Im at a lost trying in identifying these 2 photos

[Lawrence Stroobandt]

I tried identifying the letters on the 1st photo without any luck, any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance. Lawrence

[FROGSMILE]

They appear to be German prisoners of war employed as railway labour.  Presumably by the French or Belgians as the PG painted on their jacket fronts is for Prisonniers [de la] Guerre.

Edited 26 July , 2022 by FROGSMILE

[knittinganddeath]

The letters on the smokestack or the meaning of the letters on the men's shirts?

[Acknown]

5 minutes ago, FROGSMILE said:

They appear to be German prisoners of war employed as railway labour

Indeed. I think that they are in France (see second photo for better uniform shot - man on right - a guard?) and PG = Prisonnier de Guerre.

Acknown

Addition: And welcome to the Forum, Lawrence!

Edited 26 July , 2022 by Acknown

[FROGSMILE]

4 minutes ago, Acknown said:

Indeed. I think that they are in France (see second photo for better uniform shot - man on right - a guard?) and PG = Prisonnier de Guerre.

Acknown

Yes sorry, I was still editing.

The man on right in photo 2 does appear to be a soldier (and so presumably guard).  He is wearing the stout corduroy [‘corde du roi’] breeches worn by some units.

Edited 26 July , 2022 by FROGSMILE

[Lawrence Stroobandt]

Just now, knittinganddeath said:

The letters on the smokestack or the meaning of the letters on the men's shirts?

the letter on the shirts signify Prisoner Germany? I have a few others that show Nevers France

 

[Lawrence Stroobandt]

thanks to all who helped me out on this, I have now seen other photos with PG on their tunics. 

[FROGSMILE]

13 minutes ago, Lawrence Stroobandt said:

the letter on the shirts signify Prisoner Germany? I have a few others that show Nevers France

 

Prisonniers [de la] Guerre.  Had it been “Germany” the letter would have been A for Allemagne.

[Acknown]

3 hours ago, Acknown said:

de Guerre

Oh yes - La Guerre. J'ai fait une erreur.

Acknown (and that's probably wrong as well)

[AOK4]

Hello,

No, the word is "prisonnier de guerre" (prisoner of war, it's not a "prisoner of the war" either in English).

The picture on the left shows at least one naval soldier (probably of a Matrosen Regiment or so, not from a Marine-Infanterie-Regiment), probably captured by the Belgians. There's some writing on the chimney (but I can't see it completely): 4CO ...

There's a date 1918 visible as well.

The picture on the right is from after the war, probably to celebrate receiving goods or trains from Germany?

Do you know where the pictures come from? Is there anything on the back?

Jan

 

[Lawrence Stroobandt]

the backs are plain with no writing, a few other cards are from Nevers (France), one shows the captured L49 Zeppelin, 2 other captured military guns Concorde Paris 1918

[le ulhan]

FROGSMIL

 

• Allemand : Kriegsgefangener (de) masculin
• Anglais : prisoner of war (en)
• Danois : krigsfange (da)
• Espagnol : prisionero de guerra (es) masculin
• Italien : prigioniero di guerra (it) masculin

French : Prisonnier de guerre.

Edited 26 July , 2022 by le ulhan

[le ulhan]

prisoner synonyms
insane, arrested, tied up, convict, captive, sentenced, deported, detainee, imprisoned, imprisoned, imprisoned, accused, prisoner, recluse, recluse, kidnapped
Antonyms for prisoner

[FROGSMILE]

17 minutes ago, le ulhan said:

FROGSMIL

 

• Allemand : Kriegsgefangener (de) masculin
• Anglais : prisoner of war (en)
• Danois : krigsfange (da)
• Espagnol : prisionero de guerra (es) masculin
• Italien : prigioniero di guerra (it) masculin

French : Prisonnier de guerre.

Merci monsieur.

[le ulhan]

With pleasure..

[le ulhan]

Lawrence Stroobandt                The French placed two letters ""P . G"" the ""de"" was not essential, the Germans ""K,G"" the English ""W.P"" the alphabet and different according to the language, the English and German place the word ""war "" before the word""prisoner"" in French is the opposite.

[FROGSMILE]

17 minutes ago, le ulhan said:

Lawrence Stroobandt                The French placed two letters ""P . G"" the ""de"" was not essential, the Germans ""K,G"" the English ""W.P"" the alphabet and different according to the language, the English and German place the word ""war "" before the word""prisoner"" in French is the opposite.

Not so!  In English, it is PW, although we usually say in speech and writing POW.  English is such a mixture of languages, including Saxon, Dane and Norman French.  Almost all military and legal words are based on French, so hence Prisoners [of] War.

Vive le difference! 

Edited 26 July , 2022 by FROGSMILE

[le ulhan]

The English language is complicated but the French even more, that's why I have to choose an expression for each comment, try to find the right translation. Prisoner of war, war prisoner or simply prisoner, it's always kif kif for soldier behind barbed wire.

[le ulhan]

KRIEGSGEFANGENE . P.K. (pourceuxde14.com)

 

Agree

[FROGSMILE]

40 minutes ago, le ulhan said:

The English language is complicated but the French even more, that's why I have to choose an expression for each comment, try to find the right translation. Prisoner of war, war prisoner or simply prisoner, it's always kif kif for soldier behind barbed wire.

Exactement!

[Acknown]

3 hours ago, AOK4 said:

prisonnier de guerre

Hah - I was right!

Acknown

[FROGSMILE]

17 minutes ago, Acknown said:

Hah - I was right!

Acknown

Indeed you were sir!  Although I’m not sure what it says when more effort has been spent on an error in French grammar than on the thread’s query. 

[AOK4]

So you just posted them here to get information and to be able to sell them more expensively?

This only strenthens my view that I shouldn't help any forum members any more that just ask questions...

[Lawrence Stroobandt]

4 hours ago, AOK4 said:

So you just posted them here to get information and to be able to sell them more expensively?

This only strenthens my view that I shouldn't help any forum members any more that just ask questions...

I have hidden the past remark since I dont know how to delete it. If the membership feels that this is not allowed please delete my membership as I thought this forum was to get information, what I do with it is truly up to me, I must have been wrong. 

[le ulhan]

On 02/08/2022 at 07:20, AOK4 said:

So you just posted them here to get information and to be able to sell them more expensively?

This only strenthens my view that I shouldn't help any forum members any more that just ask questions...

Hello, I think that a forum is used for this, to perfect our knowledge, you of course have the infused science, since the beginning of my inscription here you do nothing but criticize me, yes I know, the Flemings and the Walloons are like dog and cat, so please do not interfere with my comments and posts, I would not want to be responsible for a heart disease on your subject or an aggravation of your prostate, thank you for reading me, super nice.