Heer Soldaten near the Dnjester River 1944

The photograph here shows Heer Soldaten in Russia 1944. The photograph shows Heer Soldaten around a Feldküche in the entrance of a Russian house. They are seen standing watching the Russian Mamkas. The location of the photograph is near the Dnjester River. As seen in the photograph a group of Heer Soldaten are seen relaxing whilst Russian “Mamkas” are seen peeling their potatoes for their meal. A large pile of small sized potatoes can be seen in the bottom right of the photograph. Notably seen wearing an Ushanka smiling with his fellow Soldaten is seen wearing M43 ski caps. Also seen to the background to the right is a side of another building and a group of Vehicle’s, looking like Opel blitz trucks. Likely the reset of the regiment at another village nearby. The reverse reads “Rückmarsch vom Dnjepr zum Dnjestr Febr. - April 1944 Russ. Mamkas beim Kartoffelschälen vor unserer Feldküche” which translates to English as Retreat from the Dnjepr river to the Dnjestr river February - April 1944 Russian Mamkas ('Mothers') at potatoes peeling at our field kitchen. This telling us that the Soldaten seen here have been to the Dnjeper river which is located on the Borders of Belarus, travelling roughly 419 miles to reach the Dnjester (Now known as the Dnister River) in Ukraine, bordering with Roumania and Moldavia as a part of the withdrawal from Operation Barbarossa. This taking place between the times of February to April 1944. This showing 3 months to travel that far, unsure of what they may have faced or yet to face the Soldaten seen here are enjoying a break and soon to be meal, using local Russian “Mumkas” to prepare their meal. The Feldküche or a Goulash cannon were vital for Soldaten in the field. Allowing for more food to be made and more efficiently as appose to individual fires. Of course requiring more fuel and is something extra to cart around as a division or regiment but in effect would be a great affect and aid to not only morale but to what could be made. Likely to eat and then sleep in the houses seen in the Russian countryside before retreating further as the Russians pushed them back to Germany. A crisp example time spent in the field in a late war time.