December 21, 2025Dec 21 #1 One of the biggest issues with Warsaw pact collecting is that, there is not much photographic history available on (at least the english side) the Internet. This means most of the available material is from official press releases by those countries, which is often not too helpful for say, helping to aid building impressions. Obviously though soldiers did take photos, and now that the cold war (or rather the first phase of it in my eyes) has been over for decades and many of those who served back in the 50s/60s have or are beginning to pass away, their photos of their service in their respective countries are now coming on the market. I want this thread to be somewhat of a archive to post photos that are being sold on sites like eBay or elsewhere so that they dont end up being locked away into collections, or worse discarded if they don't sell. I'll be posting every country within the Warsaw pact, while also including Yugoslavia. Also, I should obviously mention I don't own these photos, Im just archiving them. I also won't show the back of the photos unless they have writing on the backs, especially dates. Firstly we some Yugo soldiers, wearing their M59 helmets. Another Yugo soldier, in his trench coat. A Yugo soldier, possibly laying a mine. Various Yugo studio photos. Another Yugo headshot. This is dated 1975, so this soldier would be wearing the M55 version of the standard uniform. The updated M77 uniform wouldn't come out until 1977. Felt this one was interesting due to the hammer and sickle on his garrison cap. 1974 dated. I believe these are Romanian patriotic guardsmen. I'm not exactly sure what's going on in this photo or where it was taken, but the mask is a Soviet PMG (not a Hungarian 70m). Not sure what the deal is with the stars on the helmet. Soviet artillerymen, one likely wearing a SHM-41. Soviet soldier, in his chemical suit.
December 21, 2025Dec 21 Author #2 More Soviet soldiers in CBRN suits. More Soviet soldiers, this time in full kit. 3rd soldier is wearing a PMG-2 mask, and 2nd soldier has a AK74. Another soviet soldier, with his AK74. Romanian soldiers, wearing what I assume is the romy version of the SSH-40. I think these are artillery / tank troops. Romy soldier, I believe an officer due to the different cap device. Also seems he's wearing the winter variant of his uniform. Romy infantry soldiers reading a newspaper.
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