Never seen before photographs showing the German invasion of Russia which resulted in the death of millions of soldiers in the Second World War have been revealed.
The photo album is believed to have been compiled by a German soldier on the front line as the Panzer divisions (tanks) destroyed all before them in the early months of the invasion after invading the Soviet Union in June 1941.
There are chilling images of Jewish ghettos, surrendering Russian soldiers and the debris of bombed cities including Minsk, which fell into German hands within weeks of the major offensive being launched.
A German commander looks deep in thought as he stands in front of his armored scout car
Here you can see some of the many Russian troops who abandoned their uniforms and tried to surrender as civilians, while a cheery German officer stands in front of them
This picture shows a Jewish ghetto which is believed to be in in Warsaw. The photo album it appears in is believed to have been compiled by a German soldier on the front line
This overturned truck was destroyed as German troops who made their rapid advance into Russia in an effort to take control of the country
German troops intently study a map during the invasion of Russia – no doubt planning their next move
German fighter ace Werner Molders (centre), one of his country’s most renowned pilots, studies a map during a visit to a Russian command post
This pilot is pictured stood on top of his aircraft on a airfield near Pruzana
The album includes chilling images showing what’s left of buildings which were bombed after the major offensive was launched
There are also candid images of German soldiers skinny dipping and sewing as they make repairs to their uniforms.
In total, there are 190 photos in the album which has been consigned for sale with Tennants Auctioneers, of Leyburn in North Yorkshire by an elderly private collector who acquired it from Germany.
Oonagh Drage, specialist at Tennants, said: ‘The album shows the early stage of Operation Barbarossa.
‘There are photos of bombed buildings and destroyed military equipment, portraits of German officers, displaced refugees, surrendering Russians including group of snipers and graphic scenes of casualties.
‘The album has belonged to an elderly gentleman collector who acquired the album some time ago from a source in Germany but is selling now to pay for his care costs.’
The photos document the triumphant early months of the campaign as the Germans marched deeper into Soviet territory.
In total, there are 190 photos in the album which has been consigned for sale with Tennants Auctioneers. Pictured a damaged tank
The Great Theatre, which is home to the Polish National Ballet, and located on Theatre Square in Warsaw, Poland
Debris littered the streets of Minsk, which fell into German hands within weeks of the invasion starting
The barrels of these guns are facing the east and are ready to shoot down any nearby enemy aircraft
Russian women are given water from a bucket by soldiers. The photo album is believed to have been compiled by a German soldier on the front line as the Panzer divisions destroyed all before them after invading the Soviet Union in June 1941
Two German soldiers are seen adding to a 5ft pile of bread loaves which were used to fuel their comrades during the advance
Some of the images focus on the city of Minsk which was flattened by the Germans, causing the displacement of millions of refugees.
High ranking officers, including the Luftwaffe ace Werner Molders can be seen inspecting maps as they plot their next move.
Molders, the first pilot in history to claim 100 aerial combat victories, died months later in November 1941 in an air crash in which he was a passenger.
Another snap shows a 5ft high pile of bread loafs to fuel the German soldiers during the advance.
However, the Germans were halted by the freezing winter of 1941 and became embroiled in a war of attrition with the Russians which ended in a chastening defeat.
Both sides endured huge losses, with one million German and five million Soviet soldiers perishing in the conflict.
The sale takes place on Friday and the album is tipped to sell for £150.