Press Photo – “Ferdinand” in the Ruins of Memel, December 1944

Original wartime German Propaganda-Kompanie press photograph, showing a Ferdinand (Elephant Artillery gun) on the move through the ruined streets of Memel (Klaipėda) in East Prussia during the winter of 1944. The vehicle, part of an artillery self-propelled battery, carries a full crew riding atop the superstructure, with the background revealing heavy urban destruction typical of the late-war Baltic fighting.

The reverse retains the original typed caption slip (Nur für den Dienstgebrauch!), issued by the Wehrmacht-Kriegsberichter-Abteilung (WKBA) Potsdam, dated 11 December 1944, and written by Kriegsberichter Landl. The text reads:

“Artillerie auf Selbstfahrlafette auf dem Marsch von … durch die Straßen der Stadt … in ihre Bereitstellungsräume.”
(“Artillery on self-propelled mounts on the march through the streets of the city to their assembly area.”)

Part of the original description was redacted by the censor (typical for late-war Eastern Front material), and the photo bears period field and censorship approval stamps, including PBZ markings.

Item Details

• Original wartime German Propaganda-Kompanie press photo.

• Unit / PK: WKBA Potsdam.

• Photographer: Kriegsberichter Landl.

• Location: Memel, East Prussia.

• Date: 11 December 1944.

• Subject: StuH 42 (Sturmhaubitze 42) of an artillery unit in urban combat zone.

• Size: Approx. 13 × 18 cm.

• Condition: Very good; light wear and trimmed caption slip (as issued), excellent tonal contrast and detail.

Collector’s Note

A scarce and authentic late-war Eastern Front press photograph depicting a StuH 42 operating in the ruins of Memel. Fully documented and dated, this is a fine example of Wehrmacht Kriegsberichter documentation from the closing months of the war — combining operational, urban warfare, and censorship history in one piece.