Feldgrau.net

You might want to check the operational info for the LSSAH. I don't know offhand if the LSSAH was referred to as the 1st SS Panzer Div prior to 1942. I believe they might have gone through there on the way to taking Greece.

-Landserstudent

Christoph-

I see what you're saying. Maybe that's why we always see the tripod guns
having a crew of three.

I wonder how much difference there was between Waffen SS MG training
and regular Army? Other special units, like gebirgsjaeger, come to question also.


-Landserstudent

Thanks for the photo! This looks much more elaborate than the ones being worn in photos in the various Waffen SS reference books,and some of the in-German divisional histories. The strands hang straight in the photos I have seen.,and the photos I've seen are all of troops in Russia, where it was ver...

I did some research/inquiry into Flak Towers online a while back, and learned Vienna still has some, and I believe also some bomb shelters. I do not know for sure if the 3 triangulated towers are remaining--my niece was there not long ago, and says one houses an aquarium. Unfortunately I did not boo...

A very good section! Wonderful,and would love to learn more about the wartime caricatures. More translations--maybe include the German version alongside the trans. Cartoons? Funny drawings by soldiers? There's some in Willi Peter Reese's book "A Stranger To Myself."

-Landserstudent

Christoph,

Nice and useful info on your thread-

-Landserstudent

The info I offered was from a report in World War II magazine about 18 years ago. Also info from German vets (Infantry & Artillery).

Tschuss,

-Landserstudent

Looking for German WWII issue Helmet band w/string/shag that would hang at face level to protect from insects, or used as a mask. These helmet bands were used a lot in Russia.

Thanks.


-Landserstudent

When I was visiting Germany in the early 1970s I saw a black man wearing the walking-out dress uniform of the Bundeswehr on the Hauptstrasse of Heidelberg. I've since assumed situations like these stem from children born from fraternization between African-American servicemen and German women. Also ...

Especially in photos of Ostfront action, German soldiers are shown wearing helmet bands with strings/strands that hang down over the face,neck, etc. I think I read some place these were used to keep the insects off the face and neck, but could also be used as masks, as the strands are quite thick al...

Some useful books for the topic: James Lucas, "War on the Eastern Front" Willi Peter Reese, "A Stranger to Myself " This book is especially poignant as it was a manuscript found after WWII in Germany. Willi Reese is still listed as missing and presumed dead (early 20s) in the fig...

'blutige verluste'

One sees this in the divisional histories, especially the ones published postwar.

I've always read it as losses pertaining to significantly violent/hard-fought actions.

-Landserstudent

Interesting. Gangdienst-- Could be pier security (Shore Patrol) as well as, literally, gangplank guard duty. Surprised somebody would write about it on a postcard; the Gestapo kept a close eye on the mails, and this kind of slip would be noticed. Backstory: I own several "classified" lette...

Tried to check out Christoph's article, but couldn't get in. In German WWII Basic, the recruits were trained in threes, as the above reply states. Gunner/Loader/Rangefinder-spotter I believe were trained to be interchangeable. In this regard the introduction of the light field MG in the Armee was co...

Feldkueche translates generally as field kitchen.

Feldkochherd tran's as a field kitchen stove.

-Landserstudent