A picture of my grandfather in some kind of uniform....can anyone guess what it is?

simko

simko

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yZ89FUm


I was recently given this picture, my grandfather is in the front row, second from the left. Im going to guess that the picture is from between 1930-1944, likely taken in czecholslovakia. I was wondering if the uniforms or hats give anything away as to the identity of the military,unit, etc.

http://imgur.com/yZ89FUm

yZ89FUm.jpg
 
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The soldier on the left with the holstered pistol almost looks like he is wearing a German M34 Field Jacket, but I could be wrong. The belt buckles might give a clue as most german belt buckles were different from these.
 
Pretty sure the uniforms are Austrian or Hungarian. Czech uniforms looks more British, don't hav the standing collar or patches. More likely Hungarian, they wore the wedge caps and that holster is too small for a Steyr but would fit a Femaru.
 
mr.e moose said:
Hungarian army drinking team with their shot glasses.Fellow to the right reclining instead of sitting might be the champ.
Click to expand...
looks like the guys in the back row are about to empty their mess tins on the heads of the guys sitting!!!

(Austro-Hungarian army? .. my grandfather served in an Austro Hungarian cavalry unit before emigrating)
 
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simko said:
yZ89FUm


I was recently given this picture, my grandfather is in the front row, second from the left. Im going to guess that the picture is from between 1930-1944, likely taken in czecholslovakia. I was wondering if the uniforms or hats give anything away as to the identity of the military,unit, etc.
Click to expand...

They're too old to be conscripts so probably regulars, or reservists called back for the war.
 
Notice the shape of the pocket flaps on the two "officer" looking guys on the back left compared wit the uniform picture. The other men seem to have shop or work clothes more than an official uniform??
 
Hungarian Army uniforms.For me caps and pocket flaps on 2 guys on the left were a giveaway.
There are many accounts of their very good conduct while in occupied Poland.

Apparently some Germans quickly noticed that and didn't trust Hungarians much.
Good guys!
 
donor said:
Hungarian Army uniforms.For me caps and pocket flaps on 2 guys on the left were a giveaway.
There are many accounts of their very good conduct while in occupied Poland.

Apparently some Germans quickly noticed that and didn't trust Hungarians much.
Good guys!
Click to expand...
The boots appear to have no laces - consistent with Royal Hungarian Army personnel ... but also worn by Austro-Hungarian troops
 
Apparently my grandfather was in the czecholslovakian military and was then prisoner in some kind of labour camp. does anyone know where i can read up on something like this?
 
When/where was he a prisoner?Number of officers were imprisoned by Germans after annexation for refusal of collaboration (some escaped) but rank and file were disbanded for the most part.

I think Slovak government imprisoned some military officers stationed in Slovakia but I don't know/never read of any details.

I very much doubt Germans or Slovaks used Czech POWs (technically they were not POW's-military prisoners might have been the term used)for forced labour-very highly skilled and very capable of sabotage.Civilian laborers were a different matter.
 
My grandfather was slovak, although back then i thought it was all the same? Im not well versed in european history, and i know there is a lot of it....
I will try to get more info
interesting about the bound feet, im trying to see it in the picture although its difficult.
 
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