Very Interesting Luft. Picture for review

[supperpotato]

Hello All,

Found a very interesting picture online with no further explanation. I believe this to be an original photo, not a film scene, but what's the occasion? Look at the eyes of the British solider, I am sure you will like it


Best,
Shawn

[Harry]

POW arriving in England or Canada

[NickG]

Battle of Britain POW I believe...Definitely early since he lacks medals!
(other than his glider + pilot's badge)

[Sergey65]

...

I see a smile on the face of the pilot. It is interesting that his laugh?

[PaulR]

The smirk is of a man who is judging the British military by the fat-a$$ greeting him on the pier.

[airborne_steve]

That is certainly a well fed Brit sergeant!

[JanC]

Could it be a Home Guard Sgt? I don't think this one is/ was fit for active duty...

[supperpotato]

That is certainly a well fed Brit sergeant!

Looks like German treated him pretty good in the POW camp

[supperpotato]

Looks like German treated him pretty good in the POW camp

Exchange POW? Maybe?

[wayne gosley]

I see only one glove on his hand.I didn't see a second glove in pocket or other hand?

[Nachrichten]

I see only one glove on his hand.I didn't see a second glove in pocket or other hand?

If my memory serves me, this photograph was published in the 1970's in a short text on Luftwaffe flight uniforms and clothing.
If I recall correctly, the description in the book was that it depicted the repatriation of a German 'pilot' who had sustained serious injuries during the 'Battle of Britain'. I would suggest, if the description then used was accurate, that the gloved hand probably disguises a prosthesis of some kind. Hence, only one glove being evident.

N

[frank savage]

Hi there!

If the caption you told is correct, the lack of the glove is very probably owed to the amputation of the hand… or the arm itself…

Seem to me the most correct thesis in relation at the presence of only one glove. And the position of the arm could confirm it.

Best,

[wayne gosley]

Looking at the photo, my thoughts are, that the right arm from the elbow down is prosthesis, due to the extremely straight angle and at cuff the wrist, it seem very narrow for normal wrist when compared to this left wrist.
Cheers
Wayne

[Willi Z.]

I agree with the analysis. Interesting photo.

[Mike C]

I would say that the image shows a POW arriving in Canada (likely Halifax) around 1941 with a "Veterans Guard" NCO.
Veterans Guard of Canada

Corps of First World War veterans between the ages of 40 and 65, formed in May 1940, for full-time and reserve service during the Second World War. It grew to 10,000 men in 1944 with another 8,000 on part-time service. The great majority served in Canada with a few companies in Newfoundland, London (England), Nassau (Bahamas) and Georgetown (Guyana). Some veterans stood guard on power plants, factories and other installations deemed essential to the war effort but most served as guards at the POW and enemy aliens internment camps in Canada. In 1944-1945, some went to India and Burma as “mule skinners”. The Veteran’s Guard continued to serve after the war until March 1947 when the last veterans were disbanded.