Description

Illustrierter Beobachter
Donnerstag, 30. Mai 1940 • 15. Jahrgang • Folge 22
Zentralverlag der NSDAP, Franz Eher Nachf. GmbH, München 22

28 pages scanned

Cover Page

Caption: “Sie haben sich bei der Erstürmung eines Forts ausgezeichnet.” (“They distinguished themselves in the storming of a fort.”)
Subject: Two infantrymen photographed after receiving the Iron Cross II (EK II) for outstanding bravery; their torn uniforms show evidence of hard fighting.
Photo credit: PK Gutjahr-PBZ

Major Headlines & Content

Im Führer-Hauptquartier (At the Führer’s Headquarters) — Special photo spread from the field headquarters. Shows a map briefing with Generalfeldmarschall Göring (Commander-in-Chief, Luftwaffe), Generaloberst Keitel (Chief, OKW), Generaloberst von Brauchitsch (Commander-in-Chief, Army), and Oberst C. G. Schmundt (Chief Adjutant, Wehrmacht). Photo credits: Heinrich Hoffmann; Helmut Moebius.

Dr. Todt in Essen (Dr. Todt in Essen) — Visit by Reichsminister Generalmajor Dr. Todt (Reich Minister for Armaments and Munitions) to the Krupp armaments works in Essen. Accompanied by Rudolf Heß (Deputy of the Führer). Inspection of heavy artillery.

Alfieri — Botschafter und Freund (Alfieri — Ambassador and Friend) — Arrival of Eccellenza Dino Alfieri as new Italian Ambassador in Berlin. Received by Reichsaußenminister von Ribbentrop at a Rhine-side location on 18 May. Also pictured: wife of the ambassador in Berlin; Botschaftsrat Zamboni. Photo credits: Ruth Epper (Münchener Bildbericht); Helmut Laux.

Überall vorwärts! Der Siegeszug des Westheeres (Forward Everywhere! The Victorious March of the Western Army) — Photo spread documenting the advance in the West. Images include: German aircraft returning with enemy anti-aircraft shell embedded in wing; ethnic German civilians in Malmedy and Eupen welcoming troops. Photo credits: PK Utecht; PK Gutjahr; PK Zuerl-Hoffm.

Über Rotbrücken vorwärts! (Forward over Red Bridges!) — French-blown bridges at Bouillon restored by German pioneers. Combat images including dawn infantry assault and downed French reconnaissance aircraft near Murour. Photo credits: PK Schäfer-PBZ; PK Wandshammer-Hr. Hoffmann; PK v. Extorff-Atl.; PK Ulrich-Hr. Hoffmann.

Bomben über Frankreich: Sedan (Bombs over France: Sedan) — Aerial photographs of German bombing raids. Includes aerial view of Sedan burning, a destroyed enemy military airfield, and bomb impacts at Stavelot (Belgium). Photo credits: PK Folkerts-Atl.; PK Kipper-PBZ; PK Wandshammer-PBZ.

Advance into Brussels / Laeken — German troops among the first to enter Brussels on 18 May. Guard posted at the Royal Palace at Laeken (northwestern Brussels). Leutnant Otto Schulz (pictured, centre) awarded EK I for bravery south of Saarbrücken. Waffen-SS MG-Schützen in action. Photo credits: PK Kurt Roecker-PBZ; PK Becker-PBZ; PK Wittke-Atl.; SS-BBK Peterseim-Wb.; PK Ulrich-PBZ.

Englischer Postraub in Gibraltar … und Roms Antwort! (English Mail Robbery at Gibraltar … and Rome’s Answer!) — British destroyer stops Italian passenger steamer at Gibraltar; confiscated mail bags offloaded. Counter-spread shows Mussolini addressing crowds from the historic balcony of the Palazzo Venezia, and Roman student demonstrations against England and France. Photo credits: Ass. Press; PBZ.

Italiens Kampfkraft / Italy on German Stages / German–Japanese Academic Meeting — Italian tanks with flamethrowers during an exercise in northern Italy. Czech troops reviewed by President Emil Hácha in Prague. Portrait of Geheimrat Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Adolf Schulten (archaeologist, discoverer of Numantia) on his 70th birthday in Erlangen. Prof. Hermann Gradl appointed director, Akademie für angewandte Kunst, Nuremberg. German students visit Japan; first German–Japanese academic conference at Fuji-Yama (April). Italian productions on German stages: ‘Oberst Vittorio Rossi’ at the Münchner Residenztheater (actor Alexander Golling); ‘Palla de’ Mozzi’ at Deutsches Opernhaus Berlin (Gino Marinuzzi, opera; Gotthelft Pistor, title role). Photo credits: W. Cobnitz; K. Raimund; Hanns Holdt; Helm. Möbius.

Other Content

Fiction serial — “Die Truhe aus Peking” (The Chest from Peking) by Hanns Marschall (8th instalment). Crime thriller set in Stockholm and Berlin; investigators Kriminalrat Ebeling and Geheimer Rat Staaf pursue Christian Dalgaard in a case involving a Chinese antique chest and an English sailor. Characters: Siri, Georgina Ellgreen, Frau Ellgreen, Kriminalrat Ebeling, Geheimer Rat Staaf, Holmbäd, Sunderstand, Rönsberg, Dr. Mension, Barholm. Locations: Stockholm, Berlin, Oslo, Hamburg, Stettin, Braunschweig, Helmstedt. Continues across multiple pages.
Short story — “Das Gasthaus am Engpaß” by Wolfgang Zenker. Tale of a sinister mountain-pass inn and its pious but murderous innkeeper, who exploits passing travellers. Gibraltar mentioned as a clue.
Short story — “Waffensuche” by Cosmus Flam. Comic tale of two French officers searching for hidden Prussian weapons at Schloss Blichting; outwitted by the Baronin and her household.
Humour — “Er weiß sich zu helfen” and “Der Nachtwächter” — short humorous anecdotes. Also Anekdoten page: stories featuring Mark Twain, General Nord in Pont-à-Mousson, Liselotte von der Pfalz (1652–1722), and a Viennese Burgtheater director. Authors: A. L.; G. N.; H. v. S.
Humour column
Cartoon spread
Puzzles
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