Luftwaffe Court Martial

[Gordon Williamson]

An interesting little group of photos I was given by a former member of the Feldgendarmerie of the Hermann G?ring Division who served on attachment to a Field Court Martial.

It may come as a surprise to some but the Germans DID investigate complaints from Soviet civilians against members of the German armed forces.

The Court Martial arrives. The board on the front of the truck reads "Feldgericht der Lw"

[Gordon Williamson]

Statements are taken from the complainants

[Gordon Williamson]

Court papers are drawn up

[Gordon Williamson]

And the miscreants appear for sentencing

[Gordon Williamson]

The guy the photos came from was a Feldgendarmerie NCO. You can just see him sitting in the back of this Kubelwagen, with gorget being worn (the Luftwaffe pattern was worn within the HG div, Para units seeming to wear the Army pattern)

[Gordon Williamson]

Here he is on Sicily in tropical gear with Hermann Meyer cap.

[Gordon Williamson]

And on horseback, on the Eastern Front, where horses could go where vehicles couldnt

[Gordon Williamson]

Again, the Luftwaffe pattern gorget is worn.

[Gordon Williamson]

One of his comrades, Corporal Ludwig Dinger, a despatch rider with the HG Feldgendarmerie. Interestingly, although on the original print you can clearly see the Luft eagle on the gorget and the Luft insignia on the M43 cap, Dinger maintains the cap, and his M43 style tunic, were field grey not Luftwaffe blue-grey.

[Gordon Williamson]

A more peaceful scene, security at one of the concerts for the Divisional Band. Interesting to note that the band were absorbed into the Feldgendarmerie Kompanie

[DavidM]

Hello Gordon

An absolutely superb set of photos, and extremely interesting history with them as well.

Many thanks for showing these.

[ERIC]

Fantastic Gordon! I've never seen photos of an actual field court martial before! Thanks for sharing!

ERIC

[Paul R]

I am floored!

This grouping is definately a first!!! Nice find! Did you get this grouping from the veteran? Is there a discription on the back of the photos?

Regards

Paul

[Gordon Williamson]

Paul,

Yes all of these were direct from the HG vets (Herr Kail and Herr Dinger) with full narrative descriptions. You can't beat that sort of provenance.

[Paul R]

Paul,

Yes all of these were direct from the HG vets (Herr Kail and Herr Dinger) with full narrative descriptions. You can't beat that sort of provenance.

You are correct there! What were the men being sentenced charged with? What was their punishement?

I notice that these men seem to be enlisted! Can you tell what waffenfarbe they are wearing? Did they wear the orange piped shoulder boards(per the Jun43 order)?

This is such a rarely encountered area of the Luftwaffe, so please forgive the questions.

[Guest Brian von Etzel]

Wonderful history and photos, thanks Gordon.