A very Happy Birthday to our good friend and fellow content creator at KB41 Collection - Simon! Prost und Happy Birthday! Thank you for your support and work with the collection, wishing you well on this special day!
The photograph here shows Reichswehr Soldaten of the Deutsche Reichsheer (German Army) seen here celebrating their training and possible completion of inspection as they pose for a barrack comedic photograph. These comedic barrack room photographs are not only very enjoyable as there is many different elements that make these photographs diverse showing the equipment from the period used in comedic ways by the Soldaten that would be using them in training as a part of drills and exercises. The Soldaten of the Reichsheer seen here belong to the branch of service known as Infanterie (infantry). This is clearly seen by the Waffenfarbe in wear on the M34 side caps in wear by many Infanterien in this photograph. This photograph being from the Reichswehr period shows a transitional use of WW1 equipment, this most clearly seen with the use of M16/M17 Stalhelms in wear by the Infanterien.
This comedic photographs showcases perfectly the camaraderie seen among these Infanterien as they pose for such a photograph. This photograph would be taken during one of the most economically and socially turbulent periods in German History before World War 2. With the Treaty of Versailles not only humiliating and tarnishing the nation of German with the blame for World War One but it also limited Germany financially, socially and reduced its military capacity. The Weimar republic also being a time for political turmoiled saw many join paramilitary organisations such as the Friekorps but also saw many volunteer as reserves in the Reichswehr. Reservists were trained due to the limitations of a full capacity army as imposed by the Treaty of Versailles. This meaning that such barrack room photograph's could be taken, as seen here showing the comedic and happy atmosphere among the in Infanterien in the photograph. This photograph suggest pre 1938 with a possibility of being 1935 during what is known as the "Transitional Period" of Germany.
The Infanterie seen posing in their barrack room with their beds seen just to the right in shot, seen collectively wearing long white shirts that were commonly worn as nightwear, seen here becoming the uniform for the comedic photograph compensating for the lack of trousers as they wear their underwear and slippers or jackboots as their footwear. The Infanterie's are also seen wearing some webbing of belts with their bright silver belt buckles they are collectively armed with their bayonets. The Bayonets seen crossed from Infanterie to Infanterie as they collectively pose for this comedic photograph, seen with a variety of different of headwear. The Infanterien seen wearing M16/M17 Stalhelms, Visor caps and M34 Side caps. The M16 or M17 (the difference only being internal leather linings) are Stalhelms that were introduced in 1916 during World War One to replace the Picklehaube, saw use in the transitional period between the end of World War One through to the beginning of World War Two. The M16's are iconic also for the "lugs" seen on either side of the M16 Stalhelm, this was to accommodate a metal face veil for added protection. The M16 Stalhelms are also seen with decals on the side of the helmets, the right side being a shield containing the tri-colours of Germany (Red, White and Black) and as shield containing a Reichsadler on the other side.
Other head gear in wear is that of the M34 Side cap, this side cap can be seen worn notably by the centre sitting Infanterie where we can clearly see the insignia and waffenfarbe. The seated Infanterie seen in the centre who holds two observation flags (Likely used for positional training, a possibility of naval but no known flags to support this) crossed with drawn on facial hair and a tobacco pipe in his mouth. This infanterie wears the M34 side cap as he smiles for the camera, we see the thin white piping or "Waffenfarbe" which denotes his branch of service, Infantry. Below this Waffenfarbe triangle is seen a cockade of with the German Imperial colours of a Red centre, white for that of the silver in middle with and Black trim of the cockade. This alone makes it a M34 Reichsheer Side cap, the later models would see the Reichsadler of Germany under the Third Reich in wear.
The last variation of headwear seen is the Visor cap, seen in wear in the centre, seen with a Reichsadler at the top and the cockade and wreath below with at thin leather chinstrap resting above the visor. These visor caps could be worn by enlisted men but were often worn by non commissioned officers.
Also notably seen as a form of headwear here is a metal bowl! Seen in wear by the second in from the right standing up, next to a Infanterie wearing the M16 Stalhelm on backwards! These comedic acts really highlight these comedic photographs with little pockets of comedy. The Bowl helmet seen worn as the Infanterie pulls a funny face as the Infanterie in front, wearing the M34 Side cap with a cigarette in his hand pours a large jug (usually used to decant washing water) to a stein of a young Infanterie wearing a M16 Stalhelm holds open the lid. Next to him sits one who also has a M16 Stalhelm, a tobacco pipe in his mouth as he Smiles holding a Bottle of alcohol, possibly a Braun beer or Sekt (Sparkling Wine) with a bayonet in his other hand and a piece of bread stabbed on the end of it! Next to him crouching at the front, a Infanterie seen waring an M16/17 Stalhelm (That shows a crisp Decal of tri-colour) and a Tobacco pipe in his mouth ,Bayonet in hand and slippers on. Just behind him standing to the left is the Infanterie who wears the most webbing, a Gasmask around his neck with the canister attached also a bayonet frog and Gasmask tin underneath his arm. Next to him, Bayonet leaning on his arm, M34 Side cap in wear and fake moustache wears a scarf around his neck with an open buttoned shirt. With a pyjamas with navy thick stripes on, Visor cap and white scarf on, cigarette in mouth and bayonet in hand. Lastly seen standing at the back can be seen Infanteries who have their bayonets in their mouths. This showing how they all packed into a room for the photograph.
These photographs were great for morale and strengthening friendships among kameraden of the Infanterien seen here. Comedic photographs were common and give us an insight into the types of banter and laughs that happened among Soldaten and those in service away from the hardships and duties. Taken in celebration of passing training, before being deployed or Birthday and national holidays throughout the year. Memories of great times that Soldaten could reflect and remember upon in future service, whilst showing their families the types of humour and fun times they had whilst in service too.