✠ Todays post shows us a strong personal favourite from the collection alongside some other items from the collection that will have their own post in the future, we would like to apologise for our inactivity, this is due to a new job and also the cataloguing of our collection that has delayed a posting, with this we hope you will forgive us as we return to regular postings with a same high standard and quality you was all used to before. Followers Old and new thank you for your support and hope you enjoy this post as much as we do. ✠
The photograph here shows Heer Infanterie taking a break alongside an Opel Blitz truck. The waffenfarb across the This photograph has a very dusty feel to it, not only from the Staubschutzbrille (Dust Goggles) being seen worn around the Infanterie but also the dust and dirt seen across their Jackboots and in parts their tunics. The Staubschutzbrille can be seen in wear not only around the necks of the Infanterie but also on top of their M38 Side cap as seen to the right standing. The lack of Y- Straps as a part of the webbing allows us to date this photo to Pre 1941 as the Y-Straps became introduced then. The Infanterie are all seen leaning up against and resting against a truck. This truck however is a famous type of truck that was used by axis forces across the second world war known as the 'Opel Blitz' . The name manufacture of the Vehicle being Opel, combined with the word Blitz, in German meaning "Lighting" it also bears a sideways shape to its logo. The Opel Blitz was mas produced to help with the war effort saw use across the whole Wehrmacht, seeing its first production in 1935 and throughout to 1944 where some 130,000 were produced.
The furthest to the right standing can be seen with a Double chevron on his arm, thus denoting him to the rank of Obergerfreiter, he too is the only one that can be seen wearing an M36 Tunic. The Obergerfreiter can also be seen wearing a torch that is seen attached down the centre of his tunic, as seen in the first photo of this post we have one in the collection, whilst ours is a different variation it is still a torch that would have been attached to a tunic. The Obergerfreiter can also be seen wearing Kar98k pouches and seen just under his arm is a Pistol pouch, likely to be a Walther P38. This sidearm indicating he is likely a support for an MG team. To the left of him can be seen a Soldat who also is wearing Kar98k pouches, seen with the Staubschutzbrille worn on top of his M38 Side cap and also can be seen smoking with his sleeves rolled up, enjoying his rest by the Opel Blitz Truck. Seen laying down and only part in shot with a single chevron on his arm is a Gefreiter with his Staubschutzbrille around his neck and his M38 side cap worm showing part of his hair he can be seen with the only award that is visible from the entire bunch of Infanterie pictured. He can be seen to wear a Verwundetenabzeichen or in English known as the Wound Badge. Seen here in its lowest grade the, Schwarzes Wundabzeichen (Black Wound badge). This was awarded for those who were wounded once or twice by enemy engagements, this including air raids. This wound badge can be seen worn in the centre pleat of his M40 tunic. Just seen in shot in him is also a Side arm pouch likely to also be a Walther P38 and across this seen under his shoulderboard is a Gas-cape bag. To the left of him seated is another Gefreiter also seen smoking. Seen in the centre standing up is a Offizieranwärter, this is seen by the small white slip on at the base of his shoulder board. The Offizieranwärter being a Officer cadet, he is notably seen standing in the centre with a watch on but also seen wearing MP40 Pouches. This indicating he would use a MP40 instead of the Kar98k like the rest seen here. Seen to the left of him is another Soldat seen resting, to the left of him is seen another Obergerfreiter, cigarette in hand he is seen smiling and looking at the camera. This Obergerfreiter can be seen, like others with white waffenfarb on his M38 Sidecap, Staubschutzbrille around his neck and also notably a Gas-Cape worn to the front. The Gas-capes were worn early war for fear of use of gas during the war. This seen in combination with a Gasmask that can be seen just behind him, these too carried as a precaution but later the gasmask were often ditched and the case used to carry supplies such as food and water. He is also with his bayonet and shovel in wear. The furthers left Infanterie standing up smiling can be seen with Binoculars around his neck and also seen carrying a Map case seen worn to the front. This proving vital for the direction and orientation of the Infanterie fighting. The feel of the Infanterie can be felt as a relax from the dust and dirt against the packed Opel Blitz. This seen with wood tied to the top of the truck, likely to provide warmth and cook their meal whilst travelling, also equipment can be seen towards the back, possibly their MG equipment. This is a crisp photograph showing early war Heer Infanterie in the field.
The items alongside the collection as others are featured in other posts are 100% Original and are pieces featured in or that would be related to the photograph. The Suede wallet seen here would have been used by Soldaten across the Wehrmacht to hold loose change that could be spent whilst in service to buy goods as well as gamble with fellow Soldaten. The wallet can also serve as a Dogtag holder for when in cold climates to keep the cold Dogtag off of the skin. The wallet seen here is accompanied by coins from the period, the brass coloured coin being an earlier variation. Seen below this is a Heer Breast Eagle, similar to the ones seen worn on the tunics of Soldaten in the photo. This eagle is the first design of eagle that was issued in 1934. It is still seen with some of the tunic it was taken from, showing it has been cut off of a tunic at some stage. To the right of this we have two empty Kar98k stripper clips, these would have been filled with 5 , 7.92mm rounds that would have been stored in the Kar98k pouches seen in wear in the photograph and then used when loading the guns. Finally to the right of this is a Damion Torch. This version is seen with leather attachments across the top and bottom (Top only seen in this photo). This would have been the point of attachment for the torch to the tunic of the Soldaten. Seen in the photo a piece of string is used to tie the torch to the tunic, this was done in cases that leather loops were not attached to the torch. The Damion Torch seen here also has a hood attachment, this would allow for the light to be turned on and angled to shine at the feet of the Soldat meaning in doesn't give away a position to enemy forces whilst allowing the Soldat to see. This torch also has two colour slides, a Green on the left and Red on the right. The torch can be turned on and off by a switch across the top and the torch also inside can carry a spare bulb.
looks interesting