1368 - World War II

World War II Collection of 57 photo postcards of the Reichsmarine. Approx. 1938–1943. 14.4 x 10.5 cm. Published by Verlag M. Dieterle & Sohn, Kiel. Each card bears a printed inscription on the reverse, a typographic description, and some include an image number and the photographer’s name. Features some rare imagery of the Kriegsmarine and the Reichsmarine, including small combat vessels of the Kriegsmarine (explosive boats), a new submarine tanker being commissioned, naval personnel in Santorini in the Aegean Sea, a speedboat, cylinders being replaced on a speedboat, a destroyer in a Norwegian fjord, a hammock inspection, shipboard anti-aircraft gun, one-man torpedo, torpedo boat’s electrical control center, clearance boats, Seaman Walter Gerhold, minesweeper, net-layers setting up a barrier against U-boats, View from the turret into the submarine, torpedo transfer from a submarine tanker, mine, anti-submarine gun, engine control station of a torpedo boat, female naval auxiliaries, naval cadets, demolition boat crew, minesweeper, anti-aircraft cruiser, Bay of Biscay. — Few duplicates. The publisher M. Dieterle & Sohn in Kiel produced postcards of the city for decades. The range extends from street scenes, bridges, and harbor views to naval motifs. Kiel’s location shaped the collection. The city was the navy’s main base, so the naval port and the fleet were standard features of the collection. Even a card from 1938 depicts “the naval fleet in Kiel.” During the war, the publisher continued to operate as a supplier to the troops, and cards in circulation are documented through 1943. The photographs were taken by photojournalists from the Propaganda Companies (PK), which were subordinate to the High Command of the Wehrmacht. Initially, Group WPr III was responsible for the navy. The cards list the photographers on the back, such as “Foto PK. Tomann” or “Foto PK. Meis.” Other examples include PK Hirche (“Navy Auxiliary”) and PK Richleske (“Clearance Boats on a War March”). “Navy Combat Ferries,” featuring the PK photograph by Kröncke, are also included. Some of the postcards are labeled “Echte Fotografie” (genuine photograph), meaning they are photographic prints on postcard paper. The reverse side bears the publisher’s imprint, the image number, and a brief typographic caption that explains the content in the language of wartime propaganda. The motifs are technical and warlike in nature: demolition boats, one-man torpedoes, speedboats, anti-aircraft guns, and submarines. These are complemented by images of daily life on board, naval auxiliaries, naval cadets, and individual portraits. The series was intended to portray the Navy’s service as technically superior and immediate. It was aimed at family members, collectors, and the home front and was part of visual propaganda. Good condition. World War II - Collection of 57 photo postcards of the Reichsmarine/Kriegsmarine. Ca. 1938–1943. 14.4 x 10.5 cm. Published by Verlag M. Dieterle & Sohn, Kiel. Each features printed text on the reverse, including a typeset caption; some include an image number and the photographer’s name. Features, in part, rare imagery of the Kriegsmarine and Reichsmarine, including: Small combat weapons of the Kriegsmarine (explosive boat), A new U-boat tanker is commissioned, Naval personnel on Santorini in the Aegean, Fast attack craft (S-boat), Replacing the cylinders on an S-boat, Destroyer in a Norwegian fjord, Hammock inspection, Shipboard anti-aircraft gun, One-man torpedo, Electrical control room of a torpedo boat, Minesweepers (R-boats), Clerk Lance Corporal Walter Gerhold, Minesweeper, Net layer laying a barrier against U-boats, View from the conning tower into the U-boat, Torpedo transfer from the U-boat tanker, Mine, Barrage gun, Engine control station of a torpedo boat, Naval auxiliaries (female), Naval cadets, Explosive-boat pilots, Minesweeper, Anti-aircraft cruiser, Bay of Biscay. A few duplicates. The Kiel-based publisher M. Dieterle & Sohn produced picture postcards of the city for decades. Its range spans street scenes, bridges, and harbor views to naval subjects. Kiel’s location shaped the selection. The city served as the Navy’s main base, so the naval harbor and the fleet were standard features of the collection. A postcard dating as early as 1938 depicts “the war fleet in Kiel.” The publisher continued to supply the troops during the war, and used cards are documented up to 1943. The photographs were taken by war correspondents from the propaganda companies (Propagandakompanien, PK), which were subordinate to the High Command of the Wehrmacht. For the Navy, the WPr III group was initially responsible. The cards list the photographers on the back, for example, “Foto PK. Tomann” or “Foto PK. Meis.” Other examples include PK Hirche (“Marinehelferin”) and PK Richleske (“Räumboote auf Kriegsmarsch”). “Marinekampffähren” (naval combat ferries), featuring the PK photograph by Kröncke, also belongs in this category. Some cards are marked “Echte Fotografie” (genuine photograph), meaning a photographic print on postcard stock. The reverse side bears the publisher’s imprint, an image number, and a brief typeset caption that explains the content in the language of wartime propaganda. The motifs are technical and combat-oriented: explosive b