German, WW2, Deutsches Afrikakorps (DAK) Cigarette Case, with Original North Africa Photograph Group, c.1941–1942

An original Second World War German private-purchase cigarette case retaining its black textured leather covering and gilt-finished metal frame, mounted to the lid with a Heer-pattern national eagle and swastika emblem featuring the characteristic straight out-stretched wings associated with the German Army. Complete with eight original wartime snapshot photographs relating to service in the North African campaign with the Deutsches Afrikakorps (DAK).

The case opens via its original clasp and retains both internal elastic retaining straps for cigarettes. The accompanying photographs depict a highly evocative series of personal campaign images including German troops in tropical uniforms and pith helmets, desert vehicle convoys, palm grove encampments, field cooking scenes, local pack animals, and artillery positions in arid terrain. One particularly notable photograph shows soldiers seated beside a 2 cm FlaK 30/38 light anti-aircraft gun overlooking the surrounding landscape.

Several photographs retain handwritten annotations to the reverse. One bears the inscription “Gauziri 17.4.42”, identifying the location as the Gauzir oasis region of Libya during the buildup to Generalfeldmarschall Erwin Rommel’s 1942 spring offensive prior to the advance on Tobruk. Another photograph carries a period Sütterlin script inscription reading:

“Posten gefangen.
Fahrt durch die Wüste
(eine weite, einsame Reise)
1–10.4.41.”

Translated:
“Guard/outpost captured.
Journey through the desert
(a wide, lonely journey)
1st–10th April 1941.”

This exceptionally early campaign reference places the original owner within the opening phase of Rommel’s first rapid advance through Libya in April 1941 during the early Afrika Korps offensive toward Benghazi. The reverse of the same photograph also retains partial period processing stamp details reading “FOTO-PAGER”, “0,45”, and “KRAUTWESHEIM”, likely identifying the German hometown photographic studio where the wartime negatives were developed following return from service, adding further provenance and authenticity to the group.

Approx. Measurements – Case: 10 cm x 9.5 cm. Photographs: approximately 9 cm x 6.4 cm, varying slightly.

History Note:
The Deutsches Afrikakorps (DAK) operated in North Africa between 1941 and 1943 under the command of Erwin Rommel. German troops serving in Libya and Egypt commonly carried private cigarette cases, photographs, and personal keepsakes throughout the desert campaign. Original privately taken photographs from the North African theatre are increasingly sought after due to their candid depiction of operational life away from official propaganda imagery. The dated inscriptions within this group provide unusually strong contextual links to the earliest offensives of the Afrika Korps campaign.

*Condition*
The cigarette case remains structurally sound with a working clasp and hinge. The exterior leather covering displays age-related surface wear, scuffing, and handling marks, with areas of verdigris visible around the gilt metal frame and emblem fittings. The interior remains clean overall with both original elastic retaining straps present. The photographs exhibit varying levels of age and service wear including corner wear, creasing, fading, handling marks, and some emulsion or chemical staining to several reverses. Two photographs retain handwritten German annotations to the reverse. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.