BACKGROUND: The OKH, Oberkommando des Heeres, (High Command of the Army), and the OKW, Oberkommando der Wehrmacht, (High Command of the Armed Forces), both realized the importance of propaganda and as early as 1938 they both actively began recruiting artists, photographers and journalists who were assigned to Propaganda Companies which accompanied all three branches of service in the field. In his position as the Reichsminister, für Volkserklärung und Propaganda, (National Minister for Public Enlightenment and Propaganda), Dr. Paul Josef Goebbels assisted the Armed Forces by compiling a list of suitable artists, photographers and journalist and provided an eight week war correspondents training program for them. The artwork, photographs and reports from the Propaganda Companies were utilized to maintain morale, assist in recruitment and record the exploits of the German Armed Forces in the field. Much of the Propaganda Companies work would appear in assorted books, newspapers and magazines such as, Die Wehrmacht, Der Adler, Die Kriegsmarine and Signals. The artwork and photographs of the Propaganda Companies were also used in recruitment posters, postcards and books. This example is number two in a series of stereoscopic books entitled, "Die Soldaten des Führers im Felde", (The Führers Soldiers in the Field), that extolled the German Army’s exploits in the western campaigns.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: A roughly, 30cm x 21cm, sixty four, thick, hardbound book with impressed title, " Die Soldaten des Führers im Felde" or "The Fuehrer's Soldiers in the Field" to the front cover. The book was compiled by "Oberstleutnant des Generalstabes Hasso von Wedel Abteilungschef im Oberkommando der Wehrmacht,", (Oberstleutnant in the General Staff, Department Chief in the High Command of the Armed Forces), in association with, "Reichsamtleiter Henrich Hansen Reichspressestelle der NSDAP", (National Department Leader, National Press Department of the National Socialist German Worker’s Party), and published in Munich in "1940". The interior of thick, pressed, cardboard front and back covers have cut-out slots which house a folding, black painted, sheet metal stereoscopic viewer with clear magnifying glass lenses and 91 dual imaged, black and white photographs. Each of the roughly, 13cmx 6cm photographs have identical dual images, that, when viewed through the stereoscope, result in a unique 3-D illusion. The magnifying lenses in the stereoscope are clean and clear. The folding stereoscope adjusts to give a crisp, clear image.