Anschluss

hauptmannn · Post by **hauptmannn** » 04 Apr 2004 05:58

Hello!

I was thinking about compiling photographs of the anschliss between Austria and Germany and all pics from German troops crossing the border to marching through towns, villages, cities and being cheered on, or columns of troops and vehicles advancing and any other that is within this theme!

Orok · Post by **Orok** » 05 Apr 2004 15:30

Hauptmann,

I think this is an impossible task. Besides the numerous press photographs, I am sure there are thousands of pictures taken by enthusiastic citizens watching the events. There is no way you can collect all of them.

Also don't forget there is another side of the picture, except the all too familiar cheering mobs I am sure there were a lot of people mourning the demise of such a great country as an independent entity. I'd rather see photographs depicting such a scene.

Best Regards!

hauptmannn · Post by **hauptmannn** » 06 Apr 2004 05:04

Of course i was not expecting all photographs but al pictures are welcome, i too would like to see people mourning ther ceasation of austria as a country.

Orok · Post by **Orok** » 06 Apr 2004 15:16

Hauptmann,

I will try to post here some photographs for you. Hope others will follow! 8)

Best Regards!

Orok · Post by **Orok** » 06 Apr 2004 15:31

Hauptmann,

Here's some photographs of the Austrian troops during the Anschluß.

In the first picture, you can notice how facial hair was till very popular among Austrian officers!

In the last photo, you can notice the Austrian regimental Leibfahne in front of the troops, the Austrian Berndorffer steel helmets and the fir twg field sign on them, all distinctively Austrian, not Prusso-German. You can also make out the Schützenauszeichnung (marksmanship lanyard) some of the soldiers are wearing!

Best Regards!

Orok · Post by **Orok** » 06 Apr 2004 15:35

Hauptmann,

Some more photos.

Dr. Seyß-Inquart was a decorated officer of the Austro-Hungarian Army during World War I.

In the first picture you can see on the background the statue of Archduke Charles on horseback holding a regimental flag, scene from his victorious Battle of Aspern, the first time any general had ever defeated Napoleon face to face in a battle!

Best Regards!

Orok · Post by **Orok** » 06 Apr 2004 15:38

Hauptmann,

Finally, scenes from a Nazified Austria!

Best Regards!

Orok · Post by **Orok** » 07 Apr 2004 14:49

Hauptmann,

Another interesting scene from the Anschluß. The original caption reads:

3/21/1938-Innsbruck, Austria: officers of the Tyrol Jäger Regiment, former crack Imperial Army unit, are shown as they took the oath of allegiance to Hitler, the Commander-in-Cheif of the combined German-Austrian Army.

Best Regards!

hauptmannn · Post by **hauptmannn** » 08 Apr 2004 16:05

Excellent photos and thank you to all!

I hope we can get more

darryl · Post by **darryl** » 09 Apr 2004 19:50

Here is an Anschluss photo. It was taken by Heinrich Hoffmann on 3 April 1938 in the city of Graz, Austria. It shows Hitler greeting an officer of the Austrian Allgemeine-SS along with other organizations (Youth, Labour Korps, etc) during a parade in his honour. Himmler and Seyss-Inquart can be seen on the far left of the photo.

I have been searching far and wide for other images of this particular parade and specifically, this group of SS troopers. If any of you have some I would very interested to see them.

Orok · Post by **Orok** » 29 Apr 2004 19:27

March 1938: German national eagle on Austrian uniforms! 8)

Best Regards!

walterkaschner · Post by **walterkaschner** » 30 Apr 2004 01:57

Orok -

Thanks so very much for those great pictures. I hope there are more to come.

Regards, Kaschner

Orok · Post by **Orok** » 30 Apr 2004 02:39

Hi Walter,

I am glad you like these photos.

Here are three more!

The first picture was taken on the same occasion as my last picture. Notice how the soldiers are holding their rifle slings taut. This is characteristically Austro-Hungarian! Old customs die hard, and I can imagine these boys would have a hard time adjusting themselves to the new Prussian way of conduct in the German Army! 8) And the soldier on the right will also have to get rid of his moustache!

The second picture shows an SS vehicle, expert members here might be able to tell us which unit this is from the license plate?

Best Regards!

Best Regards!

CMF · Post by **CMF** » 30 Apr 2004 15:45

Hi Orok,

Great pictures!

Those of the troops with the Wehrmachtadler on the breast . . . bizarre and disturbing combination

. Heaven knows what old FJ would have thought!

Best

Chris

Orok · Post by **Orok** » 30 Apr 2004 16:11

CMF wrote:Heaven knows what old FJ would have thought!

I am sure he would have a heart attack before he could really think of anything! 8)

Best Regards!