New Photo Pick-Ups - Please Share

[Bill T]

HPL, I may need you expertise on this one...... What I get out of it is something about not knowing who the photographer is or something? I've also never seen the word "dilletant" before. But here is the photo......a nice pic of Erdkampfabzeichen in wear. The tabs are most likely flak, but I dunno.

[rbminis]

HPL, I may need you expertise on this one...... What I get out of it is something about not knowing who the photographer is or something? I've also never seen the word "dilletant" before. But here is the photo......a nice pic of Erdkampfabzeichen in wear. The tabs are most likely flak, but I dunno.

Hi Bill,
Nice photo!
I would say the tabs are a little light for Flak, possibly signals yellow.
Ralph.

[Bill T]

Hi Ralph, I agree, they do look light. At first I thought maybe Green for LwFD, but field divisions weren't put into effect until October 42, so judging by the date of the photo....the chance of him being in an actual Field Division unit could be slim.? I would agree with yellow being the most reasonable.

A cool sidefact----Did you know that Luftwaffe Field division Troops (not Fallschirmjager) would even wear Yellow sometimes?? Check out #3:
(Osprey LwFD book)

[HPL2008]

HPL, I may need you expertise on this one...... What I get out of it is something about not knowing who the photographer is or something? I've also never seen the word "dilletant" before. But here is the photo......a nice pic of Erdkampfabzeichen in wear. The tabs are most likely flak, but I dunno.

Nice photo. Personally, I think the collar tabs are the golden yellow of the flying branch. (Also worn by groundcrew and all personnel not falling into one of the other specific branches.)

As for the text: "Dilletant" (obviously) means "dilettante" and could also be translated as "dabbler", "amateur" or "bush-leaguer". The text is written in rhyme. Here's what it translates into (not rhyming anymore, of course):

"In the east, 22 Nov. 42

These days, it can happen
that we don't tell us the truth.
With the Obergefreiter,
the photograph - a dilettante,
- he did not even know himself -
has "created" a - picture - one could argue about that,
however, since it has happened in Russia's wasteland,
weeeeeeeeelll...
so here it is anyway!
With cordial greetings:
the Heinzelmann"

Not quite sure what this is all about. Apparently, the young Obergefreiter seen in this picture was not happy with the result but took it with humor... or perhaps he was actually satisfied and this is a print of the picture that he gave and signed to the comrade who had taken the photo, pulling his leg with this little poem? Naturally, we will never know. (Objectively, it is not a bad photo at all, but many people - myself included - never really like how they look in photographs.)

PS: As for the "Heinzelmann"... The Heinzelmännchen are a sort of benevolent leprechaun race appearing in a well known German folk tale/fairytale. "Heinzelmann" appears to have been the man's nickname, perhaps resulting from his actual name (such as the first name "Heinz" or a surname such as "Heinzmann") or given to him for some other now-obscure reason. More speculation, of course...

[Bill T]

haha! Like you said, He wasn't happy with the outcome it seems. That's great. I appreciate your time/expertise Andreas, as always. Oh and I agree w/ you and Ralph.... Golden Yellow. I always like when photos have longer than usual text on the reverse.

[António Fragoeiro]

Hi, a French POW march, most of them seem from the colonies.

[António Fragoeiro]

A few more
Cheers
Nuno

[António Fragoeiro]

This is the most intriguing of the lot.
I cant figure out exactly the writing but looks "Tag der Wehrmacht".
Can it be correct?
Anyway, the man seem to be naked and some officers are carrying daggers and cameras.

[HPL2008]

This is the most intriguing of the lot. I cant figure out exactly the writing but looks "Tag der Wehrmacht". Can it be correct? Anyway, the man seem to be naked and some officers are carrying daggers and cameras.

Yes; it says "Tag der Wehrmacht 1940" [= "Armed Forces Day 1940"].

On this annual day, many public demonstrations etc. were held by the troops, one of which we clearly see here. (Notice the civilians, including numerous women and children.)

Apparently, the interior of a barracks room or military billet is "simulated" outdoors (notice the beds, chairs, table, water pitcher, field gear etc.) The man on the chair is not naked, but in white underwear. The two soldiers in front of him appear to be part of the "performance".

Perhaps they are demonstrating to the public just how quickly a soldier can get washed-up and dressed? It could also be that they are simply performing some kind of comedic skit for the public's entertainment.

[Bill T]

Pretty neat photos Nuno!

Here is a trio of Germans with some captured French Adrians and Tommy lids!