Read on Twitter
Thread of pics I find of interest. Will hopefully provide insight to you.
Here’s a Zug (Platoon) in ‘Schützenreihe’ (column) tactical formation.
A more open formation with ‘Abstand’ (spacing) of typically 5 paces unless specified.
The Gruppenführer & mg team normally lead.
1)
Here’s a Zug (Platoon) in ‘Schützenreihe’ (column) tactical formation.
A more open formation with ‘Abstand’ (spacing) of typically 5 paces unless specified.
The Gruppenführer & mg team normally lead.
1)
A schwere Mg42 team undertaking weapon maintenance, with one chap removing the stock (by depressing a button underneath & turning through 90 degrees). The spring & bolt can then be extracted.
Looks like the Lafette tripod has been whitewashed & the ZF optical sight removed.
2)
Looks like the Lafette tripod has been whitewashed & the ZF optical sight removed.
2)
A well prepared home for the messengers of the Bataillon/Kompanie.
Note the PPSH41 & Transmitter/Receiver with straps.
Looks like a Torn.Fu d2, a standard piece of kit with estimated ranges of 4km telephony & 10km telegraphy with antenna.
3)
Note the PPSH41 & Transmitter/Receiver with straps.
Looks like a Torn.Fu d2, a standard piece of kit with estimated ranges of 4km telephony & 10km telegraphy with antenna.
3)
A great example of a Zug (Platoon) in their standard 3 column, close order march formation - Marschordnung.
114 paces per minute @ 80cm strides.
They would break from this to tactical formations, as in tweet #1 of this thread.
4)
114 paces per minute @ 80cm strides.
They would break from this to tactical formations, as in tweet #1 of this thread.
4)
http://s.Mg Stellung of IR1, Grossdeutschland in the Rzhev salient, 1942.
Lots of detail of a position that’s been well developed & lived in.
Note no optical sight on mg & plethora of empty 7.92mm cartridge cartons, from the 1500rnd wooden patronenkasten.
5)
Lots of detail of a position that’s been well developed & lived in.
Note no optical sight on mg & plethora of empty 7.92mm cartridge cartons, from the 1500rnd wooden patronenkasten.
5)
Supply dump including 3 round metal boxes for 8cm Gr.W.34 being moved by HIWIs, metal boxes on left for Stielhandgranate M-24 or http://E.H.Gr .39 & what appears 1,500rnd 7.92 wooden patronenkasten 3rd stack from the camera.
The mortar rounds/grenades are not smoke.
6)
The mortar rounds/grenades are not smoke.
6)
A group of possible Gebirgsjäger take a rest while a comrade has his feet attended to.
They wear a mix of early War uniforms with M36 tunics (bottle green collars) & M35 double decal helmets (note the national colours & tactically poor sheen of the paint) & ankle boots.
7)
They wear a mix of early War uniforms with M36 tunics (bottle green collars) & M35 double decal helmets (note the national colours & tactically poor sheen of the paint) & ankle boots.
7)
So much going on here that we can tell.
Given the environment & these men being wounded, it could be a Verwundetennest, the first collection point of casualties.
Aside from the dressings, the NCO nearest the camera has been issued his wound tag label by the Kt/Sani
8a)
Given the environment & these men being wounded, it could be a Verwundetennest, the first collection point of casualties.
Aside from the dressings, the NCO nearest the camera has been issued his wound tag label by the Kt/Sani
8a)
Both are heavily decorated, battle experienced NCOs, probably Uffzs.
A loss to their men & unit. Fags look well deserved.
Uniform items are early war (nearest) to mid-War (head wound).
The silver collar tresse indicates both were promoted prior to 1943.
8b)
A loss to their men & unit. Fags look well deserved.
Uniform items are early war (nearest) to mid-War (head wound).
The silver collar tresse indicates both were promoted prior to 1943.
8b)
Decorations (nearest first) - EKII, ISA in silver, VA in black & NKS in bronze.
= min 3 separate infantry assaults, 1-2 wounds already & 15 days close combat along with bravery award.
Then EKII, ISA in silver & possible NKS in bronze/silver? (25 days close combat).
8c)
= min 3 separate infantry assaults, 1-2 wounds already & 15 days close combat along with bravery award.
Then EKII, ISA in silver & possible NKS in bronze/silver? (25 days close combat).
8c)
Wonderful detail in a prepared coastal position.
We have the standard German field telephone (Feldfernsprecher 33) in a recess & M24 Stielhandgranatekasten.
Note fuses in right of box, packing cardboard indicating unused & phonetic alphabet plate on phone top cover.
9)
We have the standard German field telephone (Feldfernsprecher 33) in a recess & M24 Stielhandgranatekasten.
Note fuses in right of box, packing cardboard indicating unused & phonetic alphabet plate on phone top cover.
9)
A boring pic for the many. Interesting to me.
A rare insight to the oft-closed world of the Landser’s Zeltbahn 4-man tent.
His ‘life’ is found amongst the accoutrements in the cramped environment.
Issue blanket & straw typical of his mattress & bedding.
10)
A rare insight to the oft-closed world of the Landser’s Zeltbahn 4-man tent.
His ‘life’ is found amongst the accoutrements in the cramped environment.
Issue blanket & straw typical of his mattress & bedding.
10)
Here’s some added information on this excellent item of German kit.
10a)
https://twitter.com/pgdivgd/status/1134825900548141056?s=21 https://twitter.com/pgdivgd/status/1134825900548141056
10a)
https://twitter.com/pgdivgd/status/1134825900548141056?s=21 https://twitter.com/pgdivgd/status/1134825900548141056
SdKfz 10 in what appears WSS service as a makeshift ambulance.
Can just see the driver crane his head next to a Feldgendarme, suggesting it’s comfortably from the front line.
We can estimate a date of autumn 1943 & beyond, based upon the 2nd or 3rd model WSS parkas.
11)
Can just see the driver crane his head next to a Feldgendarme, suggesting it’s comfortably from the front line.
We can estimate a date of autumn 1943 & beyond, based upon the 2nd or 3rd model WSS parkas.
11)
The first model ‘Kharkiv’ parka was pullover, issued to both LAH & TK WSS for the spring 1943 German re-taking of the city.
These are button fronted, hence the later date estimate.
11a)
These are button fronted, hence the later date estimate.
11a)
I posted pic1 as the first tweet of this thread.
Pic2 is the prior tactical stage, showing a great view of a Kompanie (Coy) in ‘Schützenreihe’ (column) before Zug deployment.
Note the ‘Abstand’ (spacing) being tighter, reflecting that the unit is further from the enemy.
12)
Pic2 is the prior tactical stage, showing a great view of a Kompanie (Coy) in ‘Schützenreihe’ (column) before Zug deployment.
Note the ‘Abstand’ (spacing) being tighter, reflecting that the unit is further from the enemy.
12)
A great view of a Gurtbandtragegerüst (A-frame assault pack) on this man.
Issued to infantrymen, it was to redistribute kit weight from the belt - typically Kochgeschirr & Zeltbahn. It had a small pack for other modest items.
Pic 2/3 http://mp44.nl
13)
Issued to infantrymen, it was to redistribute kit weight from the belt - typically Kochgeschirr & Zeltbahn. It had a small pack for other modest items.
Pic 2/3 http://mp44.nl
13)
