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DOSSIER Army Group Courland, 1944/45 57 Images

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Series: Army Group Courland, 1944/45

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Army Group Courland, 1944/45

German troops in the Courland pocket, 1945

Grenadier from a Rhine-Westphalian regiment at a position in Courland.

Soldiers go on leave for the Christmas holidays, 1944

Two infantrymen bid farewell to a company chef on the front in the Courland as they go on leave for Christmas in 1944. Their Christmas present is already with them.

Embarkation of German soldiers in the Courland bridgehead, 1944

German soldiers are picked up by a minesweeper of the Kriegsmarine.

Destroyed village in the Courland bridgehead, 1944

A truck of the Wehrmacht passes by the ruins of a house during the fighting in Courland.

Destroyed T-34 during the fighting around the Courland bridgehead, 1944

A German soldier inspects a Soviet T-34 destroyed by an aerial bomb.

German soldiers in the Courland bridgehead, 1944

A battalion-reserve platoon, who were deployed at the hot spots of the defensive battle, return to the accommodation after a battle with Soviet troops. The soldier in the foreground is armed with a Sturmgewehr 44, the corporal in the middle has a Soviet PPSh-41 submachine gun.

German artillery observer in the Courland bridgehead, 1945

Two forward observers search the no man's land with their binoculars during the 5th Courland battle.

German soldiers in the Courland bridgehead, 1945

German reserves arrive southeast of Libau during the 5th Courland battle. The man in the middle carries a Mg 42, the man on the right has a holder with spare barrels for the machine gun.

Forward observation post in the Courland bridgehead, 1945

A German observation point on the front southeast of Libau during the 5th Courland battle.

German infantry in the Courland Bridgehead, 1945

Wehrmacht soldiers in a farmstead taken by the Soviets during the 4th Courland battle. The soldier, who is on the far left in the right group, carries a semiautomatic Gewehr 43.

Supply convoy for the Courland Bridgehead, 1944

A ship of the Kriegsmarine covers with artificial fog (background) a German convoy in the Baltic Sea. The ships should be protected in this way against attacks of enemy torpedo bomber.

Russian prisoners of war in the Courland Bridgehead, 1944

Red Army soldiers who had been captured during the 1st Courland battle, march through a Latvian village.

German position in Courland Bridgehead, 1945

German machine gun position during the 6th Courland battle. The weapon is a Mg-34.

German position in Courland Bridgehead, 1945

Two soldiers of the Wehrmacht in their makeshift shelter made of fir branches, which should both protect against the wind, and serve as camouflage.

German soldier collecting weapons in the Kurland-Brueckenkopf, 1945

A German infantryman collects Russian rifles after a successful counterattack.

German antiaircraft gun secure a port in the Courland, 1944

A German 2-cm Flak 30 secures the loading operation of a port in the Courland Bridgehead.

German position at the Courland bridgehead, 1944

Wehrmacht soldiers camouflage an anti-aircraft position and their accommodation with hay at the Courland Bridgehead.

Loading heavy weapons in the Kurland-Brueckenkopf, 1944

A heavy mortar is loaded by a freighter in the Kurland-Brueckenkopf.

Setting up of infantry guns in Soviet Latvia in 1944

In the Jelgava (Mitau) combat area, Wehrmacht soldiers bring light infantry guns of the type "7,5-cm-leichtes Infanteriegeschuetz 18" in position over the rubble of a bridge.

German Flak on the Eastern front in Soviet Latvia, 1944

On a road at the Eastern front, a 2cm Flak 38 on a 1 ton Sdkfz.10 mover rolls by a group of soldiers. This photo was taken in the region south of Riga, Latvia.

German Panther tank during combat near Jelgava in Courland, 1944

German panzer V 'Panther' of the tank grenadier division 'Grossdeutschland' ('Greater Germany') in combat with Russian forces in the Courland pocket.

Supplies for the German troops trapped in Courland, 1945

At an agreed placed on the ice, a ship has left supply barrels to be retrieved by the German forces trapped in Courland.

German infantry in Courland, 1944

Soldiers march on the front in the Courland pocket.

Soldiers of the Waffen SS in the Courland pocket, 1944

Infantry of a SS unit on the way to advanced positions.

German supply column in Courland, 1944

Supply column at the Courland bridgehead which is held by German troops.

German soldiers in Courland, 1945

Soldiers with a machine gun 34 in a camouflaged position in North Courland.

German soldiers during combat in the Courland pocket, 1945

Soldiers during the 3rd Courland battle.

Latvian soldier of the weapon SS, 1945

A Latvian anti-tank targets with the bazooka in the basin of Kurland.

German soldiers from Courland disembark in a German harbor, 1944

Soldiers form the cut off Courland pocket leave a ship in a German harbor.

German tank destroyer Marder III on the Eastern front, 1944

A tank destroyer Marder III on the edge of a road near Madona (Latvia/Baltic)

German Soldier During the Latvia Campaign, 1944

At the Baltic front, a dispatch rider is waiting to go on a mission. The soldier is wearing the Iron Cross First Class and the Infantry Assault Badge.

German soldiers in Courland, 1944

German vanguards secure a street against advancing Soviet troops. In the foreground is a machine gun 34.

German soldiers on the Eastern Front, 1945

German soldiers in winter clothing on the Eastern Front. The soldier in the center carries a machine gun 42, the soldier on the left the spares.

German soldiers during combat in Courland-Brueckenkopf, 1945

Soldiers have moved to cover in a forest position and await the enemy. The soldier in front has an assault rifle 44.

Explosion of a bazooka shell during the fighting in Kurland, 1945

A bazooka shell that was fired from German positions explodes on a Soviet tank.

Downed T-34 during the fighting in the Courland Bridgehead, 1944

Two soldiers of the Wehrmacht, before a Soviet T-34 which was destroyed with a bazooka. The sergeant in the foreground carries another bazooka, the man behind an Mp-40.

Downed T-34 during the fighting in the Courland Bridgehead, 1944

German soldiers look at a Soviet T-34 / 85, downed by a Panzerfaust. The men are armed with other bazookas, which they carry on their shoulders.

Soldier of the Waffen-SS gives air raid alarm in Courland Brueckenkopf, 1944

An SS Panzer Grenadier gives the alarm at the dugout of Latvian SS soldiers on a basin, to make them aware of approaching Soviet aircrafts.

Artillery of the Waffen SS in Courland Brueckenkopf, 1945

Latvian SS volunteers at their gun, probably a 105mm light field howitzer 18.

Decoration of Latvian Waffen SS soldiers in Courland Brueckenkopf, 1945

Latvian SS volunteers are awarded the Iron Cross 1st Class by the Unterscharfuehrer (sergeant) of their unit after a successful combat patrol operation.

II. WK - Kriegsmarine - cruiser 1944

This motif from National Socialist propaganda shows a German Kriegsmarine heavy cruiser firing on Soviet positions on the Eastern Front, published in August 1944, on a drawing by the war correspondent Friedel. On the back of the picture, the National Socialist reporting writes: "A German heavy cruiser is shelling the Soviet positions. In the fighting to re-establish communications with our troops struggling in Courland, a German naval unit also successfully intervened." Photo: Fotoarchiv fuer Zeitgeschichte/Archiv [automated translation]

II. WK - Home leave from the Eastern Front 1944

This motif from National Socialist propaganda shows a soldier of the German Wehrmacht on home leave saying goodbye to his company on the Eastern Front, taken in December 1944. On the back of the picture, the National Socialist news coverage writes: "Bravery leave for Christmas - A tank buster from Courland who will be home for Christmas and New Year. After the division commander personally pinned the EK I on his field blouse and sent him on bravery leave for the Christmas vacations, lance corporal Willi G., who finished off a 'T 34' at eight meters despite heavy fire with the 'Panzerfaust', says goodbye to the company cook, who dismisses him with the words: 'Give my regards to the homeland and tell mother how it tasted to you from our cooking pot'." Photo: Fotoarchiv fuer Zeitgeschichte/Archiv / Schmidt-Scheeder [automated translation]

II. WK - Wehrmacht - anti-tank 1944

The motif from the National Socialist propaganda shows the awarding of the Iron Cross to a "panzerknacker" of the German Wehrmacht, taken in December 1944. The National Socialist reporting writes on the back of the picture on 18.12.1944: "Bravery vacation at Christmas! Panzerknacker from Kurland, who will be home for Christmas and New Year. The division commander pins the EK I on his field blouse and then sends him on valor leave. Ob.Gefr. Willi G. let a T 34 tank approach his cover at a distance of 5 meters. Although the crew had recognized him and took him under fire with the bow MG, he cold-bloodedly fired with the bazooka at the tank, which immediately burned." Photo: Fotoarchiv fuer Zeitgeschichte/Archiv / Schmidt-Scheeder [automated translation]

II. WK - Eastern Front - Latvia 1944

This motif from National Socialist propaganda shows soldiers of the German Wehrmacht in defensive combat in Mitau (Jelgava in Latvia) on the Eastern Front, taken in August 1944. On the back of the picture, the National Socialist news coverage writes: "Mitau battle area. Light infantry guns are brought over the rubble of a bridge, a hard job, but it is mastered." Photo: Fotoarchiv fuer Zeitgeschichte/Archiv [automated translation]

II. WK - Eastern Front - Latvia 1944

The motif from the National Socialist propaganda shows soldiers of the German Wehrmacht in defensive combat in Mitau (Jelgava in Latvia) on the Eastern Front, taken in August 1944. The National Socialist reporting writes on the back of the picture on 21.08.1944: "In the Latvian battle space. Light infantry guns are brought over the rubble of a bridge. A hard job, but it is nevertheless mastered." Photo: Fotoarchiv fuer Zeitgeschichte/Archiv [automated translation]

II. WK - Eastern Front - Latvia 1944

The motif from the National Socialist propaganda shows soldiers of the German Wehrmacht in the defensive fight in Mitau (Jelgava in Latvia) on the Eastern Front, taken in August 1944. The National Socialist reporting writes on the back of the picture on 25.08.1944: "From the fight in the streets of Mitau. Hard was the struggle for this Latvian city. Shattered streets and burned out houses had to be fought free by our grenadiers. In the street fighting the Soviets were also thrown here. - Here Bolshevik artillery destroyed whole residential districts. Further on, the grenadiers are advancing." Photo: Fotoarchiv fuer Zeitgeschichte/Archiv [automated translation]

II. WK - Eastern Front - Latvia 1944

The motif from the National Socialist propaganda shows soldiers of the German Wehrmacht in the defensive fight in Mitau (Jelgava in Latvia) on the Eastern Front, taken in August 1944. The National Socialist reporting writes on the back of the picture on 25.08.1944: "From the fight in the streets of Mitau. Hard was the struggle for this Latvian city. Shattered streets and burned out houses had to be fought free by our grenadiers. In the street fighting the Soviets were also thrown here. - A heavy anti-aircraft gun was used in the ground fire." Photo: Fotoarchiv fuer Zeitgeschichte/Archiv [automated translation]

II. WK - Eastern Front - Courland 1944

The motif from National Socialist propaganda shows a member of the German Wehrmacht on an air traffic control ship on the Eastern Front in the Latvian Courland in December 1944. On the back of the picture, the National Socialist reporting writes: "Kriegsmarine protects the Courland battle space. An air control boat whose on-board planes are flying land and sea reconnaissance. The on-board flak has so far performed excellently, especially during air raids." Photo: Fotoarchiv fuer Zeitgeschichte/Archiv - [automated translation]

II. WK - Eastern Front - Courland 1944

This motif from National Socialist propaganda shows a member of the German Wehrmacht at a heavy machine gun on the Eastern Front in the Latvian Courland in December 1944. On the back of the picture, the National Socialist reporting writes: "SMG gunner on the Courland front." Photo: Fotoarchiv fuer Zeitgeschichte/Archiv - [automated translation]

II. WK - Latvian Volunteer Association 1945

The motif from the National Socialist propaganda shows a member of a Latvian Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS with bazooka in action for the German Wehrmacht on the Eastern Front in Courland, taken in January 1945. The National Socialist reporting writes on the back of the picture on 10.01.1945: "Latvian SS volunteers with the bazooka. Latvian volunteers played an outstanding role in the success of the third defensive battle in Courland. They also knew how to use the Panzerfaust, with which the Latvian volunteer formations are largely equipped, so that many of the 513 Soviet tanks destroyed in this defensive battle are to their credit." Photo: Fotoarchiv fuer Zeitgeschichte/Archiv [automated translation]

II. WK - Eastern Front - Courland 1945

The motif from the National Socialist propaganda shows members of the German Wehrmacht on the Eastern Front in the Latvian Courland in January 1945. The National Socialist reporting writes on the back of the picture on 06.01.1945: "From the battles in Courland. Umbrellas made of fir branches serve our troops as protection against the icy wind and at the same time form a good camouflage." Photo: Fotoarchiv fuer Zeitgeschichte/Archiv - [automated translation]

II. WK - Foreign volunteers of Waffen-SS 1944

The motif from the National Socialist propaganda shows a Danish Waffen SS volunteer (upper picture) and a Latvian Waffen SS volunteer (lower picture) in combat action in the Kurlandkessel (Latvia) on the Eastern Front, taken in November 1944. The National Socialist reporting writes on the back of the picture on 04.11.1944: "European volunteers in the Libau battle area. Side by side with German troops, members of various European volunteer formations are fighting on the front in Courland. Above: A radio operator of a Danish SS volunteer formation goes to the front for relief. In a crouched position, ready to take cover at any moment, he hurries along the running trench. Below: Among the earth churned up by bombs and shells of all calibers, Latvian SS volunteers lie on guard." Photo: Fotoarchiv fuer Zeitgeschichte/Archiv [automated translation]

II. WK - Eastern Front - Latvia 1944

The motif from the National Socialist propaganda shows soldiers of the German Wehrmacht in the defensive fight in Mitau (Jelgava in Latvia) on the Eastern Front, taken in August 1944. The National Socialist reporting writes on the back of the picture on 25.08.1944: "From the fight in the streets of Mitau. Hard was the struggle for this Latvian city. Shattered streets and burned out houses had to be fought free by our grenadiers. In the street fighting the Soviets were also thrown here. - Along the ruins of houses the grenadiers advance, on the heels of the enemy." Photo: Fotoarchiv fuer Zeitgeschichte/Archiv [automated translation]

II. WK - Eastern Front - Courland 1944

The motif from the National Socialist propaganda shows members of the German Wehrmacht loading a Pak on the Eastern Front in the Latvian Courland in December 1944. The National Socialist reporting writes on the back of the picture on 08.12.1944: "In the burrows of the Courland front. Bolshevik grenade launchers are continuously jamming. Using an agricultural machine as camouflage, a Pak has taken up position to put out of action the detected Soviet fighting positions." Photo: Fotoarchiv fuer Zeitgeschichte/Archiv - [automated translation]

II. WK - Eastern Front - Courland 1944

The motif from National Socialist propaganda shows members of the German Wehrmacht marching through rough terrain on the Eastern Front in the Latvian Courland in November 1944. On the back of the picture, the National Socialist reporting writes on 21.11.1944: "Among the fighters in Courland. The men marching through the soggy ground feel the strain of days of marching, interrupted again and again by offensive or defensive battles, in all their limbs. But not for a moment do their fighting spirit and their will to protect the homeland from the flood of Bolshevik masses falter." Photo: Fotoarchiv fuer Zeitgeschichte/Archiv - [automated translation]

II. WK - Eastern Front - Courland 1944

The motif from National Socialist propaganda shows the transport of supplies by members of the German Wehrmacht to the Eastern Front in the Latvian Courland in December 1944. On the back of the picture, the National Socialist reporting writes on 23.12.1944: "Supplies are rolling to the Courland front. In long columns, horse-drawn vehicles and trucks bring ammunition, weapons and rations to the front in Courland, which is just now again engaged in the heaviest defensive fighting against the Bolshevists." Photo: Fotoarchiv fuer Zeitgeschichte/Archiv - [automated translation]

Third Reich - II. WK - War Scrap 1944

Propaganda text! of the National Socialist coverage on the back of the picture: "After work done. Two men of a German tank destruction squad during the great defensive battle in Courland. In the background, a Soviet tank they have just hunted down is burning out." Motif from the Eastern Front / Latvia from 10.10.1944. The attack of the German Reich on the Soviet Union had been decided in July 1940 and prepared since December 1940 under the code name "Unternehmen Barbarossa". On 22.6.1941 the German-Soviet war began with the invasion of the Soviet Union by the German Wehrmacht. - Photo: Fotoarchiv fuer Zeitgeschichte/Archiv [automated translation]