Schellack photos & reviews (military music)

[Ivan Ž.]

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Matrosenlied (Wir fahren gegen Engelland)
Musik: Herms Niel | Text: Hermann Löns
Reichsmusikzug des Reichsarbeitsdienstes | Dirigent: Obermusikzugführer Herms Niel | Gesang: Soldatenchor
Berlin, 1939

Es geht um’s Vaterland [Marschlied]
Musik und Text: Herms Niel
Reichsmusikzug des Reichsarbeitsdienstes | Dirigent: Obermusikzugführer Herms Niel | Gesang: Soldatenchor
Berlin, 1939


The most popular war-song of WWII, Matrosenlied, was written in 1914 by Hermann Löns (born: 29.08.1866 in Culm near Bromberg, Westpreußen; died: 26.09.1914 near Loivre), a German journalist and poet, who volunteered and got killed in WWI, in France. His work was much respected by Hitler, on whose request Löns was exhumed and reburied in the Lüneburg Heath, near the city Walsrode.

Song had many composers, but the most successful was Herms Niel, whose version is almost the only one known today (although recordings of some other composers' versions still exist as well). An anti-British song, it starts with some light motives - a soldier and his friends singing, drinking - and ends with his death in the sea... ...but it doesn't matter, because - "the blood was spilt for the Fatherland!" Closing tune was taken from Richard Thiele's (1847-1903) "Flaggenlied". Niel composed the new melody in late 1939. It has 3 strophes and the RAD band here recorded all 3 of them.

Photo: Hermann Löns

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Es geht um's Vaterland is Niel's 1939 song, much more serious than his previous works. It's about Germans being prepared to defend their Fatherland - from an "World tyrant". Even in this song, Herms had to include a soldier comforting his worried girlfriend... It has 3 strophes and all 3 were recorded here.

Both recordings are excellent, especially the "Matrosenlied", which is my personal favourite version of this song (mostly because of the perfect intro, with loud bass-drum accompaniment). This record clearly shows that Niel's RAD orchestra will soon become the best military band in the war-period of the III Reich (my own opinion).

Photo: Herms Niel and his men preparing to record these two songs (Berlin, 19.10.1939)

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[Ivan Ž.]

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Matrosenlied (Wir fahren gegen Engelland) [Marsch]
Musik: Herms Niel | Text: Hermann Löns
Reichsmusikzug des Reichsarbeitsdienstes | Dirigent: Obermusikzugführer Herms Niel | Gesang: Männerchor
Berlin, 1939

In der Heimat steh’n auf Posten [Marsch und Lied]
Musik und Text: Herms Niel
Reichsmusikzug des Reichsarbeitsdienstes | Dirigent: Obermusikzugführer Herms Niel | Gesang: Männerchor
Berlin, 1939


Another Niel's recording of Matrosenlied, only not as good as previous. All 3 strophes were recorded.

In der Heimat steh’n auf Posten was recorded twice by the RAD band as well, again for Grammophon and Tempo. Unlike the two "Matrosenlied" versions, these are quite similar, almost identical. This is one of the earliest German WWII songs, very similar to previously mentioned "Es geht um's Vaterland": about all Germans, young and old, workers, farmers, citizens and soldiers, in south, north, west and east, prepared to "defend" their Homeland... Song has 3 strophes, all recorded (both times).

[Ivan Ž.]

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Edelweiß (Es war ein Edelweiß, ein kleines Edelweiß) [Marsch und Lied]
Musik und Text: Herms Niel
Reichsmusikzug des Reichsarbeitsdienstes | Dirigent: Obermusikzugführer Herms Niel | Gesang: Männerchor
Berlin, 1939

Bayrischer Defilier-Marsch [Armee-Marsch II, Nr. 246]
Musik: Adolf Scherzer
SA-Kapelle Johannes Fuhsel
Berlin, 1933


Another Niel's recording of Edelweiß, a fine one, beginning as instrumental, followed by the refrain and then with the the first 2 strophes (out of 3).

Bayrischer Defiliermarsch was composed by Jacob Philipp Adolf (Adolph) Scherzer (born: 1815 in Neustadt, an der Aisch; died: 21.03.1864 in Ingolstadt) around 1850 for the Königlich-Bayerisches 7. Infanterie-Regiment in Ingolstadt (where he served as an Musikmeister), as "Ingolstädter Parademarsch"; King Ludwig II renamed the march to "Bayerischen Avancier- und Defiliermarsch". Today is considered as kind of a unofficial national anthem in Bavaria, always played as an entrance march of the Bavarian Prime Minister, but also during political visits, or special national events. In Armeemarschsammlung since 1925.

Conductor Johannes Fuhsel (born: 15.03.1880 in Houverath, Rheinbach; died in Berlin) was a member of SA since 01.02.1928, joined NSDAP on 01.02.1929; conductor in Füsilier-Bataillon/ Königin Elisabeth Garde-Grenadier-Regiment Nr.3 (1918), in Schloß-Garde-Kompanie in Berlin, in Infanterie-Regiment Nr.91 (1919); with OSAF-Ost since 1928; SA-Standartenführer[/i] since 1932, SA-Oberführer since 1938. Survived the war. Recorded numerous SA/ NS songs and traditional marches as well.

[Ivan Ž.]

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Wenn die Sonne scheint, Annemarie [Marschlied]
Musik und Text: Herms Niel
Reichsmusikzug des Reichsarbeitsdienstes | Dirigent: Obermusikzugführer Herms Niel | Gesang: Männerchor
Berlin, 1939

Liebling, wenn ich traurig bin [Marschlied]
Musik: Herms Niel | Text: Erich Effler
Reichsmusikzug des Reichsarbeitsdienstes | Dirigent: Obermusikzugführer Herms Niel | Gesang: Männerchor
Berlin, 1939


Another, different recordings of already mentioned songs; in Wenn die Sonne scheint, Annemarie, a.k.a. "Die Landpartie", RAD band recorded all 3 strophes, in Liebling, wenn ich traurig bin only first 2 (out of 3).

[Ivan Ž.]

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Lebe wohl, du kleine Monika [Marschlied]
Musik: Hans Carste | Text: Feldwebel Hellmut Boerner
Willi Stanke mit seinem Orchester | Gesang: Männerterzett
Berlin, 1940

In Sanssouci, am Mühlenberg [Marschlied]
Musik und Text: Herms Niel
Reichsmusikzug des Reichsarbeitsdienstes | Dirigent: Obermusikzugführer Herms Niel | Gesang: Männerchor
Berlin, 1939


Lebe wohl, du kleine Monika is a 1939 song, written by a Kriegsberichter, Feldwebel Hellmut Boerner (also wrote "Du Mädel, warst so lieb zu mir") and composed by Hans Friedrich August Carste (born: 05.09.1909 in Frankenthal; died: 11.05.1971 in Bad Wiessee). Carste mostly composed cabaret and movie-music; he served in Wehrmacht during WWII (from 1942); he was wounded on the Eastern front, where he was captured by Soviets, who held him in captivity until 1948 (he was also the first German president of BIEM).

This song was also one of the most popular in WWII, sung by all (German) troops, although its "description title" was Stammlied (basic song) der Propaganda-Kompanien der Wehrmacht. French Waffen-SS members also recorded their version of the song and it's still popular in today's French foreign legion. It is a farewell-song of a soldier who is heading to an enemy land, leaving behind his beloved Monika. A typical German soldiers' song, full of kind (for girlfriend) and strong words (for enemy - and themselfs). This version begins with the Zapfenstreich tune, same as "Lili Marleen"; song originally has 4 strophes, here is sung only refrain.

Photo: Hans Carste, 1956

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In Sanssouci am Mühlenberg, a.k.a. "Veronika - Marie", is a song from 1936, about the two girls from Sanssouci, Veronika and Marie, the "pride" of one company... Song has 3 strophes, RAD band recorded them all here.

[Ivan Ž.]

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Lebe wohl, du kleine Monika [Marschlied]
Musik: Hans Carste | Text: Feldwebel Hellmut Boerner
Reichsmusikzug des Reichsarbeitsdienstes | Dirigent: Obermusikzugführer Herms Niel | Gesang: Soldatenchor
Berlin, 1940

Gerda - Ursula - Marie [Marschlied]
Musik und Text: Herms Niel
Reichsmusikzug des Reichsarbeitsdienstes | Dirigent: Obermusikzugführer Herms Niel | Gesang: Soldatenchor
Berlin, 1940


In this version of already mentioned Lebe wohl, du kleine Monika, band recorded the first 2 strophes (out of 4).

Gerda - Ursula - Marie is Niel's song from 1939. Not as successful as some of his other works, but it was quite popular as well and recorded by some other famous bands, beside RAD's. It's one of the many Niel's songs about soldiers singing to their girlfriends. It has 4 strophes; RAD band recorded 1st, 2nd and 4th. Note: song maybe isn't much interesting (musically), but it has very good long instrumental intro.

[Ivan Ž.]

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Frankreichlied (Kamerad, wir marschieren im Westen)
Musik: Herms Niel | Text: Heinrich Anacker
Reichsmusikzug des Reichsarbeitsdienstes | Dirigent: Obermusikzugführer Herms Niel | Gesang: Soldatenchor
Berlin, 1940

Gegen Briten und Franzosen
Musik: Herms Niel | Trio: Trad. | Text: Herms Niel
Reichsmusikzug des Reichsarbeitsdienstes | Dirigent: Obermusikzugführer Herms Niel | Gesang: Soldatenchor
Berlin, 1940


Frankreichlied was an official song of campaign in France, 1940. Very popular, recorded by almost every major Wehrmacht band at the time. Its authors are Niel & Anacker, which made together many successful songs. This one describes Germany's "victorious advancing" in France. It starts with the melody of "Die Wacht am Rhein" and ends with "Musketier sind lust'ge Brüder", both in German history related to Franco-Prussian war (1870-1871). It has 3 strophes, all 3 were recorded by every band, including RAD's.

Heinrich Anacker (born: 29.01.1901 in Buchs, Kanton Aargau; died: 14.01.1971 in Wasserburg, Bodensee) was one of the earliest NSDAP members (joined in 1924), later member of SA as well. At first he wrote mostly party-songs and during WWII the main propaganda songs. He served in WWII, as a soldier, a war reporter.

Photo: Heinrich Anacker

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For Gegen Briten und Franzosen, Niel recorded probably the best intro I've ever heard. This is a typical Herms-Niel-song, about a soldier adressing his comrades, in a stiff military way, that they must fight the Britons and Frenchmen, and then nicely saying goodbye to his girlfriend and mother... It has originally 4 strophes; RAD band recorded 1st and 4th and added an unofficial one (with anti-semitic text) in the middle. In this song Niel was once again inspired by the melody of "Musketier sind lust'ge Brüder" and "Die Wacht am Rhein".

[Ivan Ž.]

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Rosalinde (Eine Liebste hat wohl jeder) [Marschlied]
Musik: Herms Niel | Text: Alexander Flessburg
Reichsmusikzug des Reichsarbeitsdienstes | Dirigent: Obermusikzugführer Herms Niel | Gesang: Soldatenchor
Berlin, 1940

Edeltraut (Abschied nehmen müssen wir) [Marschlied]
Musik: Herms Niel | Text: Martha Wiemann
Reichsmusikzug des Reichsarbeitsdienstes | Dirigent: Obermusikzugführer Herms Niel | Gesang: Soldatenchor
Berlin, 1940


Rosalinde is a fine song which starts with the melody of - guess - "Musketier sind lust'ge Brüder" It seems that Niel really liked this old one. This is a song about a Grenadier trying to win the heart of a girl named Rosalinde. She is resisting him, offended that an ordinary Grenadier is making a move on her, but in the end she finally falls into his arms... Song is nice, perhaps a bit slow, but - it has an excellent Herms-Niel-instrumental-ending. The Soldatenchor sung this one perfectly as well. It has 4 strophes, RAD band recorded 1st and 4th.

Edeltraut is, again, one of many soldiers' farewell-songs; he is going across the border (to an enemy land, of course), but when he returns to his Edeltraut - that will be beautiful... band recorded 2 strophes.

[Ivan Ž.]

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Liselott [Marschlied]
Musik: Herms Niel | Text: Joseph Lang
Reichsmusikzug des Reichsarbeitsdienstes | Dirigent: Obermusikzugführer Herms Niel | Gesang: Soldatenchor
Berlin, 1940

Edeltraut (Abschied nehmen müssen wir) [Marschlied]
Musik: Herms Niel | Text: Martha Wiemann
Reichsmusikzug des Reichsarbeitsdienstes | Dirigent: Obermusikzugführer Herms Niel | Gesang: Soldatenchor
Berlin, 1940


Liselott, another "farewell-song" begins with the melody of famous "Muß i' denn zum Städtele hinaus". RAD band recorded 3 strophes. Edeltraut is the same recording as one from Grammophon E 11449.

These perhaps aren't Niel's best works, but this Soldatenchor clearly shows here that there's not one song that could sound bad in their interpretation... Both were recorded (released in pair as well) also by Musikkorps des Wachbataillons Berlin under Guido Grosch (1910-1942), a couple of months later, for Odeon.

[Ivan Ž.]

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Schön sind die Wälder - süß ist die Liebe [Marschlied]
Musik und Text: Herms Niel
Reichsmusikzug des Reichsarbeitsdienstes | Dirigent: Obermusikzugführer Herms Niel | Gesang: Soldatenchor
Berlin, 1940

Kleine Elisabeth - schöne Elisabeth [Marschlied]
Musik und Text: Herms Niel
Reichsmusikzug des Reichsarbeitsdienstes | Dirigent: Obermusikzugführer Herms Niel | Gesang: Soldatenchor
Berlin, 1940


Now, this is the best RAD record I've ever heard and, in my opinion, the best singing ever recorded (military music). Niel and his band of RAD here definitely reached their perfection...

Schön sind die Wälder - süß ist die Liebe (or short "Schön sind die Wälder") is a beautiful song about the forest-romance of a soldier and a girl (Hildegund). Excellent melody, perfect singing and an Herms-Niel-instr.ending. It has 4 strophes, band recorded 1st, 2nd and 4th.

Kleine Elisabeth - schöne Elisabeth is, in my opinion, the best (military music) recording, right after Woitschach's "Steiger-Marsch". I think it couldn't be performed better than this. A listener gets an impression that each member of RAD's orchestra is a true virtuose. It is a romantic and nostalgic song, about a man in love remembering the kisses with his "little Elisabeth". RAD band recorded 2 strophes - and an fascinating instrumental ending, where, at its end, The Soldatenchor joins again, this time reinforced with a couple more voices, with refrain: "Kleine Elisabeth, schöne Elisabeth, rutziputzi, rutziputzi, Kind sei nett, schöne Elisabeth!"

Both songs were recorded again, after the war, by Die alten Kameraden on their album (with Herms Niel's songs) "Tschingta, Tschingta, Bummtara". Of course - not as good as these unrepeatable RAD recordings...

[Ivan Ž.]

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Antje, mein blondes Kind [Walzerlied]
Musik: Herms Niel | Text: Heinrich Anacker
Reichsmusikzug des Reichsarbeitsdienstes | Dirigent: Obermusikzugführer Herms Niel | Gesang: Soldatenchor
Berlin, 1940

Ritter der Nordsee [Marsch- und Matrosenlied]
Musik: Herms Niel | Text: Heinrich Anacker
Reichsmusikzug des Reichsarbeitsdienstes | Dirigent: Obermusikzugführer Herms Niel | Gesang: Soldatenchor
Berlin, 1940


Once again, The Soldatenchor did an excellent job singing, this time in an unusual, but very nice, Niel's waltz Antje, mein blondes Kind. A beautiful song, very popular at the time and recorded by numerous bands, both military and civilian (it was popular after the war as well). It's about a sailor playing a song on his accordion, on a stormy sea, far away from his beloved Antje, wondering if she can hear it... RAD band recorded all 3 strophes. Note: this song was always performed with an accordion accompaniment, so RAD as well made no exception.

Ritter der Nordsee is definitely not one of the Niel-Anacker best works, but it's not too bad either (perhaps only a bit uninteresting). This is a song of German torpedo boats, the so-called "Schnellboote" (S-Boote), specially designed for operations in the North Sea. Many authorities consider them to be the best torpedo boats of WWII. RAD band recorded 3 strophes.

Photo 2: "Ritter der Nordsee" - a German Schnellboot in the North Sea, 1940

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[Ivan Ž.]

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Edelweiß (Es war ein Edelweiß, ein kleines Edelweiß) [Marschlied]
Musik und Text: Herms Niel
I Musikkorps des Infanterie-Regiments „Großdeutschland“ | Dirigent: Stabsmusikmeister Friedrich Ahlers | Gesang: Singschar der Kradschützen-Kompanie der Aufklärungs-Abteilung 3, Stahnsdorf
Berlin, 1939

Die Landpartie (Wenn die Sonne scheint, Annemarie...) [Marschlied]
Musik und Text: Herms Niel
I Musikkorps des Infanterie-Regiments „Großdeutschland“ | Dirigent: Stabsmusikmeister Friedrich Ahlers | Gesang: Singschar der Kradschützen-Kompanie der Aufklärungs-Abteilung 3, Stahnsdorf
Berlin, 1939


This record is definitely one of the very best from III Reich period. Both songs have already been mentioned on previous page; this time they are performed by an elite band of infantry regiment "Großdeutschland" and perfectly sung by men of motorcycle company of 3rd reconnaissance battalion.

Conducted by Friedrich Ahlers (born: 09.06.1882 in Luthe, near Wunstorf, Hannover; died: 09.11.1945 in Berlin), one of my personal favourite conductors (right after Niel and Woitschach), who had an unique style, easily recognised (all his recordings have an unusual "heavy-rhythm", as I like to call it). Ahlers led the "Großdeutschland"-band from its forming in 1921 and almost until its end (he was replaced by a younger conductor, Borghoff, in late 1944). During WWII he and his band participated in French and Russian campaign, until 1942, when they returned to Berlin, where they continued their work. At the end of war, the remnants of the band, Borghoff - and Ahlers as well were captured by Soviet troops. Ahlers had been sent free and even allowed to form a small orchestra, but he died shortly afterwards (probably of a heart-attack).

Photo: Friedrich Ahlers

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In "Edelweiß", first 2 strophes (of 3) were recorded and in "Die Landpartie" all 3 of them. These are The best performances of these two Niel's songs.

Note: both songs can be bought today in digital form in this probably the most popular CD
http://www.tomahawkfilms.com/page_5.html as Leibstandarte's recordings...

[Ivan Ž.]

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Wir fahren gegen Engelland [Matrosenlied]
Musik: Herms Niel | Text: Hermann Löns
I Musikkorps des Infanterie-Regiments „Großdeutschland“ | Dirigent: Stabsmusikmeister Friedrich Ahlers | Gesang: Männerchor
Berlin, 1939

Heut’ stechen wir ins blaue Meer [Marschlied]
Musik und Text: Herms Niel
I Musikkorps des Infanterie-Regiments „Großdeutschland“ | Dirigent: Stabsmusikmeister Friedrich Ahlers | Gesang: Männerchor
Berlin, 1939


Again, an excellent record, also one of the period's best. Many listeners consider this Ahlers' version of "Matrosenlied" the best ever recorded. I can only claim that this "Heut’ stechen wir ins blaue Meer" is the best version of this song.

In Wir fahren gegen Engelland, a.k.a. "Matrosenlied" (mentioned on page 1), Ahlers recorded all 3 strophes.

Heut’ stechen wir ins blaue Meer is Niel's Seemannslied from 1936, which was most popular in the first months of WWII. It's a sailors' song, with an excellent, strong and touching melody, about a man (sailor) leaving with his ship and saying goodbye to his girl, asking her to wait for his return... Out of 2, Ahlers recorded only 1st strophe.


Above is the rarely seen red variant and below the more common blue one:

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[Ivan Ž.]

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Matrosenlied (Und wir fahren gegen Engelland)
Musik: Herms Niel | Text: Hermann Löns
Blasorchester Bruno Seidler-Winkler | Gesang: Männerchor
Berlin, 1939

Unsere Marine [Marsch]
Musik: Richard Thiele
Blasorchester Bruno Seidler-Winkler
Berlin, 1939


Two very popular Marine recordings, well-performed by famous conductor Bruno Seidler-Winkler.

In (previously mentioned) Matrosenlied, his orchestra recorded first 2 strophes.

Unsere Marine, listed in Heeresmärsche since 1933, as HM II, 145, was composed by Richard Thiele (1847-1903) in 1883, as "Deutsches Flaggenlied" (a.k.a. "Stolz weht die Flagge schwarz-weiß-rot"), for Robert Linderer's (1824-1886) operetta "Unsere Marine". Notice an error on record: it's written "Rob. (Robert) Thiele"; name is obviously Linderer's. This tune was played and recorded by almost every band in Germany - before - in - and after the III Reich period, as march, or song.

[Ivan Ž.]

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Schön blüh’n die Heckenrosen [Marschlied]
Musik: Felix Gleßmer | Text: Reinhold Fischer
Carl Woitschach mit seinem großen Blasorchester | Gesang: Männerchor
Berlin, 1939

Das ist nun einmal so (Wenn ein Soldat ein Mädel liebt) [Marschlied]
Musik und Text: Herms Niel
Carl Woitschach mit seinem großen Blasorchester | Gesang: Männerchor
Berlin, 1939


In Das ist nun einmal so (already mentioned), Woitschach (1864-1939), same as the RAD band, recorded only first 2 strophes (out of 6).

Schön blüh’n die Heckenrosen comes from early '30s; it has an excellent melody, no wonder it was mega-popular in III Reich, as well as in postwar Germany. Recorded by numerous bands and included in many songbooks, including SS, HJ, WH and modern ones. It's a very nice soldiers' song (type of lyrics which I like to call Sunshine, lollipops and rainbows...), written by Reinhold Fischer (1901-1957), about girls, nature, birds singing, flowers, kisses... ...and, of course, a bit of marching... Woitschach and his men recorded only refrain in this version.

Composer Felix Glessmer (born: 09.03.1885 in Leipzig; died: 31.01.1947 in Leipzig), worked in Leipzig as composer and a choir-conductor; member of NSDAP since 01.05.1937.