Germany, Heer. The Wartime Photo Albums of Dr. Walter Neugebauer, ‘The Devil of Donneberg'

The personal wartime photo albums belonging to Dr. Walter Neugebauer (also known as ‘The Devil of Donneberg’), a highly decorated German veteran, best known for his heroic actions on Donneberg Hill. He served in France at the onset of the war, before being transferred to the eastern front for the invasion in June 1941, until he was moved again to Normandy in 1944. He is the recipient of numerous decorations, including the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross 1939, a silver grade wound badge, a general assault badge, as well as three tank destruction badges.

Meine Soldatenzeit (My Time as a Soldier). A photo album totaling 30 pages with 2-4 photographs per page, depicting Neugebauer’s time serving in the 1. Artillery Reserve Regiment 28 at the onset of the war. It contains pictures of Neugebauer in uniform during routine practice, in the field following the siege on Yvetot, and in the hospital after his first injury, for which he was awarded a black wound badge. The album is constructed of cardstock binding with a faux marble leather exterior liner, black cardstock pages, and measuring 26 cm x 18 cm. 

Im Kampf gegen den Bolschewismus (In Battle against Bolshevism). A large photo album totaling 70 pages with 3-10 photographs per page, as well as numerous type-written war diary letters from Neugebauer himself about the campaign in Russia. The photographs contained in this album depict life in the battlefield on the eastern front, crossing of the Neman river (marking the opening of the eastern front), extensive enemy battle damage including destroyed bridges and vehicles, Neugebauer’s experience in the hospital following his injury in the field, as well as on leave in Berlin. It also contains the award certificates for the black wound badge, the Iron Cross 1939 Second Class, as well as the General Assault Badge. The album is constructed of a cardstock core and a gray faux leather exterior liner, with a visor cap eagle insignia, the number “28” from shoulder board insignia, and a red enameled Russian star bearing a hammer and sickle, all on the exterior of the album. It measures 41 cm x 29 cm. 

Kriegstagebuch Russland 1943 (Wartime Diary Russia 1943). A photo album totaling 40 pages with 2-4 photographs per page, as well as typewritten letters in a diary format, which together paint a picture of Neugebauer’s wartime experience in Russia, including where he was injured for the second time, for which he was awarded the wound badge in silver. The album is constructed of cardstock binding with a faded green cotton exterior liner, brown cardstock pages, and measuring 23 cm x 23 cm.

A photo album totaling 40 pages with 1-5 photographs per page, wartime newspaper clippings about Neugebauer’s extraordinary actions and heroism, pictures of the award ceremony of the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross 1939, the award certificates for the silver wound badge, the Iron Cross First Class, as well as the award certificate for the tank destruction badge, of which he was awarded three simultaneously for destroying 3 enemy vehicles. The album is constructed of cardstock binding with a brown faux leather exterior liner, off-white cardstock pages, and measuring 19 cm x 23 cm. 

Overall, this collection of albums contains pictures, letters and award documents, and offers a rare insight into the military career of Walter Neugebauer. Together, they depict life on the front, consisting of camaraderie, injury, and adventure. All four albums are in very fine condition, with select pages and photographs missing or loose.