Item Description
Original Item: One-of-a-kind-set. The SS (Schutzstaffel - 'Protection Squadron') was originally formed in 1925, ostensibly to act as a small, loyal bodyguard unit to protect the Führer, Adolf H. Under the direction of the Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler, the SS grew to be the most ruthless and feared organization of the 20th century. They were the vanguard of NSDAP and eventually controlled nearly every function of German life and much of Occupied Europe.
When WWII began in earnest, the SS-Verfügungstruppe (SS-VT) (SS Dispositional Troops) became the Waffen-SS ("Armed SS"), an official military branch of the SS organization. Its formations included men from NSDAP ruled Germany, along with volunteers and conscripts from both occupied and unoccupied lands.
Here we have a wonderful Waffen Totenkopf SS personal photo album, with what looks to be all photographs they took themselves (or had others take of them), and some sightseeing photographs around the Berlin area, including a few in front of the Reichstag. The album is covered with soft tan-colored felt, bound together with a tan cord with small wooden beads at the end. The album measures roughly 9" x 6”.
A total of 62 photographs fill the pages of this album, making it a treasure-trove of images taken from the viewpoint of a young, patriotic German soldier. These are contained on the 18 pages of the album, which are not captioned, and most pages are separated by spiderweb pattern "onion skin" separators. All of the photos look to be attached to the album using period corner attachments, and the photos are in really good condition. There are about 5 photos missing from the album leaving empty spots, but the majority of the photos are retained.
There are many clear photographs showing soldiers in their uniforms, with their ranks and SS Collar tabs clearly visible, as well as many with their Totenkopf (Death's Head) insignia on their visor caps. Many of the photographs are comical in nature, with the soldiers making faces or just laughing with their friends. This is a very interesting look into the daily life of an SS soldier. The photo on the first page shows seven young soldiers of the SS, with their collar tabs mostly visible, likely new recruits at the time of the photograph.
Near the end there are photographs of Moroccan soldiers, likely being taken in Morocco where the soldier was stationed.
Regarding the contents of the album, there are a wide variety of scenes shown, showing the daily life of soldiers during the war, including some of soldiers eating, relaxing, viewing the sights, and several candid shots of officers. There are a great many photos with heavy artillery pieces and soldiers in formation, but in general it looks like this soldier mostly documented daily life, and not battle scenes and their aftermath. Definitely some great research potential in these pages! The album is in great shape overall and comes ready for further research and display.
Historical records like this album have become priceless time capsules that provide an incomparable level of insight into the individual experience of the Second World War, now that almost eighty years have passed.
The older albums such as these usually withstand the ravages of time. The leather or fabric covers may wear, but the pages stay well intact. The black paper albums of the early 20th century are more fragile, while the glue from magnetic albums can damage photographs. And, as with all old photographs, keep albums in a safe, climate controlled environment.
More on the 3rd SS Panzer Division "Totenkopf":
This elite division of the Waffen-SS of NSDAP Germany during World War II formed from the Standarten of the SS-TV. Its name, Totenkopf, is German for "death's head" – the skull and crossbones symbol – and it is thus sometimes referred to as the Death's Head Division.
The division was formed through the expansion of Kampfgruppe Eicke, a battle group named – in keeping with German military practice – after its commander, Theodor Eicke. Most of the battle group's personnel had been transferred to the Waffen SS from KZ camp guard units, which were known collectively as SS-Totenkopfverbände; others were former members of Selbstschutz: ethnic German militias that had committed war crimes in Poland.
The division became notorious for its brutality, and committed numerous war crimes, including the Le Paradis massacre.
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- Due to legal restrictions this item cannot be shipped to Australia, France or Germany. This is not a comprehensive list and other countries may be added in the future.
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