Johannes Vosskamp (1896-1945) was a veteran of World War I and so were his brothers. It is unclear when he became a Nazi party member. In World War II, he was drafted at the age of 46 (ca. 1942) as part of"Organisation Tod" behind the lines. He was sent to Serbia and was declared"missing in actio" at the end of the war in 1945.
Edith, Ralph & Peter Liebner donated original 9.5mm films showing early Nazi party gatherings in Germany, including a trip to the annual Nuremberg rally in 1935. Shot by a World War I veteran and early party member, the footage provides an insider’s perspective on the development of the Nazi movement that offers a striking contrast to the official documentation found in German newsreels and propaganda films.
No given title. Inside can with Film ID 2895
Includes handwritten slates in German. Uniformed German soldiers with helmets lined up for review. An officer inspects a rifle. Another view of the troops in the street. Small groups of Wachkommandos march ahead in a courtyard. Another group marches away, relieved from their duties of watching the barracks, with civilians in the streets behind. CU of a sign,"8. (M.G.) Komp. Inf. Regt. Goettinge" affixed to Barracks 3 with two soldiers at the entrance. Soldiers at target practice (mixed dress from WWI and new Wehrmacht outfits). The first man introduced as Sergeant Schmitz, followed by Private Bolte, and then Meissner, the chief of the 172nd Regiment veterans group from Duesseldorf, at 01:02:04. Quick CU of Sgt. Schmitz from Hilden, Germany. Queue of soldiers waiting, then at leisure, smoking, shooting pistols. One rides a bicycle. Pan of a group of men (the title card jokes that they are at odds with Meissner). New Wehrmacht recruits march away. 01:03:40 Frau Meissner walks towards the camera (going shopping according to the slate). The WWI second platoon (B-Zug) soldiers on horses parading on the street, some pulling carts. 01:04:17 Celebrating 100 years (of the 172nd Regiment?) with a military demonstration. Physically fit men running in an outdoor field lined by spectators. Men perform calisthenics, swing shotputs, throw medicine balls. 01:05:26 Quick shot of a still camera being loaded. Military vehicles roll out, followed by shooting cannons and other drills. Good MS of the band seated with instruments and musical stands, and children beside them. The celebration continues with a speaker adjacent to a podium decorated with the Iron Cross and many soldiers lined up, listening. MS, sign indicating 100 with the year MDCCCXXXV [1935], a Reichswehr flag, an Iron Cross, and a swastika flag. Officials stand in grass before garland decorations on the building façade. Another view of the podium with a helmeted official, and new Wehrmacht troops lined up. Soldiers with horses perform another drill in the field with spectators gathered.
Wehrmacht troops; military demonstration