What's happening in this photo?

[jmark]

Who's up for a little game? Anyone care to have a guess at what's happening in this photo? The "uniforms" are the clue. The caption may provide an additional hint: "Fertigmachen zum Einsatz" (Getting ready for action).

If you're stuck, I will provide additional clues. The solution can be conveyed with one word!

Jason

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[Karl B]

Looks like a dead body or a dummy lying on the ground.

Nobody seems to be too distressed.

Amputation?

Scarecrow?

My best effort.

Cheers

Karl

[R MICHAEL]

Hmmm, looks like Hiwis and german soldiers cleaning equipment??

[jmark]

Hmmm, looks like Hiwis and german soldiers cleaning equipment??

And what makes you think they're Hiwis?

[jmark]

Here's another clue...

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[jmark]

Looks like a dead body or a dummy lying on the ground.

Nobody seems to be too distressed.

Amputation?

Scarecrow?

My best effort.

Cheers

Karl

Nope, much more interesting than that!

By the way, the disembodied legs actually belong to the guy on the left loading/cleaning some type of weapon/piece of equipment.

Jason

[AGFA40]

hi

are these turkistan volounteers?

just quessing.

greetings

[RaymondG]

My best guess is they are sat around resting and some of them are cleaning their equipment

Raymond

[Karl B]

How about Brandenburg?

Cheers

Karl

[jmark]

How about Brandenburg?

Cheers

Karl

Right you are, Karl, they're Brandenburgers! Kitted out in Russian uniforms but still with German jackboots. These particular men belong to 1./Lehr-Regiment "Brandenburg" z.b.V. 800. Photo was taken in August 1942 while attached to XXXXVIII. Panzerkorps (4. Panzerarmee) south of Stalingrad. Photos of Brandenburgers in Russian uniforms are exceedingly rare, which is why I'm very pleased with this photo. It comes from an album belonging to a Brandenburger and this is one of only two photos in the entire album which show them "working undercover".

The second photo shows the Jäger patch worn on the upper right sleeve by the Brandenburgers in early 1943, prior to the introduction of the cuff title.

It may interest you all to see the unit insignia on their vehicles.
Jason

PS. Anyone care to see more photos of these Brandenburgers?

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[jmark]

Here's a close-up of the insignia...

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[Akira Takiguchi]

PS. Anyone care to see more photos of these Brandenburgers?

I do, phantastisch!

I don't remember the unit marking in Später's book but my memory is corrupting

And GJ, Karl!

[jmark]

One "I do" is all the encouragement I need!

Here's the first photo. Don't know what type of truck it is but note that the unit insignia on the right fender has been hastily painted over and there's no WH numberplate. Perhaps this truck was used behind Russian lines?!

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[jmark]

Our album owner next to one of the company's German trucks...

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[jmark]

Moving into the dusty Kalmuck steppe, August 1942...

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