Summary

Black and white photograph featuring German soldiers playing cards - probably soldiers from the 3rd Infantry Regiment. The photograph dates to World War I. Its provenance is unknown.

Description of Content

German soldiers playing cards. Some of the soldiers have a '3' on their shoulders - probably from the 3rd Infantry Regiment

Physical Description

Black and white photographic print - now sepia appearance - with rounded corners. Losses along edges.

Significance

One of a group of photographs and postcards that document the experience of German soldiers during World War I. Although the group has no provenance, the images show a human side to soldiers of the Central Powers. Pictures by or of World War I German soldiers are relatively rare in Australian museums. These are particularly significant as they were apparently taken by German soldiers, showing them engaged in everyday activities.

The images chronicle German soldiers' wartime experience, from serving with Armeegruppe Schaffer in Romania up until the Romanian surrender in 1917. The group includes an image of a war-damaged French church/cathedral, probably taken after the Germans were moved from the Eastern to the Western front. Of particular interest is the image of celebrating German troops in Romania - documenting a victory that was to be short-lived for the Germans.

Further research - including translation of the German hand-written texts - will shed more light on the significance of these photographs and postcards.

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