1922 International Newsreel Photograph – Early German Glider Over Peasants

Original press photograph issued by International Newsreel, dated August 30, 1922. The image shows a German glider in flight, observed from below by peasants working with an ox-drawn hay cart. The press caption on the reverse highlights Germany’s post–World War I shift toward glider development, noting the absence of engines and the bird-like qualities of silent flight.

The typed caption reads in part:
"Germany is now turning its attention to gliders — airplanes without propelling power. Wonderful demonstrations have been given within the past two weeks. Photo shows a German glider flying over the heads of wondering peasants. There is no noise, no engine, nothing but the soaring appearance of a bird."

Stamped by International Newsreel with syndication restrictions, this photograph documents the interwar period when restrictions on German powered flight after the Treaty of Versailles accelerated advancements in glider design and training. It provides valuable evidence of the cultural and technological context of German aviation in the early 1920s.

This piece holds strong significance for aviation historians and collectors, illustrating both technological innovation and its impact on rural society during the formative years of modern gliding.