Picture of the day.

[N4521U]

Could be said of both sides.
Thinking of the photo on the pyramid, WWI

 

[michaelmaltby]

"... I can't help but look at the photo and wonder how many of those soldiers survived the ordeal..."
I feel that way about nearly all photos I post of the Germans in the east ... photos keep their memories alive. We do not want to repeat the German mishap (1933 - 1945) but we owe it our understanding of history to acknowledge the incredible military achievements of some German forces.
I have just completed a great biography of William Tecumseh Sherman and I am once again struck by how the Union forces in the west (Mississippi campaigns) fought in a manner that would have served either the Soviets or the Germans very well in WW2. Campaigns of maneuver, par excellence.

 

[michaelmaltby]

tiger-schluessel-jpg.525046

 

[GrauGeist]

"... I can't help but look at the photo and wonder how many of those soldiers survived the ordeal..."
I feel that way about nearly all photos I post of the Germans in the east ... photos keep their memories alive. We do not want to repeat the German mishap (1933 - 1945) but we owe it our understanding of history to acknowledge the incredible military achievements of some German forces.
I have just completed a great biography of William Tecumseh Sherman and I am once again struck by how the Union forces in the west (Mississippi campaigns) fought in a manner that would have served either the Soviets or the Germans very well in WW2. Campaigns of maneuver, par excellence.

I totally agree!
The photos from the opening stages of most wars (Civil War, WWI and WWII) that show the enthusiastic soldiers prior to campaigns that became meat-grinders are particularly haunting.
In regards to the Civil War, I am struck by the similarities between Rommel and Lee, where both had successful campaigns as long as they remained fluid and on the offensive. Once their momentum dwindled, they started suffering losses that they could not recover from.
For Lee, it was Gettysburg, for Rommel, it was the second El Alamein.

 

[special ed]

I read in some book, long forgotten, that Rommel studied Lee, and then Patton studied Rommel. I am reminded of the recent wars in Iraq when a surrendered Iraqi General was being transported in a Bradley, he commented as to why they had a picture of Rommel posted. A private responded, "If you had studied Rommel, you wouldn't be riding in my track".

 

[DBII]

Posted this on my thread but it belongs here. I found this picture on new years day.

 

[michaelmaltby]

[source Wiki]
Tiger tank at Kursk

 

[michaelmaltby]

[source Wiki]
Soviet counter attack, Kursk

 

[michaelmaltby]

[source Wiki]
Tiger in close support of the troops, Kursk

 

[Wurger]

SU-152, 1944

the pic source: the Internet.

 

[michaelmaltby]

[source Wiki]
Soviet T-70 of the 5th Guard Tank Corps, Kursk

 

[michaelmaltby]

[source Wiki]
Panzers maneuver to hunt, Kursk

 

[Wurger]

The same SU-152 of the 1539th CAP, 2 Baltic Front, Karelia, 1944 seen in the pic of the post #13130.

 

[v2]

…

 

[special ed]

Is he giving the driver a ticket for loud exhaust?

 

[Wurger]

I would say for the dirty vehicle and gun.

 

[michaelmaltby]

tumblr_p8rvc09jtk1xsptzpo1_1280-jpg.525180

 

[Wurger]

A knocked out KV-1 heavy tank...

the pic source: Bundesarchiv.

 

[special ed]

Reminds me of the movie " the Russians are coming, the Russians are coming" when Brian Keith as sheriff begins to wright a ticket on the Russian sub and the sub captain turns the deck gun on Keith.

 

[Gnomey]

Nice shots guys!