Figure 1.-We think that this Germam snapshot was taken during Barbarossa, probably about October 1941. At this time Army Group Center had reched the Russian ethnic areas. It could, however, be Poland perhaps in October 1939. Perhaps readers can tell from the peasant dwellings. Note the seemingly friendly relationship with the children. Not only are the children pleased to be photographed with the German soldiers, but the Germans are allowing them around their weaponery.

There seem to be four kinds of snapshots German soldiers took in the Soviet Union during Barbarossa. Many soldiers took their cameras with them, espcially during Barbarossa (June-December 1941). They were not susposed to, but their commanders seemed to have taken a blind eye. Their is a vast number of these soldier snapshots. These are not official photographs. The Wehrmacht had staff photographers to take photographs, but here we are tlking about snapshots taken by the ordinary German soldiers including many enlistedmen. First we see photographs looking like tourist snapshots when visiting a Third World country. They are recording what seem to them to be curiosities. It is rather like the German soldiers are seeking to make a historical record of a backward society. Many photographs have the flavor of photographing zoo animals. The people seem stunned or fearul as the German columns race through village after village. The children are often to young to understand what is happening, especially at first. Many seem attracted by the excitment and novelty. This cganged after the first year as the noelty had worn off on the part of the Germans as well as the easy victories. The Germans had suffered serious losses during the Red Army 1941-42 Winter Offensive. In 1942 the Germans knew they were in a fight for their lives. Second we see photographs show the German soldiers engaging with the local population in different ways. Some even seem to show a degree of friendship between the Germans and Soviet people, especially on the part of the children. This varied from region to region. The Germans wwew at first seen as liberators in both the Baltics and Western Ukraine. This continued for much of the War in the Baltics, but brutal German behavior soon made it clear to the Ukranians what their intentions were. And in the more Russified eastern Ukraine there was less support for the Germans. The Germans also found suppot among Muslims in Crimea and the Caucauses. The Germans finally reahed the Russian heartland after seizing Smolensk nd approaching Moscow. Here the Germans found much less support. Third, we children seem to be working for the Germans, providing various services. In many of these images the attitide of the children is unclear except that some reward seems to be expected. What we primarily have to go on is the expressions on the boys' faces. Here almost always we are talking about boys. The girls were more likely to be kept at home and away from the Germans. We are not sure money is involved as Sovier currency presumably no longer had value. And we are not sure about German currency. Perhaps candy, food, or cigarettes were on offer. Here we are just not sure.

Tourist Type Snapshots

We see photographs looking like tourist snapshots when visiting a Third World country. Many German soldiers saw this as the adventure of a life time and wanted to record it with snapshots. At this time of the War, many Germans were taking photographs and building albums recording their military service. They are recording what seem to them to be curiosities. It is rather like the German soldiers are seeking to make a historical record of a backward society. Many photographs have the flavor of photographing zoo animals. The people seem stunned or fearful as the German columns race through village after village. The children are often to young to understand what is happening, especially at first. Many seem attracted by the excitment and novelty. This cganged after the first year as the noelty had worn off on the part of the Germans as well as the easy victories. The Germans had suffered serious losses during the Red Army 1941-42 Winter Offensive. In 1942 the Germans knew they were in a fight for their lives. Thus we see far fewer of this type snapshots.

Friendly Relations

We see photographs show the German soldiers engaging with the local population in different ways. Some even seem to show a degree of friendship between the Germans and Soviet people, especially on the part of the children. This varied from region to region. The Germans wwew at first seen as liberators in both the Baltics and Western Ukraine. This continued for much of the War in the Baltics, but brutal German behavior soon made it clear to the Ukranians what their intentions were. And in the more Russified eastern Ukraine there was less support for the Germans. The Germans also found suppot among Muslims in Crimea and the Caucauses. The Germans finally reahed the Russian heartland after seizing Smolensk and approaching Moscow. Here the Germans found much less support.

Atrocities

The Germans of course committted terrible atrocities in the East. Mamy but not all of these atrocities were committed by Einsatzgruppn were much less likely to take photographs. And the ordinary soldiers taking snapshots were much less likely to take photographs of these actions or the aftermath. Thee are some, but not very many which of course suggests that many of the German soldiers taking these snapshots understood very well what they were doing was wrong.

Providing Services

We see some children who seem to be working for the Germans, providing various services. Polishing boots was probably the most xcommon services, but there wre many other small services boys could perform for the soldiers. In many of these images the attitide of the children is unclear except that some reward seems to be expected. What we primarily have to go on is the expressions on the boys' faces. Here almost always we are talking about boys. The girls were more likely to be kept at home and away from the Germans. We are not sure money is involved as Sovier currency presumably no longer had value. And we are not sure about German currency. Perhaps candy, food, or cigarettes were on offer. Here we are just not sure.

Created: 4:09 AM 9/23/2007
Last updated: 12:08 PM 11/12/2017