Original WWI Imperial German Army Real-Photo Postcard (RPPC): Generalmajor Richard Münter, Commander of the 39. Division, with His Staff Officers, Feldpost 1918
This is an original real-photo postcard (RPPC) showing Generalmajor Richard Münter, commander of the Imperial German 39. Division, with the officers of his staff. Photos of named divisional commanders with their staffs are much harder to find than ordinary soldier group photos. This one was also sent through the Feldpost in 1918 to the wife of a German colonel in Munich. It would suit collectors of WWI German Army command, staff and officer photos.
Fifteen officers stand in a line in front of a brick building with tall multi-pane windows, on a courtyard paved with herringbone brick. Generalmajor Münter stands in the centre. He wears a light-coloured tunic with general's collar embroidery (Larisch pattern), the Iron Cross 1st Class, and ribbons in his buttonhole. His officers stand on either side of him. They wear field-grey tunics, riding breeches and tall boots, with a mix of collar styles and some coats. Many wear the Iron Cross 1st Class on the left breast, and several have Iron Cross 2nd Class ribbons and other ribbons in their buttonholes, showing that most of them were combat veterans. Some of the officers are wearing glasses, and the portrait feels relaxed and personal. A few men have cigarettes in hand.
On the reverse the card was mailed through the military Feldpost:
Handwritten "Feldpost" at the top right
Address: to "Frau Oberst F. Nicolai, München, Possartstraße 10", meaning the wife of a colonel (Oberst) named Nicolai in Munich
Sender initials: "F. H." (or similar) at the upper left of the address side
Message: a handwritten message in old German Kurrent script, dated 1918 at the bottom
Some light stains and normal age toning
Item Details
Format: Original real-photo postcard (RPPC), black-and-white
Subject: Generalmajor Richard Münter, commander of the 39. Division, with his staff officers
Key Detail 1 (Commander): General officer in the centre with general's collar embroidery and the Iron Cross 1st Class
Key Detail 2 (Decorations): Many staff officers wear the Iron Cross 1st Class and other ribbons
Key Detail 3 (Postal History): Feldpost card addressed to "Frau Oberst" Nicolai in Munich, dated 1918
Reverse: Divided back, Feldpost mailed, with a handwritten message
Dimensions: Standard postcard, approx. 3.5 x 5.5 in / 9 x 14 cm
Date: Circa 1917–1918 (message dated 1918)
Condition: Good overall. The front image is clean and sharp. There are light stains and typical age wear on the reverse.
About Richard Münter and the 39. Division
The 39. Division was a Prussian division based in Colmar, Alsace, and part of the XV Army Corps. It fought only on the Western Front during WWI, including at Verdun, the Somme, and in Champagne, Flanders and Artois. Generalmajor Richard Münter commanded the division from 25 April 1917 to 10 November 1917, after Generalleutnant Hermann von Bertrab and before Generalleutnant Julius von Dawans. Under Münter the division fought in the Double Battle of the Aisne–Champagne (spring 1917), in trench fighting near Reims, and in Flanders and Artois. It then fought in the Third Battle of Flanders (Passchendaele) in autumn 1917. The brick building in the photo fits the architecture of Flanders and northern France, where the division spent much of that period.
Sold as pictured. Please examine all images carefully and feel free to ask any questions before purchasing.