Three SS-Untersturmführer in the Netherlands

Three SS-Untersturmführer in the occupied-Netherlands. In the middle is a Dutchman. No date.

 

Source :
https://beeldbankwo2.nl/nl/beelden/?q=wehrmacht&mode=gallery&view=horizontal

Recruits of the Luftwaffe during a Prayer

Recruits of the Luftwaffe during a prayer, 9 July 1938. The original caption said: "Luftwaffe soldiers have taken off their helmets after the issue of the command 'Helmets off for prayer!'"

Source :
https://www.akpool.de/ansichtskarten/26753519-ansichtskarte-postkarte-deutsche-wehrmacht-luftwaffe-helm-ab-zum-gebet-soldaten-mit-stahlhelmen-und-bajonetten
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-recruits-of-the-luftwaffe-during-a-prayer-1938-122549762.html?imageid=8FB962D8-981E-4D84-B5F2-C0C554513477&p=291611&pn=1&searchId=2adb0d94b30ee950bdafece3810c320c&searchtype=0
https://www.arkivi-bildagentur.de/articles/a514634

Polizei Parade

Two nice postcard sized pictures showing a parade of Gendarmerie members wearing the typical "Tschako". Also notice the flag bearer gorget on one of the portraits.

Source :
https://www.kometmilitaria.com/product-page/2x-postcard-sized-picture-gendermerie-parade

Ferntrauung (Proxy Wedding)

 

Ferntrauung (proxy wedding) in North Africa, 30 April 1942. The Battalion commander lead the ceremony. Photo by Kriegsberichter Otto

Marriage by proxy is one more than a hundred-year-old family law institution, common to the legal systems of many states. Obviously it consists of a marriage in which one of the spouses, who is absent, is replaced by a third party for the issuance of consent; This third party acts as a proxy through a special power that has been legally granted by the absent spouse.

A Law of November 4, 1939 regulated this institution for the Wehrmacht members in campaign. The family book and an affidavit on the Aryan ancestry of the bride and the corresponding civil registry data were required. Over time, a mere written statement was enough.

The ceremony for the bride took place in the office of the civil registry with the presence of two witnesses and was called “Stahlhelmtrauung” or “steel helmet wedding”, since a steel helmet was placed to symbolize the presence of the absent contractor.

The ceremony for the groom took place before an officer of his unit and in the presence of comrades of the contracting party, who acted as witnesses.

Ferntrauung (proxy wedding) in North Africa, 30 April 1942. The comrades share in the joy of the young husband. Photo by Kriegsberichter Otto.

Ferntrauung (proxy wedding) in North Africa, 30 April 1942. The newly wed shows his comrades the bride's picture. Photo by Kriegsberichter Otto.

Source :
https://www.warrelics.eu/forum/history-research-third-reich-ww2/knights-cross-next-queen-elizabeth-764957-2/#post2072546

Funeral of Graf von Westphalen

Funeral of SS-Obersturmbannführer Hermenegild Graf von Westphalen zu Fürstenberg, Commander of Regiment "Danmark" in Estonian capital Reval (Tallinn) Heldenfriedhoff Maarjamäe. He in was heavily wounded in fighting around the Narva Kreenholm bridge on 9 April 1944 and died on 28 May 1944 in SS-Korpslazarett 1/103 in Reval (Tallinn).

Source :
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Narvafronten,_1944_-_Narvafront037.jpg
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=489133855637573&set=gm.3978063015549414

A Type II Coastal U-Boat

Although this shows the small conning tower of a Type II coastal boat, it does drive home the lookouts' vulnerability, especially during hard weather when water constantly washed over the top of the tower. Larger boats had more space, but the towers weren't very much higher. The lapel-less collar of the person leaning on the hatch cover indicates that he is an engineer. The pressure-resistant hatch leading into the U-boat was almost a meter below his feet, and this raised grating merely prevented men falling down the opening in the upper deck. At sea, only the conning tower hatch would have been used, but in port it was more convenient to use the lower entrances. Trees in the background and the presence of a civilian suggests that this is close to harbour.

U-Boat Type IXD2 Back to the Port from a Successful Mission

A large, long-distance boat of Type IXD2, probably U-178 or U-181, coming into port with the attack periscope raised to act as a flagpole for a mass of success pennants. The unusual patterns on the side of the hull are shadows from the reception party on the pier.