GERMAN WWII SS DEUTSCHLAND PHOTOGRAPH ALBUM.

A magnificent photograph album measuring 31 x 23 cm. The cover has extremely large SS runes, which are not flat but have a raised centre to each rune. The closing leather tab has a metallic clip attached to it, which has a swastika laid onto the metallic clip. The silver lettering below the clip at the front of the album reads ‘War Memories’. Containing 171 excellent images, all relating to this one member of the Waffen SS Regiment Deutschland. There is a loose photograph to the inside cover showing who we believe to be the owner of the album Hans Becker on his wedding day, standing wearing his Allgemeine uniform, hatless, carrying his SS mans dagger. Details on the back read ‘HANS BECKER WEDDING DAY 1939 HAUPTSTURMFUHRER 2ND SS PANZER REGIMENT 2 DAS REICH’. Opening page photograph showing the owner of the album, studio shot standing full length wearing his complete Allgemeine uniform, with hat, cuff band showing ‘Deutschland’. The album then further opens in Poland 1939, scenes of the campaign, every image is annotated. Wearing of SS crusher caps, camouflaged smocks, Waffen SS motorcyclists. Good close-ups of helmets with the rune insignia, destroyed Polish vehicles, dead animals, mortars in action, lines of German tanks, good close-ups of helmet covers, radio operators, aircraft landing with supplies, destroyed Polish bridges. A great shot of two SS men taking a break both wearing camouflage smocks, one giving the other a shave, battlefield scenes, piles of Polish discarded equipment, Polish fortifications. Moving onto the unit being moved by ship, again everything is annotated. Excellent close-up shot of high ranking Waffen SS officer wearing his visor cap and white summer jacket on board ship. German tanks and armoured cars. Groups of Polish prisoners, destroyed town, buildings in flames, wounded soldiers being taken away on carts, parade of the SS wearing their field grey uniforms, good clear close-ups of SS helmets being worn. The album moves onto the period of 1940, it appears that the unit is on the move again to the campaign in France. Crashed German Stukas, lines of vehicles, a long group of prisoners being a mixture of British and French. Waffen SS motorcycle side car units all in camouflage uniforms with the motorcycles themselves being camouflaged. Pictures of the English Channel coast. Crashed French or British aircraft. Four SS graves with the helmets on top of the crosses. Excellent shot of two Waffen SS men wearing full camouflage uniforms with their MG34 in the anti aircraft role. A hugely comprehensive album with very historic images with a fabulous cover.

Code: 85347