I posted these at WMA too. I think (now) these are a group of Pre war Soldiers - possibly Engineers or Arty.
Kiwi nice pictures. I also think the photo's are pre war. No one wears an award or medal. They all wear the M36 tunic and all field caps have a "soutaschenwinkel".
David- I can't translate the word in Englisch or even my own language. It's te line around the cocarde on the field caps. You can see it clearly on the cap of the man most right and second from right on the last picture. The soutaschenwinkel was in the color of the service (white for infantery, red for artillery etc.). It came on the caps on June 19 1937 From July 10 1942 the soutaschenwinkel wasn't placed on caps anymore.
Hi David--they are all Pioneer pictures. In pic #2 notice all of the soldiers are wearing the old style shoulderboards--which are pointed--this means that this particular pic was taken between 1935-1939--most likely a bit earlier than 1939. Pic 1 and 3 are pre-war but pic 2 looks to be the earliest of the pics--no later than 1938 I suspect. All the pics might be taken at the same time--if so--then all are pre 1938. Soutasches are the inverted "V" which is as Volkbert said--were worn on the overseas caps and had different colors denoting branch of service as in: Lemon Yellow--Signals Black--Pioneers White--Infantry Red-Artillery Pink--Panzer Cornflower Blue--Transportation Dk Blue--Medical Grass Green--Panzergrenadiers Crimson--General Staff Bordeaux--Smoke Troops Gold-Yellow--Cavalry Dk Green--Gebirgsjagers etc etc etc. [ 02. December 2002, 04:56 PM: Message edited by: C.Evans ]
Thanks Carl, Volkbert, Charlie. I think they were all taken at the same time - See the guy with glasses in pic two, He is also in both of the others. I can scan some more if you like. Someone on WMA said that there was no colouring before the war? Thanks
Hi David your correct--they are all at the same time. Still between 1936-1938--since the pointed shoulderboards were still being used.
Hi David Quite welcome. Im not sure --depending on popular opinion--im not sure if I should send Otto a copy of a pic i got a few months ago. It is showing German humor by making fun of a Frainch Colonial Prisoner. And suggestions on whether or not I should send a copy for Otto to post here....... [ 04. December 2002, 11:51 AM: Message edited by: C.Evans ]
Carl-- when the joke is more or less racially oriented I think it's better not to post it on the forum.
Thank you for your input Volkbert--I'll not make a copy of it and not send it to Otto for posting. What actually is making the pic a racial joke is a sige the Germans erected next to where a Frainch Colonial Soldier (most likely Senegalese--whom I have tons of respect for) and dthe sign said something like: Sensation des Tages--Gefangener Ne*** and something about him being captured fighting in the West somewhere in France and gives a date. I was hoping someone would voice their opinion on it I dont care for things that have racial tones either--but do admit--it is an interesting picture showing a soldier wearing a Frainch Adrian Helmet with Regimental Insignia on it. I think he was a Sapper--from the looks of his helmet badge. He is looking out of a tent made up of a few Zeltbahns.
Thats cool. Also, Detlev is on Holidays til next Wednesday. I just got a message from Sabine this morning.
Today the postman was at the door with a parcel of Detlev while I was away. Tomorrow I am going to get it. I bought a photo book of a german soldier in Russia. Here is the pic from Detlev's site.
photo-album--thanks fro posting some pics of it. Ive a few good pics taken in Russia as well--but not an albums worth.
