Great image - the possiblility of one or two of the caps being the rare m40 variant due to some of the details...interesting. Any date with it at all?
Mark
New Zealand
Mark
New Zealand
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However, more to the subject of this thread; here is an image of four German officers walking down the main street in in Viareggio, Italy on the Seventh of July 1943. The original print is not particularly sharp, but none of the officers appears to be wearing an officer's cap (except the officer on the far right):Comment
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Hello OSS,Originally posted by OSS View Post
excellent picture. Here is another from the book, taken in a studio in Italy well after May 1943 even 1944.
The second image again shows the Charlie Chaplin movie man. This time in short sleeve uniform. It would be interesting to see what we would be saying about that tropical shirt if a collector posted it up for discussion today. Look at those for tropical ? continental ? or whatever ? boards
ChrisComment
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...I could argue the opposite, Ramsey? I see definitive lines in the 'cording' area of each cap, especially the man on the extreme right...either that or the sewing lines on all are extremely pronounced?
Regards,
Mark
New ZealandComment
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No sadly not, but the photographer's studio is " E. Tartagiri, Forli, Cesena".Originally posted by NZMark View PostComment
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I have enlarged it on my scanner and it is difficult to tell whether you are seeing piping or the overhead sun catching the false turn-up. Oddly, on second study, the officer on the far left (with riding boots) appears to have piping on his crown.Originally posted by NZMark View PostComment
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Here is a small G.I. snapshot marked simply: German prisoners, Italy. They are older men, likely from a Bau Bataillon (note jackhammer):Comment
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Thank you for posting another excellent picture OSS,Originally posted by OSS View Post
I do not know kowever if we can conclude that they are a "Bau Bataillon" Is that a British/ American jackhammer ??? and I see the NCO on the left has an EK ribbon in his button hole ???. Equally they could be POW's put to work especially if they are from a Pioneer unit but they may just be combat POW's put to work.
I have some images of an Organisation Todt construction unit and they look like pensioners from a retirment home when compared to these guys.
Either way it is a good photo,
ChrisComment
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Just a guess as they are considerably older than combat troops and seem to have been re-employed for construction duties.Originally posted by 90th Light View PostComment
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Hello OSS,Originally posted by OSS View Post
I agree that is a real possibilty.
My comment was based on my study of some Soldbuch taken from Pioneers captured in Afrika by 2NZEF. I consider those guys "Assault Vanguard" and do not envy what they had to face. First in to cut the wire, clear the mines and often last out blowing bridges plus laying bobby traps.
What has surprised me sometimes is their ages, Often well into their thirties and signed up for their expertise, experience and qualifications in areas such as structural engineering, construction, mining and explosives.
Perhaps another possibility along side your one,
ChrisComment
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More well known images of German prisoners in tropical uniforms surrendering in Italy.
Note the Italian water bottle being worn,
ChrisComment
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Even more images showing an interesting range of tropical uniforms in Italy,
ChrisLast edited by 90th Light; 02-11-2013, 05:26 PM.Comment
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...How dare he wear an ex-soutached cap this late in the game!
Looks like a nice 'streaked' outer twill, too
Mark
New ZealandComment
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Hello Mark,Originally posted by NZMark View Post...How dare he wear an ex-soutached cap this late in the game!
Looks like a nice 'streaked' outer twill, too
Mark
New Zealand
good spotting, all that glitters does not always come from "Afrika"
Nice first tropical model tunic with later field grey continental shoulder boards to boot as well
ChrisComment
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