SECOND WORLD WAR POSTCARDS

This page was last updated
09-Feb-2025 01:05

KAMPF IM OSTEN
3. WINTER 1941 / 42

This is the third of five (?) series of postcards titled "Kampf im Osten" published by the HERAUSGEGEBEN VON DER PROPAGANDAKOMPANIE EINER ARMEE - 'PUBLISHED BY THE PROPAGANDA COMPANY OF THE ARMY'. The 10 cards in the set measure approximately 97 x 145 mm and all follow a similar format in that the front of the cards features a photograph of German forces in action.



The reverse side of the cards differs only in the texts on the upper left-hand side. Each set of cards appeared in a paper envelope which described the cards inside. The wrapper was made of coarse paper and was inscribed:

"KAMPF IM OSTEN
3. FOLGE
WINTER 1941/42
10 Feldpostkarten
HERAUSGEGEBEN VON DER PROPAGANDA-KOMPANIE EINER ARMEE"

Since the cards are unnumbered, and to avoid any confusion I have followed the numbering scheme from Matthew Roth in his book "Postcards of the Wehrmacht Volume 1"

KO3-1

Three German tanks advance ahead of a column of vehicles in the snow of a Russian winter. The winter of 1941 / 42 was a particularly harsh winter, and the German invaders were ill-equipped for such conditions having thought that the war would be over by winter time.

KO3-2

Well-hidden beneath a Russian cottage this German machine gunner is well prepared and protected from any counter-attacking Russian units. Here the snow and ice help to break up the perimeter of his bunker making his position even more difficult to detect.

KO3-3
MG SICHERT DAS VORGEHEN DER INFANTERIE
MG SECURES THE INFANTRY'S ADVANCE

A German MG34 crew wearing winter capes is ready for action in a very exposed position on the endless flat and featureless steppes.

KO3-4

Captured Russian prisoners are led away by the Germans for what was likely to be a one-way trip. Captured by regular soldiers their chances of survival were slightly better than if they had been captured by the Waffen-SS.

KO3-5

A German 150 mm artillery crew opens fire on the enemy.

KO3-6

A German supply column tries to move forward during a snowstorm. The rapid advance of the German army along with the deteriorating weather meant that often much needed supplies of food, fuel, clothing and ammunition were either delayed or never made it to the waiting soldiers on the front line. The poor conditions also meant that horses became a valuable resource for use where tanks and wheeled vehicles could not go.

KO3-7
EIN SKI-JAGDKOMMANDO AUF ERKUNDUNG
A SKI HUNTING TEAM ON EXPLORATION

A German reconnaissance patrol well-camouflaged in winter clothing makes its way through the snow on skis.

KO3-8
KAMERADEN DES WINTERKRIEGES
FRIENDS IN THE WINTER WAR

Horses were a valuable resource for supplying German troops and for providing warmth in the harsh winter conditions. In addition, they tasted a lot better than tanks or trucks when food was scarce. Here a German soldier tends to his horse.

KO3-9
VORGEHENDER INFANTERIST
PRECEDING INFANTRYMAN

A German soldier in heavy winter coat with an MG34 machine gun struggles through the deep Russian snow.

KO3-10
PAK WIRD IM MANNSCHAFTSZUG IN STELLUNG GEBRACHT
PAK IS PLACED INTO POSITION BY THE TEAM

German troops attempt to move a PAK through the deep snow. The harsh environment was to hinder the German's far more than the Russians who were well prepared for the extreme weather.

REFERENCES

1. Postcards of the Wehrmacht Volume One by Matthew A. Roth.