Description
This is an ultra rare original wartime Battle of the Bulge/ Ardennen pressphoto taken on December 18th 1944:
“Men of Kampfgruppe Max Hansen, part of SS Pz Gren Rgt 2 advance towards Poteau road junction”! The original description is: “A German soldier, heavily armed, carries ammunition boxes forward with companion in territory taken by their counter-offensive in this scene from captured German film. Belgium, December 1944.” A member of Kampfgruppe Hansen, they ambushed and completely destroyed the U.S. 14th Cavalry Group on the road between Poteau and Recht“.
This photo shows the by collectors nicknamed and so called “Mr. Battle of the Bulge” or “Winter Fritz” photo. Another image of him is used on the cover of countless books and movies. This large photo is showing him from a little different perspective and is even rarer (rare being a relative term as it doesnt get much rarer).
The story is wellknown too of course: Germany was making a propaganda movie regarding the battle of the Bulge, but the movie fell before it was used by the Germans in Allied hands and a few pressphoto’s were released from it by the U.S. Army Signal Corps. The one we offer here became one of the most famous photo’s and is one of those original pressphoto’s. It just doesn’t get much better.
The size is an impressive (approximately 25,5 x 21 centimeters). This would look amazing when framed professionally under a passepartout.
In excellent condition and a 100% original wartime photo.
Among collectors this needs no further introduction, but for who wants to read more, see the links under here. I also linked to Youtube where the whole movie is visible.
Background:
https://www.warrelics.eu/forum/german-photographs-postcards/mr-battle-bulge-hans-tragarsky-245300/
https://www.strijdbewijs.nl/ardennen/noord/p3.htm
