Original Photographs 4
An infantry squad crossing a river using a rubber boat. These boats were used a lot during the invasion of France and Belgium
in May 1940 to cross rivers such as the Meuse.
New recruits swearing the oath of allegiance. The Officer on the right is unusually wearing a sword and pistol.
Early or pre-war photo of an officer taking the salute.
Infantry resting by the roadside. The photo is marked 'Russia', probably summer of 1941
Troops lined up with their transport in the background. Note the way the gasmask canisters are worn, this
was regulation for travelling in vehicles for practical reasons.
A regiment formed up in the field, Russia 1941.
A regimental chaplain with Officers in the field.
An MG08 machine gun crew. These men are wearing double decal helmets and their zeltbahnen for cover.
The MG08 saw limited use early in the war but was an obsolete WW1 weapon.
Troops early in the Russian campaign examining something, maybe a body, on the ground. The soldier on the right
is wearing his fatigue trousers, to his right is an Officer wearing the EK1 and on his right is an NCO wearing a first aid pouch.
Pre-war training. There is an MG34 on the ground and one of the men has a spare barrel container on his back. It appears
that the soldier on the left of the gun is carrying a Dreibein Anti-aircraft tripod on his back.
Weary troops resting. The machine gun is the ZB26 (see our weapons section). The man in the middle is
reading the Volkischer Beobachter newspaper.
Troops presenting arms to their commanding Officer. Note the Officer's parade belts and the troddel worn with the bayonet.
This photograph is captioned 14th January 1939, Southern Germany on the rear.
Troops resting in a woodland clearing. There are a profusion of K98s, MG34s, ammunition containers and
spare barrel containers in this photo.
The drums of a Regimental band lead a unit along a cobbled street. Note the tram tracks.
NCOs lead their troops through the barrack gates. This is at least the summer of 1940. Some M40 tunics are being worn
and the senior NCO is wearing a number of combat awards.
This series of photos is is from a parade at a Regimental barracks. Unfortunately I have no information on the
location, unit or date of the photos.
Note the soldier in the centre who is carrying the standard. He wears the standard bearer's gorget around his neck.
Taking the salute. Of note are the two MG34s on dreibein's. I have no idea what the significance the anchors have!
A young Leutnant on parade. He wears the Officer's 'Lions head' sword and knot. He has been awarded the
General Assault Badge and the EK2.
A more senior Officer. He wears a medal ribbon above his breast pocket and also has the EK1 and black
wound badge as well as the General Assault badge. I'm not sure what badge is below the pocket, possibly the Riding Badge.
The Regimental Commander and his Adjutant reviewing the troops. Of note are the Adjutant's aguillettes.
From a different perspective.
Presenting the Regimental standard.
