Panzers in Water

A curious photo. Apparently Germany. Water trials of the tanks, perhaps?

Scanned at 1200 dpi and resized to 1200 width to post here.






Dave

 

Test run for fording capabilities? Looks like a unit of Panzer IIs on maneuvers.

The steeple in the background has the typical "baroque" (?) style architecture commonly seen in Bavaria. Professor Blackwell can surely correct my terminology and offer more information than I can.

 

Trying to ID the location.
Using the place where photo was developed as a start.
Jägerndorf , which is modern day Krnov in Czech Republic.
I'm gonna look at pics of churches in that area now.

 

I say, bang on , sir, bang on.

 

Crikey, owen, don't say there's another location savant coming through. It's creepy enough when you do it.

So, occupation of the Sudetenland? 38-39?
Most likely '39, perhaps, as the Czech annexation ran from March onwards.
If it is that, then a quick wash of the tanks for assorted parades makes sense, not that there's much unusual about tanks paddlling.
Krnov quite close to the Polish border, so could be Fall Weiss, though I can't see white crosses or commander letters on the leader & think they're usually pretty prominent. It might also be a bit summery for September.

And, of course, any other time post--annexation is equally likely.

It's a nice shot, anyway.
Writing legible to anyone? Oppa another form of Opa?

 

Doing a bit of Googling & I read that old Adolf himself visited Jagerndorf in October 1938.
see> 1938
There are quite a few images of 'jagerndorf 1938' out there.

The page has a Pz II in Krnov (as it now is) on 6th October 1938.

Hitler poslal do Krnova jen trapně vyhlížející malý tančík


Some of those lads on the bridge in post #1 , Hitler Youth aren't they ?
Black shorts, lighter shirts & black neckerchief.

 

Could it be poor conditions of roads / rickety bridges that have made them decide its easier to drive up the stream? That bridge with the kids on it doesn't look suited to motorized vehicles. Could also be a more direct route to wherever they're heading as well!

 

The river appears to be highly channelized, almost like a canal, which is probably why they feel safe driving in it - no sudden deep spots.

 

Well done, Otto!


Dave

 

I am also interested if anyone can translate the handwriting on the back of the photo.

 

Hi.

With some help I found out what the Sütterlin text means.
"Beim Wagen waschen
in der Gold-Oppa"
=
Washing the car in the Gold-Oppa
Oppa is the german name of the river Opava. The Gold-Opava is flowing through Krnov, so it fits.

By the way, Oppa is indeed also Ruhr Area slang for Opa = grandpa.

Yours

tom!