When German photographer Otto Strube was called upon to fulfil his responsibilities of military service at the start of World War I, his camera went along with him.

Now his family have shared his photographs, offering us a remarkable view of the German perspective of the war.

Otto served as a soldier in the German 44th Reserve Field Artillery Regiment and according to his grandson, ABC journalist Bernie Bowen, was involved in many of the battles Australians also fought on the Western Front.

He was born in a village south-east of Berlin in December 1893 and learned the still emerging art of photography, becoming a professional studio photographer.

At the time, there was automatic military service for all men between the ages of 17 and 45 years of age and it was not long before the German Army were utilising Otto's photography skills in various ways.

The resulting images offer us an insight of wartime life for German troops.

A group of German artillery soldiers was identified by Otto after he took this photograph. Bernie says his grandfather was very fond of his horses throughout the war. The back of this photo is a postcard, written by Otto to his father and postmarked August 1913. ( Supplied: Bowen family )

This photograph of fellow soldiers on parade has been made into a postcard, which Otto sent to his father and which is postmarked March 1913. The spiky helmets worn in the photo were known as Pickelhauben and are typically associated with the Prussian army, although the helmet was imitated by other armies during the 19th and 20th centuries. ( Supplied: Bowen family )

Otto stands atop an aircraft which Bernie believes to be an Albatros CI, used by the Germans during WWI for reconnaissance. In this photograph, Otto appears to be adjusting the camera to photograph the cockpit. The Red Baron flew an Albatros DIII at one point, in 1917. ( Supplied: Bowen family )

Two German airmen beside their (unidentified) aircraft prior to a mission and photographed by Otto. The extremely cold conditions experienced by the pilots flying in open-air cockpits at altitude necessitated they be well rugged up to protect them from frostbite. ( Supplied: Bowen family )

A German's officer's funeral in an (unidentified) French town during WWI. Otto is one of the pallbearers. The French words Librairie and Papeterie are written on the wall of the building in the background, indicating a book and stationery shop. ( Supplied: Bowen family )

A WWI German bomber, possibly a Friedrichshafen GIII biplane bomber, is being loaded in preparation for a mission. Its reliability and power enabled her to carry a substantial bomb load. The photographer is believed to be Otto, his shadow appearing in the bottom of the photo as he stands with his camera. ( Supplied: Bowen family )

Otto on the left, and a companion share a match to light their cigarettes. One popular German brand at the time was Salem Aleikum Zigaretten. Otto has dated the back of this photo 1918. ( Supplied: Bowen family )

This photo of an unidentified German aircraft was taken by Otto during WWI. The lack of military markings on the aircraft and the fact the men loading the aircraft are not in uniform suggests it is a civilian plane and possibly an airmail delivery, judging by the shape of the sack being loaded aboard. ( Supplied: Bowen family )

A group of German soldiers in a Reserve Corps in 1914. Otto is third from the left in the back row. The Reserve Corps was formed at the outbreak of war in August 1914 as part of the mobilisation of the German army. ( Supplied: Bowen family )

Otto wrote this postcard to his father in August 1913. He was a prolific writer of cards to his family and many of these were photographs turned into postcards. ( Supplied: Bowen family )

Otto (right, with cigarette) turned this photo of him playing cards with fellow soldiers into a postcard to his family. ( Supplied: Bowen family )

Otto and his bride Emma on their wedding day in 1913. They went on to have three children. ( Supplied: Bowen family )