27 February 2019

0427 | Photo | Der Führer



The Führer's birthday celebration at Mönichkirchen. The Führer, Reich Chancellor and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces Adolf Hitler in conversation with subordinate commanders during the celebration of his 52nd birthday at a railway stop near Mönichkirchen (90 km from the Yugoslav border). From left to right: Reich Marshal Hermann Göring, Commander-in-Chief of the Air Force, Field Marshal Wilhelm Keitel, Chief of the Armed Forces High Command, and Reichsführer-SS and Chief of German Police Heinrich Himmler. Partially seen in the background is the Special Train "Amerika", Hitler's mobile headquarters from which he directed the Balkan Campaign.

Text: Ivan Ž.

Photographer: Friedrich Franz Bauer.
Date: 20 April 1941.
Location: Mönichkirchen (district of Neunkirchen in Niederdonau), Germany.
Original caption: unknown.

Sources: Narodowe Archiwum Cyfrowe, 2-12157; Otto Dietrich, The Hitler I Knew – Memoirs of the Third Reich's Press Chief (trans. Richard Winston, Clara Winston), Skyhorse Publishing, New York, 2010, pp. 68–69. (Photo restoration: Ivan Ž.)

NOT ALLOWED: removing source credits from the files; using text without crediting the original author; using files and information for political propaganda and commercial purposes.



Proslava firerovog rođendana kod Menihkirhena. Firer, kancelar Rajha i vrhovni komandant oružanih snaga Adolf Hitler u razgovoru sa podređenim komandantima za vreme proslave svog 52. rođendana na železničkoj stanici u blizini Menihkirhena (90 km od jugoslovenske granice). Sleva nadesno: maršal Rajha Herman Gering, komandant vazduhoplovstva, feldmaršal Vilhelm Kajtel, načelnik Vrhovne komande oružanih snaga, i rajhsfirer SS-a i načelnik nemačke policije Hajnrih Himler. U pozadini se delimično vidi specijalni voz "Amerika", Hitlerov pokretni štab iz kojeg je rukovodio pohodom na Balkan.

Tekst: Ivan Ž.

Fotograf: Fridrih Franc Bauer.
Datum: 20. april 1941.
Mesto: Menihkirhen (okrug Nojnkirhen u Donjem Podunavlju), Nemačka.
Originalni natpis: nepoznat.

Izvori: Narodowe Archiwum Cyfrowe, 2-12157; Otto Dietrich, The Hitler I Knew – Memoirs of the Third Reich's Press Chief (prev. Richard Winston, Clara Winston), Skyhorse Publishing, New York, 2010, str. 68–69. (Foto-restauracija: Ivan Ž.)

NIJE DOZVOLJENO: uklanjanje naziva izvora sa fajlova; korišćenje teksta bez navođenja izvornog autora; korišćenje fajlova i informacija u političko-propagandne i komercijalne svrhe.

22 February 2019

0426 | Photo | 21. Waffen-Gebirgs-Division der SS "Skanderbeg" (albanische Nr. 1)



Operation "Daredevil". An Albanian SS volunteer milking a goat at the Čakor Pass, looking at the German photographer's camera with eyes that do not inspire confidence. Like most of his comrades, this member of the "Skanderbeg" Division put the uniform on as he pleased: he tucked the trousers in socks instead of gaiters, and replaced the military cap with a scarf.

Text: Ivan Ž.

Photographer: Ernst A. Zwilling, Air Force War Correspondent Battalion South-East.
Date: July 1944.
Location: Čakor Pass (district of Andrijevica), Yugoslavia.
Original caption: unknown.

Sources: ECPAD, LFT SO F2677 L32; Bundesarchiv, RS 3-21/1. (Photo restoration: Ivan Ž.)

NOT ALLOWED: removing source credits from the files; using text without crediting the original author; using files and information for political propaganda and commercial purposes.



Operacija "Drznik". Albanski SS-dobrovoljac muze kozu na Čakoru, gledajući u objektiv nemačkog fotografa pogledom koji ni najmanje ne uliva poverenje. Kao i većina njegovih saboraca, ovaj pripadnik "Skenderbeg" divizije obukao je uniformu kako mu se prohtelo: pantalone je uvukao u čarape umesto u kamašne, a vojnu kapu zamenio je maramom.

Tekst: Ivan Ž.

Fotograf: Ernst A. Cviling, Vazduhoplovni ratnodopisnički bataljon Jugoistok.
Datum: jul 1944.
Mesto: prevoj Čakor (srez Andrijevički), Jugoslavija.
Originalni natpis: nepoznat.

Izvori: ECPAD, LFT SO F2677 L32; Bundesarchiv, RS 3-21/1. (Foto-restauracija: Ivan Ž.)

NIJE DOZVOLJENO: uklanjanje naziva izvora sa fajlova; korišćenje teksta bez navođenja izvornog autora; korišćenje fajlova i informacija u političko-propagandne i komercijalne svrhe.

12 February 2019

0425 | Photo | 13. SS-Freiwilligen b. h. Gebirgs-Division (Kroatien)



Propaganda display window of the Political Department of the 13th SS Division in Vinkovci (across the gymnasium, which is reflected in the glass), where the division headquarters was set up after the completion of the training, before returning to Bosnia. Displayed in the window are a black flag of the SS, a German eagle on a stand and two panels with photographs of the division, inscribed "Croatian homeland, mother Bosnia, we are coming" and "This was our journey to become true fighters of the homeland". On the left panel, next to the pictures of the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem with Bosnian volunteers, there is also the symbol of the division: a hand swinging a khanjar.

Text: Ivan Ž.

Photographer: unknown, 13th SS Volunteer B. H. Mountain Division (Croatia).
Date: February/March 1944.
Location: Vinkovci, Yugoslavia.
Original caption: unknown.

Sources: Bundesarchiv, NS 19/2601; ibid., RS 3-13/2; Trgovina Kolekcionar, 261874; George Lepre, Himmler's Bosnian Division – The Waffen-SS Handschar Division 1943–1945, Schiffer Military History, Atglen, 1997, p. 142. (Photo restoration: Ivan Ž.)

NOT ALLOWED: removing source credits from the files; using text without crediting the original author; using files and information for political propaganda and commercial purposes.



Propagandni izlog političkog odeljenja 13. SS-divizije u Vinkovcima (prekoputa gimnazije, čiji se odraz vidi u staklu), gde je štab divizije smešten po završetku obuke, pre povratka u Bosnu. U izlogu se nalaze crna zastava SS-a, nemački orao na postolju i dva panoa sa fotografijama divizije, na kojima piše "Hrvatska domovino, majko Bosno, mi dolazimo" i "To bijaše naš put do pravog borca domovine". Na levom panou, pored slika velikog muftije jerusalimskog sa bosanskim dobrovoljcima, nalazi se i simbol divizije: šaka koja zamahuje handžarom.

Tekst: Ivan Ž.

Fotograf: nepoznat, 13. dobrovoljačka b. h. brdska SS-divizija (Hrvatska).
Datum: februar/mart 1944.
Mesto: Vinkovci, Jugoslavija.
Originalni natpis: nepoznat.

Izvori: Bundesarchiv, NS 19/2601; ibid., RS 3-13/2; Trgovina Kolekcionar, 261874; George Lepre, Himmler's Bosnian Division – The Waffen-SS Handschar Division 1943–1945, Schiffer Military History, Atglen, 1997, str. 142. (Foto-restauracija: Ivan Ž.)

NIJE DOZVOLJENO: uklanjanje naziva izvora sa fajlova; korišćenje teksta bez navođenja izvornog autora; korišćenje fajlova i informacija u političko-propagandne i komercijalne svrhe.

08 February 2019

0424 | Photo | 1. Gebirgs-Division



Operation "Black". The house that the Partisans used as local headquarters in Šavnik. As usual, the Partisans covered the building with Communist slogans and symbols: at the top of the facade, there is a huge five-pointed star with the inscription "ŽSSSR" (acronym for "Long live the USSR"), written in the centre is "Šavnik headquarters", and on the lower part of the facade, there are inscriptions "Long live our allies, Russia, England and America", "Red Army is with us", "Victory will be ours", "Long live Stalin", "Long live Tito" and "Down with the traitors of the people". Naturally, the Germans immediately put up their own board on the house, with the Gothic inscription "Local headquarters" (Ortskommandantur). In the lower left corner of the picture, a shirtless member of the German 1st Mountain Division smiles at the camera while changing the wheel of his Kübelwagen car. In the background, vehicles of the Italian Division "Ferrara".

Text: Ivan Ž.

Photographer: unknown.
Date: June 1943.
Location: Šavnik, Yugoslavia.
Original caption: no caption.

Sources: eBay, sls3945, 352421144181. (Photo restoration: Ivan Ž.)

NOT ALLOWED: removing source credits from the files; using text without crediting the original author; using files and information for political propaganda and commercial purposes.



Operacija "Crno". Kuća u kojoj je bila smeštena partizanska mesna komanda u Šavniku. Po običaju, partizani su zgradu prekrili komunističkim parolama i simbolima: na vrhu fasade nalazi se ogromna petokraka zvezda i natpis "ŽSSSR" (Živjeo SSSR), u sredini piše "Komanda mjesta Šavnik", a na donjem delu fasade stoje natpisi "Živjeli naši saveznici, Rusija, Engleska i Amerika", "Crvena armija je sa nama", "Pobjeda je naša", "Živio drug Staljin", "Živio drug Tito" i "Dolje narodni izdajnici". Naravno, Nemci su na kuću odmah postavili svoju tablu, sa gotičkim natpisom "Mesna komanda" (Ortskommandantur). U donjem levom uglu slike, jedan razgolićeni pripadnik nemačke 1. brdske divizije osmehuje se fotografu dok menja točak na svom kibelvagenu. U pozadini, vozila italijanske divizije "Ferara".

Tekst: Ivan Ž.

Fotograf: nepoznat. 
Datum: jun 1943.
Mesto: Šavnik, Jugoslavija.
Originalni natpis: bez natpisa.

Izvori: eBay, sls3945, 352421144181. (Foto-restauracija: Ivan Ž.)

NIJE DOZVOLJENO: uklanjanje naziva izvora sa fajlova; korišćenje teksta bez navođenja izvornog autora; korišćenje fajlova i informacija u političko-propagandne i komercijalne svrhe.

06 February 2019

0423 | Photo | 114. Jäger-Division



A German propaganda photo showing a member of the 114th Jäger Division feeding hungry children and elderly from a truck (Mercedes-Benz L 3000) after "smashing the gangs" in Dalmatia – representing, as usual, German soldiers as liberators, and the Partisans as oppressors of the people.

Text: Ivan Ž.

Photographer: Zepke, 693rd Propaganda Company.
Date: September/October 1943.
Location: unknown (district of Šibenik), Yugoslavia.
Original caption: "After smashing the gangs – as a first measure – feeding the starving population. As soon as the German troops smashed the few gangs that constantly disturbed and plundered the local population in the mountains of Dalmatia – measures were taken to alleviate the plight of the population."

Sources: Narodowe Archiwum Cyfrowe, 2-16111; Cegesoma, 64485; Bundesarchiv, Bild 101I-177-1451-19A. (Photo restoration: Ivan Ž.)

NOT ALLOWED: removing source credits from the files; using text without crediting the original author; using files and information for political propaganda and commercial purposes.



Nemačka propagandna fotografija koja prikazuje jednog pripadnika 114. lovačke divizije kako iz kamiona (Mercedes-Benc L 3000) hrani izgladnelu decu i starce posle "razbijanja bandi" u Dalmaciji – predstavljajući, kao i obično, nemačke vojnike kao oslobodioce, a partizane kao tlačitelje naroda.

Tekst: Ivan Ž. 

Fotograf: Cepke, 693. propagandna četa.
Datum: septembar/oktobar 1943.
Mesto: nepoznato (srez Šibenički), Jugoslavija.
Originalni natpis: "Posle razbijanja bandi – kao prva mera – hrana za gladujuće stanovništvo. Čim su nemačke trupe u planinama Dalmacije razbile nekolicinu bandi koje su neprestano uznemiravale i pljačkale domaće stanovništvo – primenjene su mere za olakšanje stanja stanovništva."

Izvori: Narodowe Archiwum Cyfrowe, 2-16111; Cegesoma, 64485; Bundesarchiv, Bild 101I-177-1451-19A. (Foto-restauracija: Ivan Ž.)

NIJE DOZVOLJENO: uklanjanje naziva izvora sa fajlova; korišćenje teksta bez navođenja izvornog autora; korišćenje fajlova i informacija u političko-propagandne i komercijalne svrhe.

01 February 2019

0422 | Photo | 13. SS-Freiwilligen b. h. Gebirgs-Division (Kroatien)



Operation "Sava". Members of the Bosnian-Herzegovinian SS division pose in their truck in front of the oldest mosque in Brčko, the so-called Atiq, or Sava Mosque (Arabic "atiq" means "old", and "Sava" refers to the nearby river). According to the photographer, SS war correspondent Nonnenmacher – who was tasked with making a propaganda report about the return of Bosnian SS volunteers to their homeland (from training abroad), their reunion with loved ones and the beginning of the struggle for liberation from "Soviet terror" (the Partisans) – the pictured six lads, who clearly look at the camera, actually look around for their relatives and acquaintances. The clever German also adds that the volunteers wear a native fez with the German national emblem, implying that the patron of the Muslim struggle for freedom is Germany. Naturally, the propaganda reporter failed to mention the series of crimes against civilians that the 13th SS Division committed during the previous weeks in Syrmia, on the way to its native Bosnia. (Note: the Atiq Mosque, the same as other Islamic places of worship in the town, was destroyed by Bosnian Serbs in 1992. The place where it stood was proclaimed a National Monument of Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2004, and the mosque itself was restored in 2007.)

Text: Ivan Ž.

Photographer: Eugen Nonnenmacher, SS Regiment "Kurt Eggers".
Date: March 1944.
Location: Brčko, Yugoslavia.
Original caption: "They are coming back, ready to fight! The dark eyes sparkle under the native fez with the German national emblem, expecting relatives and acquaintances."

Sources: NIOD, via Beeldbank WO2, 3624; Arhiv Jugoslavije, 110, F-25072; András J. Riedlmayer, Destruction of Cultural Heritage in Bosnia-Herzegovina, 1992–1996: A Post-War Survey of Selected Municipalities (expert report), Cambridge, MA, 2002, p. 12; Eugen Nonnenmacher, "Sie kommen zurück, gerüstet zum Kampf!", Wiener Illustrierte, 24.05.1944, vol. LXIII, no 21, pp. 4–5; N. Tanasić, "Otvorena Atiksavska džamija", Nezavisne novine (online), 14.07.2007; "Savska (Atik) džamija, mjesto i ostaci graditeljske cjeline", Komisija za očuvanje nacionalnih spomenika. (Photo restoration: Ivan Ž.)

NOT ALLOWED: removing source credits from the files; using text without crediting the original author; using files and information for political propaganda and commercial purposes.



Operacija "Sava". Pripadnici bosansko-hercegovačke SS-divizije poziraju u svom kamionu ispred najstarije džamije u Brčkom, tzv. Atik, ili Savske džamije ("atik" na arapskom znači "stara", a "savska" jer se nalazi na obali Save). Prema autoru fotografije, ratnom dopisniku SS-a Nonenmaheru – koji je imao zadatak da napravi propagandnu reportažu o povratku bosanskih SS-dobrovoljaca u domovinu (sa obuke u inostranstvu), njihovom susretu sa voljenima i početku borbe za oslobođenje od "sovjetskog terora" (partizana) – šestorica momaka na slici, koji očigledno gledaju u objektiv, tobože pogledom traže svoju rodbinu i poznanike. Lukavi Nemac dodaje i to da dobrovoljci na glavi nose domaći fes sa nemačkim nacionalnim simbolom, nagoveštavajući da je pokrovitelj muslimanske borbe za slobodu Nemačka. Naravno, propagandni reporter nije pomenuo niz zločina nad civilima koje je 13. SS-divizija počinila prethodnih nedelja u Sremu, na putu ka rodnoj joj Bosni. (Napomena: Atik džamiju su, kao i ostale islamske bogomolje u gradu, srušili bosanski Srbi 1992. godine. Mesto na kojem je stajala proglašeno je nacionalnim spomenikom Bosne i Hercegovine 2004. godine, a sama džamija je obnovljena 2007.)

Tekst: Ivan Ž.

Fotograf: Ojgen Nonenmaher, SS-puk "Kurt Egers".
Datum: mart 1944.
Mesto: Brčko, Jugoslavija.
Originalni natpis: "Vraćaju se, za borbu spremni! Tamne oči se cakle ispod domaćeg fesa sa nemačkim nacionalnim simbolom, iščekujući rođake i poznanike."

Izvori: NIOD, via Beeldbank WO2, 3624; Arhiv Jugoslavije, 110, F-25072; András J. Riedlmayer, Destruction of Cultural Heritage in Bosnia-Herzegovina, 1992–1996: A Post-War Survey of Selected Municipalities (stručni izveštaj), Cambridge, MA, 2002, str. 12; Eugen Nonnenmacher, "Sie kommen zurück, gerüstet zum Kampf!", Wiener Illustrierte, 24.05.1944, god. LXIII, br. 21, str. 4–5; N. Tanasić, "Otvorena Atiksavska džamija", Nezavisne novine (online), 14.07.2007; "Savska (Atik) džamija, mjesto i ostaci graditeljske cjeline", Komisija za očuvanje nacionalnih spomenika. (Foto-restauracija: Ivan Ž.)

NIJE DOZVOLJENO: uklanjanje naziva izvora sa fajlova; korišćenje teksta bez navođenja izvornog autora; korišćenje fajlova i informacija u političko-propagandne i komercijalne svrhe.