Milan, 11 September 1943
On 10 September, following the disarmament of the Parma garrison, a strong SS contingent advanced toward Milan. The German military expected strong resistance in the city but the fears were not realized.
General Vittorio Ruggero, commander of the Milan fortress, had already established contact with the advancing German forces. After negotiations between General Ruggero and SS-Oberstleutnant Albert Frey, the commander of the German units, an agreement was reached: the SS would enter the city on 11 September, and German and Italian forces would jointly maintain order. As everywhere else in occupied Italy, once the situation had stabilized the Milan agreement was cast aside, the Italian troops being disarmed and transported to Germany.
Entry of the SS into Milan
In the photographs of Ferdinand Rottensteiner—photographer of the propaganda unit of the 1st SS-corps—we are shown some scenes of the SS-columns’ march, followed by waiting before Milan, entry into the city, and halting of their vehicles before some historical sites, including the cathedral and the Sforzesco Castle. One photo from this series was published in newspapers after approval by the censor; it continues to serve as a symbol of the German occupation of Italy.
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![Soldati tedeschi siedono su un carro armato parcheggiato davanti al Duomo di Milano.]()
A tank on the Piazza del Duomo. One of the iconic photos of the German occupation of Milan, repeatedly published in the international press from September 1943 onward. The number 618 on the turret identifies it as the 8th tank of the 1st platoon of the 6th company © US NARA, KB-Rottensteiner-214 -
![Il retro di una foto su sfondo bianco. Sul retro sono presenti diversi francobolli, alcuni dei quali sono solo parzialmente riconoscibili perché incollati. Come credito fotografico è stata apposta una nota: “Da nominare al momento della stampa”: SS-PK-Kriegsberichter Rottenstei(n)”. Inoltre, sulla foto è stata successivamente incollata una nota: “Sul fronte italiano, nel settembre 1943, carri armati della ‘Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler’ occupano la città di Milano dopo l'annuncio dell'armistizio del governo Badoglio con le potenze occidentali”.]()
This photo shows us the backside of a press print of Ferdinand Rottensteiner’s propaganda photo. There are a number of original stamps, partly pasted over in the course of time and political changes. The labelling of the ‘Zentralverlag’ East German photo agency: “On the Italian front, September 1943, tanks of the ‘Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler’ occupy the city of Milan after announcement of the armistice between the Badoglio government and the Western powers.” © BArch, Bild 183-J15480 -
![Un gruppo di soldati si trova davanti all'ingresso di un castello. Più lontano ci sono persone in abiti civili, tra cui alcuni in bicicletta.]()
Before the Sforzesco Castle © US NARA, KB-Rottensteiner-085 -
![Soldati e veicoli militari sono parcheggiati davanti a un castello.]()
Soldiers and military vehicles near the Sforzesco Castle © US NARA, KB-Rottensteiner-120 -
![Diversi veicoli militari sono parcheggiati su una strada. Sullo sfondo si vede un castello.]()
Military vehicles stop before the Sforzesco Castle © US NARA, KB-Rottensteiner-157 -
![Veicoli militari parcheggiati davanti al Duomo di Milano.]()
Military vehicles parked before the cathedral © US NARA, KB-Rottensteiner-095 -
![Persone in abiti civili osservano un grande veicolo militare tedesco con molti soldati seduti sopra. Il veicolo è parcheggiato davanti a un edificio, davanti al quale sono ammassati numerosi sacchi di sabbia.]()
Milan, Piazza Duomo, a military truck moves past the entrance to the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. © US NARA, KB-Rottensteiner-113 -
![Diversi carri armati sono parcheggiati in un ampio piazzale tra gli alberi. Alcuni uomini e donne in abiti civili stanno intorno ai carri armati e osservano l'azione.]()
Armoured vehicles of the SS division parked in a Milanese park, while curious passersby approach the vehicles under the indifferent gaze of the SS crews © US NARA, KB-Rottensteiner-089
Archive
National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)
Photographer
Ferdinand Rottensteiner (PK Waffen-SS)