German photo album of an Obergefreiter of the 10th Inf. Div. Heeresgruppe A and K.I.A. soldier.
This is a rare beautiful, complete and completely original German photo album in top condition!
This album is arranged around the person of Ernst Milch from Weiskirchen. Born on February 15, 1911 and killed on March 15, 1944 in Belarus during the retreating movements near the town of Babruysk on the Berizina River.
We follow Ernst in this album first as a RAD member (Rad-Abteilung 209/9) and then from a “Schütze” to "Obergefreiter. This album focuses on the battle and deployment in France in 1940.
Ernst was stationed with the 86th Infantry Regiment, part of the 10th Infantry Division of the German Heer. It was established on Aug. 26, 1939, in Cottbus (Wehrkreis III, Brandenburg).
The regiment took part successively in :
* the invasion of Poland (1939);
* the campaign in France (1940);
* Eastern Front, including around Smolensk, Wjasma and Moscow (1941 and 1943);
and later involved in defensive battles in Ukraine and Belarus (1944);
This album has a particular focus on the campaign in France. During the German attack on France in May 1940, known as Fall Gelb, the 86th Infantry Regiment played a role within the Wehrmacht's 10th Infantry Division. This division was part of Heeresgruppe A, which advanced through the Ardennes to break through the French defenses. The 10th Infantry Division, to which Infantry Regiment 86 belonged, advanced through Luxembourg and the Ardennes toward the Meuse near Sedan.
On May 12, 1940, German troops crossed the Meuse at Sedan, breaking through French defenses and allowing a rapid advance toward the English Channel. After crossing the Meuse, the division continued its advance through northern France, engaging in fighting in the Champagne and Picardy regions. The rapid advance of Heeresgruppe A led to the encirclement of Allied forces in Belgium and northern France, resulting in the evacuation of Allied troops at Dunkirk in late May 1940.
This album also contains the photo showing his grave.
* There are 110 photos in this album, many of which are “combat” photos showing vehicles and wartime action!
* The album has a very nice cover, is complete and is in very good condition.