In Frieden begraben Söhne ihre Väter. Während des Krieges begraben Väter ihre Söhne (In peace sons bury their fathers. During the war, fathers bury their sons) - A quote from Herodotus who was a Greek Historian and Geographer.
The grouping here shows a Luftwaffe photograph depicting what appears to be pilots of a crew burying their fellow Kameraden in a shared graveyard somewhere on the eastern front, late war 1943. This poignant photograph is accompanied by items that would be used to honour the fallen. These being a two "Feldgesangbuch"(Field Hymn Book), the right a blue book of Evangelisches (Protestant). The left is a brown Katholisches (Catholic), this grouping also accompanied by a Catholic card depicting the virgin Mary with the words "Sweet heart of Mary be my salvation".
The photograph here shows Luftwaffe airmen burying their fallen kameraden, possibly their crew members or squadron members. The Luftwaffe airmen seen here wearing fliegerbluse with a mixture of M40 side caps and M43 Ski caps. The latter of these M43 Ski caps allows us to date this photograph to late war. The Luftwaffe seen here respectfully burying the fallen in what appears to be a shared graveyard, such practices as this were common as graveyards used for civilians of the local area were still a respected space. This led to Axis forces to bury their fallen in free spaces of graveyards were possible, giving a proper burial like seen here or in periods were formalities such as this were not possible quick gravestones would be erected. This quick gravestone, often a cross and a stalhelm were often seen in the field of vast open landscapes and terrain away from villages or city's to honour the dead. Axis forces being respectful of their fallen Kameraden, respecting and honouring them in addition to the fallen of other armies as often seen in photographs (Some of which are in the collection) show German Soldaten buried next to fallen soldiers of other nations.
The Luftwaffe crew seen here respectfully honouring their fallen Kameraden, seen here with no weapons but the sidearms of a few officers and senior NCOs. The sidearms seen in wear are a Luger and PPK seen in wear by the pistol pouches worn on the sides and backs of the Luftwaffe crew. The coffins of the fallen seen lined up neatly in the dug grave. A mass grave to bury the many that have fallen in service, the names of the fallen can be seen written in white paint on the side of the coffins. Whilst exact names cannot be made out, the occasional letter can be seen, this showing the fallen are not unknown or nameless and that the names would likely be honoured on a headstone of some kind when the final coffin ahs been laid to rest. This of which appears to be the fallen kamerad in which is being buried as this photograph was taken, this seen as the coffin is draped in the "Reichskriegsflagge" or "Imperial War Flag" which was the official battle flag used by the Wehrmacht from 1938-1945. This coffin draped in the Reichskriegsflagge being carefully lowered into place amount the other fallen. The Luftwaffe crew seen holding ropes and carefully holding the coffin as they respectfully lower the coffin, taken mid burial this shows the way in which the fallen were buried.
Other headstones of civilian burials and statues of religious figures show that this graveyard is a place of those who have died in peacetime now being a place for those who have died during the war. The graveyard being walled off, likely a church behind the photographer in which a service was likely held prior to the service and words given before the burial. The officer seen with his back to the photographer, holds something in his left hand and salutes the fallen with his right. The item in the Luftwaffe officers hand is likely a prayerbook or a Feldgesanbuch that is seen alongside the photograph.
To the right of the officer can be seen other Luftwaffe crew seen in greatcoats and M43 Ski caps, possibly from a nearby burial of another squadron or Kameraden of the fallen buried in this shot.
The accompanied Feldgesanbuchs as mentioned above are a field hymn book that contains hymns and religious words used in prayers and for services. Both for traditional services and in more sombre and memorial ceremonies such as seen in the photograph. Each Feldgesanbuch being from its respected religion of either Catholicism seen in brown and Protestantism seen in blue. These books would be carried by Soldaten of the Wehrmacht as a personal item to keep in touch with their faith, keeping their hope and morale high. This allowing for Soldaten of the same faith to possibly hold prayers and sing hymns in services made among themselves in the field when available but also during festive holidays such as "Ostern" (Easter) or Weihnachten (Christmas). These Feldgesanbuchs would also be carried by Sanitätsdienst (medics) as a way to read hymns and religious texts to comfort those wounded in addition to military priests. These Feldgesanbuchs being pocket sized so that they can easily fit into the breast pockets or bread bag of a Soldat in the Wehrmacht. The small card of the Virgin Mary attached is one of many small prayer cards that would be contained in such books as a scripture that a Soldat can use to pray and keep close to help them stay connected with God and their faith. This helping with morale and spirits in the darkest of times whilst in service.
Burials of the fallen are a time for close friends who served with the fallen and other Kameraden of the unit (Or crew as seen here) to pay their respects and honour their fallen kameraden. Religion being practiced by those who follow the faith and those who don't respectfully stand in remembrance and reflection. Its is often seen in other larger burials that representatives of other branches of the Wehrmacht will pay their respects in addition to locally based political and social organisations (more commonly when buried in occupied countries or Germany itself) would pay their respects to the service of the fallen. Just like modern day burials veterans of past conflicts would also were appropriate pay their respects at funeral services. The NSKOV ( Nationalsozialistische Kriegsopferversorgung) also known as the National Socialist War Victims Care would be in attendance where possible, unfortunately not seen here as this appears to be a smaller burial but its is no impossibility that the NSKOV may have been involved prior or one of the Luftwaffe crew burying the fallen may have served during World War One. Sadly knowing the burial process all to well .
This photograph shows the unfortunate loss of life and the unfortunate end to many that occurs as a result of war. The ages, names and location of exact burial is unknown and sadly many axis war graves were destroyed during the retreat and re occupation under soviet and allied forces and during post war eras. It is hoped that the fallen here were documented and can be honoured and remembered for their service as other nations fallen are honoured. As many photographs from the collection are shared; showing comedic events, brief moments during historic events such as the occupation of a country such as France or Poland or family and wedding personal that act as personal memoirs. Its photographs like this that show the realism of war and the ultimate sacrifice that many gave. They shall be remembered here in this photograph here as they are across all posts from the collection.
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