Description
Unser Alpenkorps – Number 4, April 1940
Scanned pages: 16 | Instant PDF download
Historical German Wehrmacht newsletter of the XVIII Army Corps (Alpenkorps), digitized.
Cover
Close-up portrait of Adolf Hitler in a peaked cap, surrounded by smiling mountain troops (Gebirgsjäger). Photo: Presse-Hoffmann. No war correspondent credited.
Main Articles
“Polnische Beutepferde”
A veterinary officer’s account of rounding up and transporting hundreds of captured Polish horses, including thoroughbred stallions from a former stud, from Sambor and Sadowa-Wisznia via Przemyśl to Tarnów during the Polish campaign.
Author: Dr. Brachteka, Veterinär d. R. und Adjutant. Photos: Scherl-Bilderdienst; illustrations taken from the books “Der schwarze Hengst Bento” (Deutscher Verlag) and “Die edlen Lipizzaner” (A. Dunker Verlag, Weimar).
“Generalleutnant Schaller-Kalide”
A biographical tribute marking 40 years of service (27 March 1940) of the deputy commanding general of the XVIII Army Corps and commander in Wehrkreis XVIII.
No author credited. Photo: Privat.
“Das Lied der 9. Komp. eines Tiroler Geb.-Jäg.-Ers.-Batl.”
Song lyrics of a Tyrolean mountain infantry replacement company, sung to the melody “Wohl ist die Welt so groß und weit”.
Author: Jg. Norbert Wallner.
“Erika!”
A recollection of a unit’s first night under fire in Poland and how the marching song “Erika” became a lasting memory of a fallen company commander.
Author: Objg. Unterberger.
“Bilderbogen vom Westen – Am Ofen”
A soldier’s reflection on evenings spent in winter quarters around the stove, sharing memories of home and travels with comrades.
Author: Soldat Hans Oberhueber. Photos (6, feature-wide): Gefr. Ploetz, Klagenfurt.
“Bilderbogen vom Westen – Alltag”
A description of daily life on the Western front, including a night exercise of a mountain company and evenings listening to radio reports.
No author credited. Photos (6, feature-wide): Gefr. Ploetz, Klagenfurt.
“Die Auskunftsstelle”
An account of the information office of the Wehrersatzinspektion, which assists soldiers and their families with enquiries, leave requests and the dispatch of reading material to the front.
Author: Major v. Helff.
“Unseren Sängern!”
A tribute to the new soldiers’ songs emerging from the front, including the poem “Der Westwall”.
Author: Obj. Unterleger. Poem “Der Westwall” by Dieter Krieg, Obj. eines Geb. Reg.
“Tag der Wehrmacht bei den Ersatztruppen des Standorts Salzburg”
A report on the Day of the Wehrmacht (16–17 March) in Salzburg, with pioneer ferry rides, dog demonstrations, riding and a stew lunch, raising 57,444.51 RM for the KWHW.
Author: Obj. Josef Glück, Salzburg. Photos (3): Archiv XVIII. A.K.
“Ein Rekrut erzählt”
A recruit’s account (subtitled “Uebungsschießen mit Gebirgskanonen”) of mountain artillery training and live-fire exercises in the Tyrolean Alps in January 1940.
Author: Soldat Rudolf Loidl.
“Ein Pimpfenfilm entsteht in den Tiroler Bergen”
A report on the filming of a Hitler Youth (Pimpfe) film, “Aus der Geschichte des Fähnleins Florian Geyer”, at the castle ruin near Ladis in Tyrol, preceded by the poem “Kameraden”.
Author: Stammführer Edward Wehner, Innsbruck. Photos (4): Edward Wehner. Poem “Kameraden” by Dieter Krieg, Obj. in einem Geb. Reg.
“Ein Abend mit dem Volk”
A short report on a comradeship evening with the civilian population on 10 March, held in aid of the Kriegs-Winterhilfswerk.
No author credited.