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[NZMark]

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

[OSS]

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):

[90th Light]

Here is an interesting group shot. You will note that the figures are wearing first pattern tropical tunics (as are several in the preceding images). You have to wonder that if one of these tunics were encountered today would it be presumed to have come from the N. African theater:

Hello OSS,

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

Chris

[NZMark]

...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 Zealand

[OSS]

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

No sadly not, but the photographer's studio is " E. Tartagiri, Forli, Cesena".

[OSS]

...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 Zealand

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.

[NZMark]

No sadly not, but the photographer's studio is " E. Tartagiri, Forli, Cesena".

Tantalizing - Thank You.
Mark
New Zealand

[OSS]

Here is a small G.I. snapshot marked simply: German prisoners, Italy. They are older men, likely from a Bau Bataillon (note jackhammer):

[90th Light]

Here is a small G.I. snapshot marked simply: German prisoners, Italy. They are older men, likely from a Bau Bataillon (note jackhammer):

Thank you for posting another excellent picture OSS,

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,

Chris

[OSS]

Thank you for posting another excellent picture OSS,

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,

Chris

Just a guess as they are considerably older than combat troops and seem to have been re-employed for construction duties.

[90th Light]

Just a guess as they are considerably older than combat troops and seem to have been re-employed for construction duties.

Hello OSS,

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,

Chris

[90th Light]

More well known images of German prisoners in tropical uniforms surrendering in Italy.

Note the Italian water bottle being worn,

Chris

[90th Light]

Even more images showing an interesting range of tropical uniforms in Italy,

Chris

[NZMark]

...How dare he wear an ex-soutached cap this late in the game!
Looks like a nice 'streaked' outer twill, too
Mark
New Zealand

[90th Light]

...How dare he wear an ex-soutached cap this late in the game!
Looks like a nice 'streaked' outer twill, too
Mark
New Zealand

Hello Mark,

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

Chris