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Zion Hoffman, 55 Fruit Street, MA, Boston (2026)

31/12/2025

A candid portrait of a Heer's Feldwebel (Sergeant) photographed somewhere in the Army South's sector, 1943/44.
He wears a M40 Summer field tunic (with M36 bottle green collar) which with use would quickly fade to one of a myriad of light greyish khaki tones.
This veteran was awarded the Iron Cross 2nd Class and the Eastern Front Medal (known among German soldiers as the 'Frozen Meat' Medal). He also sports the Infantry Assault Badge (silver) and the Wound Badge in Black.
The 'civilian' silk scarf was used to soak the sweat and avoid chafing against the tunic's collar.
(Source Deutsche Fotothek - Photographer, Franz Grasser)
(Researched and Colorised by Rui Manuel Candeias)

31/12/2025

The Maschinengewehr 34, or MG 34, is a German recoil-operated air-cooled machine gun, first tested in 1929, introduced in 1934, and issued to units in 1936. It accepts the 7.92×57mm Ma**er cartridge, and is generally considered the world's first general-purpose machine gun.

The versatile MG 34 was arguably the most advanced machine gun in the world at the time of its deployment. Its combination of exceptional mobility – being light enough to be carried by one man – and high rate of fire (of up to 900 rounds per minute) was unmatched. It entered service in great numbers following Hitler's repudiation of the Versailles Treaty in 1936, and was first combat tested by German troops aiding Franco's Nationalists in the Spanish Civil War. Nonetheless, the design proved too complex for mass production, and was supplemented by the cheaper and simpler MG 42, though both remained in service and production until the end of the war.

31/12/2025

German troops on board an abandoned Soviet T34/76 tank, in a field in the Belgorod Region of Russia, about 40 kilometres north of the border with Ukraine. 1943.
(Colorised by Georgiy Stanislavskiy from the Ukraine) https://vk.com/war_chronicles
The Photographer, Franz Karl-Heinz Grasser of the 167th Infantry Division, was posted to the Ukraine in 1943 and died in Soviet captivity Novorossiysk, Krasnodar Krai on November 13 1944.

Colorised by Georgiy Stanislavskiy

31/12/2025

Soldiers brought in to Coventry to help with the clear up following the heavy German air raid of the 14th November 1940, seen here taking a tea break. During the raid 4,330 homes were destroyed also three quarters of the city's factories were damaged along with the city's tram system. Out of the fleet of 181 buses only 73 remained.
Most of the city's gas and water pipes were smashed and people were advised to boil emergency supplies of water.

31/12/2025

Coventry's Earl Street as seen from Jordan Well. The stream of people still attempting to file into work the next day, picking their way through the rubble, highlighted perfectly the point that the world's press wanted to make.... the Germans cannot bomb us into submission!
The Council House clock tower is clearly visible through the haze of smoke, and although the building had virtually all its windows blown in by bomb blast, it survived the night of November 14th 1940 remarkably unscathed - just a scattering of wounds in the stone work, which can still be seen as you pass by.

(Colourised by Royston Leonard)

30/12/2025

Schoolboys, who were dug out from the rubble of their destroyed homes during an air raid, are photographed the morning after, in Coventry on the 15th November 1940.
(Photo by George Rodger)

(Colourised By Doug)

30/12/2025

November 1944, Picture taken in/near Stolberg Germany - GI’s pictured are with the US 104th Infantry Division “Timberwolves” - LIFE Magazine Archives - John Florea Photographer.
From newspaper “The Sydney Morning Herald” 23 Sept 1944
GRIM BATTLE FOR STOLBERG
Germans Fight Hard For Own Soil
From Our War Correspondent, Harold Austin
INSIDE GERMANY, Sept. 22.-The Germans are fighting desperately to prevent our capture of Stolberg. All large buildings have been converted into machine-gun posts, while snipers have manned every window of houses and shops. Despite the determined resistance, American troops yesterday succeeded in advancing through the suburbs north-west and south of the town, and by nightfall had forced the Germans to retire to the central area.
ENEMY ADVANCE OVER OPEN FIELD
Heavy artillery duels were fought throughout the day. German batteries firing from positions in the hills behind Stolberg, directed particularly heavy concentrations at our tank columns. Peacetime population of the town was 15,000, but civilians were evacuated before the battle began. Fighting has reached the stage when the town garrison can hold out probably for only a few hours, but the
Germans are continuing to fight with fanatical determination. One company advanced across an open field yesterday and was massacred by artillery fire. After the initial concentration only three Germans out of a company were observed standing and they continued to advance until killed by small arms fire. "Never have I seen troops fight so stubbornly," remarked Major W. D. Castille. "When they came across the field in full view of our artillery observers they had no chance, but they would not give up." As American troops advanced to the outskirts of the town the defenders fell back street by street but gave no sign of breaking. American officers have been impressed by the increased resistance since the Germans were forced into fighting on their own soil. Before we reached the Siegfried Line they could justly be classed as retreating rabble, but now, they are fighting for every inch of soil. Heavy German guns--much heavier than we have met so far-have been brought into position along this sector and they are laying down really fierce barrages. Piper Cub observation planes are working in close co-operation with the American batteries, observing and correcting the fall of our fire. Flying at a speed considerably less than that reached by a motor car they looked sitting shots, but not one was lost.
color : ROCOlor

30/12/2025

An RAF Regiment Humber light reconnaissance car near the Stations Bridge in Middelburg, Holland, November 1944.

Colourised by PIECE of JAKE

30/12/2025

November 1943
Fighting Squadron Sixteen (VF-16) F6F Hellcat pilots on board the USS Lexington (CV 16) celebrate after shooting down 17 of 20 Japanese planes heading for Tarawa.

Frendberg; Lcdr. Paul D. Buie; Ens. John W. Bartol; Ltjg. Dean D. Whitmore; Ltjg. Francis M. Fleming; Ltjg. Eugene R. Hanks; Ens. E.J. Rucinski; Ltjg. R.G. Johnson and Ltjg. Sven Rolfsen.
The Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Commander Paul D. Buie, would be awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his actions at Tarawa:
"The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Commander Paul Douglas Buie (NSN: 0-72438), United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Commanding Officer of Fighting Squadron SIXTEEN (VF-16) during interception of a large formation of Japanese fighter aircraft in the vicinity of Mille Island on 23 November 1943.
"He led a combat air patrol of twelve Hellcats against a force of 21 to 23 Japanese fighter planes and personally shot down two Zeros in this action. In a similar action off Mille Island on 24 November 9143, he led his twelve Hellcats in aerial combat against 15 to 20 fighters and 2 bombers and personally shot down one fighter in combat.
"His leadership, courage, and aggressiveness throughout these actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service." Cmdr. Buie would also receive the Navy Cross, Silver Star, Legion of Merit, and 2 more Distinguished Flying Crosses by the war's end.
The second pilot from the right, with his fist in the air, is Dick Johnson, who shot down his third Japanese plane that day and overall, would have 3 confirmed destroyed, and 1 to 4 probably destroyed planes. On December 4, 1943, he would be listed missing in action in a mission to Kwajalien (Roi-Namur). Dick's plane is likely one of over 150 airplanes that rest in the waters surrounding the island.
The Pistol Packin' Airedales VF-16 squadron would produce 7 aces during World War 2.

(Photo by Edward Steichen, November 1943. 80-G-470985. (ww2_75.jpg)

(Colorized by Lori Lang)

30/12/2025

November 1943
Stuck in the deep mud, German soldiers struggle to move a Type 82 Kubelwagen of the 1st SS Aufklärungs-Abteilung LSSAHSS Division in the Vinnytsia region of the Ukraine.

The “bucket car” (named after its bucket seats “Kübelsitzwagen” later contracted) was really simplicity itself. With a two-wheel-drive configuration so successful to cope with snow, ice and mud (to some extent), the vehicle surprised even those in charge of the development. In some tests it showed even superior handling characteristics than some 4x4s. This was due to a combination of a lightweight chassis and smooth, flat underbody which “surfed” on soft surfaces just like a motorised sled, allowing it to follow tracked vehicles without much trouble.
It was propelled by a rear-mounted air-cooled flat-4, 985 cc (23.5 bhp - 17.5 kW), linked to a 4-speed manual transmission with a self-locking differential. With its air-cooled configuration it was dispensed a radiator and therefore proved less sensitive to bullets, while being also highly tolerant of climates extremes. For starting in winter, a volatile fuel was required, stored in a small auxiliary fuel tank.

Top speed was about 80 kph on the flat, 20-30 kph on average on rough terrain. The wheelbase was only 2.40 m and weight 715 kg (1,576 lb) (GVW 1,160 kg fully loaded) but it had almost a 30 cm ground clearance thanks to the adoption of a portal gear hub reduction, which provided more torque at the same time. It had a basic 4-door utility roadster body layout.

Colourised by Doug

30/12/2025

18 November 1944
A British soldier of the 5th Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry, 214th Infantry Brigade, 43rd (Wessex) Division, carrying a PIAT anti-tank weapon, resting during the assault on Geilenkirchen in Germany.
(Photo source -© IWM B 11928)
No 5 Army Film & Photographic Unit
Carpenter (Sgt)
(Colourised by Doug)

30/12/2025

US 32nd Infantry Division soldier in Buna, New Guinea with a captured Japanese Lewis Type 92 light machine gun. ca. November-December 1942

The Japanese manufactured the Lewis M/G for their Special Naval Landing Forces as the type 92 in 7.7X57SR and were used in the Pacific theatre.
The Battle of Buna, 19 November 1942 - 2 January 1943, was one part of the Allied attack on the Japanese beach-head on the northern coast of Papua (along with the battles of Gona and Sanananda). This beach-head had been established to allow the Japanese to launch an overland assault over the Kokoda Trail to Port Moresby, the Capital of Papua New Guinea.
This attack came within thirty miles of Port Moresby, before an Australian counterattack forced the Japanese back along the trail.
Photo by George Strock for the February 1943 'Life' magazine.
Colourised by Doug

Zion Hoffman

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