Afrikakorps Soldiers Wearing Mantel

The German forces had to adapt to harsh North-African desert conditions and weather. During the summer the temperatures rose to 70°C (158° F) under the sun, while at night, occasionally, it steady froze. Most of the combatants wore warm clothes and took them off when the temperatures got really warm.

Source :
NARA - 242-EAPC
"Deutsche Afrikakorps (1941-1943)" by Ricardo Recio Cardona

Bio of Oberst (Luftwaffe) Joachim Elle

 

Oberstleutnant Joachim Elle, as the Commander of Luftwaffe-Nachrichten-Abteilung 7 (mot.), at Atlantikwall, France, 1940.

Joachim Elle was promoted to Major (E) in Stab / Luftflotte 2 on 1 August 1939. On 6 July 1940 he was promoted to Oberstleutnant and appointed as provisional Kommandeur Luftwaffe-Nachrichten-Abteilung (H) (motorisiert) 7. in December 1941 he became Nafü (Nachrichtenführer) of Jagdfliegerführer 3. On 1 April 1942 he was promoted to Oberst and appointed as Kommandeur Luftwaffe-Nachrichten-Regiment 53. On 14 January 1943 - as the Kommandeur of Luftwaffe-Nachrichten-Regiment 53 and Nafü of Jagdfliegerführer 3 - he became the member of Luftwaffe mission in Romania. In August 1944 he was appointed as Nafü and Kommandeur of German Luftwaffe in Romania. In September 1944 Elle became the Kommandeur of Luftwaffe-Nachrichten-Regiment 211. His last appointment in the war were as the Nafü of 1. Jagddivision on 1 February 1945.

Source :
"Luftwaffe Officer Career Summaries: Section A-F" by Henry L. deZeng IV and Douglas G. Stankey

Admiral Walter Warzecha in Norway

 

 

Admiral Walter Warzecha (left, Chef des Allgemeinen Marinehauptamtes) on board of Kriegsmarine ship in the Norwegian waters. The picture was taken between 1942-1944.

Source :
https://gmic.co.uk/topic/46701-who-is-this-admiral/

German Machine Gunner in the Battle of Kursk

A German non-commissioned officer and a machine gunner zero in on an enemy Soviet position during the Battle of Kursk (German: Unternehmen Zitadelle); the Germans hoped to weaken the Soviet offensive potential for the summer of 1943 by cutting off a large number of forces that they anticipated would be in the Kursk salient. The Kursk salient or bulge was 250 kilometres (160 mi) long from north to south and 160 kilometers (99 mi) from east to west. By eliminating the Kursk salient, the Germans hoped to also shorten their lines, nullify Soviet numerical superiority in critical sectors (which would give the Germans time to regroup and plan another offensive against the Red Army) and regain the initiative from the Soviet Union. For the Germans, the battle was a failure, and the Soviets  were able to gain back territory along a 2,000 km (1,200 mi) wide front following the battle. Kursk Oblast, Russia, Soviet Union. July 1943. Image taken by Franz Grasser.

Source :
http://bag-of-dirt.tumblr.com/post/142864374500/a-german-non-commissioned-officer-and-a-machine

Lookouts Aboard U-178

Lookouts aboard the long-range U-178 under Korvettenkapitän Wilhelm Dommes, shortly after having left the Gironde Estuary in France to follow a small convoy through the coastal minefield. The head lens of the attack periscope is visible on the right and the raised rod aerial on the left. In later years, these aerials could be operated electrically from the inside the boat, but initially they were hand-cranked from the top of the conning tower and would not run down on their own without breaking the mechanism's sprockets. As a result, early boats were 'unfit for diving' as long as the aerial was raised. The grid by the base of the aerial was the top of a ventilation shaft leading down to the engine room. Usually there were four lookouts and a watch officer on duty on the conning tower.

Training of Flemish SS Volunteer's MG Crew (part 3)

Recruits, either Germans, racial Germanic types or of Nordic stock, entering the Waffen-SS underwent a very rigorous training programme designed by the SS authorities to produce very efficient fighting material. This photograph show Flemish volunteers undergoing field training as a two-man machine gun crew. Taking whatever cover a shallow depression affords them, the crew set up their MG as stealthily as possible. The gunner pulls the MG into its firing position whilst the No.2, who has already opened the lid of the ammunition container, starts to observe his front through his binoculars. It was the task of No.2 to observe, usually through field glasses, the target ahead and to direct the fire of the MG onto the enemy.

SS-Verfügungstruppe on Military Manoeuvres

Two photographs which show members of the original SS-Verfügungstruppe on military manoeuvres in Germany before the war. All wear the earth-grey clothing with the black 1918 pattern steel helmets.