Handwriting help

[B Hellqvist]

I have a photo with a note on the back, but I can't make out what's written. Can anyone here help me figure out what it says?

Thanks in advance,
Björn

[nichte]

What I read.
Hiltraut
----------------------

Beim Transport ein[es] Verwundeten
in den Winterkämpfen im Februar
bei S……kaja mit dem Schneeschuh
btl.

[B Hellqvist]

Wow, great job - the only thing I could get was "Winterkämpfen"! I do get the impression that the wounded might be Soviet, as the feet seen sticking out from one of the sleds appear to wear valenki felt boots. The sleds look abandoned together with the other battlefield debris. Does that change the meaning of the note? Also, I did get the "S...kaja" bit, but couldn't figure out what place it could be.

[history1]

You did post your last comment at the same time as I and mine got not published then.
I suggest to use "von" instead "ein[es] " as there are more injured soldiers on those sledges.

[nichte]

Yes history1, I agree with you!

[B Hellqvist]

I'm trying to figure out whether the "Schneeschuhe btl" means Red Army snowshoe-wearing units, which appears to have been a thing, or if it's a reference to the "Schneeschuh-Brigade".

https://forum.axishistory.com//viewtopic.php?t=118259
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Per ... MayerJ.htm

The mention of February would tie in with the time the Schneeschuh-Brigade was active (January - March, 1942), as the German soldiers in the photo appears to wear winter clothing from that time. Could this "S...kaja" be in the Demjansk area?

[B Hellqvist]

Google Translate suggests this translation:

"When transporting wounded in
the winter fights in February at
S ...... kaja with the snowshoe btl."

Could it be translated better? My German is very rusty...

[nichte]

Is it possible that the location reads "Spaßkaya/Spasskaya"?
It would be near Nowgorod. Demjansk would be not too far away.

Below is the excerpt I found. The month of death, February 42, would match.

Source:
Dorfchronik Eppisburg

[B Hellqvist]

There's a Spasskaya Polist' just north of Novgorod, and the frontlines for that period correspond. I think you nailed it. Excellent sleuthing! Thank you so much!

[history1]

[...] I do get the impression that the wounded might be Soviet, as the feet seen sticking out from one of the sleds appear to wear valenki felt boots. .

No special need for that, germans also used them when they got hold of them.

The sleds look abandoned together with the other battlefield debris.[...]

Abandoned? I disagree, IMHO just the common situation and nothing from a battlefield: piled ammo boxes, alongside further empty sledges, and three with injured soldiers as far as I can recognise.

[history1]

I'm trying to figure out whether the "Schneeschuhe btl" means Red Army snowshoe-wearing units, which appears to have been a thing, or if it's a reference to the "Schneeschuh-Brigade".
[...]

the "btl" should read "Btl" what is the common acronym of "Battaillon".
And as the text reads " transport of injured soldiers WITH the snowshoe - battaillon" it´s impossible that the author is referring to a Soviet/Russian snowshoe battaillon.

[Bart V.]

No, a Schneeschuh Bataillon just meant the Bataillon was equipped with some more snow gear such as Ski's. Could be a photograph from the 215. Infanterie-Division. Infanterie-Regiment 423, from the Divison I research extensive, also fought in this area substituted to the 215. Inf. Div. until February 1942.

[B Hellqvist]

No, a Schneeschuh Bataillon just meant the Bataillon was equipped with some more snow gear such as Ski's. Could be a photograph from the 215. Infanterie-Division. Infanterie-Regiment 423, from the Divison I research extensive, also fought in this area substituted to the 215. Inf. Div. until February 1942.

The Schneeschuh Brigade appears to have been active south of Lake Ilmen, while Spasskaya is north of it, so the Schneeschuh Bataillon is probably something else. So you think this could be soldiers from the 215. ID? Interesting.

[B Hellqvist]

Another headscratcher... The photo shows a grass airfield somewhere in the east, some Ju 88s parked and the wrecks of (most likely) Soviet aircraft. On the back is a scrawled placename, but my best interpretation resulted in a place in Poland, where the terrain didn't match that of the photo (even allowing for 70+ years). What might the name be? I'm grateful for any help!

[B Hellqvist]

Very flat terrain...