Panzer Propaganda-Kompanie 694
4. Panzerarmee
(Germany)
Bearing a very loose resemblance to US Signal Photo Companies, the German Propaganda-Kompanies (PK) consisted of correspondent reporters, still photographers, motion picture photographers, artists, and sound recorders, who were all embedded with troops on the battlefield. Unlike the US photographers, however, PK's were specifically instructed to manipulate or sensationalize pictures and stories to keep support for the war effort and Nazi party. Additionally, the articles and photos from PK's were subject to much heavier censorship than their Allied counterparts. They were typically organized into 2 light correspondent platoons and 1 heavy correspondent platoon, the latter also including the photo lab, work squad, and other technicians. They were primarily used on the Eastern front during the early stages of the war, often releasing newspapers, magazines, and picture books to the German public from the front. Only about 5 of the roughly 25 PK’s are confirmed to have served on the Western front and, as the Germans grew more desperate towards the end of the war, most PK’s on both fronts were reorganized or used as infantry.
A dog tag and draft of an article, both from reporters of Pz PK 694
A dog tag from a reporter in the first light correspondent platoon of Pz PK 694
Page 2 of an article draft by Dr. Erich Lorenz, a war correspondent of Pz PK 694
A dog tag and draft of an article, both from reporters of Pz PK 694
Pz PK 694 was primarily attached to the 4th Panzer Army (also known as 4th Panzer Group), adding the “Panzer (Pz)” in front of its title. It was formed in late 1940 in preparation for Operation Barbarossa and sent to Eastern Prussia. Four days after Hitler announced the invasion plans to German High Command, Pz PK 694 was given its three main initial goals: disguise and hide Operation Barbarossa, prepare the German people and army for the campaign, and create anti-Bolshevik leaflets to influence the Soviet population. As the invasion began, they received more specific instructions. They were to convey in their propaganda that the "Judeo-Bolshevik" government was the enemy rather than the Soviet population, that the army was coming not as an enemy but a liberator to the Soviets, and that any and all resistance would be crushed. Eventually, Pz PK 694 saw combat throughout the Eastern front in places like Leningrad, Stalingrad, Ukraine (Kursk and Kharkov), Southern Poland (Vistula and Oder), and more. As the war raged on, their focus turned more towards convincing the population of victory, boosting troop morale, controlling occupied populations, and overall convincing anyone under Nazi rule that the war could, should, and would be won. This, of course, became much harder of a task as the Allies closed in on both fronts and, like many of the Propaganda-Kompanies, Pz PK 694 found itself disbanded and reorganized.
The dog tag featured in this article is from an unidentified soldier from Pz PK 694. However his platoon, “1 LE. KB. ZG.,” or “1. Leichter Kriegsberichterzug,” suggests he was with the first light correspondent platoon as a war correspondent or photographer. The document pictured at the top of this page is an original draft of an article written by war correspondent Dr. Erich Lorenz of Pz PK 694, sent for review and publication in August 1944. In the article, he tells the story of witnessing a Tiger I tank in front of him get destroyed by a Russian T-34, likely near the Vistula River in Southern Poland. Upon the Tiger being hit, he names a "Sergeant Klaus" who emerges from it and yells for troops to gather their gear and Panzerfausts, then follow him. As he rallies his men he directs them to the tank that hit his, eventually taking it out, and leads his unit to victory. While much of the article seems to be embellished, it’s unclear exactly how much of it is and how much is actually true. Seeing as the Germans were on their back foot in the region at this time, heavily outnumbered, and also losing lots of ground on the Western front, it's possible that the story isn't even true at all. Regardless, considering that this is Lorenz’s original draft, it could potentially hold at least some truth over the final published version that was played up even further in the papers.
Below is a rough translation of the article showcased in the photos at the top of this page. If you can provide a more thorough translation and would allow us to feature it on this website, please contact us at CombatCameraCollection@gmail.com