Night german Troops

[Santiago]

Hello Forum members!.

What do you think about this night photo.
I buy it some days ago....
The seller told me that this is a pre-war photo. May be 1935.
But i´m not sure.
Interesting photo i think....

This is a close up:
Soldiers have armband..


Thanks in advance!.

[Adrian Stevenson]

Hi Santiago, I would date your photo as late 1940 or maybe 1941 at a guess? It may be even later than that of course?

I base my observations on:

The photo shows members of "Grossdeutschland" as they appear to have the sutterlien script cuff title and the "GD" cyphers on the shoulder straps. This pattern cuff title was introduced on October 7th 1940.

They wear 1935 pattern steel helmet without the national colours tricolour decal; this would point to a post June 1940 date. Also the soldier in your close up wears a 1936 pattern tunic with field grey collar which was introduced for wear in 1940 too.

I agree with you that ths is a great photo
Hope this helps you?

Cheers, Ade.