Observer
 

I would like to share this image here and hope you like it. This photo is from my collection and was discovered in Mountain Artillery unit photo album – an observer with P.08 and two M24 stick grenades somewhere in Romania. Photo has a caption in German: Advanced observer.

Best regards,
Alexander

Early war, as he wears an M35 helmet with the Heeres decal still intact.

Safety on Luger is on, rifle bayonet on belt, and he's wearing a ring and watch. Curious items for an 'observer' to display...Staged photo??? :)

I agree Rich, it looks like a carefully composed and lit studio photograph to me.
Regards, Norm

And if the enemy is at binocular distance, why would he need his pistol out? Certainly posed.

I agree with you all, in fact the first things that I noticed were the good quality of the light in the picture, his finger on the trigger, the ring and the watch then the gentle way to hold the binocular, beautiful photo but... hmmm doesn't convince me at all.


Sergio

Even if staged, a great image. I like the ink markings on the top of the "sticks".

G2

Probably a postcard image...

This is not a postcard image, but private photo. In the photo you see a man who was an owner of two photo albums that I had in my collection (my primary hobby is photo albums collecting). He started his career as enlisted man in WH artillery, later transferred to mountain artillery unit and promoted to officer rank right after campaign in Greece.

Most likely staged photo taken by a Kriegsberichter (war correspondent), I've seen a few of such photos. There appears to be a chambered round which may indicate that even if it's staged it was taken at the front.

There are many clues that this is staged. Camera position and careful framing also suggest staging. Camera operator's head would be a bit above the head of the subject soldier and therefore even more exposed to whatever has motivated the soldier to assume a prone position. Position would be very uncomfortable to hold for more than a few seconds; trained observers/soldiers who were actually observing would want a longer look. Pistol is on safe, yet finger is on trigger. Pistol muzzle is nearly in the dirt, something a trained soldier in action would avoid. Uniform is spotless even though elbows and forearms must have touched the dirt. Visible stick grenades are so perfectly placed they seem posed. The soldier is lying on one of the grenade handles, that would also be uncomfortable. Angle of view of the binoculars seems to be down. An enemy close enough for pistols and grenades would not need binoculars. Safety lever appears strawed, which together with helmet suggests early war. Most posed stills I have seen tend to be early war; it is understandable that interest in taking such photos would wane as the war dragged on.

No one factor is definitive, but the sum of so many factors make me guess +90% chance this is a staged photo.

I'm not as sure this is studio lighting. Shadows are consistent with all light coming from one direction (natural light), but good shadow detail suggests diffused light. A cloudy day could cause these lighting conditions. The lack of clear studio lighting give-aways and the loaded chamber indicator with safety on make me think field conditions.

My guess is this photo is in the field and staged. I consider such photos useful parts the historical record and appreciate the chance to see another, thanks.