Women of the Reich

[gi-rene]

Originally Posted by cyberia

If that Assault Badge is silver, then her unit took part in at least 25 offensive operations.

Nope its a standard non-armored, non-infantry assault badge.

Instituted on 1 June, 1940. Awarded units not qualified for the Infantry assault or Panzer Assault Badges. The base award was for 3 assaults on 3 separate days. Later ( from July 1943) higher numbers of assaults were indicated. (25, 50, 75 and 100)

The 25 assaults has a darker eagle and knives with a 25 bar below.

The 50 is black with a 50 bar.

And the 75 and 100 have a gold wreath with their appropriate number below.

[gi-rene]

Something brought to my attention by the German re-enactors....

Women never served in the Panzerarm, and it was a common practice for wives/girlfriends/fiancees/lovers to wear their opposite number's uniform.

[cyberia]

Helferinnen search light crew posing with their charge

Cleaning the big lens

[cyberia]

Originally Posted by gi-rene

Something brought to my attention by the German re-enactors....

Women never served in the Panzerarm, and it was a common practice for wives/girlfriends/fiancees/lovers to wear their opposite number's uniform.

You know, that combat badge bugs me in that photo, and you might be right on that. However, female administrative aids did serve with Panzer Divisions at the command level, although I doubt in the same black uniform as the crews.

She may have very well have been a Blitzmädel.

One of the things I have found with photos of German women in service, is they have little or no information attached. I also discovered when I goggled the subject, there are scores of these photos for sale on ebay.

[PanzerBob]

Originally Posted by cyberia

An unknown Blitzmädel attached to the 14th Panzer Division

I suspect a girlfriend poseing in her man's uniform, apparently this was a popular thing to do. Nice looker too


Sorry Gi-rene should have read thru first, however

[Jim O]

Originally Posted by PanzerBob

I suspect a girlfriend poseing in her man's uniform, apparently this was a popular thing to do. Nice looker too


Sorry Gi-rene should have read thru first, however

Yes, the uniform does appear to be a bit over-sized for her.

Good pick-up guys!

[cyberia]

I wonder where all the one's on Ebay come from. War booty? No one sells family photos.

[gi-rene]

Yes I agree she's quite cute... Especially in a Panzerwaffe uniform


Paul, you'd be surprised. Especially I think it fits with the attitude of Germany and the war, they'd rather forget it all together and I think this is a part of it. I know there are guys out there who collect personal wartime photos. I once found an excellent site of East Front photos you'd never seen... all by a guy who buys and collects the plates/film/photos from personal sources instead of official.

[Panzermacher]

Actually I would say this very well could be a Propaganda pic. I once seen one of a very cute girl wearing a Combat Pilot's Jacket....Something for the troops to use as a pin-up of sorts....a pretty girl dressed in the same uniform the "Boys" are wearing....Definitely "Authorized" pin-up material??? What do ya guys think?

[gi-rene]

Originally Posted by Panzermacher

Actually I would say this very well could be a Propaganda pic. I once seen one of a very cute girl wearing a Combat Pilot's Jacket....Something for the troops to use as a pin-up of sorts....a pretty girl dressed in the same uniform the "Boys" are wearing....Definitely "Authorized" pin-up material??? What do ya guys think?

Yeah but it lacks the quality and pizazz that even a pinup photo would have. like an open wrap, or a situation, or her pulling on a tie. This just looks like a simple standing snapshot in front of a brick wall.