VERLAG DER WEHRMACHT POSTCARD
DER WEHRMACHT
This series of postcards is very typical of the type of postcards that were being published in Germany in the early years of the Second World War. I have no idea how many postcards are in this series as they are not numbered in any way, the numbering scheme I have used below is totally arbitrary. The publisher is Verlag der Wehrmacht KG, Berlin SW68, Schutzenstrasse.Based on the equipment featured, and the uniforms worn by the soldiers, this set of postcards was likely issued sometime between late 1940 and the end of 1941.
No.1
Ein Weiter weg zur heimat
(A long way from home)
This postcard features 3 German soldiers looking at a signpost on the side if the road. The top sign shows the distance from Tromso to Hammerfest, which are both cities in Northern Norway. The lower sign shows the distance from Tromso to Villach in Southern Austria. These troops were obviously operating in Tromso at the time of this photo so that would have been sometime after the German invasion of Norway on 9th Apr 1940, codenamed Operation Weserübung.
All three soldiers appear to be wearing the field uniform of the Gebirgsjagerregiment 138 who served in Narvik in May 1940 [requires additional research].
No.1
No.2
FERNSPRECH BAUTRUPP BEI SCHWIERIGEM LEITUNGSBAU
(Laying telephone lines in difficult conditions)
No.2
No.3
PIONIERE BEIM BRÜCKENBAU
(Pioneers constructing a bridge)
No.3
No.4
SPÄHTRUPP VOR DEM ABMARSCH
(Scout before the March)
No.4
No.5
EINMARSCH DEUTSCHER TRUPPEN IN BRÜNN
(German troops enter the city of Brünn)
The title of this postcard puts the date at Oct 1938, when the German army entered the city of Brünn (also known as Brno) in Moravia, Czechoslovakia.
No.5
No. 6
NACHSCHUB FÜR NORD-AFRIKA
(Supples for North Africa)
Assuming that supplies were no longer shipped to north Africa after the defeat of the Afrika Korps in May 1943 this photo must predate that period. The campaign began in Jun 1940 but it is likely that supplies were shipped there before the start of the campaign.
No.6
No.7
ARBEITSDIENST BEIM BAU VON FEUERSTELLUNGEN
(Labour Service constructing defences)
No.7
No.8
WASSERFLUGZEUGE
(Waterplanes)
This postcard features two Heinkel He 60 floatplanes. The type first flew in 1933 and production ceased after the 205th aircraft was completed in 1936. All He 60's had been removed from front line service in 1940 due to their vulnerability and were replaced by the Arado Ar 196. The He 60 did see service between 1939 and 1943 in the Baltic and Mediterranean regions where it performed a coastal reconnaissance role.
No.8
No.9
MINENRAUMBOOTE IN HOHER FAHRT
(Mining Boats at High Speed)
No.9
No.10
DEUTSCHE ZERSTORER IM HAFEN VON NARVIK
(German Destroyer in the Port of Narvik)
No.10
No.11
EINE MINENSUCHFLOTTILLE BEiM AUSLAUFEN
(A Mine Search Floatilla on Patrol)
No.11
No.12
U-BOOT-JAGER WERFEN WASSERBOMBEN
(Submarine Hunters throw water bombs)
No.12
No.13
TORPEDOBOOTE UND FLUGZEUGE SICHERN EIN HEIMKEHRENDES KRIEGSSCHIFF
(
Torpedo Boats and Aircraft Secure a Home-Coming Warship)
No.13
