UPD: Robert Bothner was employed as master photographer at the Landesbildstelle Württemberg in Stuttgart from 1927 - 1963. Between 1925 - 1927 he travelled through Italy and France taking photos with his 9 x 12 camera. He also worked in Russia during WWII as a war correspondent for the German air force.
via http://www.bassenge.com/bassenge/de/default.asp