Odulf

Tally Schulflottille des B.S.O. (Befehlshaber der Sicherung der Ostsee), a snapshot dated 22.6.1939. Unterseebootsflottille Lohs (Sommer 1939)

The monument is in Hanko, in Finland. To commemorate the German support in the Finish Civil War (1918)

Looks like a Freikorps badge: "Schwarze Schar" (Bergerhoff. No. 805.1 from the Katalog der Uniformabzeichen der deutschen Freikorps

Not many portraits around of MAA Officers wearing the field grey uniform, but I picked up this very nice and crisp studio photo of a Korvettenkapitän, signed "Hannsel (pet name for Johannes / Hans) Helgoland 1941/1942". At first sight his picture could be mistaken for another Army officer, but the buttons show anchors and the breast and cap eagles are gold, as are the Navy style laurels surrounding the cockarde at the front of his cap. The chin strap of silver as are the officer's style collarpatches. On the major style shoulder boards the flaming granade in yellow metal. The photographer had his shop in Nordseebad Borkum. I wonder if he can be identified.

Lovely picture. 20 mm Flak (AA-Quick Fire gun) this was the basic light artillery for all the Wehrmacht, Army, Air-Force and Navy. On the ships these were all over the decks. All the ship's complement were assigned to defening the ship, cooks, writers, stores accountants, administrative crews and other supporting personnel in the ship had to carry out duties in defending the ship. Thus, many ship mates had to follow courses and advanced training in managing A.A. guns (signified by Sonderabzeichen), but the main Artillery was left to the specialists, as were torpedoes, asdic, radar, engines management and other operational branches. War ships did not carry passengers, only complement - men with a military duty.

On parade and on leave the Soldiers of the Marine-Artillerie-Abteilungen and Schiffsstammabteitungen had to wear their blue uniforms, for duty in barracks and as field dress they had the grey-green uniform. So their lockers were filled with both grey-gree nand blue clothing. A post 1939 "Hemden-Mützen" or "Budenzauber" picture, appearently in private quarters, of Kriegsmarine room mates mixing both items of clothing in a play for camera (these are snap shots to be found in any private photo album.)

Not many motorcycles in the Kriegsmarine, but here is a BMW R35 (350 cc) with men of the Schifsstammabteilung der Nordsee.

Very nice Morten, I particularly like to see the Sonderausbildungsabzeichen with the rope border, indicating 1. Stufe (1st class) Waffenleitvormann

Beautiful image! I've seen this artistic facial hair before, particularly popular in the Imperial Navy, but also later with some hipster sailors in the Kriegsmarine like this cheerful chap (Verwaltungsmaat) in his tailored jacket.

Good show Larry! Crystal clear picture of a Technischer Beamter auf Kriegsdauer (a.K.) [for the duration of war], this category was to be distinguished by the silver cord border surrounding the branch badge on the lower sleeves.

What you say Larry, rare indeed, thanks for sharing!

A nice studio portrait of a KM Gefreiter, but... the photographer took this picture in Brest (France) in 1943 and the shoulder loops (Schiffsstammabteilung der Nordsee) became obsolete in September 1939. Another example of old insignia being worn long after they were oficially expired.

Very, very nice Morten!

Beautiful photo Morten, excellent quality, is it originally a press photo? Obviuosly it is not on taken on board of a U-Boot, in the mid-30s the Unterseebootschule in Kiel comprised the Schulverband (for U-Boot practice) with 6 older submarines as training boats: U1 , U2, U3, U4, U5, U6 (these are manifold pictured in postcards). To this flottilla was also attaced a surface ship for security and to collect the torpedoes. The photo was taken on board this support ship. In 1935 this was the old Torpedoboat "T158", later to be replaced by the old Minesweeper "M136". I think the latter is the stage for this picture.

A pleasant meeting/fare well scene with beer at the train station in the war years. The WW1 veteran Hauptgefreiter (right) is wearing a new field grey uniform with the ribbons of the Iron Cross 2nd Class (1914) & Hindenburg Cross, and the seldom seen in wear Verwundeten-Abzeichen (Wound Badge) of the German Imperial Navy (instituted June 1918). Between them, a greenish Kleidersack/Sesack (kit bag), on top not a cel phone but a wooden label holding details of the owner. The Gefreiter (left) is wearing a very short blue Überzieher (Jacket), when issued the lower seam would be at the length of the sleeve, but it was fashionable to shorten the lower seam (and alter the side pockets).