Hello I'm a new signup.<BR><BR>Schwarzfeder is my handle. It's from the German 97th Jaeger Division (Spielhahnjaeger, or bird hunters) of WWII. I'm just another stoppelhopser/Landser (grunt) student of WWII, especially German side from the common footsoldier perspective. So much of our world is shaped by war; so why fight it, I let my interests run free! Mountain troops is another interest. <BR><BR>I started collecting as a kid, got my first helmets in high school, plus other items. I like Kaiserzeit things; have stuff from family and my own stuff of that. Over the years waxed and waned; built up a core collection of German WWII medals, badges, insignia, etc. as well as other items. I am not a big collector, I have no museum room, tunics, etc.<BR><BR>I discovered this site while researching battlefield excavations in former Ostfront/CCCP lands, especially where my German relatives fought. Have also done research on my father's US WWII service and researched/published on Japanese WWII balloon bombs. Have read/translated German divisional histories (5th Jaeger, 97th Jaeger, Krim/Stalingrad/Kaukasus SchauplatzKronik, and Vorwaerts Prinz Eugen--the 7th SS Freiwilligen Division (in the Balkans primarily).<BR><BR>Have a BA in History/English. Former Federal conservation officer. Multiple careerist.<BR><BR>Other interests include music, writing, art, the outdoors, mountain sports.<BR><BR>
Welcome Schwarzfeder, good to have you about the joint. Have you read Eastern Inferno? Eastern Inferno: The Journals of a German Panzerjager on the Eastern Front, 1941-43 by Christine Alexander - Reviews, Discussion, Bookclubs, Lists I helped with the book and I think you might enjoy it.
Welcome aboard, Schwarzfeder! Be sure to share photos of your collection in the Militaria section. Good to have you here.
