This is a presentation of photos of Frustrum taken during the fighting between Allied and Axis forces toward the end of World War II. This presentation also contains explanatory notes on the events that took place.



Property of the Frustrum Historical Society. All photos are sourced from its archive.

Various German units occupied Frustrum for most of the war.

In early 1944, The German unit stationed in Frustrum retreated after nearby Allied advancements left them in a precarious situation. When Allied forces (predominantly American), entered Frustrum, they found it mostly deserted, but intact.

All of the photos in this section were taken by American military photographer Jonathan Smith, who was stationed in the area.



The Americans set up a command post in the Frustrum Hotel.
(The hotel was demolished in 1952, but rebuild as the "Grand Hotel" in 1979)














Two Truck drivers having engine trouble.


Crew of an American M3 GMC posing with their vehicle.
(this photo was later used in a propoganda poster)











An American medic and ambulance.












Main Street.












The last known photo of the original statue of Baron Frederick Fustrum while it was intact.











The bar did not have any alcohol in stock, and only served water and rudimentary soda.

During a surprise small counter-offensive in September of 1944, German forces recaptured Frustrum, but not much else.

It is not clear who took most of these photos, as the relevant German documentation did not survive the war.



There are only two known photos of the German assault:










A mortar shell hitting the gate to the train depot.
(The last photo of Frustrum taken by Johnathan Smith)











German ambulance carrying wounded away from the fighting.













Two German soldiers looking at the wrecked bridge, which the Germans later repaired.
(this photo was originally sepia-toned, but later lightly colourised by members of the Frustrum Historical Society in 1987)










Buildings on fire after being struck with artillery.
(taken by an unidentified civilian)











German machine-gun crew












German soldiers unloading supplies.












German recovery vehicle failing to move a fallen train car.












The statue of Baron Frederick Frustrum, which was damaged in the fighting.

In October of 1944, American forces recaptured Frustrum. The fighting did not last long, but multiple photos of it survived.



All photos in the section were taken by American military photographer Joe Doe unless otherwise noted.











American M4A3 Sherman advancing on the German positions outside Frustrum.












Panzer IV H Firing.
(photographer unknown)











American machine gun crew in a building across the river from the square.
(The damage to the building likely occurred during the American assault)











American soldiers posing with a disabled Panzer IV H.
(The bridge was raised by the Germans in an attempt to hamper the American advance, but as the American force was mostly infantry, it had little effect.)
(the damage to the Building on the right likely occurred during the American assault)










American soldier standing guard outside the reinstated command post.












An American soldier entering the bar, which still lacked alcohol.












The damaged statue of Baron Frederick Frustrum was Removed, leaving only the plaque.
(this photo was probably taken after the war, note the lack of damage on the buildings.

Written By James Lemterton of the Frustrum Historical Society.

Produced by the Frustrum Historical Society.


Property of the FHS, all rights reserved.

Mods used:

Postprocess UI by Argonwolf
Tanks of the United States by Jacob Mario
Panzers of the Reich by Jacob Mario
Ordnance - Floppydisk