Foto: unidentified German allied soldiers

[erichcraciun]

Hello:

I am guessing that these are Spanish soldiers with these Lw soldiers. It is a pre or early war foto based on the German uniforms. I cannot make out the language on the posters in the background. Can anyone identify the foreign uniforms?




Erich Craciun

[Angel Farré]

No Spanish service has this type of uniform or equipment, no cap insignia in the spanish fashion and appears they have M98A rifles. Look in other direction as I think they are not from my country.

Angel

[erichcraciun]

Hi Angel,

thank you for your reply! I have very little idea of what Spansih army units look(ed) like from the time period so I was guessing. The cartridge pouches look Italian. If I could only read the language of the posters in the background. Maybe there are some sort of Balkan troops?

Erich Craciun

[François SAEZ]

Probably I am wrong, but the guys have no deco/medals nor guns and they between what seems 2 guards, so why not POW - you will say, they don't look like prisonners, ok, what about Bulgarian soldiers

[Angel Farré]

Also no breast eagles!!!!!! Could be prisioners? They are too joy to be prisioners, but who knows. Perhaps short time POWs during the Balkan campaign and so they are still confidents about the victory and only waiting their release.

Angel

[erichcraciun]

This is a very early war picture (early war Lw Fliegerbluse had no breast eagles). I forgot to mention the back of the foto says "Auf der Fahrt" (while traveling). So I do not think they are prisoners. MAYBE they are Bulgarians, but I think Bulgarian visor caps are much bigger, the 'dinner plate' types. This really is a mystery. Does anyone recognize the style of overcoat the two guards are wearing? Could they be 'balkanize' (some country the purchased military equipment from Italy???)

Erich Craciun

[sylvieK4]

Perhaps they are Romanian sentries with the Luftwaffe men?

[Helmut]

Hello,
The two soldiers have french rifles mod. 1916 and french bayonetts.
Helmut

[Bill Grist]

You are right they are French Lebel m16 rifles with lebel M86 bayonets.. I would think the soldiers are from a Balkan country since they were given large amounts of French weapons after WW1..wfg