was created during World War II by the conversion of the 4th Canadian Infantry Division at the beginning of 1942 in Canada. The division proceeded overseas in 1942, with its two main convoys reaching the United Kingdom in August and October. The division spent almost two years training in the United Kingdom before crossing to Normandy in July 1944. In the United Kingdom, it participated in war games together with the Polish 1st Armoured Division, and later fought in France, the Low Countries, and Germany, both divisions followed very close paths. The division participated in the later stages of the Battle of Normandy at the Falaise Pocket, the advance from Normandy and spent almost two months engaged at the Breskens Pocket. It wintered in the Netherlands and took part in the final advance across northern Germany.

Source :
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/4th_Canadian_Division
https://www.visiteiffel.com/DeuxiemeGuerreMondiale-photos.html
http://waralbum.ru/97952/

Assumption Cathedral in Smolensk 1941

These photos depict Smolensk (Russia) some time after the Battle of Smolensk that occurred in July 1941. Preceding the battle, on 28th June the city was heavily bombarded, the effects of which are still clearly visible. The large white building in the photo is Assumption Cathedral, the construction of which was completed in 1772. These photographs is part of the series that was taken by the German photographer Robert Bothner during the Second World War, and depict Smolensk, Warsaw and Ghent under occupation by Nazi Germany. As time goes on it seems there are more and more sets of original colour photographs turning up, and while the quality on some is not brilliant, they truly help the Second World War come alive. It were scanned from Afgacolor slides. Unfortunately the photographs are undated, but the Smolensk series look likely to have been taken in 1941, as the damage to the city is still fresh, and there are discarded ammunition boxes in one of the photographs.

Source :
http://ww2incolour.blogspot.com/2013/05/occupied-warsaw-smolensk-and-ghent-in.html#more

Brigadier Tom Rutherford in Front of a Sherman Tank

Canadian Brigadier Thomas John "Uncle Tom" Rutherford (16 January 1893), Commander of the 1st Armoured Brigade, stands in front of a M4A4 Sherman tank of the Canadian Army. As a senior brigade commander, Rutherford satisfied his combat cravings by visiting units in the field as often as possible “to test out our training and gain experience for further training by acting as a member of tank crews in action,” he wrote in his memoirs. But his job proved far more involved and varied than that. After nearly two years with the 1st Canadian Armoured Brigade, he took over the 11th Canadian Infantry Brigade. He later returned to the armoured corps and commanded a reinforcement units brigade group. His tasks included giving rehabilitation instruction to men who were being sent home from the war. It was a job Rutherford took particularly seriously. The government’s failure to properly look after its First World War veterans had inspired Rutherford and others to found the Canadian Legion to advocate for veterans and he was determined that it not happen again. A stint as deputy commander of Canadian forces in the Netherlands brought Rutherford’s negotiating skills to the fore, as he helped to arrange for the departure of Canada’s soldiers from that country. “It allowed us to get out without further complications and with the good will of our friends, the people of Holland,” he wrote. Despite his increasing responsibility, Rutherford was never promoted beyond the rank of brigadier. But he didn’t aspire to loftier positions. “I never was ambitious to play on the larger board,” he wrote. “I wanted to lead men, not to move units or formations. Perhaps that was why I lasted so long as I am quite sure that no senior officer ever was jealous of me or got any idea that I was out after his job but only doing my best where I was. I felt very, very fortunate always to be where I was so long as I could please my superiors which I seemed to be able to do.” This was recognized when, in 1945, Rutherford was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire. Only 481 Canadians have ever been appointed CBE in the chivalric order.

Source :
https://www.facebook.com/commonwealthforces/posts/brig-gen-thomas-john-rutherford-cbe-ed-an-amazing-lifethomas-j-uncle-tom-rutherf/929839640431102/
https://greyroots.pastperfectonline.com/byperson?keyword=Rutherford%2C+Thomas+J.
https://jonathonjackson.wordpress.com/2012/11/27/remembering-brig-tom-rutherford/
http://www.theshermantank.com/2016/01/26/

German Fallschirmjäger during Operation Mercury

A German Fallschirmjäger (Paratrooper) with the rank of Gefreiter (Corporal) in his light olive green jump smock of the early version, armed to the teeth, during Unternehmen Merkur (Operation Mercury), German invasion of the Crete Island in Greece, May 1941. Unternehmen Merkur began on the morning of 20 May 1941, when Nazi Germany began an airborne invasion of Crete. Greek and other Allied forces, along with Cretan civilians, defended the island. After one day of fighting, the Germans had suffered heavy casualties and the Allied troops were confident that they would defeat the invasion. The next day, through communication failures, Allied tactical hesitation and German offensive operations, Maleme Airfield in western Crete fell, enabling the Germans to land reinforcements and overwhelm the defensive positions on the north of the island. Allied forces withdrew to the south coast. More than half were evacuated by the British Royal Navy and the remainder surrendered or joined the Cretan resistance. The defence of Crete evolved into a costly naval engagement; by the end of the campaign the Royal Navy's eastern Mediterranean strength had been reduced to only two battleships and three cruisers. This picture was first published in a very heavily illustrated book, 'Fliegende Front' (Flying Front), as written by Hauptmann Walter Eberhard Freiherr von Medem, and published by Verlag Die Wehrmacht in Berlin, Germany, in 1942. The book must be regarded as typical propaganda material to show the German population how well the war was progressing. ‘Die Wehmacht’ published a series of other propaganda books during the war. They also released sets of photo postcards from the war.

Source :
https://www.akg-images.co.uk/archive/-2UMDHUWGYDOH.html
http://www.letletlet-warplanes.com/2013/04/25/luftwaffe-colour-propaganda-photos/nggallery/slideshow
https://www.usmbooks.com/fliegende_front.html

Seafort Highlander Officers in Sicily

Lieutenant-Colonel Bert Hoffmeister (left), wearing his Seaforth Highlander balmoral and shoulder flash in Sicily, summer of 1943. Hoffmeister won a Distinguished Service Order for his actions in Sicily. Here he sits with a Major Wood, who wears a Black Watch Canada balmoral and shoulder flash, but oddly wears a 1st Division red patch. The Black Watch were part of Canadian 2nd Division. Perhaps he is temporarily attached? On 25 August 1943 in Sicily, The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada held a “reunion” with three Seaforth units from the United Kingdom – the 2nd, 5th and 6th Battalions, Seaforth Highlanders. Ceremonies opened with the massed pipes and drums of the four battalions marching to the Catania Stadium for the sounding of Retreat. According to the regimental diary it was “a never to be forgotten sight, that kilted phalanx walking through Catania with local populace agape with wonder and admiration.” Afterwards a party ensued at a villa in nearby Misterbianco which housed the officers’ and sergeants’ messes of the 6th Battalion. The C.O. of the Canadian Seaforths (Lt-Col Hoffmeister) toasted the three British battalions with an uplifting speech said “to reach the hearts of all Seaforths present.”

Source :
http://mapleleafup.tumblr.com/page/7

Fallschirmjäger at Crete 1941

Two German Fallschirmjäger (Paratrooper) at Crete in May 1941. The pictures most likely were not taken on the first day and probably more like a couple days in. As you can see, the man on the left carries a Luger in his right pocket – as a backup I would suppose, as his holster is unopened on his left hip. The younger soldier on the right leaning against the wall has the bandage covering his left elbow under his tunic. His right arm then joins his hand going into the right pocket of his tunic. Again he is sporting a pistol in his left hand lower tunic pocket whilst he carries a small pair of field opticals on his chest. He has also Binoculars and MP40 submachine gun. They were most likely a Squad leader. They are wearing a light olive green jump smock of the early version, with the trousers that were darker than the smock. 

Source :
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?t=207999
http://www.themodellingnews.com/2013/10/jeff-shius-new-parra-figures-have.html

Fallschirmjäger Rests at Crete

German Fallschirmjäger (paratroopers) rests after the Battle in Crete, 20 May 1941. Certainly a propaganda photo for the homeland, concealing the huge losses of the 'Green Devils'. They are wearing a light olive green jump smock of the early version, with the trousers that were darker than the smock. The Germans used colour-coded parachutes to distinguish the canisters carrying rifles, ammunition, crew-served weapons and other supplies. Heavy equipment like the Leichtgeschütz 40 was dropped with a special triple-parachute harness designed to bear the extra weight. The troopers also carried special strips of cloth which could be unfurled in pre-arranged patterns to signal low-flying fighters to coordinate air support and supply drops. In contrast with most nations' forces, who jumped with personal weapons strapped to their bodies, German procedure was for individual weapons to be dropped in canisters. This was a major flaw that left the paratroopers armed only with their fighting knives, pistols and grenades in the critical few minutes after landing. The poor design of German parachutes compounded the problem: the standard German harness had only a single riser to the canopy, and thus could not be steered. Even the 25% of paratroops armed with submachine guns were at a distinct disadvantage, given the weapon's limited range. Many Fallschirmjäger were shot attempting to reach their weapons canisters. The picture was taken from a very heavily illustrated book, "Fliegende Front" (Flying Front), as written by Hauptmann Walter Eberhard Freiherr von Medem and published by Verlag Die Wehrmacht in Berlin, Germany in 1942.

Source :
https://www.akg-images.com/archive/-2UMDHUWGYPD6.html
https://www.usmbooks.com/fliegende_front.html
http://www.ww2incolor.com/german-paratroopers-fallschirmjager/27_G_1334025s.html

King George VI during Award Ceremony for Canadian Soldiers

The King of the Great Britain, George VI (center), with the commander of the 1st Canadian Corps, General-Lieutenant Edson Tommy Burns on the right (partly in the frame), and the commander of the 5th Canadian Armoured Division, Major-General Bert Hoffmeister (2nd from right), in Italy on the day of the award ceremony for the Canadian soldiers and officers, who distinguished themselves in combat, 31 July 1944. On 18 July 1944 the 8th Army directed 1st Canadian Corps to begin concentrating in secret near Perugia, in anticipation that they would continue offensive operations by the Army and break through the Gothic Line. The Canadian Corps' role in the attack was to take over the eastern flank of the 10th Corps in the Central Appenines, permitting the 10th and 13th Corps to concentrate for the main assault. In the meantime, the 1st Canadian Division was to reinforce the 13th Corps at Florence. Following a Royal Visit on 31 July 1944, the 1st Division began moving from the Volturno Valley, followed by the remainder of the Corps. Elaborate deception schemes and rigorous security was enforced to hide the move. Unit flashes (as well as the distinctive ribbon of the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal) were stripped from uniforms and identification symbols were removed from vehicles while enemy intelligence was provided false information in hopes of convincing them they Corps was concentrating behind the 2nd Polish Corps.

Source :
https://www.canadiansoldiers.com/history/battlehonours/italiancampaign/florence.htm
https://id.pinterest.com/pin/560698222328858522/?lp=true

Junkers Ju 52 Moving Supplies for the Invasion of Crete

A Junkers Ju 52 3mg4e moving the supplies in preparation for Unternehmen Merkur (Operation Mercury), May 1941. Shortly before dawn on 20 May 20 1941, a flight of 500 transport planes took off from seven airstrips on mainland Greece. As they climbed upward, the tri-motor aircraft emerged from reddish-orange clouds of dust into blue sky. The dust clouds were generated by the propeller wash from hundreds of engines sitting on unpaved runways as the planes prepared for takeoff. Inside each aircraft, a dozen German paratroopers sat hunched on canvas benches sweating profusely inside their heavy uniforms. Each one welcomed the cool air that swept through the cabins once the aircraft were aloft. The planes lumbered in tightly packed formations at low altitude over the pale blue waters of the Aegean Sea toward their objective. Once they crossed the coast of enemy-held Crete, they were greeted by a storm of flak that rocked the planes as if they were trees in the wind. Ignoring the turbulence, the veteran paratroopers stood up, shuffled toward the cargo door, and flung themselves spread eagle toward the ground below. Once the flight crews had delivered their human cargo to its destination, they turned their aircraft back toward the mainland to load the next wave. Operation Mercury, the largest airborne invasion the world had yet seen, was without doubt the finest hour of the Junkers Ju-52 transport, known to its crews as “Tante Ju,” or Auntie Junkers.

Source :
https://warfarehistorynetwork.com/daily/wwii/iron-annie-the-junkers-ju-52/
https://weaponsandwarfare.com/2017/06/17/merkur/

Ernest Alvia "Smokey" Smith VC

Ernest Alvia "Smokey" Smith VC, CM, OBC, CD (3 May 1914 – 3 August 2005) of Seaforth Highlanders of Canada was a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. He was the last living Canadian recipient of the Victoria Cross. On the night of 21/22 October 1944 at the River Savio, in Northern Italy, Private Smith was in the spearhead of the attack which established a bridgehead over the river. With a PIAT anti-tank launcher he disabled a 44-ton Panther Mark V tank at a range of just 30 feet (10 metres), and while protecting a wounded comrade, he killed four panzergrenadiers and routed six others. When another tank was sent to take out his position, he used another PIAT to damage it enough to retreat. He then carried his wounded comrade, and joined a counter-attack to disperse the Germans still attacking his previous position. The squad destroyed three Panther Tanks, two self-propelled artillery pieces, a half-track, a scout car, and a few German soldiers. During his career, Smith was promoted to corporal nine times, but subsequently demoted back to private nine times prior to his actions at the River Savio. He later achieved the rank of sergeant. This picture was taken in 1945

Source :
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernest_Smith

General Bert Hoffmeister with his Sherman Tank

Major-General Bertram Meryl "Bert" Hoffmeister (Commander of the 5th Canadian Armored Division) in Italy, May 1944. Hoffmeister wears a distinctive British black beret of armored troops, along with the insignia for Generals. He wears a USA shirt with official shoulder straps, while on the shoulder pads he wears the sleeve with the Major-General stripes edged in red, the distinctive color of the Staff Corps. Collar badge is for General-officer and Field Marshalls. Patch with the purple color of the 5th Armored Division, next to the Canadian badge. Behind him is a M4 Sherman tank, nicknamed "Vancouver". USA-made shirts in the Canadian army and other armies in Italian front are in common use. Major-General Hoffmeister is widely considered to be the best of the Canadian general officers who served during the Second World War. His first medal ribbon is interesting, in that it signifies a tied – record three awards of the Distinguished Service Order for a Canadian soldier with General Jean Victor Allard.

Source :
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bert_Hoffmeister
http://www.journal.forces.gc.ca/vo7/no1/history-histoire-eng.asp
http://www.panzernet.com/foro4/showthread.php?11073-Uniformes-mezclados/page3
https://www.trendsmap.com/twitter/tweet/996422264047333376

Refueling Petrol to Junkers Ju 52

German Luftwaffe pilot refueling a Junkers Ju 52 transport plane in Russia, January 1943. The aircraft has been camouflaged in white painting. Even the seemingly mundane tasks of an engine over-haul and refueling are fascinating to watch! The picture was first published in 'Signal' magazine, 3/1943 edition.

Source :

https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/world-war-ii-pilot-refuelling-a-ju-52-with-white-camouflage-news-photo/548148119

Maneuvers of British Armored Division

Malton in Yorkshire, 29 September 1942. Maneuvers of the 42nd Armored Division. On the right is General Sir Bernard Paget (Commander of the Territorial Forces), who takes the top of the two pieces with his greenish color and brown pants of the Battledress. On the left is Sir Anthony Eden (Minister of Foreign Affairs), who takes the complete set of two pieces and has inserted the underside of the jacket inside the pants. British soldiers usually wear the two piece suit of work (Two piece denim overalls), as it serves as an instruction suit work, a combat uniform in summer, or can be worn over the Battledress in winter. The colors vary from a very light brown to a whitish greenish hue. The Denim Tank Suit itself is a whole plethora of color that varies from green to yellowish-green. This suit began to deliver from 1944 onwards, so what the officer wear in this picture is the two pieces, except the one on the right that carries the Battledress jacket. Denim Overalls is defined by Jean Bouchery in the book "The British Soldier" volume one.

Source :
http://www.panzernet.com/foro4/showthread.php?11073-Uniformes-mezclados/page3

Panzer 38(t) Racing under the Trees

Panzer 38(t) under the trees in the Eastern Front during Unternehmen Barbarossa, 1941. The German tank commander Otto Carius, who was credited with over 150 'kills', described an action in a 38(t) in 8 July 1941: "It happened like greased lightning. A hit against our tank, a metallic crack, the scream of a comrade, and that was all there was! A large piece of armour plating had been penetrated next to the radio operator's seat. No one had to tell us to get out. Not until I had run my hand across my face while crawling in the ditch next to the road did I discover that they had also got me. Our radio operator had lost his left arm. We cursed the brittle and inelastic Czech steel that gave the Russian 47mm anti-tank gun so little trouble. The pieces of our own armour plating and assembly bolts caused considerably more damage than the shrapnel of the round itself".

Source :
https://ww2aircraft.net/forum/threads/german-afv-pictures.1181/page-4

A Motor Column Crossing a River on a Pontoon Bridge

France, 1940: The German convoy crossing a tributary of the Oise at Senlis on a pontoon bridge, in this case a Brücken-Gerät B, some 50m long and capable of supporting as much as 20 tons. While not evident here, anti-aircraft guns were normally emplaced to protect bridge sites. The Bruckengerat B could use two-piece metal pontoons (Halbpontons) or large inflatable boats.

Source :
Book "German Pionier 1939-45: Combat Engineer of the Wehrmacht" by Gordon L. Rottman
http://www.cartula.ro/forum/topic/4297-al-doilea-razboi-mondial-in-fotografiian-sau-color/page__st__620

Friedrich August von der Heydte

Friedrich August von der Heydte (30 March 1907 - 7 July 1994) was born in Münich to a noble Freiherr, a title he inherited later in life. He joined the German Army after schooling, though he soon returned to school, attending Innsbruck University to study law; he earned his law degree in 1927. Further studies in Vienna (Austria) followed. He returned to Germany in the early 1930s and found himself disagreeing with Nazi philosophies. Nearly running across paths with Gestapo agents, he evaded arrest by rejoining the German Army in 1935. Between 1935 and 1937, he spent some time at The Hague, Netherlands, for further studying. During World War II, von der Heydte famously led a diversionary mission during the Ardennes Offensive. Immediately after the battle began, both real and dummy paratroopers were dropped to falsely enlarge the appearance of the assault and to confuse Allied defenders. The operation successfully forced the Americans put up roadblocks at every road junction and checked every passer by for identification, dramatically slowing the transportation system that was so critical for the Allied war effort: British General Bernard Montgomery was stopped and checked so many times that he later asked Eisenhower for an American identification card to speed up the process!

Source :
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?t=29879&start=10155
https://ww2db.com/person_bio.php?person_id=130

British and American Officers in India 1945

Accra, India, 1945. To the right is a Lieutenant of the USAAF. He wears a U.S. barracks hat and khaki shorts for hot or tropical climate. The forest warrior (Bush Jacket) with the short sleeves - made by a local tailor - is of British origin. The captain on the left is a British officer. He wears a Khaki beret, that seems to have added an additional tassel with the grenade emblem of the Artillery corps. He also wears an Army Captain's gallons with red rim and tailor-made KD shirt with the short sleeves, the last one is in blue color that in theory correspond to the RAF (Royal Air Force). At the bottom he wears a KD sand pants and a regulation green tights.

Source :
http://www.panzernet.com/foro4/showthread.php?11073-Uniformes-mezclados/page3

American Soldier in India

India, 1944-45. An American soldier in a Willys MB jeep (with a civilian front tire). He wear a 1943 HBT pants OD shade 7 with US white military shirt and British forest hat. This hat is commonly associated with Australians, but is actually the ordinance hat for the British and Commonwealth forces in tropical countries (in addition to the South Africans that will also use it in their desert uniform). The New Zealanders do have a distinctive hat.

Source :
http://www.panzernet.com/foro4/showthread.php?11073-Uniformes-mezclados/page3

Gerhard Barkhorn and Karl-Heinz Plücker

Summer of 1943: Oberleutnant Gerhard Barkhorn (left) - initially commanding officer of 4.Staffel / II.Gruppe / Jagdgeschwader 52 (JG 52), and subsequently of II. Gruppe itself - and Leutnant Karl-Heinz Plücker, photographed on the airfield at Kharkov-Roganj in the Eastern Front. Barkhorn was awarded the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 23 August 1942, plus Eichenlaub on 12 January 1943 and Schwerter on 2 March 1944. Although when this picture was taken Barkhorn had won Eichenlaub for 120 victories, he was wearing no decoration at the time.

Source :
Book "Luftwaffe at War: Fighters over Russia" by Manfred Griehl

General der Flakartillerie Friedrich Heilingbrunner

General der Flakartillerie Friedrich Heilingbrunner (5 October 1891 - 17 August 1977) as a Generalmajor in this picture. After graduating from Franz-Ludwig-Gymnasium in Bamberg, Heilingbrunner joined 2. Fußartillerie-Regiment of Bavarian Army as a Fahnenjunker on 18 July 1910, and completed the Kriegsschule München from October 1911 to the end of September 1912. With the promotion to Leutnant on 28 October 1912, Heilingbrunner was transferred to 3. Feldartillerie-Regiment "Prinz Leopold". Here he was initially served as a battery officer. With the outbreak of the First World War, Heilingbrunner posted as a platoon leader in the front. From October 1915 to May 1917, he also served as battery chief in the Ottoman Army on the Gallipoli Peninsula and in Macedonia. After the demobilization of his regiment in late March 1919, Heilingbrunner joined Freikorps Epp on 26 March 1919, where he remained until the end of September 1919. Subsequent to the Provisional Reichswehr, he served until the end of September 1920 as a battery officer in the Reichswehr-Artillerie-Regiment 21. Heilingbrunner held the same position from October 1920 to the end of September 1923 at the 7. (Bayerisches) Artillerie-Regiment, where he was appointed as a Battery Chief on 1 October 1923. After he served as a teacher at the Artillerieschule Jüterbog from October 1927 to the end of March 1932, he returned as a major in the staff of the 7. (Bayerisches) Artillerie-Regiment on 1 April 1932. On 1 October 1933 he was finally became commander of the Fahr-Abteilung Fürth (and after its renaming on 1 April 1935 to Flak-Abteilung Fürth). On the latter date Heilingbrunner also joined the newly established Luftwaffe. On 1 October 1935 he was appointed as a Höheren Kommandeur der Flakartillerie in Luftkreis V, whose post he held until the end of February 1938. After the dissolution of the office, Heilingbrunner became Kommandierender General und Befehlshaber of Luftgau XII in Wiesbaden on 1 March 1938. On 1 April 1944 he was transferred to the Führerreserve of the Oberkommando der Luftwaffe, and dismissed from military service on 28 February 1945.

Source :
Collection Akira Takiguchi
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friedrich_Heilingbrunner

Fw 190s of JG 54 on the Eastern Front

1943: Pilots sits in the cockpits of their Focke-Wulf Fw 190s belonging to I.Gruppe / Jagdgeschwader 54 (JG 54), ready to take-off. Many of the Focke-Wulf fighters transferred to I.Gruppe got a rather dark camouflage, and the yellow background to their fuselage Balkenkreuz insignia is characteristic of the Russian theatre.

Source :
Book "Luftwaffe at War: Fighters over Russia" by Manfred Griehl
http://www.modelarovo.cz/luftwaffe-v-barve/

Bf 109 of JG 52 awaits Further Action

At Kharkov-Roganj, a day-fighter of 1.Staffel / I.Gruppe / Jagdgeschwader 52 (JG 52) awaits further action. This Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-6 "White 10" (s/n 19881) was flown by Leutnant Willmann in summer of 1943. There was little chance of escape if Soviet low-level attacks took place when the Gruppe's aircraft were caught isolated in the open like this!

Source :
Book "Luftwaffe at War: Fighters over Russia" by Manfred Griehl

General Harry Crerar Just Before Going to France in 1944

General Henry "Harry" Crerar (chief of the First Canadian Army) just before going to France in 1944. He wears an "Irving" Model 1940 flight jacket of the RAF. The visor cap with the red tape is prescribed for Colonels to Field Marshals. He wears a badge cap for Generals, otherwise his pants, gaiters and boots is typical Canadian or British. Such is the popularity of flight leather garments that it can be considered that any soldiers or officers of any nations, branches, Corps or Army will acquire them as soon as possible, with famous cases like those of Prime Minister Winston Churchill, Field Marshal Bernard L. Montgomery or Harold Alexander, General George S. Patton, or SS officer Joachim "Jochen" Peiper. Those are a very few cases that can be cited.

Source :
http://www.journal.forces.gc.ca/vol18/no3/eng/page26-eng.asp
http://www.panzernet.com/foro4/showthread.php?11073-Uniformes-mezclados/page3

U.S. MP in a French Ruined Building

Summer of 1944, Northwestern France. A lieutenant of the MP (Military Police) in the courtyard of a ruined building. He wears a black A-1 flight jacket of the USAAF. On the inside he used what technically would be called a "Faithful US Jacket, Army ETO", which is but one of the very first versions of what will be known as "Ike's Jacket" or the British Battledress version for the US Army that is mostly used as a walking uniform (here rarely used as a combat uniform). Another "first" of this jacket is that it has the pockets at an angle with flaps (this has been put inside the pocket) identical to those of the first version of the Parsons jacket. The color of the Ike's Jacket is the Olive Drab shade 33. What looks like a dustbin with fireplace on the right is actually a U.S. Army mobile kitchen. There also seems to be the letter that appears on his helmet. This picture was made by Frank Scherschel

Source :
http://iqisu.blogspot.com/2015/11/photo-minute-post-normandy-france.html
http://www.panzernet.com/foro4/showthread.php?11073-Uniformes-mezclados/page3
http://surfingbird.ru/surf/f6h00111E#.XCvwsWkxXcs

Christmas with the British Liberation Army in Holland 1944

Christmas with the British Liberation Army in Holland, November 1944. A unit postman from 4th Armoured Brigade with a sack of Christmas parcels decorated with holly near Weert, Limburg, Netherlands. The picture was taken by Captain E.G. Malindine from No. 5 Army Film and Photographic Unit.

Source :
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Christmas_With_the_British_Liberation_Army_in_Holland,_November_1944_TR2567.jpg
http://www.desertrats.org.uk/bde/4thABartefacts2.htm