norwest78

After a little help, I've come to the conclusion that this is a Landwehr group, probably activated for refresher training.

Werkluftschutz - Factory Air Defense

I'm hoping that someone can explain why the mix of insignia/buckles in this group photo. Seems to be a mix of Heer and SA men. Are the guys in the caps early/SA mountain troops? There is a mix of SA, Imperial, and Reichsheer belt buckles being worn. Some caps have SA eagle, one has what looks to be a Heer eagle, and many have no eagle. Ideas?

Yeah, I think you may be right that there's something wrong with the photo. There spots seem to be contained in the darker areas, which made me think it was a camo pattern. But it's on the trees, also. LOL

What type of camo are the soldiers wearing in this photo? You can see that they have also "dotted" their faces, boots, and even the guns. What the heck?

Photo taken at a District Leadership School in Jan 1935. The person whom I think looks like Ribbentrop is in the second row, first on the left.

Speculating here, but could this fellow, Schikowsky, be one of the Eben Emael pilots?

That's interesting. Do you know where I could find another photo, or reference to the Landespolizei insignia? Regards, Kevin

I have not been able to find an exact match for these collar tabs. What are they? Thanks in advance. --Kevin

Thanks for commenting, guys. POWs or allies, I'm not sure. Probably never know for certain. Either way it's an interesting photo.

A friend sent this info to me, which lends credence to the possibility that these Czechs were allied with the Germans: There was a small Czech Army setup after the Nazis took over and they were used against partisans and in 1944 they were sent to Italy ...and the uniforms in that pic would be correct so , if they were part of that group , they were allied with the Germans at the time ...but since there's no date , we don't know https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Government_Army_(Bohemia_and_Moravia)

ArHo, that's what I thought at first, but it's odd that they still have some gear on, none of the German soldiers appear to be armed, and it all seems very amicable. But perhaps they were defectors?

I have this photograph that appears to be German army soldiers (standing) with several Czech soldiers sitting on the ground. First of all, I'm not sure if they are Czech. But if so, why would they be together?

Fantastic! Thank you Andreas! Regards, Kevin

The writing on the reverse seems to be from a relative perhaps informing someone of his death. Can somebody give me a translation of the writing? I don't have a good eye for the old Schrift...