Bringing History to life...

[Alex K]

Those are the guys, I will be pleased to use them in the book...

(P.S. I am going to change the name of this thread)

Look forward to seeing them in the book, as for changing the name of the thread, You're the boss

Alex

Oops! just noticed you've already changed it!!

Edited February 6, 2013 by Alex K

[Alex K]

A few more, Helmut von Pannwitz who became the supreme Attaman of the XV Kosaken-Kavallerie-Korps my colourisation is based on a very small but authentic photo shown. The second unknown cossack officer dressed in traditional cossack uniform, (Kuban Cossacks? inset), the third totally unrelated, Paul Von Hindenburg, an early photo, It took quite a while to sort out the bling he was wearing but hopefully it's correct.

regards

Alex K

Since doing Von Hindenburg, I spotted the thread started by Chris Boonzaier's visit to the Bundeswher museum. His posting of a generals parade tunic made me re-visit my original colourisation, it has been re-posted with small changes to more acurately reflect reality

Edited February 8, 2013 by Alex K

[Chris Boonzaier]

" as for changing the name of the thread, You're the boss

Alex"

The work you guys do deserves a title that does it jsutice ;-)

[Ulsterman]

You are a skilled artist no doubt Alek! Almost all the photos you have been using are copyright released by the way.

I reckon you could do a good side line business colorizing old WW 2 photos for people. I for one would be very happy to pay for colorized pictures of my ancestors in uniform!

Does the computer program you have "read" the shade of grey to tell what the original color was ?

[Alex K]

You are a skilled artist no doubt Alek! Almost all the photos you have been using are copyright released by the way.

I reckon you could do a good side line business colorizing old WW 2 photos for people. I for one would be very happy to pay for colorized pictures of my ancestors in uniform!

Does the computer program you have "read" the shade of grey to tell what the original color was ?

Thank you very much I'm genuinely humbled. No my software does not read anything, or if it does it doesn't tell me!

I rely on my own intuition, I have to take time to study the various shades of grey, and actually may spend 10-20 minutes just staring at the B/W image, (Very sad and my kids think I've gone into a trance or just drunk!!) by the time I've come out of my trance, 90% of the image is already clearly colourised in my head, then with some research, I eventually (Hopefully) come up with the right answer!!

regards

Alex

Edited February 6, 2013 by Alex K

[Alex K]

Hi Chris, As you may know I started this thread a few moons ago, It WAS a moment of boredom, Since then it seems to have developed it's own momentum. The new name may well reflect a slightly more serious approach to bringing life back to old and often ignored images, people or events.

Edited February 6, 2013 by Alex K

[Alex K]

Three more "Volunteers"

a Ukrainian, a Cossack and...a Brit William Charles

[Chris Boonzaier]

My wifes grandfather, zillion thanks t Alex!!

You wont believe how her grandmother will flip!

[Alex K]

a nice portrait of Von Mackensen

Edited February 7, 2013 by Alex K

[Alex K]

Hi Chris, caught me mid-post, glad you and your family will like it.

regards

[Alex K]

I've mentioned earlier in this thread that it is open to all. Two images which are not mine but found on the internet. As I do this normally, I'm quite quick to spot a colourisation from a hundred metres, this first one got me. After careful examination, it is a colourisation, but an amazingly good one, I wish I knew who did it.

The second is an obvious colourisation (I have the original B/W image), Like I said earlier there is some real talent out there.

regards

Alex

[Dave Danner]

I've mentioned earlier in this thread that it is open to all. Two images which are not mine but found on the internet. As I do this normally, I'm quite quick to spot a colourisation from a hundred metres, this first one got me. After careful examination, it is a colourisation, but an amazingly good one, I wish I knew who did it.

The second is an obvious colourisation (I have the original B/W image), Like I said earlier there is some real talent out there.

regards

Alex

They may be technically accomplished, but Badinski's ribbon bar is screwed up.

[TacHel]

This general Badinski... Does he have an incredibly large head or is he wearing an EK2 on his RK ribbon?? I know this was a common practice in combat to prevent loss or theft of an RK, but for a posed official photo?

[Alex K]

Well there we are gentlemen, it fooled me!, just makes me more determined to get mine right as I know I'll get pulled up

regards

Edited February 8, 2013 by Alex K

[Alex K]

Here's a quirky one, I have him on file as a Ridi Wolfmuller, from what I've read on another forum, he was an imposter, found any gong he could and then posed (Bit like the US Stolen Valor Act), but way back then, he certainly doesn't lack anything except the VC.

Anyone know anything about him. The original B/W image is totally authentic.

Edit just found this, I obviouslydownloaded from the same site where I got the photo, mean anything to anyone?

Edited February 8, 2013 by Alex K

[Alex K]

Two images of Gauleiter Wilhelm Murr, taken at different times in his career

[Alex K]

Karl Fiehler

[Alex K]

last one

[Alex K]

Hitler and Von Ribbentrop undecided about the menu for the next Reichsparteitag gathering.

Chicken Vindaloo, Jeagerschnitzel or tex Mex at the "Reich and Dine" take-away

Sorry the narrative is silly but the colourisation is accurate

Edited February 10, 2013 by Alex K

[Alex K]

"Kaiser's picture as a talisman", Corporal Fred McIntyre known as "Devil's Man"

[peter monahan]

The new title still doesn't do it justice! and yes, I'd agree that there might be some real coin in this, though I know that's not why you do it. If I had any photos of military relatives, they'd be on their way to you now, with cheque enclosed!

Peter

[Alex K]

Hi Peter, thanks for the compliments. I do specialise in military images, (But not always, I've done my own private non military related images) I am trying to expand my repertiore to all nations not just axis powers

regards

[Alex K]

Final one before I bow out, Two DRK Helferin Nurses, One was awarded the EKII, and wound badge in silver,

Listed below are resreach details of women who received the EKII Does anyone recognise who she may be?

Women
Decorated with the iron Cross

From
the Klietmann book Auszeichnungen Des Deutschen Reiches 1936-1945 he states

1) Flugkapitanin Hanna Reitsch EK1 (Nov 5, 1942) and EK2 (March 28, 1941)

2) Schwester des Deutsches Roten Kreuzes Elfriede Wnuk EK2 (Sept 19, 1942)

3) Schwester des Deutsches Roten Kreuzes Marga Droste EK2

4) Flugkapitanin Melitta Grafen Schenk von Stauffenberg EK2

5) Schwester des Deutsches Roten Kreuzes Magda Darchinger EK2

6) Schwester des Deutsches Roten Kreuzes Ilse Schulz EK2

7) Schwester des Deutsches Roten Kreuzes Grete Fock EK2

8) Schwester des Deutsches Roten Kreuzes Liselotte Hensel Mutterhaus EK2

9) Hauptfuhrerin des Deutsches Roten Kreuzes Holzmann (fisrt name?) EK2

10) Schwester des Deutsches Roten Kreuzes Elfriede Gunia EK2 (March 9, 1944)

11) Germanische Freiwillige Norwegische OKS Schwester Anne Gunhild Moxnes
EK2 (March 9, 1944)

12) Schwester des Deutsches Roten Kreuzes Hanny Weber EK2

13) Schwester des Deutsches Roten Kreuzes Ilse Daub EK2

14) Schwester des Deutsches Roten Kreuzes Else Grossmann EK2 (Jan 4, 1945)

15) Schwester des Deutsches Roten Kreuzes Greta Grafenkamp EK2 (Feb 17, 1945
Fortress Breslau)

16) Arztin Dr Elisabeth Potuz EK2 (Feb 3, 1945 Fortress Breslau)

17) Schwester des Deutsches Roten Kreuzes Ruth Raabe (Feb 3, 1945 Fortress
Breslau)

18) Schwester Ursula Kogel EK2 (March 1, 1945 Fortress Breslau)

19) Schwesterhelferin Liselotte Schlotterbeck (March 8, 1945 Fortress Breslau)

20) Eva Halm EK2 (my German is not so good but it looks like she was
recognised in Jan 26th 1956 for being awarded the EK2 in the Fortress Breslau)

21) SS Kreigsberichters M. Struve Ottilie Stephan EK2 (Feb 22, 1945 Berlin)

22) Volksdeutsche Leni Stalinek EK2 (March 15, 1945 Berlin)

23) Wehrmaschthelferinnen Alice Bendig EK2 (March 6, 1945 Berlin)

24) Wehrmaschthelferinnen Hidegard Bellgardt EK2 (March 6,1945 Berlin)

25) Schwester des Deutsches Roten Kreuzes Elfriede Muth EK2 (March 18, 1945
Berlin)

26) Schwesterhelferin Rohna von Ceuern EK2 (March 22, 1945 Berlin)

27) Schwesterhelferin Anna Wohlschutz EK2 (March 22, 1945 Berlin)

28) Frau Dr. Lemke EK2 (April 26, 1945)

29) Linie Dienst (from an article in 1952 atributes this woman with the EK2)
???

The following expands on
the above list taken from Klietmann's book:



Numbers 1-13 - these are taken from press announcements as awards were made.
Ilse Daub was the 27th woman to be awarded the EKII (in spring 1944).



Number 14 - the award to Else Grossmann was reported in a army newspaper in
January 1945. It mentions the award as being the EK1 but this seems to be
wrong.



Numbers 15-19 (Grafenkamp to Schlotterbeck) are recorded on an award list of
the Festungskommandant of Breslau (the list is in the Bundesarchiv).



Number 20 - Halm herself said in a newspaper article dating from 1956 that she
was awarded the EKII in Breslau.



Number 21 - Ottilie Stephan received the award according to a report by
SS-Kriegsberichter M. Struve



Numbers 22-27 - These awards are referred to in press articles dating from
March 1945



Number 28 - Frau Dr. Lemke didn't receive the award: according to a manuscript
belonging to former RAD-Führer Pauli she was asked to bring some EKs from the
Reichskanzlei on 26 April 1945. It is not known who received these awards, but
they included 3 Führerinnen of the RADwJ.

Edited February 13, 2013 by Alex K

[Alex K]

Albert Forster

[Alex K]

Three images of Alfons Rebane, the first as a lieutenant in the Eastonian army, the other two in the wehrmacht

Edited February 20, 2013 by Alex K