Mi.689-690 (04.04.1939) Reich Profession Competition Mi.689-690 (04.04.1939) Reich Profession Competition Mi.689-690 Postcard depicting Adolf Hitler addressing a large crowd gathered at the Theaterplatz in Karlsbad, 4th October 1938. The caption to the reverse of the postcard reads, 'Liberation of the Sudetenlands, October 1938'. Featuring Mi.689 & 690 from the Reichs Profession Competition issue (first day of release). Ref: 04.04.1939 Mi.689 - 690 Reichs Profession Competition ('Reichsberufswettkampf') Notes: Design: Erich Meerwald . Photogravure printing. Sheets 10 x 10. Swastika watermark. Perf. 14. Quantity issued: unknown. Valid until 31.12.1940 Mi.689 (6 Pf). Ref: 04.04.1939 Mi.690 (12 Pf). Ref: 04.04.1939 Contact Brief History to inform us of additional information regarding this page

1st September 1939 1st September 1939 Call-up instruction sheet Wehrbezirkskommando München II — Wehrmacht recruitment document Official German military instruction sheet entitled “Merkblatt über Pflichten der zur Erfüllung der aktiven Dienstpflicht ausgehobenen Rekruten”, issued under the authority of Wehrbezirkskommando München III, part of the Wehrmacht's recruitment and replacement administration in Wehrkreis VII (Munich). The document explained the legal and practical obligations imposed upon a conscript after receipt of his Gestellungsbefehl (call-up/reporting order), including his change to military status, police deregistration, termination of civilian employment and arrangements for travelling to his assigned military reporting point. Ref: 36/40 (Without a date on document save the printers imprint '05.37' - May 1937). THE DOCUMENT READS: Wehrbezirks-kommando München III Instruction sheet concerning the obligations of recruits called up for the fulfilment of active military service 1(a) Upon delivery of the call-up order ( Gestellungsbefehl ) , you belong, as a recruit provisionally released to your home, to those liable for military service who are on leave, and are subject to the laws, regulations and provisions applicable to them. In matters relating to official dealings with superiors, military discipline and duties of subordination, you are subject to military discipline. In cases of unauthorised absence, desertion, self-inflicted incapacity for service and offences against superiors, the regulations applicable to soldiers shall apply to you. (b) From 00:00 hours on the reporting day , you are a soldier and are therefore subject to the laws, regulations and provisions applicable to soldiers. 2. You are hereby granted leave until the reporting day at your present permanent place of residence. Should you change your residence or permanent place of abode before the reporting day, you must report this, either personally or in writing, within one week to the responsible Wehrmeldeamt (precise address). If you move into another military registration district, this notification must also be made within the same period to the newly responsible Wehrmeldeamt. The call-up order issued by the previously responsible Wehrbezirkskommando remains valid. 3. In good time before the reporting day, you must deregister with the police registration authority responsible for you, presenting your call-up order. A notation confirming the deregistration must be entered upon the call-up order. 4(a) The call-up order must immediately be presented to the head of your workplace, employer, etc. (b) Upon leaving your employment, and no later than 48 hours before the reporting day , you are required to present your employment record ( Arbeitsbuch ) to the responsible Labour Office, informing it of your call-up, so that a notation recording its closure may be entered. 5. If you are instructed to travel as part of a collective transport ( Sammeltransport ) — that is, where the reporting day, time and place have not yet been entered on the call-up order — you will receive a postcard before your induction stating the reporting day, time and place. You need obtain a military travel ticket only as far as the reporting location stated on the postcard, provided that the authorisation for travel has not already been crossed out on the front of the call-up order. Regarding reimbursement of fares paid by you, see paragraph 6. 6(a) You may travel from your permanent place of residence to the ordered reporting location on foot, by railway or by other regularly operating means of transport. Only the cost of the cheapest route will be reimbursed. Where several different public means of transport are available, the one causing the lowest travelling costs must be selected. If a special train for recruits travelling in your direction is announced in the newspapers shortly before your call-up, you must use it. If travelling individually, you must, wherever possible, obtain a military travel ticket ( Militärfahrkarte ) from the railway station at your permanent place of residence on the day before beginning your journey, upon presentation of the call-up order. For journeys of up to 200 kilometres , third-class express and fast trains may be used; for distances exceeding 200 kilometres, their use will be reimbursed. For reimbursement of fares paid personally, the ticket must be stamped at the destination. It must then be surrendered to the office or unit to which you have been called. Reimbursement of expenditure will be made only upon presentation of the tickets and any supplementary tickets. 6(b) If you are without financial means, you may, upon presentation of the call-up order — and, if assigned to collective transport, the postcard referred to in paragraph 5 — apply personally or in writing to the Bürgermeister of your municipality of residence for payment of travelling expenses for the public transport you are required to use. Your municipality of residence is regarded as the place in which you are staying at the time of your call-up into the Wehrmacht. The advance received must be reported upon arrival at your military office. The amount of travelling money paid is to be recorded by the Bürgermeister upon the call-up order. (Page Two) 7. If you are unable to provide yourself with sufficient outer clothing, footwear and a shirt , you may apply to the Bürgermeister of your municipality of residence (see paragraph 6b). 8. If illness or other unavoidable circumstances prevent you from appearing personally at the appointed time, you must immediately notify the Wehrbezirkskommando which called you up (see upper left), stating the reason. As confirmation, you must provide a certificate from an official medical officer ( Amtsarzt ), or a certificate from your attending doctor endorsed by the official medical officer. You are responsible for any costs incurred. 9. Provided the statutory conditions are met, your dependants may receive financial assistance during the period of your call-up under the Family Support Act of 30th March 1936 and the regulations issued for its implementation. Further information is available from the Bürgermeister of your municipality of residence, who will also receive applications for support. The relevant provisions state: (a) Section 2 of the Family Support Act Persons entitled to support, insofar as their necessary living requirements are not otherwise adequately secured, are the following dependants of the person called up: I. The wife; legitimate children or children declared legitimate; children adopted before the call-up order was issued; and stepchildren of the person called up, provided that they live with his wife. II. Where, up to the time the call-up order was issued, the person called up had wholly or substantially been their provider: A divorced wife who, under §1578 of the Civil Code, is entitled to maintenance from the person called up; Grandchildren, foster children and stepchildren not living with the wife of the person called up; Illegitimate children, where the person called up has acknowledged paternity under §1718 of the Civil Code or where his obligation to provide maintenance has been established in an enforceable legal instrument; Relatives in the direct ascending line; Adoptive parents, where they had adopted the person called up before the call-up order was issued; step-parents and foster parents. (b) Section 3 of the regulations implementing the Family Support Act The granting of support depends upon the submission of an application. The application may be made by the person called up or by those entitled to support, from the date on which the call-up order is issued, either orally or in writing to the appropriate municipal or district authority or to the Bürgermeister of the municipality of residence. Those selected for service are advised to submit the application as early as possible so that payment of family support is secured from the reporting date onwards. 10. You must appear punctually at the reporting place at the time stated in the call-up order or on the postcard. If you have been called up as an individual traveller, you must — unless otherwise ordered — arrive at your assigned location ( unit or naval unit ) no later than 14:00 hours . Civilian clothing is treated in accordance with the laws, regulations and provisions applicable to soldiers. (At the foot of the page) “471 Druckerei Gen. Kdo. VII. A.K., München 5.37” (Note: “Gen. Kdo. VII. A.K.” is Generalkommando VII. Armeekorps — General Command, VII Army Corps , Munich. The 5.37 is very likely the printing date/code for May 1937 . Contact Brief History to inform us of additional information regarding this page

18th June 1939 JB: Wiener-Neustadt 18th June 1939 Bochmann Wiener-Neustadt Self-addressed CTO postcard sent from Wiener-Neustadt to Magdeburg. Featuring cancellation JB:Wiener-Neustadt1/769. Ref: 18.06.1939 WIENER-NEUSTADT cancellations as featured in the Bochmann catalogues (1952) JB:Wiener-Neustadt1/769 - 'Kreistag/ der N.S.D.A.P./ 18.6.1939'. Ref: 18.06.1939 Contact Brief History to inform us of additional information regarding this page

25th August 1939 Václav Matěj Kramerius 25th August 1939 Václav Matěj Kramerius Newpspaper/ journal wrapper sent from an unknown correspondent to Kramerius and Co., bookstore, publ. trading company. Featuring newspaper stamps Mi.42 (2 H) and Mi.44 (two x 7 H). Ref: 25.08.1939 (date difficult to read). Further research required as to the exact business of Kramerius a spol. However, it appears likely that the business was started by Václav Matěj Kramerius but passed into the hands of others whilst keeping it's original name. Václav Matěj Kramerius Václav Matěj Kramerius (1753 - 1808) was a Czech publisher, journalist and writer, one of the most important early figures of the Czech National Revival. Born as Matěj Valentin Kramerius to the Roman Catholic family of burghers of Klatovy town, southwestern Bohemia, he went to the Jesuit high school there and then studied philosophy and law at the Charles-Ferdinand University in Prague (1778–1780). During his studies he earned money by cataloguing the library of a nobleman, which gave him access to old Czech books. From 1786 he worked as a journalist in the only and oldest Czech language weekly Pražské poštovské noviny but in 1789 he started a newspaper of his own (renamed to Krameriusovy c. k. vlastenecké noviny in 1791), which he published regularly until his death. As a result of its commercial success, he was able to buy a printing shop and subsequently established a publishing house (named 'Česká expedice') in 1795. Most Czech language books of his time were published there. Kramerius himself wrote about 80 books of varying quality; most successful were his calendars for farmers. His son Václav Rodomil Kramerius (1792 - 1861) continued the work of his father and worked as an editor, author and translator of hundreds of short stories and novellas. He was unsuccessful at keeping his fathers business operational. Source: Wikipedia Contact Brief History to inform us of additional information regarding this page

5th September 1939 5th September 1939 FPN09871 Early WWII feldpost envelope sent from FPN 09871 (3. Kompanie Infanterie-Regiment 388) from PSST Kassel. Featuring a 28mm 'Feldpost' cancel (Type 1) - distinguishing letter unknown, with 3-digit Kenn number 467 (location from 1940 being 'Scandinavia'). Ref: 05.09.1939

12th October 1939 Lager Lechfeld 12th October 1939 lager Lechfeld Cover sent from Grosse Kampfliegerschule Lechfeld and bearing the camp cancellation (form 1). Ref: 12.10.1939 - 21/17, MFP32P70 Lager Lechfeld Airfield (Fliegerhorst) 20 km south of Augsburg in Bavaria. Construction began in 1934 and it was inaugurated as a Luftwaffe Fliegerhorstkommandantur by autumn 1935. A major pre-war and wartime training base for bombers and night fighters. Wartime conversion courses to the Me 410 and He 177 were carried out here. Additionally, it was a wartime factory airfield (Industriehafen) used by the Messerschmitt firm for final assembly and test flight prior to delivery. In 1944-45, Me 262 jet units were equipped at Lechfeld. School Units: Bombenschule Lechfeld (Mar 34 – Apr 35); Kampffliegerschule Lechfeld (May 35 – Oct 38); Grosse Kampffliegerschule Lechfeld (Nov 38 – Dec 39); II./NJ-Schule 1 (Nov 42 – Mar 43); II./NJG 101 (May – Dec 43); II.(Versuchs-)/KG 101 (Sep 43 – May 44). Contact Brief History to inform us of additonal information regrding this page

6th March 1939 JB: Giessen 6th March 1939 Bochmann Giessen Cover sent from Giessen featuring special cancellation JB:Giessen8/315. Ref: 06.03.1939 GIESSEN cancellations as featured in the Bochmann catalogues (1952) JB: Giessen8/315 - 'Besucht die alte/ Universitätsstadt/ Gießen an der Lahn', '-1/a'. Ref: 06.03.1939 Contact Brief History to inform us of additional information regarding this page

20th December 1939 Barlog 1475 20th December 1939 Barlog 1475 Barlog cartoon postcard depicting a parlour scene with an admiring lady gazing upon a soldier. Bestell-Nr.1475. Sent from Koblenz (with cancel JB:342/835) by a soldier with FPN 04583 (6. Kranken-Kraftwagen-Zug Armee-Sanitäts-Abteilung 572 - an Ambulance corps - a complicated area of research). Ref: 20.12.1939 - 30/7 The caption reads: Translation required Contact Brief History to inform us of additional information regarding this page

20th December 1939 Infantry Assault Badge 20th December 1939 Infantry Assault Badge Full length photograph depicting a German Gefreiter displaying the Infantry Assault Badge upon his left breast pocket (together with a ribbon, for the Iron Cross, 2nd Class, worn form the second tunic button). Ref: 20.12.1939 - 25/29 Infantry Assault Medal Contact Brief History to inform us of additional information regarding this page

11th June 1939 JB: Gehrden 11th June 1939 Bochmann Gehrden Postcard sent from Gehrden über Hannover to an address in Magdeburg. Featuring special cancellation JB: Gerhrden1/308. Ref: 11.06.1939 GEHRDEN cancellation as featured in the Bochmann catalogues (1952) Note: This is the only special cancellation of the 3rd Reich period. JB:Gehrden1/308 - 'Kreistag Kalenberg/ 10.-11.6.1939'. Ref: 11.06.1939 The cancellation depicts The Burgberg tower. It was built in 1897/1898. It measures a height of 20.56 m. The viewing platform is 176.69 m above sea level and, on a clear day, allows a wonderful panoramic view of the Calenberger Land all the way to the Steinhuder Meer. Today only the tower remains. The tower was restored by the city of Gehrden in 1985 as a viewing tower. Contact Brief History to inform us of additional information regarding this page

3rd June 1939 Reich Veterans' Day 3rd June 1939 Reichs Veterans' Day 1939 Reich Veterans' Day, Kassel, 3rd June 1939 ( Grossdeutscher Reichskriegertag 1939) See 27.12.1939 - 30/15 In 1939, the so-called Reich Veterans' Day took place in Kassel. It was organized by the Kyffhäuser League, an association of veterans. Because Hitler was expected to attend, the turnout increased from the anticipated 200,000 to 300,000. Some of these visitors were housed in the so-called 'Bed House,' which was later popularly known as the 'Reich Veterans' Hall,' located on Forstfeldstrasse in Bettenhausen. This building normally stored 30,000 beds and 60,000 mattresses. Kassel also called itself 'The City of the Reich Veterans' Days.' This designation is said to be one of the reasons for the massive [event/situation - context needed]. The bombing of the city center in 1943 claimed the lives of over 10,000 people. The author found the following article many years ago, without an author being identified. 'The euphoria in the first days of June knew no bounds. Kassel wasn't just in Germany's spotlight. All of Europe, albeit mostly with concern, was watching the city on the Fulda River, where almost 300,000 German soldiers from the (First) World War and the Wehrmacht were assembling. The newspapers seemed to have only one topic: the 1st Greater German Reich Veterans' Day from 2nd - 4th June. More pompous and louder than previous veterans' days. Greater German because Austria, the Sudetenland, and the Memel Territory were 'annexed' to the Reich.' Kassel had dressed up especially for one day. It was Sunday, the final day, on which Adolf Hitler was scheduled to visit and review the military parade. He had last been in Kassel in 1933. For a long time, it was unclear where the Reich Chancellor would enter the city. Many speculated that he would arrive at Wilhelmshöhe station. The news that Hitler was on the run spread like wildfire in the early hours of Sunday morning.The plane will arrive at the airfield in Waldau . Around 9:40 a.m., SS Reichsführer Heinrich Himmler's aircraft lands, and shortly afterward, the drone of other aircraft engines can be heard in the distance. They touch down on the airfield, and Hitler disembarks a short time later. Honour guards are assembled, and the Badenweiler March is played. Hitler greets the head of the Reich Veterans' League, General Wilhelm Reinhard, and the Gauleiter Karl Weinrich. Leading military officers and high-ranking National Socialists, among them Colonel General Wilhelm Keitel and Reich Leader Martin Bormann, accompany Hitler. The Kasseler Neueste Nachrichten reports on a triumphal procession. Hitler stands and salutes in his open car. He rolls along Leipzig Street, whichFrom the Fulda Bridge , through the old town to Königsstraße. Thousands of Kassel residents cheer him frenetically. The city center is a sea of flags. Loudspeakers are set up everywhere. People—around 200,000 citizens in total—line the streets, cheering. However, they are forbidden from bringing bouquets of flowers or even throwing them into Hitler's car. The reason given is that it poses a danger to the German people. Hitler drives to Friedrichsplatz, where large grandstands have been erected, and finally reaches the Karlswiese in the Aue park. The enormous military spectacle, a massive parade and the sole demonstration of power by the Hitler regime, begins. Foreign guests, including the Japanese ambassador and military attachés from Hungary and Finland, also heard Hitler's rousing words after the Reich Veterans' Leader's welcoming address. 'My comrades,' he began, 'this is the first time I have participated in a Reich Veterans' Day, the first time I have spoken to you, former soldiers of the old and also the new Wehrmacht.' During his speech, the demagogue particularly attacked England and condemned 'the theft of the German colonies.' 'Heil Hitler,' the crowd chanted repeatedly. Many had forgotten the defeat in the war, which they perceived as a disgrace, and finally felt a new national strength. It was being systematically instilled in them. On this Sunday, General Reinhard called out to the crowd: 'The people are proud of their regained military sovereignty and of the new era that has earned the German people respect in the world.' The level of organisation is, as always when the Nazis plan self-promotional events, very high. Mishaps are abhorred. The Reichskriegertag GmbH (Reich Veterans' Day Ltd.) and the Kassel Tourist Association are organising this impressive spectacle. Soldiers have been brought to Kassel on 119 special trains. They had originally expected 'only' 200,000, but in reality, more arrived. They are spending the night in a warehouse in Bettenhausen, in a tent on Friedrichsplatz, and with Kassel families. Providing for their needs alone is no easy logistical challenge. Leister's meadow on Leipziger Straße has been converted into a large-scale kitchen. The 'Bavarian Relief Train,' a catering unit, is in charge. Twenty thousand kettles are set up to prepare coffee, tea with rum, and marching tea. 360,000 portions of food are being cooked. There's pea soup with bacon, goulash with mushrooms, and beef with noodles. Warriors are hungry. Hitler left the city around 7 p.m., just as he had arrived. By plane. He inspected the ranks of the honour guard one last time and boarded the aircraft. Hitler would never return. The hall still stands in Forstfeld. It's barely visible from Forstfeldstraße, as it's set back from the road. The picture was taken from the hiking trail that runs along the former site. The photo shows the Söhrebahn railway line at the corner of 'Schwarzer Weg,' which leads to the station. It is still in use; the roof was repaired some time ago. Source: (Unknown author). https://www.erinnerungen-im-netz.de/ Contact Brief History to inform us of additional information regarding this page

30th November 1939 30th November 1939 3. Zerstorer Flottille Feldpost letter-sheet sent from Hanns Hagl in Swinemünde (FPN M34714 5. Zerstorer-Division, dann 3. Zerstorer-Flottille) to an address in Kempten. Featuring a Type 19 variation date cancel. Ref: 30.11.1939 A loose translation of the typewritten message 'Today, after returning from a short sea voyage, you too should receive a greeting from me. After all our great successes, I feel like a million bucks, but I have to have some time to relax soon, since we've been doing our duty up here at the see since the beginning of the war with Poland and England and haven't had a moment's rest yet, while our grey comrades at the Westwall have been beating their fingers bloody playing skat for a long time. Well, no task is too difficult for us and we will spare no effort if only we can give our western mortal enemy a good beating. Hopefully I will be able to come to Kempten for a few days while my dear father is still there, and then we can sit down in a cosy corner one evening and talk about our experiences. At the moment I have a lot to do, because we have been joined by two fast destroyers, which are now being integrated into the new 'Fast Flotilla' and of course make most of the work for the flotilla adjutant. I am proud to be the only one of my year to be able to serve on such a splendid front line unit. In this respect, I have really become a mighty swine to my comrades, most of whom are now loafing around in a land formation. You poor warrior woman is now usually alone, too, or has your husband already been released for home service? Now I wish you all the best and look forward to seeing you again. Now I'm going out again for a few days, and so I'd like to send you many heartfelt greetings.' 'After all our great successes, I feel like a million bucks...' (extract from Wikipedia) On the night of 17th-18th October 1939, Z21 Wilhelm Heidkamp led Z16 Friedrich Eckoldt , Z17 Diether von Roeder , Z18 Hans Lüdemann , Z19 Hermann Künne , and Z20 Karl Galster as they laid a minefield off the mouth of the River Humber . The British were unaware of the minefield's existence and lost seven ships totaling 25,825 gross register tons (GRT). On the night of 12th-13th November Z21 Wilhelm Heidkamp , now the flagship of the Commander of Destroyers ( Führer der Zerstörer ), Captain ( Kapitän zur See ) Friedrich Bonte , escorted Z18 Hans Lüdemann , Z19 Hermann Künne , and Z20 Karl Galster as they laid 288 magnetic mines in the Thames Estuary . Once again unaware of the minefield's existence, the British lost the destroyer Blanche and thirteen merchant ships displacing 48,728 GRT. Note: Z17, Z18, Z19, and Z20 were all part of the 5. Zerstorer Division, 3. Zerstorer Flottille, in which Hanns Hagl served, possibly onboard one of the ships in these actions. Contact Brief History to inform us of additional information regarding this page