German band photos

[JasonS]

Ok, this is great! I just bought a collection of band photos and they are all from the same soldier. There was 47 pictures in the lot and I got them all for $16.50! I dont have any info on the man, but I am going to see what I can dig up. Alot of the photos dont have any "band stuff" but are of him and his pals, girlfriend, or sightseeing. They all show guys in swallows nests and band gear. Let me know if you want to see all of them.

It is a great look into the life of a German soldier and the human side of the war.

Here is a photo of him from his pre-military days...

[JasonS]

Here he is in his RAD band gear.

[JasonS]

And a photo in his Wehrmacht band uniform...

[JasonS]

Here is the band. The back of this photo says, "Musikkops des F.is.Pi. 3 (could be R.3?). Any ideas? Please let me know.

[JasonS]

An outdoor concert

[JasonS]

Poor buggers. They have to march and play all the way to Russia.

[JasonS]

Our young man likes to play the accordion. My dad used to play one too. Not many folks in the USA seem to like them except at Polkas.

[JasonS]

Here he is practicing at home. Notice the piano, it seems as if maybe he plays other instruments too, or comes from a musical household.

[JasonS]

Another concert.

[JasonS]

Another group photo of the band

[JasonS]

I am guesing that he plays another instrument than the accordion. I cant seem to see one being played in any of the "gigs".

[JasonS]

Last one for now. In little jam session on the docks. I hope you liked them so far. I will post some more soon.

Cheers and thanks for looking (and sharing).

JasonS

[JasonS]

I have talked with the seller of these photos. He didn't have much info except the soldiers name was Emil Schmelz and he died in Russia during the war. He had a postcard from him written to his family and it was the last one they got from him. He was transfered from the band to go fight on the front and never came back.

He had a brother who was also in a band and I am working to get those photos too.

JasonS

[John Bart]

And this is probably the best one I have. When I saw this press photo, I just had to buy it. This is a super press photo of an RAD Kettle drummer. Enjoy!

I love the drum hangers in #43!
Thanks for sharing.
John

[John Bart]

Hi JasonS,
Great thread you've started! I enjoy band photos myself as well as the
music of the Reich. Keep those shots coming!
.. John