Skip to main content

German Luftwaffe War Correspondent WWII Photograph Collection

 Collection
Identifier: Photo 2189

Scope and Content

These German propaganda photos show soldiers, artillery, planes, and war-torn scenery. Most photos have a label on the back written in German that describe the contents, and most photos are stamped with “Luftwaffen-Kriegsberichterkompanie 5”. They appear to have been taken on the Eastern Front, with most of the cities in the U.S.S.R. (current day Russia). They include the locations of Anisowo (Anisovo), Orel (Oryol), Wjasma (Vyazma), Rosslawl (Roslavl), Pakschistaja [?], and Smolensk taken between May 29, and July 11, 1942.



The photo inventory listing has either a description of the contents, or the German identification typed and attached to the back of the print. This is followed by an English translation.

Dates

  • 1942

Access

The collection is open under the rules and regulations of the NDSU Archives.

Copyrights

Copyrights to this collection is held by The North Dakota State University Archives.

History

Photos were taken off a German Prisoner of War in the Belgium during WWII. The 28 images were likely taken by Germany’s propaganda photographers or Luftwaffen Kriegsberichter kompanie.

“The Luftwaffe established their Kriegsberichter program in July and August 1939 with Kompanies 1-4 at Berlin, Braunschweig, Munich, and Vienna with an independent platoon in Königsberg for the East Prussia Air Force Command. During 1940 the Luftwaffe added Kriegsberichter Kompanies 5 - 8 (Lw. KBK) as well as a Falschirm-Abteilung. By 1943 there were a total of eight Luftwaffe Kriegsberichter sub headquarters with around 25 Companies. At the end of 1944, a Wehrmacht Kriegsberichter Amt or department was established putting all services under one command. Training of replacement Kriegsberichter initially took place at the Kriegsberichter Ersatz Kompanie at Potsdam and included all branches.” – history by Mark Stone THE KRIEGSBERICHTER DER LUFTWAFFE:

https://www.themilitarymark.com/propaganda-kb-reporters/blog-post-title-one-7k54c-jh9rc

Extent

28 Photographic Prints

Language of Materials

English

German

Abstract

Photographs taken off a German Prisoner of War in the Belgium area during WWII. Most of the photographs are stamped “Luftwaffen-Kriegsberichterkompanie 5” (Luftwaffen War Correspondent Company 5). Photos appear to be from 1942.

Provenance

Donated by Mary Miller (2023-019irs).

Property rights

The NDSU Archives owns the property rights to this collection.
Title
Finding Aid to German Luftwaffe War Correspondent WWII Photograph Collection
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Institute for Regional Studies Repository

Contact:
West Building N
3551 7th Avenue North
Fargo North Dakota 58102 United States