[Partially Printed Photo Album]: World War II German Soldier "Ehren-Chronik" (Honor Chronicle)

Quarto measuring 9" x 12". String-tied black cloth with stamped silver titled and cross. Contains 42 black and white or sepia toned gelatin silver photographs measuring between 2" x 2" and 3.5" x 5" without captions. Very good album with rubbing and worn edges with near fine photographs. A photo album and memory book entitled "Ehren-Chronik" which loosely translates to "Honor Chronicle" compiled by a Johann Frijs, a German solider during World War II. The first section of the book encompasses 28 pages and is professionally printed and written in German. The first of these pages is an "oak leaf battle commendation," a certificate which usually accompanied a medal as an additional distinction and was so named for the illustration of an oak leaf on it. The certificate loosely translates to thanking the soldier for loyalty in battle and for their part in the battle for the freedom of greater Deutschland dated 1942. Following this the album provides spaces for the solider to fill in information about his time in the military and provides additional glossy pages of information about the Third Reich including portraits of Hitler, Göring, and others. The professional photos show Germany during the war with images of their Navy, Army, and Air Force being victorious and saving Germany. Hitler is seen throughout in propaganda style photographs showing him visiting troops and performing inspections as well as visiting wounded soldiers in hospital beds. A section after these photos are images of various medals of honor awarded to German military personnel and what they mean. The next section is titled "honor roll - my comrades" and has a few photos of this soldier's brothers-in-arms. The next part of the book contains 8 pages of photographs beginning with a portrait of Frijs. Men are seen on patrol, posed in full uniform at attention, and in their barracks. There are also candids of German soldiers performing duties and exploring the city including one photo of a band playing at a beer hall and another of two soldiers boxing. One photo shows men in uniform posing on a large stone dragon. Another photo shows a soldier in his uniform and sunglasses basking in the sun. Destroyed cities, train stations, and local people are also featured throughout the photos. The final section of the book is unused but contained pages for personal information and photos of friends. The album ends with a uniformed portrait of Frijs. An interesting collection of war ephemera documenting a German soldier's tour of duty during the period when Germany was in its ascendancy.…