81st West Africa Division Unit Photo
subject: This is a unit photo showing men from the 81st West Africa Division. There are 67 men in the photo. 61 African and 6 white men. Based on the mountains and vegetation the photo it was likely taken in East or West Africa before the division was sent to fight in India and Burma.
description: The framework on which the division was formed was the Royal West African Frontier Force. One of the brigades (the 3rd West African) and several of the supporting units which formed the division had already seen action with the 11th (African) Division, against the Italians in East Africa. The division was established as the 1st (West African) Division on 1 March 1943. Three days later it was renamed the 81st (West African) Division, taking the next vacant number in the list of British infantry divisions. The division's badge was a spider, in black on a yellow circular background. This spider was a reference to Ananse, a cunning character in Ashanti mythology, and drawn so that when a soldier raised his weapon to fire, the spider would appear to be going forwards. The division arrived in India on 14 August 1943. The movement of the 5th (West African) Brigade was delayed, however, after the troopship which was to carry it was lost in the German attack on Convoy Faith off Portugal on the night of 11/12 July 1943. The 3rd (West African) Brigade was detached to the Chindits, and was intended to garrison jungle bases for the raiding columns. The remainder of the division took part in the second Arakan campaign from February to May, 1944, operating in the Kaladan Valley on the flank of XV Indian Corps. In late March, substantial Japanese reinforcements (with some troops from the Indian National Army) outflanked the division and forced it to retreat over a range of hills out of the Kaladan valley into that of the Kalapanzin. In August, the division re-entered the Kaladan valley, forcing the Japanese and Indian National Army to abandon Mowdok, a few miles east of the India–Burmese frontier. The division then advanced down the valley once again, reaching Myohaung near the mouth of the river on 28 January 1945. The division was withdrawn to India to rest on 22 April 1945. On 31 August, it was returned to West Africa and disbanded.
source: Purchased from Ebay. Unit information pulled from Wikipedia
date: 1943-1945

Pretoria Armour Regiment Photo Album of Cpl. Julius Fisher
description: The Pretoria Regiment was formed on 1 July 1913 as the 12th Infantry Battalion (The Pretoria Regiment) – a unit of the Active Citizen Force – by the amalgamation of several units: the Pretoria Company of the Transvaal Scottish, the Central South African Railway Volunteers, the Northern Mounted Rifles and the Pretoria detachment of the Transvaal Cycle and Motor Corps. The Regiment began as an Infantry Bn and served the UDF in this capacity for 30 years from 1913 to 1943.In 1943, the PR converted to Armour at the RAC depots in Egypt - for the Italian Campaign, as part of the 6 SA Armoured Division - and has served the UDF, the SADF and the SANDF in both these capacities since then. The Regiment founded in 1913 as The XIIth Infantry Battalion ( The Pretoria Regiment) in 1929 it was remanded 'The Pretoria Regiment (Princess Alice's Own) in 1936 the 1st Battalion Pretoria Regiment (Princess Alice's Own) as well as the 2nd Battalion Pretoria Regiment (Princess Alice's Own) in 1941 The Amalgamated Pretoria Regiment ( Princess Alice's Own) in 1946 1 Pretoria Regiment (Princess Alice's own) as well as the 2 Pretoria Regiment (Princess Alice's Own) in 1945 The Amalgamated Pretoria Regiment in 2019 the Regiment was renamed to The Pretoria Armour Regiment. When War came the UDF was poorly prepared, having only begun re-armament in 1936 as a war with Germany seemed possible. On Parliament’s declaration of war after Germany’s invasion of Poland on 1 September 1939 the permanent Force was only 3353 and the ACF was 14631 Active Citizen Force soldiers, sailors and airmen. Besides the trained manpower shortage, the UDF’s usual supplier of armaments, Britain, was unable to satisfy her own needs let alone the countries of the Commonwealth. South Africa had to look after herself. Fortunately under the leadership of Dr Hendrik van der Bijl, the famous South African electrical engineer and industrialist, within two years the country had develop her own war industries, making artillery, ar…
date: October 11, 1943 - July 27, 1946

Wehrpaß of Wolfgang Ernst Hermann Zinke

US/British Safe Conduct Pass Leaflet for German Soldiers in Europe
subject: A common allied safe conduct pass dropped on German soldiers post D-Day.
description: (Translation of the back side of the sheet) Principles of the Law of War Captives (According to the Hague Convention 1907, Geneva Convention 1929) From the moment of surrender, German soldiers are regarded as prisoners of war and fall under the protection of the Geneva Convention. Accordingly, their rights as soldiers will be fully respected. Prisoners of war are to be brought to collection points as soon as possible, far enough away from the danger zone to ensure their personal safety. They will receive the same food, in quality and quantity, as members of the Allied armed forces, and if sick or wounded, they will be treated in the same hospitals as Allied troops. Badges and valuables are to remain with the prisoners of war. Money may only be taken by officers at the collection points, and for this, a receipt will be issued. In the prisoner-of-war camps, sleeping quarters, allocation of accommodation, bedding, and other facilities are to be equivalent to those of the Allied garrison troops. According to the Geneva Convention, prisoners of war may neither be subjected to reprisals nor exposed to public curiosity. After the end of the war, they will be sent home as soon as possible. Soldiers are defined, under the Hague Convention (IV, 1907), as all armed persons wearing a uniform or a clearly recognizable insignia. Rules for Capture: To avoid misunderstandings during capture, the following is required: Lay down weapons, remove helmet and belt; raise hands and wave a handkerchief or this leaflet. US/QB-ZG61-1944
source: Acquired from Antiekcentrum Amsterdam in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Translation provided by ChatGPT.
date: 1944

Rafting and Bridging Military Training Pamplet No.74 Part III Assault Crossing Equipment
subject: Prepared by the War Office ahead of both the D-Day landings and operation Market Garden. A fascinating look at military river crossing technology during the final stages of war.
source: Acquired from Le Poilu in Paris, France
date: January 1944

The "Two Types" by Jon

German Propaganda Leaflet to Soviet soldiers on the Courland Front
subject: This leaflet contains an appeal from Vlasov's Russian Liberation Army (POA) that was collaborating with the Wehrmacht to Soviet troops fighting in the Courland area. It was printed by Wehrmacht Army Group North (HGr. Nord). DL 016
description: To all personnel of units and formations of the Red Army of the Courland Front ANNOUNCEMENT I have the honor to inform you that I, Captain of the Russian Liberation Army, former captain of the Red Army — Vasilyev Mikhail Fyodorovich, have been appointed by the Committee for the Liberation of the Peoples of Russia (KONR) as its Authorized Representative on the Courland Front. The tasks of my activity include: Popularization of the great ideas of the Liberation Movement of the Peoples of Russia among the broad masses of personnel of units and formations of the Red Army of the Courland Front. Carrying out measures for the incorporation of units and formations of the Red Army of the Courland Front into the Armed Forces of the Committee for the Liberation of the Peoples of Russia, whose Commander-in-Chief is Lieutenant General A. A. Vlasov. Providing assistance to Red Army prisoners of war and refugees. I am confident that in the measures I am carrying out I will meet full support from your side. Authorized Representative of the Committee for the Liberation of the Peoples of Russia on the Courland Front Captain VASILYEV (Other Side) To pilots, tank crews, artillerymen, and mortar crews of units of the Red Army of the Baltic Front ANNOUNCEMENT From reports coming across the front from my friends—former fellow servicemen of the Red Army—it has become known to me, the Authorized Representative of the Committee for the Liberation of the Peoples of Russia (KONR) on the Courland Front, Captain Vasilyev M. F., that many of you would like to join Lieutenant General VLASOV, who is the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the KONR, and place aircraft, tanks, and other equipment at his disposal. I CLARIFY: That Red Army servicemen, for the accomplishment of such a holy feat, which contributes to the overthrow of Stalin’s despotism and thereby to the deliverance of the peoples of Russia from the bloody nightmare of war, will be given the full opportunity to fight honorably unde…
source: Acquired from Ostland Militaria in Vilnius, Lithuania. Translation provided by Chat GPT
date: Most likely Late 1944 - Early 1945

Soldier's Service and Pay Book Army Book 64 for Sergeant Ronald Henry Ashby
subject: Sergeant Ronald Henry was born September 19th 1916. His home address was in Maidstone. He began the war in the 45th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery and then was converted to an infantry role in the Queen's Own Royal West Kents sometime in early 1945 due to manpower shortages. The inside front cover of the book shows the remnants of a leave pass for Cairo. There are also two leave passes tucked inside for Venice and Naples after he had been reassigned to the Queen's Own Royal West Kents. There is also a movement control infectious disease card stamped RAF Glatton upon his return to the UK.
description: 45th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery (45th LAA Rgt), was a British Territorial Army (TA) unit formed in July 1940. After serving in Anti-Aircraft Command during the Battle of Britain and The Blitz, it went to North Africa as part of Operation Torch and fought in Tunisia and Italy. It ended World War II as a garrison regiment. The regiment was formed on 10 July 1940 as part of the rapid expansion of Britain's Anti-Aircraft (AA) defences during the Battle of Britain. It was originally constituted with 500 to 507 LAA Troops, which had been formed on 1 July. It was then joined by 102 and 135 LAA Batteries, which had been formed on mobilisation of the TA (23–25 August 1939) and by 142 LAA Bty transferred from 22nd LAA Rgt, a TA unit based in Birmingham. It formed part of 1st AA Bde, which had been reformed after the Dunkirk evacuation and had been assigned by Anti-Aircraft Command to defend the industrial town of Crewe in the West Midlands under 4th AA Division. Light AA guns were usually deployed to defend Vulnerable Points (VPs) such as factories , rail junctions, airfields etc, but AA Command was suffering a severe shortage of suitable LAA guns: with too few of the preferred Bofors 40 mm guns available, the newly-formed regiments were largely equipped with Light machine guns (AALMGs) until 1942. As AA Command expanded, 4th AA Division was split, and 1st AA Bde at Crewe was assigned to a new 11th AA Division. The West Midlands was badly hit during the Blitz of November 1940 to May 1941. By the end of the Blitz 45th LAA Rgt with its three batteries had transferred to the command of a new 68th AA Bde in 11th AA Division. The regiment sent a cadre of experienced officers and men to 224th LAA Training Rgt at Aberystwyth where they provided the basis for a new 265 LAA Bty formed on 12 June 1941. When this battery was regimented with 45th LAA Rgt on 4 September 102 LAA Bty transferred to a new 82nd LAA Rgt forming in Norfolk. Later that month, while the regimen…
source: Acquired from the London Medal Company in London, UK. Unit info provided by Wikipedia.
date: March 15, 1939 - September 3, 1945

15 Poems Russian Red Cross
subject: A collection of poems sold for 1 shilling by the Socialist Party in Belfast, Northern Ireland in support of the Russian Red Cross. Includes Poems by W.R. Rodgers, Rayner Heppenstall, John Hewitt, William Adair, Maurice James Craig, James Mackinlay, R.P. Maybin, Colin Middleton, and Paul Potts
source: Acquired from Needful Things Antique store Dublin, Ireland
date: 1942

Journal of Wolfgang Schewe (Kriegsmarine)
subject: The journal of someone who served on a German U-Boat. The journal describes his time in training and the photos seem to show him during active duty. Most of the entries are during 1941, and the final date written near the logo for U-929 being in 1945 just 5 days before VE Day. The passenger/cargo motor vessel CARIBIA (12,049 GRT / 5480 tdw) was laid down in 1931, and launched on 1 March 1932 by the Blohm & Voss shipyard, Hamburg-Steinwärder, yard number 493. Completed on 5 Febr 1933 for the Hamburg-America Line (HAPAG) for their West Indies-Central America service. As a twin-screw vessel, Caribia was powered by two 8-cyl. MAN diesel engines with a total power of 11,500 HP, giving a service speed of 15 kn, maximum speed 17 kn. She could accommodate 447 passengers in three classes and had a crew of 198. Caribia begun her maiden voyage from Hamburg in March 1933, remaining on the West Indies route until 1939 before the outbreak of World War II. After 1 Sept 1939 the ship was first laid up and in 1940 requisitioned by the German Navy (Kriegsmarine) for the use as an accommodation ship in Flensburg-Mürwik, close to the Naval Academy. Caribia was painted overall gray and was armed with some AA-guns, remained in her role as a floating barrack throughout the whole war without any notable incident. German submarine U-929 was a Type VIIC/41 U-boat of Nazi Germany's Kriegsmarine during World War II. She was ordered on 2 April 1942, and was laid down on 20 March 1943, at Neptun Werft AG, Rostock, as yard number 516. She was commissioned under the command of Oberleutnant zur See Werner Schulz on 6 September 1944. German Type VIIC/41 submarines were preceded by the heavier Type VIIC submarines. U-929 had a displacement of 769 tonnes (757 long tons) when at the surface and 871 tonnes (857 long tons) while submerged. She had a total length of 67.10 m (220 ft 2 in), a pressure hull length of 50.50 m (165 ft 8 in), an overall beam of 6.20 m (20 ft 4 in), a height of 9.60 m (31 ft 6 i…
description: Watch and Duty Small Watch Groups Watch Officer: Lieutenant Fraszezak Engineer Officer: Lieutenant Thielmann Chief Engineer: Senior Engineer Hegmann Helmsman: Petty Officer Meissner Division Commander: Captain z. See Gumprich The Training Period from 7 January to 31 May 1941 My Introduction to Active Service On January 7, 1941, around 6 p.m., I traveled with the 13th platoon from Berlin to the port of Stralsund. We arrived there at about 6 a.m., after a journey of several hours. Upon our arrival, we were assigned to the accommodation in the barracks and soon went to the naval training company. There was a lot of hustle and bustle! We were met by our commanding officers. “Gentlemen! You are now part of the submarine service!” We were given a short speech. Slowly, I began to feel proud to belong to such a company. Everything here was new and exciting. In the afternoon, we were assigned to our platoons and groups. I came to the 4th company for further training and was placed in the 3rd platoon, 9th group. Basic training began immediately afterward. ________________________________________ 3 Months of Basic Training Introduction Finally, the long-awaited day of basic training had come. For a long time, I had been preparing myself to fulfill the duties of a German sailor to the best of my ability. Although I already had an idea of what awaited me — the hardships and difficulties of a sailor’s life — I was still determined to give my best. We were now to learn everything that belonged to the foundation of military service: discipline, obedience, and physical endurance. The last days were spent with intensified exercises, and we were tested in the use of rifles and hand grenades. The training lasted four weeks. Training – Basic Exercises The Basic Training The first days of service were quite tough. In addition to the regular duties, we began with basic training. That meant: “Introduction to basic exercises!” The instructors were strict. The commands had to be carried out …
source: Purchased from Don Kochi and part of the Tom Long collection. Translation provided by ChatGPT. Information on the Caribia and Cordillera taken from ShipsNostalgia.com. Information on U-929 taken from Wikipedia.
date: January 7, 1941 - May 3, 1945