When do you think this photo was taken?

[Eric Queen]

I honeslty don't know the answer, but there are some interesting elements to this photo which I thought might make guessing fun.

What do you think (month/year) and why?

[Chris]

I'll take a stab: January 1941. If the man in the photo is a Gebirgsjäger who was awarded the Fallschirmschützenabzeichen for the jump in Norway in 1940, I don't know when they were given the badges, but I'll guess it was after they got home from Norway. If that's true, then by the time they got home (May-June 1940?) there wouldn't be that much snow on the ground anywhere in Europe this guy would be standing in mid-1940. From the amount of snow on the ground, it's probably after December 1940 for that kind of accumulation in continental Europe. So, January 1941. I love that he's also wearing side lace boots! Another great photo, Eric!

[Eric Queen]

Chris, based on what we can see, that would be my guess as well. The presence of the jump badge puts it, as you say, post June 1940, and the absence of the Narvikschild, would mean it was taken prior to summer 1941 (the date range for most awards I have seen is 1/41 - 4/41 but there are exceptions) * Unless, this man was with GJR136, who jumped at Tromsø in June of 1940, and who were not awarded the Narvikschild.

What throws me about this photo is the presence of the jump boots. Maybe I am wrong, but I would have thought that all jump equipment (helmet, smock, trousers, boots, gloves) which were issued (I assume) from Luftwaffe stock, would have had to have been returned, once these guys were no longer on jump status. Just find it interesting.

EQ

[Ardennes]

Eric - I can't tell on my monitor at work, but are those jump trousers too?

[Eric Queen]

Eric - I can't tell on my monitor at work, but are those jump trousers too?

Here's a close up

[Willi Z.]

Side lace boots on a GJ, 7 months or more after the campaign, is rather fascinating. Who would have guessed?

Not too familiar with Heer Bergmützen, but when did the 2-button style come out?

[Simon O.]

Another outstanding photo Eric, congrats


If i was a betting man i'd say GJR 136, winter of 40\41 at home on leave prior to returning to Norway. But i guess it could also be GJR137 but before the shields were awarded. The boots are a real surprise.

Out of interest Gruppe Narvik's KTB actually mentions how poorly suited FJ boots were in the mountainous terrain. I can dig out the relevant page if you're interested.

[Eric Queen]

Simon,

I think you were right about this one. I would say without much of a doubt, this man was with GJR136. Here he is again in July of 1942. Notice, still no Narvikschild.

Eric

[uwezankl]

...I find the "Null Bock Falte" in his Bergmütze quite interesting, a fashion that is still alive today when wearing this style of hat...

Uwe