SECOND WORLD WAR POSTCARDS
This page was last updated
10-Feb-2025 07:08
VERLAG DIE WEHRMACHT
SERIES 37
This series of postcards (from Verlag der Wehrmacht KG, Berlin) was published as part of an annual "Wehrmachts Kalender". The calander was published annually from 1938 until 1942 [REQUIRES CONFIRMAITON]. The designs for each calendar are very similar in that they show one week of the year (seven consecutive days) on the top half of the page and a detachable postcard on the other half. The images depict a military theme with a title in capital letters beneath the image.
On the reverse side, centrally and at the top edge is the word "POSTKARTE". Also in the centre, running vertically from top to bottom are the publisher's details between two verical lines. The outline of a stamp is located on the top right-hand side and the photographer's name on the bottom left-hand edge.
The images are very typical of the type of postcards that were being published in Germany in the early years of the Second World War and as you would expect from a series titled "Wehrmachts Kalender", all the braches of the military are represented from the Heer to the Luftwaffe and Kriegsmarine.
Since I do not have access to the complete calendars I have divided the cards into groups depending on whether the publisher's text ends with a "7-8", an "18/25", a "36" or a "37". This page relates to cards ending with a "37".
For the 37 series there appears to be two variants. The type I has larger, more spaced out ">>" whereas the type II is much more compact. The type I text is also less well defined than the type II text.
Perhaps more obvious is the pre-printed stamp image in the top right-hand corner. Type I has no text above the eagle and a closed 'g' of "gröβte", whereas the type II has an additional "Lesen Sie" text and open 'g' in the word "gröβte".
ABOVE LEFT: Type I
ABOVE RIGHT: Type II
No. 1
LUFTANGRIFF AUF LEICHTE FLAK
AIR ATTACK ON LIGHT FLAK
PHOTO: "DIE WEHRMACHT" - PILZ, BERLIN
No. 2
GUTE KAMERADEN
GOOD FRIENDS
PHOTO: HEINZ SCHRÖTER, OSNABRÜCK
No. 3
SCHWERES MG. AM WALDRAND
HEAVY MG. ON THE EDGE OF THE FOREST
PHOTO: SCHERL, BERLIN
No. 4
HERMANN LÖNS
HERMANN LONS
The full title of this card reads "AUF DIESER LAFETTE WURDE HERMANN LÖNS IN DER LÜNEBURGER HEIDE ZUR LETZTEN RUHE GEFAHREN" - 'HERMANN LÖNS WAS DRIVEN TO FINAL REST ON THIS MOUNT IN THE LÜNEBURG HEATH'
PHOTO: WELTBILD, BERLIN
No. 5
REITERTRUPP GEHT IN EINEM HOHLWEG IN DECKUNG
A TROOP OF RIDERS TAKES COVER IN A HOLLOW PATH
This card features mounted German soldiers in a small ravine.
PHOTO: ARCHIV "DIE WEHRMACHT", BERLIN
No. 6
TECHNISCHE NOTHILFE BESSERT ZERSTÖRTE LICHTLEITUNG AUS
TECHNICAL EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE REPAIRS DESTROYED LIGHT LINE
This card features mounted German soldiers repairing damaged communication lines.
No. 7
"M4". EINES DER NEUEN MINENSUCHBOOTE
"M4". ONE OF THE NEW MINE SEARCH BOATS
PHOTO: FERD. URBAHNS, KIEL
This particular example was postally used in VIENNA on 20th Dec 1944
No. 8
PANZERSPÄHWAGEN DURCHQUERT EINEN GRABEN
ARMORED SCOUT CAR CROSSES A TRENCH
PHOTO: "DIE WEHRMACHT" - PILZ, BERLIN
No. 9
BERITTENER FERN SPRECHTRUPP
MOUNTED COMMUNICATIONS TEAM
PHOTO: GÜNTHER BAUCH, HAMBURG
No. 10
DEUTSCHE ARTILLERIE IM WELTKRIEGE
GERMAN ARTILLERY IN THE WORLD WAR
PHOTO: EINES GEMÄLDES VON DOBRY
No. 11
KREUZER "KARLSRUHE" IN VOLLER FAHRT
CRUISER "KARLSRUHE" AT FULL SPEED
PHOTO: URBAHNS, KIEL
No. 12
EHRENWACHE: "PRÄSENTIERT DAS GEWEHR"
HONOR GUARD: "PRESENT THE RIFLE"
PHOTO: HARTMANN, BRESLAU
No.13
LEICHTER PANZERSPÄHWAGEN
LIGHT ARMORED RECONNAISSANCE VEHICLE
PHOTO: HEINZ SCHRÖTER, OSNABRÜCK
No. 14
"RESERVE HAT RUH"
RELAXING PEACEFULLY
PHOTO: HEINZ SCHRÖTER, OSNABRÜCK
No.15
DIE "FRIEDENS" - VERSAMMLUNG VON VERSAILLES 1919
THE "PEACE" ASSEMBLY OF VERSAILLES 1919
PHOTO: SAMMLUNG HANDKE, BERLIN
No.16
AUGUST 1914 - AUSMARSCH INS FELD
AUGUST 1914 - MARCH INTO THE FIELD
PHOTO:SCHERL, BERLIN
No.17
DER DEUTSCHE KRIEGSMARINE
THE GERMAN NAVY
This card bears the title "BOOTE DER DONAUFLOTTILLE DES EHEM. ÖSTERR. BUNDESHEERES. JETZT DER DEUTSCHEN KRIEGSMARINE" - 'BOATS OF THE DANUBE FLOTTILLA OF THE FORMER AUSTRIAN FEDERAL ARMY. NOW OF THE GERMAN NAVY'
PHOTO: HEERESLICHTBILDSTELLE
No.18
SZENE AUS DER SCHLACHT BEI GORLICE-TARNOW
SCENE FROM THE BATTLE OF GORLICE-TARNOW
PHOTO: NACH EINEM GEMÄLDE VON A. HAYER
No. 19
DEUTSCHE GEBIRGSJÄGER BEIM EINMARSCH IN ÖSTERREICH
GERMAN MOUNTAIN TROOPS INVADING AUSTRIA
PHOTO: ASSOCIATED PRESS, BERLIN
No. 20
NACHRICHTER BEIM LEITUNG LEGEN
MESSAGE DURING CALLING
PHOTO: MÜNCHENER BILDBERICHTO
No.21
AUSBILDUNG IN DER HEERESSPORTSCHULE WÜNSDORF
TRAINING AT THE ARMY SPORTS SCHOOL WÜNSDORF
PHOTO: SCHIRNER, BERLIN
No. 22
AUFKLÄRUNGS-WESERFLUGZEUG BEIM START
RECONNAISSANCE PLANE TAKING OFF
No. 23
IN DER TAKELAGE EINES SEGELSCHULSCHIFFES
IN THE RIGGING OF A SAILING TRAINING SHIP
No. 24
EINZUG DER VERBUNDETEN IN PARIS 1814
ENTRY OF THE ALLIES INTO PARIS IN 1814
No. 25
GEFECHTMAST DES PANZERSCHIFFS "ADMIRAL GRAF SPEE"
COMBAT MAST OF THE BATTLESHIP “ADMIRAL GRAF SPEE”
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No. 26
STURZKAMPFFLUGZEUGE VOR DEM START
DIVE-FIGHTER PLANES BEFORE TAKE-OFF
No. 27
STURZKAMPFFLIEGER VOR DEM START
DIVE-FIGHTER PILOT BEFORE TAKE-OFF
No. 28
GEBIRGSJÄGER ÜBERSCHREITEN EINEN BACH
MOUNTAIN HUNTERS CROSS A STREAM
No. 29
DEUTSCHE LUFTSCHIFFE IM ANGRIFF AUF LONDON (1915)
GERMAN AIRSHIPS ATTACKING LONDON (1915)
No. 30
KRIEGSSCHIFFE IM KIELER HAFEN
WARSHIPS IN KIEL HARBOUR
PHOTO: FERD. URBAHNS, KIEL
No. 31
FREIBALLONS DES NS-FLIEGERKORPS BEIM START
FREE BALLOONS OF THE NS-FLIEGERKORPS AT TAKEOFF
PHOTO: ALEX STÖCKER, BERLIN
No. 32
DAS KRAFTRAD BEZWINGT AUCH FLACHE WASSERLÄUFE
THE MOTORCYCLE ALSO CONQUERS SHALLOW WATERCOURSES
PHOTO: MAX SCHIRNER, BERLIN
No. 33
FLUGZEUG-MG-SCHÜTZE
AIRCRAFT MG GUNNER
PHOTO: "DIE WEHRMACHT" - PILZ, BERLIN. FREIGEGEBEN DURCH R.L.M., PRESSESTELLE
No. 34
FÜHRERBESUCH 1938 IN ITALIEN
FÜHRER'S VISIT TO ITALY IN 1938
PHOTO: PRESSE-PHOTO, BERLIN
No. 35
PANZERKAMPFWAGEN GREIFEN AN!
ARMOURED CARS ATTACK!
PHOTO: UFA, BERLIN, KOLORIERT VON FARBPHOTO GADOFA
No. 36
DIE PANZERJÄGER
THE TANK HUNTERS
No. 37
HELDENGEDENKEN
REMEMBERING THE HEROES
PHOTO: WELTBILD, BERLIN
The following exmple was postally used in POTSDAM on 18th Mar 1938.
No. 38
FAHNENWEIHE DURCH DEN FUHRER UND OBERSTEN BEFEHLSHABER DER WEHRMACHT
CONSERVATION OF THE FLAG BY THE FUHRER and SUPREME COMMANDER of the WEHRMACHT
PHOTO: SCHERL, BERLIN
The following exmple was postally used in VIENNA on 21st Apr 1938
No. 39
"EINZELMARSCH"
"INDIVIDUAL MARCH"
PHOTO: HEINZ SCHRÖTER, OSNABRÜCK
No. 40
GEBIRGSJÄGER MIT SCHNEEMÄNTELN
MOUNTAIN TROOPS WITH SNOW COATS
No. 41
ZERSTÖRER "ZI" ("LEBERECHT MAASS")
DESTROYER "ZI" ("LEBERECHT MAASS")
No. 42
TORPEDOBOOTS ANGRIFF BEI NACHT
TORPEDO BOAT ATTACK AT NIGHT
No. 43
"GESCHÜTZ EXERZIEREN"
"FIRING PRACTISE"
PHOTO: SCHERL, BERLIN
No. 44
SEE FLIEGERSTAFFEL BEGEGNET "U28"
SEE FLYING SQUAD MEETS “U28”
No. 45
KREUZER "NURNBERG" - (IM HINTERGRUND "ADMIRAL SCHEER")
CRUISER NURNBERG - (IN THE BACKGROUND "ADMIRAL SCHEER")
No. 46
MINENSUCHBOOTE IN SUCHFORMATION
MINE SEARCH BOATS IN SEARCH FORMATION
No. 47
SCHNELLBOOT DER KRIEGSMARINE
FAST BOATS OF THE GERMAN NAVY
No. 48
PARADE DER "LEGION CONDOR" IN BARCELONA
PARADE OF THE CONDOR LEGION IN BARCELONA
No. 49
FLIEGERSCHÜTZE IM KAMPFFLUGZEUG
AIR GUNNER IN FIGHTER PLANE
No. 50
AUS DER ZEIT DER ALTEN ARMEE (1. LEIB HUSAREN-REGIMENT)
FROM THE TIME OF THE OLD ARMY (1ST LIFE HUSSAR REGIMENT)
No. 51
SS-LEIBSTANDARTE "ADOLF HITLER"
SS-LEIBSTANDARTE "ADOLF HITLER"
No. 52
AUFKLÄRER AM WALDRAND
SCREENERS ON THE EDGE OF THE FOREST
No. 53
JAGDSTAFFEL BEIM LUFT EXERZIEREN
HUNTING TEAM DURING AERIAL EXERCISE
No. 54
OBERLEUTNANT BRINKMANN / DER ERFOLGREICHE DEUTSCHE SPRING REITER
LEUTNANT BRINKMANN / THE SUCCESSFUL GERMAN JUMPING RIDER
No. 55
OFFIZIER PFERDE RASTEN WÄHREND DER KRITIK
OFFICER'S HORSES REST
No. 56
DEUTSCHE WAFFEN-SCHMIEDE
GERMAN ARMORIES
No. 57
EIN VOLK - EINE WEHRMACHT!
ONE PEOPLE - ONE ARMED FORCES
No. 58
SPORT UND SPIEL
SPORTS AND GAMES
No. 59
U9 VOR SEINER LETZTEN AUSFAHRT IM WELTKRIEG
U9 BEFORE ITS LAST EXIT IN THE WORLD WAR
No. 60
SCHWERE FLAK FEUERT
HEAVY ANTI-AIRCRAFT FLAK FIRES
No. 61
EMPFANGERWAGEN DER LUFTNACHRICHTENTRUPPE
RECEIVER CAR OF THE AIR COMMUNICATION TROOP
No. 62
PIONIERE BEI DER ARBEIT IN REISSENDEM WASSER
PIONEERS WORKING IN POURING WATER
No. 63
VERDUN: "DIE LETZTEN DER KOMPANIE"
VERDUN: “THE LAST OF THE COMPANY”
No. 64
STELLUNGSWECHSEL EINER LEICHTEN FELDHAUBITZE
CHANGE OF POSITION OF A LIGHT FIELD HOWITZER
No. 65
INFANTERIE GEHT VOR!
INFANTRY GOES FIRST!
No. 66
"SIE KOMMEN"
"THEY ARE COMING"
No. 67
SINKENDE ENGL. SCHIFFE IN DER SEESCHLACHT VON CORONEL - 1914
SINKING ENGLISH SHIPS IN THE SEA BATTLE OF CORONEL - 1914
No. 68
U-BOOT IN SCHWERER SEE
SUBMARINE IN HEAVY SEA
No. 69
SEGELSCHULSCHIFF "HORST WESSEL"
SAILING TRAINING SHIP "HORST WESSEL"
No. 70
PIONIERE BEIM BRÜCKENBAU
PIONEERS IN BRIDGE BUILDING
No. 71
GROSSADMIRAL VON TIRPITZ
GRAND ADMIRAL VON TIRPITZ
No. 72
REKRUTENVEREIDIGUNG VOR DER FELDHERRNHALLE IN MÜNCHEN
SWEARING CEREMONY OF RECRUITS IN FRONT OF THE FELDHERRNHALLE IN MUNICH
No. 73
FUNKWAGEN DER LUFTNACHRICHTENTRUPPE
RADIO CAR OF THE AIR INTELLIGENCE TROOPS
No. 74
STURZKAMPFFLIEGER
DIVE BOMBER
No. 75
FERNAUFKLÄRER ÜBER DEM WOLKENMEER
RECONNAISANCE AIRCRAFT OVER THE SEA OF CLOUDS
No. 76
SEEKAMPFFLUGZEUGE WASSERN
SEA FIGHTER AIRCRAFT OVER THE WATER
No. 77
FAHNEN DER LUFTWAFFE
FLAGS OF THE AIR FORCE
No. 78
NÄCHTLICHES MG.-SCHIESSEN MIT LEUCHTSPURMUNITION
NIGHTTIME MG SHOOTING WITH TRACE AMMUNITION
No. 79
GEBIRGS BATTERIE DES EHEM. ÖSTERR. BUNDESHEERES
MOUNTAIN BATTERY OF THE FORMER AUSTRIAN FEDERAL ARMY
No. 80
ABSEILEN EINES VERLETZTEN GEBIRGSJÄGERS
REPELLING AN INJURED MOUNTAINEER
No. 81
PANZERSCHIFF "DEUTSCHLAND"
IRON SHIP "DEUTSCHLAND"
No. 82
SCHLACHTSCHIFF "GNEISENAU"
BATTLESHIP "GNEISENAU"
No. 83
KAMPFFLUGZEUGE IN KEILFORMATION
FIGHTER AIRCRAFT IN WEDGE FORMATION
No. 84
PIONIERE BEIM BRÜCKENSCHLAG ÜBER DIE ELBE
PIONEERS BUILDING THE BRIDGE OVER THE ELBE
No. 85
"TORPEDO - LOS !"
"TORPEDO AWAY!"
No. 86
MAIABEND AUF SEE
MAY EVENING AT SEA
No. 87
FLUGZEUGABWEHR
AIRCRAFT DEFENSE
No. 88
BEFEHLSAUSGABE VOR DEM AUFKLÄRUNGSFLUG
COMMAND ISSUED BEFORE THE RECONNALIZATION FLIGHT
No. 89
DEUTSCHE JAGDFLIEGER ZERSTÖREN 27 FLUGZEUGE AUF DEM ROTSPANISCHEN FLUGPLATZ VILLA/UIGA
GERMAN FIGHTER PLANES DESTROY 27 PLANES AT THE RED SPANISH VILLA/UIGA AIRFIELD
No. 90
ABWEHR EINES TIEFANGRIFFS DURCH ZWILLINGS-MG.
DEFENDING A LOW-SPEED ATTACK BY A TWIN MG.
No. 91
DEUTSCHE STURZKAMPFFLUGZEUG
GERMAN DIVE FIGHTER AIRCRAFT
No. 92
HJ. ALS MANÖVERGÄSTE
HJ. AS MANEUVER GUESTS
No. 93
MOLTKE VOR SEDAN
MOLTKE AT SEDAN
No. 94
PARADE AM TAGE DER LUFTWAFFE
PARADE ON AIR FORCE DAY
No. 95
MANOVERZEIT
MANOUVER TIME
No. 96
SOLDATEN HELFEN BEI DER KARTOFFELERNTE
SOLDIERS HELP WITH THE POTATO HARVEST
No. 97
JAGDFLIEGER IN MANÖVERRUHE
FIGHTER PILOTS IN MANEUVER REST
No. 98
LEICHTE FLAK GEGEN TIEFFLIEGENDE FLUGZEUGE
LIGHT FLAK AGAINST LOW-FLYING AIRCRAFT
No. 99
FIESELER-STORCH BEIM START
FIESELER STORCH TAKING OFF
No. 100
PANZERKAMPFWAGEN DURCHQUERT EINEN FLOSS
AN ARMORED CAR CROSSES A RAFT
No. 101
GELÄNDEFAHRT DES NSKK
OFF-ROAD DRIVING OF THE NSKK
No. 102
KRADSCHÜTZEN "DURCH DICK UND DÜNN"
MOTORCYCLE GUARDS “THROUGH THICK AND THIN”
