RARE! WWII Nazi German Kriegsmarine Photo Postcard Horst Wessel Leo Schlageter Stettin 1940

Original WWII-era German Kriegsmarine postcard showing the famous German sail-training ships Horst Wessel and Albert Leo Schlageter moored at Stettin, today Szczecin, Poland.

The printed caption reads:

“Schulschiffe Horst Wessel und Leo Schlageter in Stettin”

Translation:

“Training Ships Horst Wessel and Leo Schlageter in Stettin.”

This is a particularly desirable naval postcard because it shows two of Germany’s large sail-training ships together against the recognizable Stettin waterfront.

The Ships

Horst Wessel was launched in 1936 as a sail-training ship for the German Kriegsmarine. The vessel survived WWII and was subsequently transferred to the United States. She remains in service today as the USCGC Eagle, the well-known sail-training vessel of the United States Coast Guard.

Albert Leo Schlageter was another ship of the same general class, launched in 1937 and used to train German naval personnel. She also survived the war and eventually became the Portuguese Navy training ship NRP Sagres, under which name she remains famous today.

The survival and later careers of both vessels make an original wartime photograph showing them together especially interesting.

Postal Details

This example was genuinely mailed from Stettin on May 6, 1940, shortly after the beginning of WWII.

The reverse displays:

• STETTIN 1 – 6.5.40 postal cancellation
• Large purple military/official eagle and swastika handstamp
• Additional purple propaganda/inspection marking
• Printed publisher information
• Handwritten address and message
• Marked “Feldpost” at upper right
• Addressed to Schneidermeister Uttendorf, Pichl bei Wels, Ostmark
• Period handwritten correspondence dated Stettin, 5.5.40

Of particular interest is the large purple marking reading:

“Der durch Ablösung befreit!”

The card therefore has considerably more postal-history interest than an unused tourist example, combining a wartime Stettin cancel, Feldpost notation, Third Reich official markings and handwritten correspondence.

Historical Significance

This card makes an excellent crossover collectible for anyone interested in:

Kriegsmarine history, German naval training ships, Feldpost, Third Reich postal history, Stettin/Szczecin, tall ships, USCGC Eagle or NRP Sagres.

The fact that the two ships pictured went on to remarkable postwar careers makes the image particularly appealing. The Horst Wessel became the American USCGC Eagle, while the Albert Leo Schlageter ultimately became Portugal’s Sagres.

Condition

Original used condition with expected age toning, corner and edge wear, handling marks and minor surface wear. Postal markings and handwriting remain readily visible. The photographic front remains attractive with good detail.

Please examine all photographs carefully for exact condition. You will receive the exact original postcard shown.

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YB3 series