This post shows Heer Soldaten hiding in the natural camouflage of a forest and undergrowth as they take a break from duties. This post is seen accompanied by a Chevron which denotes the rank of Gefreiter. This type of patch can be seen in wear in the photograph. The location is and date in undetermined but suggested to be early war around dated to 1940/1941.
The Soldaten are gathered in the shade by the back end of a truck covered in branches and foliage. This dense foliage and shade allows them to take shelter from the sun whilst not being spotted or targeted by possible aerial attacks and artillery attacks. Their location in relation to the frontline is unknown but they are in the field somewhere with risk of being spotted due to this level of detail to conceal themselves. The Soldaten concealing their equipment with the back end of their truck open showing boxes and crates that would contain supplies such as food and ammunition but also equipment and weapons.
Notably seen in this photograph (and as seen in a zoomed image taken from the photograph) shows a Feldpostbox detailed with the words "Feldpost Number 29156" visible in the photograph against the back end of the open truck. Feldpost numbers were attached to units across the Wehrmacht and Political organisations in service throughout the war. These numbers were used to keep a track of where the unit in which held the specific number was located during its designated time frame. The units that could be designated the number would change as the unit progressed through campaigns, this changing due to units not only moving location but also due to units merging and in some cases being depleted or wiped out due to heavy losses in fighting. For example some units would change from Infantry units to later adopted supportive roles in Nachrichten or Funker units and later war commonly Grenadiers as warfare and regiments were changed.
Feldpost numbers were crucial for Soldaten to send and receive mail, weather this be from fellow military Soldaten or to correspond with family and friends back home. Feldpost numbers allowed for the efficient and swift sorting and sending of mail to its destination and unit. As there was many units and regiments across all fronts of the war these numbers allowed for letters to be sent to the designated destination and not to be lost or miss-sent. This is why (and as seen in other posts from the collection of Feldposts) that the Feldpost number is always present on envelopes and other documents or information. Feldposts being sent home from the front by a stamp that denotes the unit and the Feldpost Number often seen with the Reichsadler or written somewhere (often on the side or reverse of the envelope or card) of the absenders information, the name, rank and the number of the individual (The same way in which in the present we attach a return address to what we send). But also can be seen in mail sent to the frontline in where it would be addressed with the Feldpost number being detailed.
The Felpdost number as previous mentioned above is "29156" ( using a Feldpost's database) allows us to identify the unit that these Soldaten are attached to. These are Soldaten of the Bäckerei-Kompanie 188 (Bakery Company 188). The Bäcker's (Bakers) are seen here resting with their truck, with a Feldpost point, under camouflage in the field. The Bakers, likely discussing pastimes, future plans and what food they will create for themselves and their fellow Soldaten. The Bakers of Bäckerei-Kompanie 188 would likely be based nearby as a supportive unit for nearby forces, such as infantry or panzertruppe.
The chevron seen alongside the photograph is made of HBT material. A bottle green colour with a single silver triangle, made from treße insignia (the same material used to denote rank on shoulderboards and collars. This chevron denotes the rank of Gefreiter and is seen in wear in this photograph. Seen worn on the left sleeve by those who held the rank of Gefreiter is seen in the photograph by the closest Baker seen on the left wearing a M34 side cap. The Gefreiter wears a Drillich uniform with shoulderboards and litzen. As the Gefreiter sits on what appears to be a spare tyre, next to him is his superior; an Obergefreiter, who like the Gefreiter also wears a chevron but the Obergefreiter wears has a double treße chevron which can just be seen on the left arm. The highest ranking Baker is seen on the furthest right. Sitting on a Feldpost box (detailed with the Feldpost number down the side) is believed to be a Leutnant, seen wearing a M36 officers tunic, seen with the distinctive bottle green collar. The Leutnant is seen under the shade of a man made shelter. A splinter Zeltbahn seen propped up by a large branch. This small shelter using a Zeltbahn is to not only provide so shade but also shelter to the table which has stacks of documents and likely letters of Feldposts from the Feldpost box as makeshift sorting table. Also likely a table used to write Feldposts to be sent to friends or family. The Bakers seen seated in the middle are surrounding a small dog. Pets became common companions to Soldaten in the field, either locally found strays that were tamed and then became part of their journeys or sometimes animals brought with them from home. The most common type of pet were dogs, as seen here but often cases of cats and even rabbits appear in photographs. The latter two in addition to more obsequie animals often appear in photographs with units in more of a permanent setting such as in a fortification or barrack based setting. These companions bringing joy to Sodlaten which was good for morale and to relax with them in down time as seen here.
This is a crisp photograph showing not only Soldaten at rest in the field, using nature to camouflage themselves. Taking shelter from the the sun and enjoying each others company with their dog. A good study of Feldpost stations, with the Kompanie Feldpost box seen attached to the back of the truck. Feldpost crates used as temporary stools, seen with details of the Feldpost Number down the side, next to a Zeltbahn lean to shelter adding to the layers of concealment in the field. Feldposts laying in piles on the table, from family and friends some appear to be opened whilst others are yet to be read. Often we see the Feldpost letters and envelope's as seen shared from our collection but rarely do we see how they would be used contextually in the field. This photograph is a stunning example of a in the field Feldpost set up.
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