German and Italian Troops near Tobruk

German troops, including a Paratrooper, inspects an Italian anti-aircraft position near Tobruk in 1942. The picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Rechenberg.

Source :
https://www.ww2incolor.com/gallery/german-paratroopers/21535/tobruk

Captured US Truck of the Afrikakorps

Captured American Ford 3T truck armed by the Germans with a Flak gun 20mm on the back of the truck. Mareth area, Tunisia, March 1942.

Source :
ECPAD Archive

Afrikakorps Soldier on a Camel with a Guide

An Afrikakorps soldier on a camel with a guide. The Germans and Italians more or less left the Arab populations to themselves, so long as they did not interfere with operations in the area. The German command also instructed soldiers not to fraternize with the local populations. However, a sizable number of Arabs volunteered to fight in the Afrika Korps in the ‘Free Arab Legion,’ later in Panzerarmee Afrika, and smaller numbers served as translators or guides.

Source :
http://www.mourningtheancient.com/truth1cb2.htm
https://www.quora.com/How-did-the-Afrika-Korps-and-Italian-troops-treat-local-populations-during-the-North-African-campaign

British POW being Questioned by Afrikakorps

April 1941: Rommel wrested more than 800 kilometres from the British forces that were forced to retreat towards Egypt. The men under his command took so many prisoners. In the picture, a British POW is being questioned by german officer.

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

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

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

Fallschirmjäger Anti-Partisan Operation

ECPAD Archives (FALL AOK F1648 L02)

1. Fallschirmjäger-Division in an anti-partisan operation in the region of Molise, Italy, October 1943. Veterans of "Merkur" in Crete are interrogating people of the village of Montefalcone Nel Sannio, Puglia. Note the variety of ammo pouches for Kar 98k and FG 42.

 

ECPAD Archives (FALL AOK F1648 L07)
1. Fallschirmjäger-Division unit searching the area for partisans and interrogating the population of the village of Montefalcone Nel Sannio (Puglia).

ECPAD Archives (FALL AOK F1648 L08)
1. Fallschirmjäger-Division in an anti-partisan operation at Montefalcone Nel Sannio (Puglia). Firepower is all!

ECPAD Archives (FALL AOK F1648 L09)
1. Fallschirmjäger-Division unit searching the area for partisans and interrogating the population (including Carabinieri) of the village of Montefalcone Nel Sannio (Puglia).

Source ;
ECPAD Archives

Hellmuth Felmy wearing Tropical Uniform

 

 

General der Flieger Hellmuth Felmy wearing Luftwaffe tropical uniform and Troppenschirmmütze a.k.a "Hermann Meyer cap". There is no information where and when this picture was taken, but possibly when he was posted in Greece as Befehlshaber Südgriechenland (Commander of South Greece), 21 June 1941 - 11 September 1942.

Source :
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?p=2312049#p2312049

S-Minen Preparation by Afrikakorps

 

S-Minen preparation with a vast array of fuzes (pressure and trip). Mines are for defending but also for slowing down the enemy. Booby traps not forgotten. The picture was taken when the Axis troops were in full retreat in Lybia, December 1942.

Source :
ECPAD Archives, courtesy of Blanluet Christophe
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10158979917633308&set=gm.2743536849246876

Reconnaissance Raid near Tobruk 1941

A DAK assault team climbs aboard a PzKpfw III Ausf.G. Location and date unknown. Supposedly taken during the siege of Tobruk (April to November, 1941). An interesting display of German war material and personal equipment including a flamethrower (Flammenwerfer 35) carried by the soldier already atop the tank. The soldier to the left carries an MG34 ammo drum and a MG spare barrel (the tube on his back); to his right another soldier carries two bags filled with grenades. On the right, what was most probably the team leader has laid his MP-38 or 40 on the vehicle before climbing aboard. Note the 2 canteens per soldier and the makeshift helmet covers.

Source :
Courtesy of Blanluet Christophe of ECPAD Archive
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1728158044141689/
https://www.facebook.com/TheTruthInColor/photos/a.853308841373560/2212145122156585/?type=3&theater

Oberfeldwebel of the Afrikakorps Feldgendarmerie

Oberfeldwebel of the Feldgendarmerie of the German Afrikakorps. He is wearing a Field Police tropical tunic straps. The winkerkelle (traffic stick) he is using is the standard vehicle stick found in the smaller vehicles. Note the British officer standing behind!

Source :
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=141730587417149&set=gm.2379626985661455&type=3&theater&ifg=1

Zentral Ersatzteillager 220 Photo Album

These photos comes from the private collection of Denis Daum, and shows the visit of Generaloberst Erwin Rommel (Oberbefehlshaber Panzerarmee "Africa") to the Zentral Ersatzteillager 220 headquarters in Benghazi, Libya, which took place on May 19, 1942. Officer with the bright hemd and shorts that accompanied him is Major Peter Deiglmayer, who was the commander of the central warehouse supplying the Afrikakorps vehicle parts. Coming with Rommel on his visit was his loyal Chief of Staff, Generalmajor Alfred Gause, who could be recognized from the Ritterkreuz medal on his neck.

 
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Other pictures of Zentral Ersatzteillager 220 and Major Peter Deiglmayer in North Africa:

 Proxy wedding of one of the member of Zentral Ersatzteillager 220 in North Africa

Source:

Denis Daum photo collection

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1728158044141689/