This is the return from a KB41 Series we run (Last year 2022) to commemorate the start of WW2 with rare photographs from the collection of the invasion. This year we remember the event and the fallen again. 84 Years ago today. This photograph doesn't have a date but is from a period of the invasion of Poland in 1939.
This photograph here shows what appears to be an Infanterie-Unteroffizier, Panzertruppen-Feldwebel and an Aufklärungstruppe-Offizier, all from the Deutschesheer, taking a break from the fighting somewhere in Poland with captured Polish Officers during the invasion. A crisp photograph showing different branches of the Heer, detailing different equipment and uniforms with the captured officers of the recently invaded country. The photograph is also see paired with a pocket calendar, the type that would be carried by civilians and Soldaten alike.
The photograph from left to right shows a Heer Hauptmann of the Aufklärungsabteilung, seen wearing an M36 tunic with a officers cap and dust goggles around his neck, and a torch hanging from his breast pocket. The Hauptmann looks past the Panzertruppe next to him the captured Polish officers.
To the right of the Aufklärung Hauptmann stands a Unterfeldwebel in the distinctive Panzer black M34 Tunic. The Panzer black wrap was dark in colour to hide the dirt and oil stains that would come with working on and in tanks. The Panzer tunic seen with Heer breast eagle, this just like other Heer Soldaten. A common mis-conception is that the Heer in Panzer blacks are in fact Waffen SS, this is by the skull insignia notably seen on the collar. This skull is in fact known as a "Danziger Skull" and was to honour the old Hussar regiment of the Imperial German Army. These Hussars wore the Danzig skulls on the front of their headwear. The tabs are also detailed with waffenfarb that's coloured pink. This denotes the service of Panzer. Notably to the left of the Unterfeldwebel would have yellow coloured waffenfarb. The Unterfeldwebel stands with binoculars hanging around his neck and wears also the Panzer Beret. This beret was only worn for a certain period and often phased out after the invasion of France. The Beret, also known as a M34 Schirmmütze comprised of two parts. The inner crash helmet that was made of rubber and then the black woollen. The beret and the inner helmet are fitted with six vents to allow for ventilation. The Berets look very smart and were a iconic symbol of the early Panzer uniform. The Unterfeldwebel is also seen wearing his trousers over the jackboots in a common style adopted by Panzertruppen. The Unterfeldwebel possibly commanded a Panzer 1.
The other Heer seen with their backs to the camera are Infanterien of the Heer. The Infanterien are seen wearing M36 tunics. This is notably by the bottle green collar an Officer who's rank is unknown stands with a visible belt order of a cross strap and a PPK, seen in wear by the small holster worn on the right back.
Seen to the right of him stands a Unteroffizier seen with a M35 stalhelm. The details of this iconic "Rolled edge" is seen detailed with the eagle decal outline can just be seen. The crispness and detail of the photo can be seen by the detail of the shiny buckle on the chinstrap. The Unteroffizier can be seen with other details of belt order. The Heer Uffz seen with a two M28 Stielhandgranate (Stick Grenades) in wear through the belt, The heads of the stick grenades can be seen but in contrast with the shiny bases. (That would need to be unscrewed to release the string and marble for priming and use) The Heer Unteroffizer can also be seen with a map case across his left shoulder, of which the strap and the ring its attached to can be seen in crisp detail. Next to this can be seen a Kar98k bayonet, seen with the "eye of the eagle" seen facing outwards (this is a button used for attaching the bayonet to the rifle) see the fastening detail just below on the frog. Next to the bayonet can be seen minor details of the belthook of the M36 tunic. These hooks were essential before the introduction of the Y-Straps to the German webbing set up as they helped with the wearing and stability of the belt and kit worn by Soldaten. Seen next to this are the loops and metal clip of the Breadbag and the bottom metal clip of the early style, shorter, Gasmask tin. Gasmasks were still carried during the early period of the war. A cross over from the First World War but improved, as the fear of a return of chemical warfare. When axis forces realised that gas used in the field was a tactic of old these gasmasks became obsolete with many using the to carry food, water and other small items or ammunition. Very soon after the outbreak of the war their length was also increased to allow for a spare filter and various decontamination chemicals to be carried with ease. The initial length was insufficient, and based on the very late 1918 produced Gas mask from WW1.
The photograph also details Polish Officers now called "Kriegsgefangen" (Prisoners Of War) by the attacking and soon to be occupying German Forces. The Kriegsgefangen stand against the wooden fence, three in clear shot and one just in shot on the far right, possibly the commanding officers of small pocket of Polish forces caught up defending their nation. The reverse (as attached) reads "Gefangene Offiziere im Deutschen Verhör" which translates as "Captured officers in German interrogation". This suggesting that the captured Polish Officers are being questioned to gather any intel that the German forces can. The information would lead to easier attacking manoeuvre by the axis forces and save German lives but at the cost of many Polish soldiers, either to die or be taken prisoner. It is at no surprise that many didn't reveal any information to their capturers. However some did out of fear. The Polish Officers are seen wearing, a khaki wz 1939 model tunic complete with a "rogatywka" field cap in wear by two on the left and a side cap variant. All headwear worn bearing a shiny cockade of the Polish eagle. Other minor details of the very plain but crisp Polish army uniforms are cross straps, as seen similar to their captors and their greatcoats, seen held under their arms. The Polish officers stand looking at their captors, unknowing their fate know that the fighting is at least over. Some 400,000 Polish troops were taken as Kriegsgefangen during the invasion and occupation of the German side of Poland and half of this estimated at 200,000 by the Soviet forces from the east. The axis forces did go onto commit war crimes during the invasion killing at least 3,000 of these POWs. Most of these atrocities said to occur at Ciepielów massacre that took place on the 8th of September 1939, were POWs of the Polish Upper Silesian 74th Infantry regiment were purged by the 15th Motorized infantry regiment, under the command of Walter Wessel. The exact number from this massacre is undetermined but is revised around 250-300 POWs executed.
This is a crisp photograph showing a snapshot of some of the Deutschesheer involved in the Invasion and later occupation of Poland. This paired with the "taschen=kalender für 1939" (pocket calendar for 1939) a small personal item that would be carried by those Soldaten who answered the Reichs call for Lebensraum and the call of war. Writing dates of holidays and family occasions pre 1st September 1939, likely from a barracks or training. A calendar now shaped for what would be a 6 year war. This being the first of many battle these Soldaten seen in the photograph would be involved in, many wouldn't see the end of the war, dying in the western front fighting of freezing and falling to the soviets in further fighting in the east. The Polish POWs seen here going into captivity for the remainder of the war, many being used for slave labour and many later dying in KZ Lagers as they were worked to death. A bitter end for all from both sides and it is with this that we share this crisp and rare photograph from the collection. This photograph a part of history and events of World War 2 and like other conflicts we share from the collection are not forgotten.
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