Rare set of 30 black and white photographs of the city of Gdynia (Poland), close to Gdańsk in 1945 (many pictures have dates mentioned on the back).

The pictures have a clear military focus, highly likely taken by a Russian Red Army member.

Gdynia saw serious action during the second world war and was the scene of several battles. During 1939-1945 it was named Gotenhafen.

The pictures show:

Gdynia and surroundings (29 photographs):

- trenches (large and small scale)

- Buildings with defence structures

- (destroyed) weaponry / artillery

- dug outs / bunkers / barricades / casemates

- views of the city focusing on defence lines or destroyed important infrastructure

Profile picture (1 photograph):

- Picture of Red Army Major (?) Krylov Leonid Vasilyev (?)*

Each picture is more or less the same size: 9 x 14 cm

22 pictures have a hand written description (in Russian) on the back providing a short explanation of what is shown (several are included with the images of this lot)*

The condition of the pictures is excellent considering the age (slight aging, no tears or folds, etc.). See images for reference.

Some pictures have a studio stamp: Rigas Foto - Kirova Iela 69 (based in Riga, the street was named Kirova Iela in 1944 when the Russian occupied Latvia and was renamed Elizabetes Iela in 1990).

*my knowledge of Russian is very limited, so I can't provide a detailed or accurate translation