CD ORIGINAL WW2 FALLSCHIRMJAGER PHOTO ALBUM GERMAN PARA

Here I offer  a cd containing 150 high resolution scans produced from an extremely  rare and original WW2  photo album .

The album belonged to a member of the Elite German Paratroopers ,he served with Fallschirmjager Machine Gun Battalion 7 . These men were the German equivalent of Easy Company US 7th Airbourne as featured in the fine TV programme 'Band of Brothers' . They suffered very heavy losses in the Invasion of Crete and then saw bloody conflict as "Hitlers Firefighters" on the Russian Front and put up fierce resistance in places such as Monte Casino.

The original owner is seen throughout the album .  Photos taken in Austria, Romania, Bulgaria and Greece.

There are photos taken on a airfield on 15th May 1941 of paras with kit on ground and posing in front of transport.  Then there are approx. 16 photos taken enroute to Crete - photos of paras in plane and shots looking out from plane.

On 20th May 1941, he is dropped over Crete.  There are 7 photos, which may well be snapshots taken by him from the ground.  Many tiny specks in the sky - other parachutists dropping from the sky.

There is one photo which is dated 20.05.41 - it is one of his friends who have been killed in action. There are 6 photos of freshly dug graves on Crete within the album, all date of death 20.05.41.  The names of the fallen are clearly seen.  Each grave has the man's para helmet placed on top.  Unfortunately,  I cannot show these on listing photo because of insignia.  One of these graves is the burial site of the dead soldier pictured. I get the distinct feeling that all these burial sites were well known to the owner .  The Germans suffered heavy losses in the invasion.

We then have many photos taken in occupied Crete.  Nice tropical uniform shots.  3 photos show British Bren carrier with Germans inspecting.

There are 2 very good images showing Germans on the deck of the badly damaged and abandoned HMS York in Suda Bay.  Nine photos show Major Karl-Lother Schulz decorating paratroopers on Crete (2 of these photos also show the albums owner being awarded medals by Schulz).  Schulz was later promoted to General Major and Commander of the Fallschirmjager.

Further on in the album are two photos showing the then Commander of the Fallschirmjager, General Kurt Student inspecting the troops.

Later our man is sent to Russia.  There are some good photos of Paras in winter smocks.  Again they experience heavy fighting,  this is illustrated by yet more photos of graves/funeral services. There are also photos of war dead.

There is a  sheet of paper, I handwritten by the veteran in the album with the names of 7 of his fallen comrades who died on Crete .