Miscellaneous Early Photos

[Guardian 5]

Party shot one.

Who recognizes the beer bottle? It could be the key to the unit's identity!

I was surprised to see the cardigan sweaters similar to the NVA model in wear by some of the drinkers. Does anyone have one of these in their collection?

[Guardian 5]

Close-up of the beer case.

I can just make out Brauerie - e-n" on the top line and Nordrhein-Westfalen on the second line. Maybe Velstin?

[Guardian 5]

Party shot number two. The gap-toothed smoker on the right was the P-1 equipped Gefreiter in the opening shot.

[Guardian 5]

Leave photos.

Does anyone recognize these landmarks? Do they look like they could be in Nienburg?

Thanks for the help!

All the best,
TJ

[Gordon Craig]

"Schmaltz Brot" break. Nice looks at the issue pocket knifes in the next two photos.

TJ,

Although you probably know this already. the knife in use in this photo is considered the first issue Fallschirmjaegers knife. The url below will take you to the thread I did on BW issue knives some time ago. Nico refers to it as a Marine knife but in the knife collecting world it is considered the first issue BW para knife. From your photos it would appear it could be a general issue tool in the BW.

Regards,

Gordon

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...d.php?t=447779

[Proud Kraut]

@ Gordon, this knife was indeed issued to other branches as well. Attached some pics of my dad's knife he received when he became a Panzergrenadier in 1961. No eagle on the grip plates but a "Othello Rostfrei 59" marking on the blade.







@ TJ, nice pics! Is that the grey sweater you mentioned? If so, I can add some pictures soon.

Regards

PK

[Guardian 5]

PK,

That would be great!

Thanks,
TJ

[Reibert-Austria]

@ Gordon, this knife was indeed issued to other branches as well. Attached some pics of my dad's knife he received when he became a Panzergrenadier in 1961. No eagle on the grip plates but a "Othello Rostfrei 59" marking on the blade.







@ TJ, nice pics! Is that the grey sweater you mentioned? If so, I can add some pictures soon.

Regards

PK

Hi, it´s the Bundeswehr Para gravity knive 1956 pattern, (early version, without the Bundesadler).

Makers:
Othello, WKC, Eickhorn, Anton Wingen.

Such knives were used by Para´s, also tank crews.

Regards,

R.

[Proud Kraut]

Hi R.!

...yes and, as I have posted before, by Panzergrendadiere. My father received this one when he joined this branch as from 1961.

Regards

PK

[Guardian 5]

Gents,

This a very well known news release photo depicting a Gebirgsjaeger squad firing a U.S. M107 4.2” mortar.

The sleeve adjustment tab on the crewman dropping the round was new for me. Also of note is the guy in the back wearing his helmet net over his face in the Wehrmacht sniper style.

Firing primarily white phosphorus (WP) projectiles to create smoke screens and high explosive (HE) shells for the usual tactical purposes, the “four deuce” was serviceable enough, but Soviet 120mm mortars outranged the M107 by 2000 yards. This would severely limit the effectiveness of counter battery fire. The Bundeswehr would eventually replace the American mortars with Finnish designed 81mm and 120mm Tampella mortars from the Israeli firm Soltam (later Israeli Military Industries/IMI) and the Hotchkiss-Brandt 120mm mortar from France. The Tampella mortars would serve primarily in mountain and airborne units, with the French mortar assigned to the armored infantry branch. The 81mm mortar was eventually dropped from the inventory in the mid-1960s.

All the best,
TJ

[Guardian 5]

I always find the backs of these news release photos interesting.

The photo is dated December 1957. The caption would suggest that even at this early date the troop complaints about the splinter pattern battle dress and U.S. inspired two piece helmet were starting to mount. Also telling is the comment, "There are many suggestions for change towards earlier German models".

All the best,
TJ

[Guardian 5]

Gents,

This pic arrived the other day showing a pair of Luftwaffe recruits hanging out in front of an open wall locker.

The recruit on the right is not holding anything; he is just pushing the rifle sling out of his face.

Note the distinctive Schiffen side caps and the name tag just visible on the left pocket of the recruit on the right.

I wonder, did the Luftwaffe employ the oliv Feldmutze at this time?

All the best,
TJ

[Collectinsteve]

TJ,

If I've seen that mortar picture before, I've not looked closely at it until just now! WOW... that's the first time I've ever seen, or heard of, a GJ jacket. But I've always wondered if one existed because I've got the trousers. The common feature between the two is the buckle closures. The GJ trouser are short and have a buckle just below the knee very similar to the one on the jacket sleeves.

My trousers were manufactured in October 1956, which is about mid way through the production run of Splittertarn uniforms (1956-1957). Given that they were made at the very end of 1956, and likely didn't even get out to troops for a month or two, the 1957 date on the photo seems spot on to me.

It's interesting to see that the mortar loader only has the special jacket, not special trousers. The gunner standard jacket and trousers.

Awesome to know it exists, but now I have another "Holy Grail" item to look for. Dang it.

Steve

[Gordon Craig]

Steve,

Another "holy grail"? Interesting news that GBJ uniforms were made in this time period. When you have time, would you please post pictures of the trousers and their markings.

Regards,

Gordon

[Asbjoern]

The picture with the mortar guys maybe a shot from Mr. Baumann...if you compare it with the one on page 78 of the Andernach book it maybe from the same series!

Jens