And not so short... or sweet

[Richard Hargreaves]

Dieser sofort einsetzenden Umorganisation waren die bekannten Fehler und Unterlassungen in höchst mangelhafter Bewaffnung, Bekleidung und Ausrüstung vorausgegangen, die mit den wenigen Begriffen "Beutegewehre verschiedener Nationalität mit 5 bis 10 Patronen je Waffe, keine Uniformen, Halbschuhe" gekennzeichnet sind.

This is from von Ahlfen's and Niehoff's So kämpfte Breslau. Translating it is really, really hard going. Neither general was a natural writer.

[Howard]

Hi Richard,

this is the sense of it:

The well-known mistakes and omissions in extremely inadequate arms, clothing and equipment which are indicated by the few terms "captured rifles with 5 to 10 rounds per weapon, no uniforms,low shoes" had preceded this immediately incipient re-organisation.

Not too happy with incipient but can't think of anythign better at the mo'

[Richard Hargreaves]

Hi Richard,

this is the sense of it:

The well-known mistakes and omissions in extremely inadequate arms, clothing and equipment which are indicated by the few terms "captured rifles with 5 to 10 rounds per weapon, no uniforms,low shoes" had preceded this immediately incipient re-organisation.

Not too happy with incipient but can't think of anythign better at the mo'

Never would have got that one.

What about:

This immediate reorganisation was prompted by the well-known shortages and shortcomings in the utterly inadequate weaponry, clothing and equipment characterised by the terse phrases "captured rifles with 5 to 10 rounds per weapon, no uniforms, low shoes".

Or is that a bit too loose a translation?

Now imagine 120 pages of that. I'd like to skip it but as it's a fairly fundamental source, I can't. Alles scheisse...

[Howard]

Think your version captures the essence very well

Have fun ploughing through the rest ! Sheeesh