Hidden for 100 years, the astonishing photos by 16-year-old soldier shows how his brothers-in-arms would forever be haunted by the spectre of defeat
- Captivating photographs taken by German soldier Walter Kleinfeldt who fought at the Somme aged just 16
- The teenage soldier captured the reality of the front line for the German army with his Contessa camera
- Kleinfeldt's photographs are seen for the first time, having been found by his son Volkmar just three years ago
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They were taken by Walter Kleinfeldt who joined a German gun crew in 1915 and fought at the Somme aged just 16. As his haunting pictures, taken with a Contessa camera, make all too clear, life in the trenches was a harrowing experience. The images provide an insight into the epic machinery of war – and capture the darkest moments of battle, with bodies strewn among the rubble.
Returning home in 1918, Walter set up a photography shop in the town of Tubingen, where he worked until his death in 1945. Walter’s son Volkmar discovered the pictures three years ago.
They are now the focus of a new BBC documentary. Director Nick Maddocks said: ‘It is rare to find such good-quality, honest and often beautiful photos that show us war through the eyes of the soldier, particularly from one so young.’
Hidden Histories: WW1’s Forgotten Photographs is on BBC4 on Thursday at 9pm.
Carnage: Amid the appalling devastation and
bodies of dead soldiers, a crucifix stands tall - miraculously preserved
from the shell fire. The powerful image was captured after a bloody
skirmish in 1917 - and Walter's son Volkmar says: 'This photograph is
like an accusation - an accusation against war'
Final moments: Walter was just 16 when he fought
at the Somme but his photos soon took on dark tone. Here he captures a
German army medic kneeling beside a dying colleague - but he can do no
more than offer comfort
'After the storm': Walter Kleinfeldt captions one of his images showing bodies strewn across the battlefield
Young life: Walter Kleinfeldt, pictured carrying
ammunition in a Somme trench, joined a German gun crew in 1915 and
fought at the Somme aged just 16, taking pictures of life on the
frontline with his Contessa camera
Calm before the storm: A 16year old Walter
Kleinfeldt photographed in the German city of Ulm in 1915. Just a few
weeks later, he was on the Somme.
Constantly under threat: Gas attacks were a
frequent menace in the Somme during the war so this group wear masks as
they load shells into their gun in 1916
Two worlds: A studio portrait of 16 year old
Walter Kleinfeldt, taken shortly after he volunteered in 1915, left on
the Somme in 1916, right
Eyes in the sky: A German observation balloon
takes off to direct artillery fire at the Somme in 1916. Walter
Kleinfeldt was fascinated with the latest machinery of war
First day of horror: This photograph of members
of Walter's gun crew was taken on the 1st of July 1916, the first day of
the battle of the Somme
Happy moment: Kleinfeldt photographed his comrades washing in a river while away from the front. (...)
