GreyC

Hi, this is more of a supplement than really new stuff, but I thought I post it anyways: In the late evening hours of 9th June 1944 the 2nd and 4th Schnellbootflottille attacked enemy ships in the northern and middle section of the Seine-Bay. S-188, S 172 and S-187 of the 4th Flottille sunk a ship each. This was considered the most prominent success of the S-Boote during the allied invasion. p. 180pp; Schnellboote im Einsatz 1939-1945 by Volkmar Kühn, Stuttgart 1976 And: S-188 severely damaged by air raid on 3 o´clock 15th June 1944 in Le Havre, broken up 20th August 1944 according to Gröner, vol. 2 p. 159.

Thank you Andreas! GreyC

Hi Fernando, Seeberufsfachschulen (SBFs) were successor-institutions of the Unteroffizierfachschulen that were founded in 1941 for all service brnches in the German Wehrmacht and discontinued already in 1942. However the Kriegsmarine reorganized them into SBFs. One of the at least 12 in existence was in Essen (Ruhr). Just found out that the personnel might have been under the supervision of the Reichsministerium für Wissenschaft, Erziehung und Volksbildung, a civilian ministry for education. They at least kept personnel files in their department. GreyC

Hello Peter, thanks for your interesting thoughts. There were quite a few demonstration trenches in German cities. I know of some in Hamburg, Brauschweig, Hannover and Berlin, but they were by far not as large as the one pictured. Training facility could be, but why train in trenches that would not match the real deal at the front? Just meant as food for thought, not as criticism. To draw a preliminary conclusion: I think what has been ascertained is that it is a french aerial photo. Still open to be answered what army built these trenches, where they were and to what purpose they were built. I still like the idea of strong points by spasm, but wouldn´t rule out training facility. Prussian´s hint at the height from which the photo was taken (3000m) should also be taken into consideration. Thank you all up to here, GreyC

So the photo is post August 1940. There seems to be text on the wreath bow. Illegible? GreyC

Here, for comparison, a classically annotated German aerial photo by the sFAA278: GreyC

Shermans=Americans? GreyC

Hi Larry, can you read what´s on the cap tally ? It looks as though it´s not yet "Kriegsmarine" which would date the photo to before Sept. 5th 1939 and give infos with regard to the unit. On the other hand: There seem to be two sailors with Minensucherabzeichen which was awarded since 31th August 1940. So maybe the soldiers still wear their Minensuchboot-Halbflottile (or similar) cap tally (which in my opinion should have been replaced from 5th Sept. 1939 on). GreyC

Hi Patrick, glad I could help. GreyC

Thank you spasm, your contributions are very helpful for me. GreyC

Hello Spasm, interesting designs. Thank you for sharing these. Te semi-circle designs resemble the ones on the photo somewhat, indeed. Should the trenches depicted on the aerial photo serve the same purpose i.e. strong points for defence, do you think it could be the Somme region (29th July 1916) ? After all the British went out to attack from 1st July. Or is this some place else? GreyC

Hello Coldstream, thank you for your thoughts which seem plausible. However I do think that the photo was not taken by the Germans. Which does not rule out that the British or French might well have taken photos of their own lines. The Germans did so anyway. To substantiate my theory here a few observations: To specify the differences between German and Allied inscriptions/notations (what´s the right word?) on aerial photographs here are the main differences: German dates were written with dots inbetween as in: 29.7.16. Never with "-" The time (?) 17H is not German. The time was written in the 12 hour format plus V[ormittags] to indicate a.m. or N[achmittags]=p.m.. The square format was only used by very few German army field flying units and was more often used by German Naval Squadrons (which can be counted out here, I think). A good source for infos concerning German aerial photography are the books by Helmut Jäger, a former recon expert of the Bundeswehr. GreyC

Hi, a Friedrich Wilhelm Voss / Voß of the Kyffhäuser Kameradschaft Kosel celebrated his 92nd birthday in November 2016. GreyC

...so it´s between 1908 and 1912 if source quoted is correct. The medals he won for his craft seen on the reverse could be helpful, too. They should be dated so that you´d get a "not before" date. GreyC

Good morning gentlemen, First: Dear Alwin, Father was happy to receive your letter Back: Parcel arrived here in good shape. Many thanks. I am delighted, that Hedwig is with you. I am well. Many greetings... 2nd: Card has combined birthday and Easter greetings. Nikolaus (sender) wants to know if letters and parels have reached their destination and states that Easter parcel contains shoenails. GreyC

To specify the differences between German and Allied inscriptions on aerial photographs here are the main differences: German dates were written with dots inbetween as in: 29.7.16. Never with "-" The time (?) 17H is not German. The time was written in the 12 hour format V[ormittags]=a.m., N[achmittags]=p.m.. The square format was only used by very few German army field flying units and was more often used by German Naval Squadrons. Hope that helps a bit. A good source for infos concerning German aerial photogrphy are the books by Helmut Jäger, a former recon expert of the Bundeswehr.

Hi Patrick, I have no knowledge when it comes to British navy uniforms. Sailors of the German Navy had different stripes on their sleeves to indicate what watch they belonged to. There were also badges on large warships to indicate what "Division" of that ship (like a company in the army) they belonged to. Don´t know if this is a possiblility. GreyC

Hi Don, the first picture in #1 is the full size picture the 2nd pic is a detail out of the 1st. GreyC

Hello Peter, thank you for your opinion. The latter explanation seems to have a lot going for it. Thanks for sharing your insights. GreyC

Hello Gentlemen, This aerial photography caught my attention because of the trench design perfectly visible in this aerial photo. I have seen quite a few trench systems on photos from the air, none in this form though. It reminds me of the outline-design of old fortresses to avoid blind spots. Unfortunately no information on place or photographer. Only the date that seems to point to the battle of the Somme. The way the information was written on the photo seems to indicate a none German origin. Does any of you have any idea of the idea and function of this design, by what country it was built and maybe the place where this was? Thank you! GreyC

Hi, I don´t know anything about Bulgarian orders and medals but I sure like your page dedicated to the Royal ones! GreyC

Hi! Not beeing supplied with data could have to do with him not beeing dead long enough for that. There is a ban on personal data of people to those not directly related to them (if I remember correctly) of 30 years if the person in question is not a significant figure in history. GreyC

Hi, I´ll keep my fingers crossed. GreyC

Hi, that was unusually quick for the WASt! And the news are good. Herbert Göbel survived the war and died 1993. His wife died in 2002. The lady from the agency also states that there not only is a surviving daughter, but that she contacted her and forwarded her your contact information. So if she is interested, she will contact you. Congrats! GreyC

Hi, it looks like it is from VII th AK, because the cuff´s piping is white and the shoulderboards blue. If you have the jacket at home, look for a stamp in the inside lining. It is a peacetime uniform so there should be a stamp in any case. GreyC