A graphic and comprehensive album of photographs compiled by a young German soldier in labour service and military training camps, and on active service in Czechoslovakia, Sudetenland, Poland and France in 1937, 1938 and 1939
A commercial photograph album (225 × 320 mm), containing 163 snapshot photographs (mainly 57 × 70 mm or 64 × 90 mm) loosely mounted behind photo-corners on 24 leaves (mainly on the rectos), with captions regularly throughout the album. A postcard-format studio portrait of the compiler is attached to the front pastedown, and he has identified himself in a number of photographs. In one snapshot he is standing with former German Olympic boxer Hans Schönrath (1902-1945), who has signed the photograph in ink.
Cord-bound boards covered with coarsely-woven multi-coloured fabric; extremities a little rubbed and bumped, with minor wear to some corners; patterned tissue-guards occasionally chipped and torn; minimal signs of age and use (including a few loose snapshots - and only a handful appear to be no longer present); overall, in excellent condition.
The portrait has a personal inscription on the verso (unfortunately not fully identifying the subject). The snapshots are basically in chronological order, with the first group captioned 'R.A.D. 1937'. 'The Reichsarbeitsdienst (RAD), or National (Empire) Labour Service, had its origins with the formation of a volunteer labour force that was created to off-set the high unemployment before the Nazis came to power. Work camps were set up to house these volunteers, sponsored by the government administration in 1931. Under Hitler's leadership service in the RAD was obligatory for all males of 17-25 years of age for a period of six months from 26 June 1935' (Imperial War Museum). Next follows a period of military training at Neuhammer; a number of photographs in this part of the album suggest the young man may have had training as a chef. There are about 40 photographs of the young man working or training in camps, in barracks, or at ease. The majority of the photographs depict the unstoppable and destructive course of the German army, as it embarks on the occupation of Czechoslovakia (fortifications, captured tanks and aircraft, military parades in the presence of Herman Goering) and Sudetenland, the invasion of Poland (deployed troops, destroyed or burning buildings, demoralised civilians, and more military parades), and finally the invasion of France (massive destruction of buildings, fortifications, bridges, French aircraft, and tanks; a crashed Messerschmitt Bf 109; captured British soldiers).
Item #140779
Price (AUD):
$3,300.00