Musiker der Infanteriedivision 106

Wishing you all a very Happy New Year for 2026 from us here at KB41 Collection

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Here we share a crisp close photograph showing musicians of Infantry Division 106 as they pose with their instruments for a photograph.

The musicians stand closely packed together as they pose in their M36 tunics (seen by the distinctive bottle green collar with the detailed M34 side caps. The side caps are detailed with the Reichsadler (German Eagle) with clear Waffenfarb denoting branch of service within the Heer. The thin white stripe triangled above the imperial coloured cockade. The white stripe, known as Waffenfarb identifies these young musicians as a Infantry unit and with the numbers "106" clearly seen in metal numbers on the shoulder boards. Thus Infanterie-Division 106 (Infantry Division 106).

The Infanterie-Division 106 was first created on 22nd November 1940 in Wahn, Cologne, Germany. The Village of Wahn had some 1,000 inhabitants in 1942. Notably the village was later dissolved that year for good as Adolf Hitler visited and made it state law that the shooting range in nearby Meppen, known as Schießplatz Meppen was to be expanded. The Schießplatz Meppen, originally opened in 1877 for testing of Artillery notably by the Krupp company (Of which was also active during World War Two) had an operational shooting range which was responsible for a accident that occured in 1917. An artillery test went wrong resulting in a church within Wahn to be hit and damaged. There was initial plans during this period of 1917 to expand the shooting range but this did not happen until 1942. Where upon Adolf Hitler's request the village was flattened and levelled for a new and expanded shooting and test range to be developed.

This photograph shows those within Infantry Division 106 in a early war setting as seen by the use of the M36, M34 and Shoulder board insignia. The latter of which was later phased out due to uniform adjustments. It is suggested that the musicians are at their training barracks in Wahn practicing music. This is supported by the first involvement known of those in 106 being with the participation in the Russian offensive in June 1941. In a brief summary; those in 106 saw combat and fighting on the eastern front in Smolensk and he Klin-Kalinin area northwest of Moscow by November 1941, saw a reorganisation when it was withdrawn from the eastern front in May 1942, seeing heavy losses during the battle of Kursk in July 1943. The official unit of Division 106 was disbanded in the end of August 1944 as most of its soldiers were defeated in the numerous withdraws from Russia. Parts of Division 106 were incorporated into other units but the actual division was depleted like many as the losses of German forces increased with the withdraw from Russia, as the Third Reich fell.

It is not known the names of any seen photographed here or if any survived the war, but those of Infantry Division 106 were certainly involved in some of the fearstes fighting in World War Two. But in a different angle seen here smiling as they pose with musical instruments, those of which many would have pursued in interest from a young age, as they now proudly serve their country united with their kameraden and love of music. The young musican's seen with instruments such as Violins, accordions and percussion of drums and cymbal were instruments that would all join together to create some moving music for fellow soldaten to raise morale, or to raise spirits and act as services for local events and funerals. Music was an important factor of the Third Reich as for other nations in bringing people together, morale and happiness.