Inherited an interesting photo feat. Adolf H. and W. Keitel. from (1939)
This WWII photograph depicts Adolf H. together with Wilhelm Keitel inspecting a destroyed Polish armored train during the German invasion of Poland in September 1939.
The scene is widely associated with the wreck of Polish Armoured Train No. 13 “Generał Sosnkowski” near Łochów, Poland, after Luftwaffe aerial attacks during the early phase of the campaign. A.H. appears on the left side of the image, looking into the damaged armored structure, while Keitel stands beside him observing the interior.
The photograph is printed on original period silver gelatin photographic paper (“silver bromide” darkroom process), the standard professional photographic method used in the 1930s–1940s. Several characteristics strongly support period authenticity:
- Genuine vintage scalloped (“deckled”) photo edges typical of German and Eastern European wartime prints.
- Correct semi-matte fiber-based photographic paper surface.
- Natural silvering and tonal aging visible in the darker areas.
- Period contrast and grain structure consistent with 1930s press or private military photography.
- Reverse side aging and oxidation consistent with pre-war / wartime paper stock.
- The reverse side bears a Cyrillic archival marking: “СНЯТО С УЧЁТА” which translates roughly to: “Decommissioned from records.”
This type of Soviet-era archival/control stamp is often encountered on photographs that later passed through Soviet military archives, intelligence collections, trophy archives, or postwar administrative handling after the defeat of Nazi Germany.
Approximate dating:
Image taken: September 1939
Print production: likely late 1930s to 1940s.
Yes, I know. I used chatgpt. Any other opinions?