Excellent, yes, thanks Martin. It's been about three years since I went through those and still can't find the copies I made, although I have my notes that the copies were made and from where.Martin Block wrote:On the 'Zustandsbericht' of s.H.Pz.Jg.Abt. 560 dated 1.7.1943 the CO noted that none of the units 45 'Hornissen' was operational because of some not nearer specified basic technical problems that could not be solved by the battalions own means.
On 9.7.1943 the commanding general of the XXXXII. A.K. added a note to that same report stating that the unit was subordinated to his corps since 2.7.1943 but still none of the 'Hornissen' was combat ready despite many tests and technical changes.
The 'Zustandsbericht' for 1.8.1943 is missing in the BA/MA but on the one for 1.9.1943 it is noted that the "Abt. seit dem 6.8.1943 im Einsatz ist". Maybe that's the date you're looking for, Rich.
Martin Block
And the problems were:
"die Erschuetterungen des Rohres die Lagerung des Rohres und die Richtmaschine beschaedigt werden. Ein neue Zurrung [?] ist erforderlich....saemtliche Stuetz und Lenkbremsen schlecht eingestellt sind, wodurch fast alle Motoren ueberhitzen. Aus dem Bericht der Pz.Jg. Abt. geht hervor, dass die Fahrzeuge in einem voellig ungenuegenden Zustand die Fabriken verlassen und in den Werkstaetten der Truppen ueberholt werden muessen." 17 June 1943.
From which I get,
"the vibrations of the tube [?], the mounting of the tube, and the traversing machinery is defective/damaged. A new Zurrung [?] is necessary....all supporting [?] and steering brakes are badly adjusted, whereby nearly all engines overheat. From the report of the Pz.Jg. Abt. it follows that the vehicles left the factories in a completely unsatisfactory condition and must be overhauled in the troop workshops."
But then my German is pretty rusty.
