Original Photos 3
An awards ceremony for an artillery unit on the Eastern Front. Dated June 1942
A gulashkanone ( mobile field kitchen ) in France 1940.
The crew of a howitzer.
A German platoon pose on a captured retracting turret, France 1940. This is probably part of the
Maginot Line.
A group of German soldiers with their Officer. They all wear M36 Tunics and could well be
training for Operation Sealion (the aborted German invasion of Britain) in June / July 1940.
Troops march past their Officers in Bethune, France, 1940.
A German Officer surveys his men marching up a French road, May 1940.
A Pak35/36 37mm anti-tank gun at full recoil after firing. This weapon was obsolete by 1940 as the
Germans found to their cost on encountering heavily armoured tanks such as the French Char B1 bis and the
British Matilda. Despite this it continued to see service in the Soviet Union in 1941 and 42.
A Pak 35/36 deployed during an exercise. Note the gunner on the left who is wearing a strap which was
attached to the gun when dragging it into position.
Pak 35/36 on the Polish border, probably on the first day of the war.
The next three photos are of German pioniers (engineers) constructing a pontoon bridge.
They are wearing a mixture of field grey uniforms and the reed green or white cotton drill uniforms.
Troops presenting arms on the parade ground
A Panzer 1 tank probably on exercise prior to the war. This was obsolete by 1939 and was lightly armoured
having a main armanent of two MG34 machine guns. Note the crewman's large black beret which covers
his padded 'crash helmet'.
A Panzer 3 at speed. This is probably in France or during the invasion of the Soviet Union. This is an early model
that was equipped with the obsolete 37mm gun.
Target practice. Note the combination of field grey tunic and white drill trousers.
Rifle training. A nice early or pre-war photo as they have the national decal on the side of their helmets.
Weary troops marching through St Nicolas, Belgium, 1940.
Troops on exercise. Of note are the tornisters, haircuts and the NCO's map case. One of the men
standing up on the vehicle to the rear wears a white band around his feldmutze denoting him as 'umpire'.
An artillery gun and limber being towed by an Sdkfz11 in Russia. Note the spare jerrycans of
on the rear of the half track.
Contrary to popular belief the German army was not heavily motorised and still relied on horse drawn
transport as illustrated by this artillery unit in Russia, 1941.
Artillery gun in firing position.
Regimental open day at a barracks. Note the two Pak35/36s to each side of centre and the 75mm
infantry gun in the centre.
Another barracks parade with the standard bearer centre right.
