From the Kriegsberichter's Eyes: A study in German Press Photos

[Todd Gylsen]

A81414/ In the theater of war in France.
A messenger passes a place where but a few hours before a stubborn battle was fought.
18 June 1940 Presse Bild Zentrale

[Todd Gylsen]

This is a shock-troop soldier after the fighting at Verdun.
19 June 1940

[Todd Gylsen]

4719/ Heavy Flak attack in the ground fighting.
The heavy Flak participates in the ground fighting when the enemy is finished in the air.
19 June 1940 Atlantic PK-Bauer

[Todd Gylsen]

55861/ In Vailly.
Our picture shows German troops in Vailly near Soisson under fire from the French. A report from the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht on 9 June 1940 stated it was taken by German troops.
20 June 1940

[Todd Gylsen]

4740b/ Standing between the forts of Verdun.
German soldiers stand on the concrete cupola of Fort Douamont, the important and great fort of Verdun.
20 June 1940 Atlantic PK-von Estorff

[Todd Gylsen]

4762/ Panzers roll on.
They follow on line after line in long columns. With the quick advance of the Panzers, there is no more escape for the enemy.
21 June 1940 Atlantic PK-Jakob

[Todd Gylsen]

Franktireure is secured by German soldiers.
21 June 1940

[Todd Gylsen]

42147/ These are road barriers are located in a destroyed and burning village near Paris.
21 June 1940 Hoffmann PK-Dietrich

[Todd Gylsen]

4800a/ A burning and destroyed France.
Where the advancing German troops met nests of resistance, they were smoked out and destroyed. The German advance could not be stopped by the burned and destroyed towns and villages.
22 June 1940 Atlantic

[Todd Gylsen]

4810/ At the historical plaza at Compiegne.
Here, the concluding stroke is made to severe the background of the humiliation and bad luck over Germany. Already, the first hours of the pride begin to show and the nastiness and seeds of a rotten world is beginning to be broken down. The representative of the Führer greets the Führer at the historical plaza at Compiegne. In the background, the Reich’s flag covers the symbol of humiliation.
22 June 1940 Atlantic PK-Wittke

[Todd Gylsen]

A81761/ In the old German city of Mülhausen.
This is a picture of a street in the old German city of Mülhausen in the Elsass.
22 June 1940 Presse Bild Zentrale

[Todd Gylsen]

42163/ Picture telegram from Rome: The French mediator
arrives in Rome on 23 June 1940 to negotiate an armistice.
Our picture shows on the right the Italian officer delegation meeting the leader of the French delegation, General of the Army Huntzinger. Behind them is Ambassador Noel, General der Luftwaffe Bergeret and Vice Admiral Leluc. In the background is the German transport aircraft which carried the delegation from Compiegne to the negotiations near Rome.
24 June 1940 Hoffmann

[Todd Gylsen]

A81719/ French ask for an armistice.
Joy is upon all the faces of our troops at the front at the announcement that the French have called for an armistice.
26 June 1940 Presse Bild Zentrale

[Todd Gylsen]

A81836/ The work of our air defenses.
These are the remains of a shot down enemy bomber.
28 June 1940 Presse Bild Zentrale

[Todd Gylsen]

A81871/ The path of retreat in France in the Vogesen.
Signs of the “orderly retreat” of the French in the Vogesen.
28 June 1940 Presse Bild Zentrale