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Original German WWII press photograph showing a German assault detachment (Stoßtrupp) advancing across open terrain in the Normandy battle zone near the Orne River estuary during the Allied invasion of France.

The reverse retains its original wartime press caption and copyright stamp from Transocean-Europapress Berlin, together with the press reference number PK-H 3650 and date 17 June 1944.

The original German caption reads:

“Kampfgebiet Orne-Mündung. An der Invasionsfront Normandie im Kampfgebiet der Orne-Mündung geht ein deutscher Stoßtrupp zum Angriff vor.”

Translation:

“Combat area of the Orne Estuary. On the Normandy invasion front, in the combat area of the Orne estuary, a German assault troop moves forward to attack.”

The image captures German infantry heavily laden with equipment as they move through open countryside toward the front lines. Taken less than two weeks after D-Day, it represents a scarce wartime press image documenting German operations during the critical early phase of the Normandy campaign.

Details

• Original German WWII press photograph
• Size: 13 x 18 cm
• Date: 17 June 1944
• Press reference: PK-H 3650
• Photographer: PK-Siedel
• Agency: Transocean-Europapress
• Original typed caption on reverse
• Original Transocean-Europapress Berlin copyright stamp
• Normandy Campaign / D-Day period
• Depicts German assault troops advancing near the Orne estuary
• Good condition with age-related wear and handling marks

Original Studioportrait Wehrmacht Soldier with Luftwaffe Metal Eagle on his Fieldcap! Condition as seen. Postcardsize.

Original Studioportrait Wehrmacht Soldier wearing HJ/RAD Tinnies & Badge. Condition as seen. Postcardsize.

Original Studioportrait Wehrmacht Soldier wearing “Unteroffiziersschule” Shoulderboards. Condition as seen. Postcardsize.

Original wartime postcard-size portrait depicting a Kriegsmarine artillery enlisted man in service uniform. The subject is shown wearing a specialist trade badge, photographed in studio setting with period backdrop and carpet.

The photo was taken in Bochum, as indicated by the studio style and markings. Fine tonal contrast and sharp detail throughout, clearly showing uniform and insignia features.

Printed on period photographic paper with scalloped edges. Reverse is blank. Overall very good condition, light handling wear consistent with age.

Original Studioportrait of a Kriegsmarine sailor wearing awards (rare Hilfskreuzer-Kriegsabzeichen!)! Postcardsize. Condition as seen.

Original Studioportrait of a Reichsarbeitsdienst (RAD) member wearing the Kriegsverdienstkreuz 2. Klasse mit Schwetern as on day of awarding! Top portrait! Postcardsize. Condition as seen.

Original Wehrmacht (Heer) studioportrait of a Panzer soldier wearing a Panzer Beret and Panzerwrap, numbered for Panzer-Regiment 5! Postcardsize. Condition as seen.

Panzer-Regiment 5 was part of the Deutsches Afrikakorps and capitulated in Tunis in May 1943!

Original Wehrmacht (Heer) studioportrait of a Panzer soldier wearing a Panzer Beret and Panzerwrap, numbered for Panzer-Regiment 5! Postcardsize. Condition as seen.

Panzer-Regiment 5 was part of the Deutsches Afrikakorps and capitulated in Tunis in May 1943!

Original Wehrmacht (Heer) Studioportrait of a Panzer soldier wearing the Panzerkampfabzeichen in Silber (highly detailed) and shoulderboards with “A” for Aufklärung (Recon). Postcardsize. Condition as seen.

Original wartime photograph showing a group of members of the Nationaal-Socialistische Jeugd Vlaanderen (NSJV) gathered in front of a large building, likely during an organized youth activity or meeting in Limburg. Particularly notable is the presence of Frans Ketels, identified in period handwriting on the front as “Ketels,” visible among the group.

The NSJV functioned as the youth movement connected to the Flemish nationalist and collaborationist milieu during the German occupation of Belgium. Members are seen wearing characteristic NSJV youth uniforms, including white shirts, dark ties, skirts and shorts, with one youth clearly displaying an armband.

Frans Ketels originated from a Catholic and Flemish-nationalist family and studied law at the University of Leuven before the war. Prior to the German occupation he served as a regional leader within the Algemeen Vlaamsch Nationaal Jeugdverbond (AVNJ) and later became Gouwleider of the NSJV in Limburg during the occupation years.

Following the liberation of Belgium, Ketels was arrested on 22 September 1944 near Elen (Maaseik). According to postwar accounts, he was severely mistreated and publicly humiliated both in Maaseik and Hasselt. Before any formal trial could take place, he died in a hospital in Liège from injuries sustained during his detention. Within parts of Flemish-nationalist postwar memory, the death of Frans Ketels became symbolic of the violent street reprisals and excesses that occurred during the liberation period, particularly in Limburg.

The reverse bears a wartime photographer’s stamp:
“Foto Melotte – Winterslag – Albert I-laan”

An uncommon and historically significant original photograph connected to the NSJV and wartime Flemish collaboration history in occupied Belgium.

Size:
Approx. 11.5 x 7.8 cm

Condition:
Good overall wartime condition with period handling wear, some edge and corner wear, light surface marks and traces of former album mounting on the reverse, as visible in the photographs.

Original wartime photograph depicting Flemish volunteers of the 2. Kompanie/ SS-Freiwilligen-Legion “Flandern”, during a meal break. Camo gear being worn!

Format: 6 x 9 cm
Condition: As shown in the photographs / Better quality in real life

Authentic original wartime German press photograph of Reinhard Heydrich, during the height of WWII. This is a period press photo (not a reproduction), distributed for wartime publication and documentation.

• Markings: Original press, with period stamps/annotations, consistent with 1940s press distribution.

• Condition: Very good for age. Minor edge wear and handling marks, typical of original wartime press material. No major tears. Text and imagery remain clear and historically intact.

• Size: Approx. press photo standard format

• Provenance: Guaranteed original WWII press issue photograph.

Historical Significance:
This photograph captures a major wartime propaganda and political coordination event focused on Southeastern Europe, attended by senior Reich leadership. The image provides strong collector appeal for:

• WWII historians and archives

• Collectors of original Third Reich press material

• Military memorabilia and wartime photography specialists

• Museum or research collections requiring primary source imagery

Original 3x Studioportrait of a Panzertruppen soldier, wearing the Panzerkampfabzeichen (in Bronze). Postcardsize. Condition as seen.