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

[Todd Gylsen]

AVZ3447/ New holder of the Oak Leaves.
The Führer has awarded the 339th soldier of the German Wehrmacht the Oak Leaves to the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross to Generalleutnant Otto Schünemann, commander of an Infantry Division.
1 December 1943 Scherl

[Todd Gylsen]

AVZ10559/ Another position change.
A heavy Flak gun is loaded on the carriage in the area of Newel and is brought into a new position.
4 March 1944 Scherl PK-Götz

[Todd Gylsen]

6549/6 –
General Renduliez, Commander-in-Chief of a Panzer Army, who was awarded the Oak Leaves to the Knight’s Cross, is in a conversation with the Division Commander of the southeastern unit SS Division “Prinz Eugen”, General der Waffen-SS Fleps at an airfield near Kraljevo.
Kraljevo PK-LWKBZ 19
21 January 1944 Nur für den Dienstgebrauch! PK-Reich

[Todd Gylsen]

368/ Embitter resistance between Lake Ilmen and the Finnish Gulf.
Our Flak have proven themselves against the defending Soviet aircraft with the heavy defensive fighting at Leningrad and the encirclement at Oranien. This is a gun position of a heavy Flak Battery south of Leningrad during a Soviet fighter aircraft attack. The Flak Regiment has been in action for 17 straight days.
3 February 1944 Atlantic PK-Kamm

[Todd Gylsen]

1857/ In the Bessarabien battle sector.
Romanian soldiers have set up their mortar position in a hastily dug foxhole on the outskirt of a destroyed village.
24 May 1944 Atlantic SS-PK-Adendorf

[MarcRikmenspoel]

Hi Todd, thanks for continuing to post. A couple of elite Romanian Army units were given German helmets, which caused some confusion when Romania switched sides in late August, 1944. I forget if it was the Guards Division or the Armored Division.

The photographer, Peter Adendorf, was assigned to 3. SS-Panzer Division Totenkopf at the time of this photo, which was probably shot around the second week of May, after the Soviet offensive at the beginning of the month was contained. This would be somewhere in the Jassy (Iasi)/Targul Frumos area. Romanian infantry fought well since they had strong battlegroups from Totenkopf, Grossdeutschland and 24. Panzer Division to support them.

As as aside, I expect to receive proofs for my book soon, so don't worry, that project is still coming along.

[Todd Gylsen]

Thanks Marc for the additional information in regards to the Romanian photo.

[Todd Gylsen]

5493b/ Sewestopol has fallen!
Immense destruction shows the tremendous effects from the German and Romanian artillery. Knight’s Cross holder Oberst Meisel leads the cleaning of the city streets from command vehicle.
19 July 1942 Atlantic PK-Augustin

[Todd Gylsen]

5051/ Constructing a position near a railroad.
The bandit groups have been attempting to disrupt the heavy traffic of our rail lines to the front. Now, after each attempted attack, an MG position is constructed.
24 December 1943 Atlantic PK-Horter

[Todd Gylsen]

28/1640 – French graveyard
Several thousand enemy tanks, some only slightly damaged, stand on the French battleground. They are of all sizes. Here is a 32-ton Renault.
(The tank is the Hohenlinden which was destroyed near Abbeville on June 4th)
Near Abbeville
21 December 1940 Nur für den Dienstgebrauch! PK-Hecht

[Todd Gylsen]

After a victorious battle over Dover.
The improved ME-109 received 34 hits. The aircraft received substantial damage, however the pilot was not injured.
7 August 1940

[Todd Gylsen]

41570/ German tank on the advance.
(Panzer IV Ausf B or C)
22 May 1940 Hoffmann PK-Wiedemann

[Todd Gylsen]

AV67335/ An important man in the Panzer crew.
When the German Panzer storms against the enemy, each man has their appointed duty. The Signalman, seen here in his position, halts during the operation with single mission. He sends and receives large numbers of communications with the command and Panzer commander.
19 April 1942 Scherl PK-Gerlach

[Todd Gylsen]

1034/ On the Tunisian Front.
The cross country vehicles of our Panzergrenadier overcome every hindrance. The advance to their new ready positions goes without any delay.
(10th Panzer Division)
16 March 1943 Atlantic PK-Dullin

[Todd Gylsen]

13 November 1941 Weltbild