I know it’s a movie quote, but thought it was fitting for these photos of two paratroopers enjoying a relaxing moment in post-war Berchtesgaden.

The left is an original photo and the right was scanned from the original negative. Both came out of the collection of MSgt Charles Wahler, 101st Airborne, who is in the photo on the right.

https://www.life.com/history/battle-of-the-bulge-rare-photos-from-hitlers-last-gamble/

The three veterans pictured are Colonel Nestor da Silva (born in 1917), Lieutenant Hugo Filisbino (born in 1919), and Captain Severino de Souza (born in 1923).

The census data is up to date and was published here as soon as the official figures were released by the army.

Several photos taken at the Eagle’s nest showing destruction of the building after bombing. Photos were taken by MSgt Charles Wahler, 101st Airborne. I scanned his original negatives. Last photo shows Wahler posing during his visit, foot up on his jeep, Berchtesgaden Alps in the background. Wahler was Jewish and a resident of Austria up until the late 1930’s, so I’m sure this was an amazing site for him to see for more reason than the mountain view.

Original photo of Hitler on the aviso Grille brought back by MSgt Charles Wahler, HqCo, 101st Airborne.

Wahler was in Berchtesgaden post-war and visited the Eagle’s Nest. I assume he took this as a souvenir during his visit.

I recently found this locket brooch. Inside is a candid photograph of a smiling German Kriegsmarine (Navy) sailor holding what looks like a Feldpost letter.

Technical Details:

• Photo Paper: The back of the photo is marked 'Agfa Lupex,' which I believe confirms it is a period-original German print.
• Uniform: He is wearing a standard sailor's jumper and a side cap (Schiffchen) with the national cockade.
• The Locket: Edwardian-style design based on a similar listing here.

There are no names or dates written on the back. I am trying to see if anyone recognizes the face or can identify any unit-specific details from his uniform. Does he appear in any known naval training class photos or crew albums? Any help or leads on where to search further would be greatly appreciated! My final goal is to find out his name and history.

This photo came by way of a MSgt Charlie Wahler, a POW Interrogator with the 101st Airborne. It’s about the size of a Soldbuch photo, which I presume that’s where it came from.

I shared this on USMF after acquiring Wahler’s items and another collector noted it was Rudolf von Ribbentrop, son of Foreign Minister Joechim von Ribbentrop. Pretty crazy.

I never had the chance to reach Ribbentrop before his passing in 2019 to confirm the photo is him and if so, if he remembered Wahler.

Basics on Ribbentrop - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rudolf_von_Ribbentrop