Band of Brothers

[dan swiger]

This image is from the original negative that I found on Ebay.
It's getting harder to find these treasures, but I have several now.
Having the actual negative put's me there, in the photographer's eye.

A photograph should tell a story. This one is from WWII in probably later Winter, 1945 .
I say this because Dec 1944, the troops were ill-quipped and didn't have cold weather gear. Here they have winter jackets and gloves.
This could be Belgium or Germany.

If you've seen "Band of Brothers" (Easy Company) or read the book, this unit is like that true account.
This is apparently at the company level as the guy standing right of center, light shirt & webbed helmet, is a Major.
There are at least 3 Lieutenants opposite him as they have LT bars. Probably 2nd Lieutenants that are platoon leaders.

The Major is probably pointing out what their plans are and the field of battle looks like.
The Lieutenants are viewing it, off to our right, with binoculars. The others are probably squad leaders and are Sergeants.
The war in Europe will be over in 5 months time for these guys
Note there is a camera on the ground, lower left

 

[Ben Egbert]

This is a really great find. I suspect your analysis is spot on. Which one is Maj Winters?

 

[AlanLichty]

Interesting glimpse of history. Neat find and a fun sleuthing adventure figuring out the context for the captured image. Thanks for sharing it.

 

[dan swiger]

This is a really great find. I suspect your analysis is spot on. Which one is Maj Winters?

Well, if it was Easy Company, that would be the confident looking guy pointing at his map or clip board.
I could only wish it was them. Like Easy Company, these guys probably saw action around the "Battle of the Bulge".

 

[Dale Berlin]

Very cool. I had a pair of those buckle boots when I was a kid, and they were not very warm.

 

[JimFox]

This is sure cool Dan! It's great that you have been able to find a few of these like this one. And I agree, that by having the negative it really does impart a lot of feeling, almost like the actual photographer was handing it to you.