Original wartime photograph showing a group of Waffen-SS and Wehrmacht officers gathered in discussion in an outdoor setting, likely during operations on the Eastern Front. The central figure, collector-attributed as SS-Gruppenführer Felix Steiner, can be seen wearing a Knight’s Cross (Ritterkreuz) around his neck, speaking with field officers in standard combat attire. Several soldiers stand nearby, listening attentively, indicating a briefing or inspection taking place close to the front.
Historical Context:
Wartime photographs such as this were often taken during command conferences or morale visits, documenting coordination between Waffen-SS field units and Army elements. By mid-1944, senior Waffen-SS officers frequently appeared at the front to review units engaged in the increasingly defensive battles on the Eastern Front. Such moments were sometimes photographed by Propaganda Kompanie correspondents or unit photographers for internal record and propaganda use.
Collector’s Note:
This photograph is a striking field image capturing the atmosphere of senior command within Waffen-SS formations during the later stages of the war. The collector’s attribution to Felix Steiner adds interest for those studying the structure and leadership of German armored and infantry formations. Original prints depicting identifiable high-ranking officers are valued for their documentary and research significance.