Description
Illustrierter Beobachter
Donnerstag, 24. Dezember 1936 · 11. Jahrgang · Folge 52
Zentralverlag der NSDAP, Franz Eher Nachf. GmbH, München 22 NO
40 pages scanned. Instant PDF download.
Preis 20 Pfennig; Litauen und Memelgebiet 20 Pfg; Ausland mit ermäßigtem Porto 30 Pfg; Danzig 30 Guldenpfennig
Cover Page
Caption: “Weihnachten auf der Zugspitze” (“Christmas on the Zugspitze”)
Subject: A group of workers and their families sing and play guitar around a table set with coffee, celebrating Christmas. The caption notes that the mayor of Garmisch-Partenkirchen shares a genuine German “Lichtfest” (festival of lights) with the “highest” working people of Germany at the “Münchener Haus”.
Location: Münchener Haus, Zugspitze
Photo credit: Aufnahme Bayer Bildbericht-Fischer
Major Headlines & Content
Weihnacht auf Deutschlands höchstem Berg (Christmas on Germany’s Highest Mountain) — A photo report from the Zugspitze: the mayor of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Parteigenosse Schef, personally brings a Christmas tree to the mountain-top weather station, delivering it to Bergführer Barth, his wife Frau Barth, and meteorologist Hegenauer, who celebrate with punch and song. Locations: Zugspitze, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, München. Photo credit: Bayer Bildbericht-Fischer.
Um das Fest des deutschen Lichterbaums (On the Festival of the German Tree of Lights) — A feature on the National Socialist significance of the German Christmas tree custom, illustrated with images of children and families at home, including members of the RS-Frauenschaft celebrating Advent at the German legation in Lisbon. Location: Lissabon. Photo credits: Alice Heß, Inge Mantler, Weltbild, H. zu Stollberg.
Die gemeinsame Arbeitstagung des SA.- und HJ.-Führerkorps auf dem Platterhof bei Berchtesgaden (The Joint Working Conference of the SA and Hitler Youth Leadership Corps at the Platterhof near Berchtesgaden) — Report on a joint SA/HJ leadership conference hosted by Adolf Hitler at the Berghof, with Stabschef Viktor Lutze and Reichsjugendführer Baldur von Schirach pictured beside Hitler, and Obergruppenführer Wilhelm Brückner and Reichspressechef Dr. Otto Dietrich also named. Location: Platterhof, Berchtesgaden. Photo credit: Heinrich Hoffmann.
Other Content
Photo feature — “Hilfe dem hungernden Wild!” — Reich Labour Service (Arbeitsdienst) men from the camp at Buckelwiesen near Mittenwald haul heavy sacks of hay through deep snow to feed hungry deer at winter feeding stations. Photo credit: Hartmann.
Photo feature — “England proklamiert König Georg VI.” — Coverage of the proclamation of King George VI in London: crowds outside Buckingham Palace and St James’s Palace, and Richter Hugh Murray Sturges, Protokollführer of Windsor, reading the proclamation at Windsor Castle. Locations: London, Windsor. Photo credit: Presse-Photo.
Photo feature — “Stoßtrupp im Kampf gegen die Verkehrsunfälle” — Report on former Feldjäger being trained as motorised traffic police specialists under General Kurt Daluege; Major der Gendarmerie Fuchs commands the driving school. Training given in Berlin-Schöneberg and Suhl. Locations: Berlin, Suhl. Photo credit: Presse-Bild-Zentrale.
Fiction serial — “Gastspiel aus Übersee” by Albert O. Rust (1. Fortsetzung). Set in Munich, the story follows car salesman Grote and his dealings with the dancer Conchita (Chiquita) Ortega, alongside characters Herr Hasse, Annelies Hagedorn, and Zirkel. Location: München. Continues across two pages.
Fiction serial — “Werden eines Imperiums” (3. Fortsetzung), copyright C. H. Beck’sche Verlagsbuchhandlung. First-person narrative of an Italian officer recounting the Abyssinian campaign, including the capture of Adua, the surrender of Ras Seyum, and Haile Selassie Gugsa. Locations: Adua, Dessié, Tigre, Abessinien.
Fiction serial — “In der Hölle von Toledo” by Roland E. Strunk (5. Fortsetzung). A war narrative describing the siege of the Alcázar of Toledo, the arrival of General Franco, and conditions among the Nationalist defenders. Locations: Toledo, Sevilla.
Christmas story — “Der alte Christian” by Hans Horst Brachvogel. A Weihnachtsgeschichte about an elderly man, Christian, visited by his grandson dressed as Father Christmas (Weihnachtsmann) on Christmas Eve.
Science article — “Der deutsche Forscher spricht VII: Probleme der Biologie” — An interview-style article with Prof. Dr. Hans Weinert on human origins, race formation, and Neanderthal skull reconstructions.
Photo feature — “Weihnacht in anderen Ländern” — A survey of Christmas customs across England, Schweden, Frankreich, Skandinavien (Norwegen), Elsaß, Italien, Süditalien, Sizilien, Dalmatien, Serbien, Montenegro, Bulgarien, and Galizien.
Photo feature — “4 Japanerinnen 8 mal gesehen” — A feature on the dress and daily life of Japanese women, contrasting traditional and Western fashions. Photo credit: Weltbild.
Photo feature — “Entdeckungsreise ins Innere Sardiniens: Die fleißigen Kinder von Desulo” — A photo essay on children in the village of Desulo, Sardinien, shown at school and at work in the fields. Photo credit: Bernd Lohse.
Photo feature — “Mit KdF. in den Wintersport!” — A Kraft-durch-Freude feature on a skiing excursion, showing participants learning to ski and relaxing with music. Photo credit: H. Fr. Engel.
Humour column — “Humor” — Short jokes and anecdotes, with a cartoon by Klekke.
Puzzles — Treppenrätsel, Zahlenrätsel, Zwillinge, Kreuzworträtsel, Silbenrätsel, Kryptogramm, Röffelsprung, Viereck, Opern-Füllrätsel, and a chess column (“Schach Beobachter”). Solutions to the previous issue’s (Folge 51) puzzles are also printed.
Advertisements — Haus Neuerburg, Reemtsma “R6”, Chlorodont, Nivea Zahnpasta, Amann’s Nähseide, Fugger Kirsch Likör, Walter Messmer Kaffee, Miele Staubsauger, Diana Luftgewehr, Junghans Uhren, Biox-Ultra Zahnpasta, Vasenol Wund- u. Brandbinde, NS-Funk / Volksfunk.