PROPAGANDA POSTCARDS
(1940)

This page was last updated
20-Feb-2025 08:20

DIE SIEGREICHEN FAHNEN und
STANDARTEN der DEUTSCHEN WEHRMACHT

This superb set of 21 postcards depicts flags and standards of the German Wehrmacht. The issue date of this series is likely 1940 but needs confirmation. The cards were sold in an attractive envelope with the inscription "Die Siegreichen fahnen und Standarten der Deutschen Wehrmacht. 21 Postkarten. Zentralverlag der NSDAP Franz Eher Nachf. München."




The front of each card features an image of a flag or standard used by a particular branch of the Wehrmacht. The reverse side has the title of the series as well as the individual card number in the top left-hand corner.



The central dividing line shows the publishers' details.



The cards were sponsored by the National Socialist German Worker's Party, were printed by WALDHEIM-EBERLE of VIENNA and were the work of artist Gottfried Klein and the Nazi Propaganda publisher Franz Eher of MUNICH.

If you want to add this series to your collection be prepared to spend at least US$700.

1. ADOLF HITLER
OBERSTER BEFEHLSHABER der WEHRMACHT

This first card depicts Adolf Hitler's standard and bears the inscription "ADOLF HITLER | Oberster Befehlshaber der Wehrmacht" -' ADOLF HITLER | Supreme Commander of the Wehrmacht' above the standard.

Below the standard is another 5 lines of text "Solange ich lebe | werde ich für des Deutschen | Volkes Wiedererhebung für | seine Zukunst und seine Groβe | Kämpfen." - 'As long as I live I will fight for the German people's revolution, for its future and its greatness'

2. SERVICE in the WEHRMACHT

The second card has the inscription "Der Dienst in der Wehrmacht ist Ehrendienst am Deutschen Volke" - 'Service in the Wehrmacht is an honorary service to the German people'. Artist Gottfried Klein.

3. OBERBEFEHLSHABER DES HEERES
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE ARMY

The third card bears the text "Oberbefehlshaber des heeres" - 'Commander-in-Chief of the Army' above the insignia of the Commander in Chief of the Army'.

Below the insignia is the text "Der Soldat hat getreu | seinen Befehlen auf jedem ihm, zugewiesenen platz seine pflicht | zu erfüllen | v. BRAUCHITSCH 5060 | GOTTFRIED KLEIN" - 'The soldier has to fulfil his duty faithfully, to his orders in every place assigned to him. v. BRAUCHITSCH 5.6.40', artist Gottfried Klein'.

4. OBERBEFEHLSHABER DER LUFTWAFFE
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE AIRFORCE

The fourth card has the title "Oberbeschlshaber der Luftwaffe" and bears the insignia of the Commander in Chief of the Luftwaffe.

Below the insignia is the inscription "Ihr habt es erreicht | daβ unsere Begner Euch nicht | nur achten, fondern fürchten | lernten. | HERMANN GORING 5.6.40" 'You have achieved that our enemies have learned not only to respect you, but to fear you. | HERMANN GORING 5.6.40'. Artist Gottfried Klein.

5. OBERBEFEHLSHABER DER KRIEGSMARINE
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE NAVY

The fifth card bears the inscription "Oberbeschlshaber der Kriegsmarine" and the insignia of the Commander in Chief of the Navy.




Below the insignia is the quote "Wir folgen dem führer | in der stolzen Gewifβheit, daβ | das gesteckte Ziel erreichtund | der Endsieg unser sein wird. | V. RAEDER 20.4.40" - 'We follow the leader in the proud certainty that the goal set has been achieved and the final victory will be ours. V. RAEDER 20.4.40'. Artist Gottfried Klein.

6. INFANTERIE
INFANTRY

The sixth card bears the title "INFANTERIE" and insignia of the Infantry. Artist Gottfried Klein.

7. GEBIRGSJÄGER
MOUNTAIN TROOPS

The seventh card bears the title "GEBIRGSJAGER" and the insignia of the mountain troops. Artist Gottfried Klein.

8. PIONIERE
PIONEERS

The eigth card bears the title "PIONIERE" and the insignia of the pioneers. Artist Gottfried Klein.

9. NACHRICHTEN / TRUPPE
SIGNALS TROOPS

The ninth card bears the title "NACHRICHTEN / TRUPPE" and the insignia of the signals troops. Artist Gottfried Klein.

10. NEBELTRUPPE
CHEMICAL TROOPS

The Nebeltruppe, also called Werfertruppe, was a branch of the German Wehrmacht and Waffen-SS that was originally set up for chemical warfare. While retaining this name, the Nebeltruppe also included the army's rocket artillery, known as " Nebelwerfer". Artist Gottfried Klein.

11. ÄRTILLERIE
ARTILLERY

The next card bears the title "ÄRTILLERIE" and the insignia of the artillery. Artist Gottfried Klein.

12. KÄVÄLLERIE
CAVALRY

The 12th card bears the title "KÄVÄLLERIE" and the insignia of the cavalry. Artist Gottfried Klein.

13. PÄNZERÄBWEHR
ANTI-TANK CORPS

The following card bears the title "PÄNZERÄBWEHR" and the insignia of the Anti-Tank Corps. Artist Gottfried Klein.

14. FÄHR ÄBTEILUNG
SUPPLY TROOPS

Titled "FÄHR ÄBTEILUNG" this card bears the insignia of the supply corps. Artist Gottfried Klein.

15. LUFTWAFFE
AIRFORCE

This card bears the title and insignia of the "LUFTWAFFE". Artist Gottfried Klein.

16. JÄGDFLIEGER
FIGHTER PILOT

Titled "JÄGDFLIEGER" this card depicts the insignia of the Fighter pilots. Artist Gottfried Klein.

17. FLÄKÄRTILLERIE
ANTI-AIRCRAFT TROOPS

Titled "FLÄKÄRTILLERIE" this card bears the title and insignia of the anti-aircraft corps. Artist Gottfried Klein.

18. LUFTNÄCHRICHTEN
COMMUNICATIONS TROOPS

Card No. 18 is titled "LUFTNÄCHRICHTEN" and depicts the insignia of the communication troops. Artist Gottfried Klein.

19. MÄRINE
MARINES

Titled "MÄRINE" this card shows the insignia of the Marine Corps. Artist Gottfried Klein.

20. U-BOOT-WAFFE
U-BOAT FORCES

Th penultimate card is titled "U-BOOT-WAFFE" and depicts the insignia of the submarine service. Artist Gottfried Klein.

21. ADOLF HITLER STANDARD

The final card is simply titled "Adolf Hitler" and depicts Hitler's personal standard. Artist Gottfried Klein.