German troops on train civilians on track nonthing written on back of photo unknown year or location photo taken

German troops on train 

Ruins of Hitler's "Fortress Breslau", capital of Lower Silesia, May, 1945.  As with several other eastern "Fortresses", the defence of Breslau depended on small detached Heer and Waffen SS units, police units and (predominantly) large contingents of elderly men and youths organized as Volksgrenadiers.  The Soviets, on their way to Berlin, effectively bypassed the "Fortress", and crushed opposition there in a methodical, grinding operation of street-fighting that went on even past the general German surrender.

To the right in this photo is a heap of discarded German equipment.  In its midst are a number of "Gladiator pattern German firefighter helmets, a type commonly used by the Volkssturm late in the war.  Best regards, JR.

Fallen Fortress ...

Photo has a date written on it oct 17 1943 has other writing on it but i cant make it out  