SECOND WORLD WAR POSTCARDS

This page was last updated
15-Mar-2025 12:53

LUFTWAFFE POSTCARDS
'DER ADLER'

This series of postcards appeared as part of an annual calendar produced by Scherl Verlag, the same company that printed "Der Adler" - The Eagle, magazine. The calendar appeared in 1941, 1942, 1943 and 1944. I have never seen an example of a calendar from 1940 or 1945, so I suspect only the above mentioned 4 issues were produced.

CALENDAR FORMAT

The format of the calendar consisted of one page for each week of the year, and beneath each weekly set of dates there was a tear-off postcard, see here for the complete calendar pages for 1941, 1942, 1943 and 1944.

POSTCARD FORMAT

The postcards are unnumbered. The 1941 edition and 1942 calendars each have 53 individual postcards; the 1943 and 1944 calendars do not have any tear off postcards. The total number of collectable postcards therefore is 106 (excluding the advertising cards). The reverse of each card has a brief description of the image found on the opposite side.

MAGAZINE FORMAT

The magazine on the other hand ran to 146 issues, printed every other week from 1st Mar 1939 until 12th Sep 1944. Each issue initially had 24 to 36 pages, but as the war dragged on the number of pages was reduced to a mere 12 pages. The magazine was widely available in Germany but was also available in dual languages comprising German and one of the following: English, French, Italian, Romanian or Spanish.

If you have a card and wish to know where it appeared in the calendar you can compare the text on the back of the card with the following list, click the link and you will be taken to the relevant position. Alternatively, you can search through all the postcards from 1941 or 1942

Introduction
1941: Jan to Mar
1941: Apr to Jun
1941: Jul to Sep
1941: Oct to Dec

1942: Jan to Mar
1942: Apr to Jun
1942: Jul to Sep
1942: Oct to Dec

1941 CALENDER

No. 1
1st to 4th Jan 1941

"In der Vollsichtkanzel des zweimotorigen deutschen kampfflugzeug He 111" - Aufnahme A. Stöcker

'In the full-view cockpit of the twin-engine German He 111 fighter plane' - Photo by A. Stöcker'

No. 2
5th to 11th Jan 1941

"Ein Deutscher General beobachtet von Bord des Fieseler "Storch" im Langsamflug den Bormarsch unserer Truppen. Aufnahme Dr. Strache"

A German general observes the advance of our troops from aboard the Fieseler "Storch" in slow flight. Photo Dr. Strache

No. 3
12th to 18th Jan 1941

"Flieger über Englands flotte: Ein britischer flugzeugträger ist von einer 500Kg Bombe getroffen" - Zeichnung R. Heβ

'Aviators over England's fleet: A British aircraft carrier is hit by a 500 kg bomb" - drawing R. Heβ'

No. 4
19th to 25th Jan 1941

"Das Geficht des deutschen fliegers. An bord eines fernaufklarers." - Aufnahme Beltbild.

'The face of the German aviator. On board a long-range reconnaissance. '- photograph Beltpicture.

No. 5
26th Jan to 1st Feb 1941

"Schwere flak nacht über unserer rüstungsindustrie." - Aufnahme Dr. Strache.

'Heavy flak night over our defense industry.' - Photograph Dr. Strache.

The crew of a highly effective anti-aircraft/anti-tank 88mm gun prepare to hitch it to the back of a PzKpf.

No. 6
2nd to 8th Feb 1941

"Das Neue Deutsche Messerschmitt=Kampfflugzeug "Jaguar". Aufnahme Luftwaffe

The New German Messerschmitt Fighter Aircraft the "Jaguar". Luftwaffe Photograph.

No. 7
9th to 15th Feb 1941

"Der Führer und Hermann Göring lassen sich an der Westfront von der Kämpfen berichten. Aufnahme H. Hoffmann"

'The Führer and Hermann Göring are informed about the fighting on the Western Front.' Photo by H. Hoffmann

No. 8
16th to 22nd Feb 1941

"Deutscher Messerschmitt Jäger schieβt ein britisches Gross-Flugboat "Sunderland" ab' - Reichnung R. Heβ

'German Messerschmitt hunter shoots down a large British flying boat "Sunderland"' - Photograph R. Heβ

No. 9
23rd Feb to 1st Mar 1941

"Rekrutenvereidigung - ein groβer Augenblick im Soldatenleben."

'Swearing in of recruits - a big moment in a soldier's life.'

No. 10
2nd to 8th Mar 1941

"Deutscher Luftgriff auf einen Britischen Militarflugplatz" - Rechnung R. Heβ

'German air raid on a British military airfield'- Photograph R. Heβ'

No. 11
9th to 15th Mar 1941

"Deutsche transportflugzeuge über Norwegen. Aufnahme Scherl (Krabler)"

'German transport aircraft over Norway. Photograph Scherl (Krabler)'

This image on this card was also printed in issue No. 142 of Der Adler.

No. 12
16th to 22nd Mar 1941

"Der Führer mit den Oberbefehlshabern der Wehrmachtteile am heldengebenktag vor dem Reichsehrenmal. Aufnahme Scherl"

'The Führer with the commanders-in-chief of the Wehrmacht units on the day of the Heroes' Day in front of the Reichsdenkmal.' Photo by Scherl'

No. 13
23rd to 29th Mar 1941

"Augenblick schärffter Konzentration: Der MG Schütze deckt das flugzeug gegen einen überraschenden Angriff. Aufnahme Scherl."

'Moment of sharp concentration: The machine gunner covers the aircraft against a surprise attack. Photograph by Scherl.'