Original German WWII Grossdeutschland im Weltgeschehen Tagesbildberichte “Greater Germany in World Affairs Daily Picture Reports of 1940” – Over 300 Photos Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is an incredible and extensively detailed look into NSDAP Germany in 1940. This book features 40 double-sided pages of heavy pasteboard containing (4) 5-1/2 x 4 inches black and white photos, totaling 320 photos all with captions. There are 108 pages in total in the book giving an account of all major events that occurred in 1940. This substantial book measures 17″ x 12″ x 2 1/2″ and weighs about 10 lbs. 

Published by the Reichs’ Ministry for National Education and Propaganda, this album “Grossdeutschland im Weltgeschehen – Tagesbildberichte 1940” was intended to provide a reminder and an example to later generations of the ‘heroic’ sacrifices of the German nation in the “fight for freedom.” The album contains photographs on a wide variety of subjects in the year 1940, and depicts all aspects of life on the fighting and home fronts. German military equipment, destroyed Allied equipment and aircraft, German troops in the field, railroad workers in the lunch line, foreign visitors to Germany, German industry and assembly lines, German troops entering Paris, Adolf H with generals, leading party personalities and much more is covered in this book.

The photos are arranged with a one-page outline listing the significance of the events of that month, and a list of significant dates is provided before each section of photographs. Normally three or four pages are devoted to any one month’s activities with photographs.

The condition of the album is lightly dusty, minor wear, with 2 of the original 3 screws missing unfortunately. Replacement screws were added postwar to keep the binding tight. The photographs are in fine condition and clean with the expected discoloration and defects from the mass printing process.

This is an incredible look into 1940 Germany and is a must have for any collector or both wartime books as well as photographs.

Comes more than ready for translation and display!

World War II in the West (1940-41)

On April 9, 1940, Germany simultaneously invaded Norway and occupied Denmark, and the war began in earnest. On May 10, German forces swept through Belgium and the Netherlands in what became known as “blitzkrieg,” or lightning war. Three days later, Adolf’s troops crossed the Meuse River and struck French forces at Sedan, located at the northern end of the Maginot Line, an elaborate chain of fortifications constructed after World War I and considered an impenetrable defensive barrier. In fact, the Germans broke through the line with their tanks and planes and continued to the rear, rendering it useless. The British Expeditionary Force (BEF) was evacuated by sea from Dunkirk in late May, while in the south French forces mounted a doomed resistance. With France on the verge of collapse, Italy’s fascist dictator Benito Mussolini formed an alliance with AH, the Pact of Steel, and Italy declared war against France and Britain on June 10.

On June 14, German forces entered Paris; a new government formed by Marshal Philippe Petain (France’s hero of World War I) requested an armistice two nights later. France was subsequently divided into two zones, one under German military occupation and the other under Petain’s government, installed at Vichy France. Adolf H now turned his attention to Britain, which had the defensive advantage of being separated from the Continent by the English Channel.

To pave the way for an amphibious invasion (dubbed Operation Sea Lion), German planes bombed Britain extensively beginning in September 1940 until May 1941, known as the Blitz, including night raids on London and other industrial centers that caused heavy civilian casualties and damage. The Royal Air Force (RAF) eventually defeated the Luftwaffe (German Air Force) in the Battle of Britain, and AH postponed his plans to invade. With Britain’s defensive resources pushed to the limit, Prime Minister Winston Churchill began receiving crucial aid from the U.S. under the Lend-Lease Act, passed by Congress in early 1941.

By early 1941, Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria had joined the Axis, and German troops overran Yugoslavia and Greece that April. AH’s conquest of the Balkans was a precursor for his real objective: an invasion of the Soviet Union, whose vast territory would give the German master race the “Lebensraum” it needed.