Original German WWII Heer Army “War Memories” Personal Photo Album with Many Food Preparation Photos – 76 Photos Original Items

Original Item: One-of-a-kind-set. Here we have a wonderful personal photo album, with what looks to be almost entirely personal photographs, some of which even have captions on them. It is covered with a lovely textured and embossed tan leatherette cover, and there is a lovely embossed Wehrmacht Heer Army Wehrmachtadler eagle in the upper left corner. The lower right is embossed with Kriegserinnerungen (War Memories). The album measures approximately 13” x 10”, and is bound with a lovely tan cord matching the cover.

A total of 76 photographs fill the pages of this album, making it a treasure-trove of images taken from the viewpoint of a young, patriotic German soldier. These are contained on 13 out of the 23 pages, which are all separated with “onion skin” to keep the photos from sticking. Some photos have captions on them, while the majority do not. They show soldiers in various areas, and also show quite a few pictures of food preparation. We see what look to be soldiers eating out of a big barrel of sauer kraut, as well as multiple pictures of meat being butchered. One of the following pages also shows rows of slaughtered pig carcasses hanging at a slaughterhouse. There are also pictures of meal wagons are other pages, as well as some VERY large wheels of cheese.

After these are additional service pictures, as well as a lot of personal pictures, most of which look to be taken far from any real action in the war. Most are glued directly to the pages, while others use corner tabs. Definitely some great research potential in this very interesting album!

Historical records like this album have become priceless time capsules that provide an incomparable level of insight into the individual experience of the Second World War, now that almost eighty years have passed.

The older albums such as these usually withstand the ravages of time. The leather or fabric covers may wear, but the pages stay well intact. The black paper albums of the early 20th century are more fragile, while the glue from magnetic albums can damage photographs. And, as with all old photographs, keep albums in a safe, climate controlled environment.