Kradmelder (Regimentsstab, Artillerie-Regiment 110)

Source: Flickr

     Somewhere on the Eastern Front, a kradmelder (dispatch rider) for the regimental headquarters (Regimentsstab) of Artillerie-Regiment 110 prepares to get under way. Of all the belligerents during World War Two, the German military was the largest user of both motorcycles as well as dispatch riders. These men played a critical role in delivering urgent orders and messages between headquarters and units out in the field. Often, this was because wire communications between units and their headquarters was either not yet in place, the distance too far to establish such communication, time was not available to set up wire lines, or the wire lines run had been broken, sabotaged, or in some way destroyed thus severing such communication channels. Typically, dispatches were sent back and forth by foot when moving messages between züge (platoons) and kompanie (companies) but when communicating to bataillone (battalions) and higher units, the kradmelder was utilized. Obviously, the job of a kradmelder, or any dispatch rider regardless of nation, was a dangerous one as they often operated alone. Even moving behind friendly lines, front depending, was no guarantee of safety. Each kradmelder was trained to maintain his motorcycle and spare parts were often carried so that any common mechanical failure could be corrected in the field.

     The Germans issued the kradmelder, and other users of motorcycles, a unique piece of protective clothing which was called the Schutzmantel für Kraft Radfaher which translates as Protective Coat for Motorcyclists. The double-breasted coat was rubberized so that it was waterproof and it also fit loosely. The coat also featured a wool faced collar, split tail, and four large pockets (two on the front, one on each side) with button-closure flaps. Each tail could be gathered around the rider's leg and buttoned into place. This made for a more snug fit and thus made the coat less awkward to wear when sitting on the motorcycle and also lessened the chances the coat material might catch on objects, to include the motorcycle's own rear tire. The coat was standard for both enlisted men as well as officers who operated motorcycles. The rider in the photograph has wrapped the coats' tails around his legs and the bottom of one of the front pockets can just be seen beneath his arm. The clear shield he is using to protect his face is not often seen in photographs with the usual protective equipment being a pair of goggles and conditions depending, a scarf or piece of cloth to cover the mouth and nose. In cold weather, some kradmelder used their gas masks, without the filter, to protect their face from the frigid temperatures. Other equipment visible includes the cylindrical gasmaskenbüche (gas mask case) and the square, rubberized pouch for the gaskap (gas cape). Strapped to his back is a Mauser 7.92mm k98 bolt-action rifle.

     The motorcycle he is riding is a DKW (DampfKraftWagen) NZ 350. By the time this photograph was taken, DKW was building the NZ 350 exclusively for the Wehrmacht. The motorcycle was powered by a 1-cylinder, 2-stroke, air-cooled 346cc engine which developed approximately 12hp. This was paired with a 4-speed transmission. Top speed of the NZ 350 was 65mph. Fuel capacity came from a 3.6 gallon fuel tank with the engine consuming, under normal operating conditions, almost one gallon of gasoline every 62 miles. Of interest, however, is that the license plate affixed to the top of the front fender is not military but a civilian plate. This is because all Wehrmacht military plates started with WH (Wehrmacht Heer for the Army), WL (Wehrmacht Luftwaffe for the Air Force), WM (Wehrmacht Kriegsmarine for the Navy), or SS for Waffen-SS license plates. The “M” on the plate is the Roman numeral that corresponded to a German city or district in which the motorcycle had been registered. The circular red object is the registration proof of issue by the local police. The upper portion read “Der Polizeiprälident” (Chief of Police) and below it would be the city name. It was not uncommon that civilian owned motorcycles were impressed into German military service given that demand for them was high.

     Finally, when this photograph was taken, the regimental headquarters staff for Artillerie-Regiment 110 had been attached to the I. Armeekorps (1st. Army Corps), 18. Armee (18th. Army) which was a part of Heeresgruppe Nord (Army Group North) during the invasion of Russia that commenced on June 22, 1941 with the launch of Unternehmen Barbarossa or Operation Barbarossa. By October 1941, it was subordinated to L. Armeekorps on several occasions. By the close of 1944, the unit was the 17. Armee and by the spring of 1945, it was under 1. Panzerarmee, LIX. Armeekorps in Silesia. As for the remainder of the unit, I.Abteilung (which encompassed three batteries) was assigned to Artillerie-Regiment 74 in 1939 and III.Abteilung (also three batteries) joined Artillerie-Regiment 74 on July 29, 1940. Artillerie-Regiment 110 was designated a heavy artillery regiment which meant it was equipped with 150mm or 170mm caliber guns.

Portrait: Chasseur Alpins Caporal, 1902

Source: Author's Collection

     At the thrift was this picture, measuring 14” x 16”, of a soldier. It looks to be heavily retouched and is on thick board. The only writing is the date, 1902, on the back. So, down the rabbit hole I went. My best, educated guess, is that the man is French and belongs to a chasseurs alpins (“Alpine Hunters”) unit. Formed in 1888, the chasseurs alpins are the French Army's mountain infantry, specifically trained to operate in mountainous terrain.

     My guesswork is based on a few things. The first is the tunic, which bears a resemblance to the French Army Modèle 1893 jacket. This one looks to have four front pockets, evidenced only by the flaps. Some searching shows the pocket count tended to vary but the overall cut was the same. It has the nine buttons as typical for the type. Now, chasseurs alpins enlisted jackets tended to have a broad lapel collar while officers usually had the collar as seen here. Of course, it is possible that this soldier had a jacket with a smaller lapel that could be upturned and closed at the throat. Now, the most telling evidence is the chevrons on the sleeves. They are dead ringers for the enlisted rank chevrons used by the chasseurs alpins. Although hard to see, this soldier has two stripes per sleeve, giving him the rank of “caporal” or Lance corporal. The final item that swayed my opinion is the mustache, a facial hair fashion readily worn by chasseurs alpins soldiers at the time.

     The visible handle and hilt of the bayonet appears to be that used with the French Berthier Modèle 1982 rifle.

Russo-Ukrainian War: The Azov Battalion

     There is an elephant in the room which some media outlets have mentioned and certainly is a part of Putin's accusation of “Nazis” in the Ukrainian government. The elephant? Special Operations Detachment “Azov”, better known as the Azov Battalion.

     Formed in 2014, the Azov Battalion is a right-wing, neo-Nazi infantry unit. The manpower of the Azov Battalion has been put as low as 300 personnel and as much as 900 men and women. However, this count was from 2015 and it is likely much larger today. It also includes many foreign fighters from the U.S. and Europe that follow a fascist ideology. The Azov Battalion is, today, classified as a regiment and has a regimental HQ, two commando battalions, the 5th. Tank Battalion, a field artillery battery, and other supporting units such as engineer, signal, maintenance, and reconnaissance companies and even a NBC defense platoon among others. Azov Battalion detachments are stationed in Kyiv, Berdiansk, and Mariupol.

     The Azov Battalion first saw action in the Donbas War which commenced on April 6, 2014 and, even today, hasn't ended though a ceasefire went into effect in September 2014. In that same month, the Azov Battalion entered into the National Guard of Ukraine. In 2016, the political leadership split from the military component of the battalion and formed the National Corps political party. Today, the National Corps has between 10,000 to 15,000 members but in the 2019 elections, the party failed to reach 5% of the popular vote and so there are no National Corps representatives in the Ukrainian parliament (Verkhovna Rada). In local elective offices, the National Corps has 23 elected officials, a mere .04% of all available seats (158,399 country-wide).

     The Azov Battalion remains a unit within the National Guard and is currently on the front lines. This fact is being played up by Russian state-controlled news agencies as evidence that the Ukrainians have “Nazi battalions” fighting for them and a reason to overthrow the Ukrainian government despite the fact there are no National Corps members in parliament. A recent Twitter post appears to show Azov fighters soaking their bullets in pig fat with a message to Muslim Chechen soldiers that are deployed by Russia into Ukraine to return home, that there will be no heaven for them.

     The photograph here dates from 2014 but readily shows the adoption of German World War II military regalia by members of the unit. This includes the wearing of a field cap styled after the West German model that, itself, was derived from the World War II M43 feldmütze. The badge on the front of the cap is styled after the badge used by the wartime Schutzmannschaft, or Auxiliary Police, which were local police formations created by the Germans in occupied territories which included Ukraine. Here, the badge uses a trident rather than a swastika. The patch on the man's equipment pouch reads “Azov” (A3OB) and utilizes the “black sun” (a sun wheel made up of twelve sig runes) and the Wolfsangel heraldic charge. Both were adopted by the Nazis in World War II as part of their symbology and both remain in use today by various neo-Nazi groups. Also, the man is wearing German “Flecktarn” camouflage.

     It should be noted that the U.S. attempted to classify the Azov Battalion as a terrorist organization but failed to get the unit listed. The Azov Battalion has been linked to war crimes such as looting, torture, and unlawful detention by members of the unit during the time the Azov Battalion was deployed during the Donbas War. It has been said the Azov Battalion is anti-Semitic but the unit has a number of Jewish fighters in its ranks and also Jewish members of the political party.

Originally posted on February 28, 2022.

Russo-Ukrainian War: War Booty Near Kharkiv

     Ukrainian troops outside Kharkiv collect weapons and equipment from a destroyed Russian column. Besides looking for intelligence information in the wrecked vehicles, it is certain that any usable weapons and ammunition that is captured will be turned around and used against the Russians. Since there is commonality between some Russian and Ukrainian weapons, such captured guns can be used to replace inoperable ones as well as bolster the inventory of available weapons and ammunition.

     The captured weapons here include a 12.7mm Kord machine-gun in its vehicle mount configuration. The large box is for the 9M131 anti-tank missile used with the Russian Metis-M system. NATO code-named AT-13 “Saxhorn”, Metis-M is used by both Russia and Ukraine. There is what appears to be some form of disposable anti-tank weapon though it is difficult to say which make as much of it is covered up. Laying on top of the launch tube are two rockets for the RPG-7, if only judging by the size and the nozzles for the rocket. Although the RPG-7 was put into service in 1961, it remains in use around the world in modernized forms. Again, both Russia and Ukraine utilize the RPG-7.

     Each soldier looks to have a RPG-26 Algen single-shot, disposable anti-tank launcher over their shoulder but again, positive identification is difficult as much of the tube is hidden. The grenadier (who is touching the ushanka hat) is equipped with a AK-74M with an under-barrel 40mm GP-25 Kostyor (“Bonfire”) grenade launcher. Additional rounds of the caseless grenades are kept in a bandoleer. The other soldier has a AKS-74, characterized by the folding stock. It also has ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) plastic polymer stock/grip furniture due to the plum coloration.

     Russian troops have penetrated into Kharkiv's suburbs but these have been light attack units rather than the committal of heavier assets. These skirmishes have occurred on the outskirts of the city proper and no Russian forces have made it deeper. Reports show that Russian columns are bypassing Kharkiv which suggests that Russian troops deployed in the area may be there to contain Ukrainian forces or prevent reinforcements and/or supplies from getting into the city by blockading it. Given Kharkiv has some 1.4 million residents, a full scale assault into the city itself would be very costly.

Originally posted on February 27, 2022.

Sergeant Stanley Martin Lieber: 1st. Motion Picture Unit

     Because of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941, early in 1942, Stanley Martin Lieber enlisted in the U.S. Army and entered the Signal Corps as a lineman. Posted stateside, Lieber maintained and serviced communication equipment and effected repairs to damaged telegraph/telephone lines and poles. Later, Lieber would transfer to the 18th. Army Air Forces Base Unit, better known as the 1st. Motion Picture Unit (FMPU) which was housed in Culver City, California. 

     The FMPU’s mission was to produce propaganda films, create training films and documentation, and also serve as the sole training provider for combat photographers and cameramen who would be deployed to the frontlines. Training, to include regular infantry combat instruction, for these men was conducted at Page Military Academy which was in nearby Los Angeles, California. Lieber was tasked with the writing of military manuals, scripting for training films, and illustrating. Lieber received the MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) of 288 (Playwright) though other sources list his MOS as 286 (Motion Picture Production Technician). Lieber would be discharged from the Army in late 1945 and with the war over, the FMPU was disbanded in December 1945. By the time of his discharge, Lieber had achieved the rank of sergeant and was decorated with the World War II Victory Medal and the American Campaign Medal. He also earned the right to wear the Honorable Service Lapel Button which was given to honorably discharged servicemen. It was better known as the “Ruptured Duck” due to the appearance of the oft said poorly rendered eagle which made up the button or pin. 

     Because of his service and significant post-war contributions, Lieber was inducted into the Signal Corps Regimental Association and made an honorary member of the 2nd. Battalion, 3rd. Infantry Regiment in June 2017. The 3rd. Regiment, nicknamed the “Old Guard”, is the oldest active duty unit in the Army, having been formed in 1784. Lieber would pass away in November 2018. 

     Stanley Lieber is much better known to us as comic creator Stan Lee.

Ilio Capozzi: Frogmen Commando Corps

(Photograph by Life Magazine)

     When civil war broke out in the Dominican Republic on April 24, 1965, one of the more interesting personages fighting on the side of the Constitutionalist faction was the Italian, Ilio Capozzi (sometimes written as Cappoci). Capozzi's background is hazy but the consensus is that during World War Two, he served with Decima Flottiglia Motoscafi Armati Siluranti (Decima Flottiglia MAS) which was an elite unit of the Regia Marina (Italian Royal Navy) consisting of highly trained commando frogmen and naval personnel. Following the war, Capozzi is said to have joined the French Foreign Legion (FFL) and during his time with the FFL, saw action in the First Indochina War (1946-1954) and later in the Algerian War which ran from 1954 to 1962. Capozzi, in 1956, answered a call by the dictator of the Dominican Republic, Rafael Leónidas Trujillo Molina, seeking experienced soldiers to provide instruction to a new unit Trujillo wanted to create, the Cuerpo de Comandos de Hombres Ranas (Frogmen Commando Corps) as part of the Dominican Republic Navy. Capozzi was not the only Italian enticed and other former Decima Flottiglia MAS veterans such as Victorio Tudesco and Enzo Lobasto joined Capozzi. Many other experienced and decorated Italian veteran commandos and instructors would assemble at the naval base located in Las Calderas. Once the cadre was in place, the first selections of personnel for the unit commenced in August 1957. The training was extensive, dangerous, and rigorous. A modern day analogy would be the United States Navy Sea, Air, and Land (SEAL) Teams. Instruction included demolition (sea and land), small unit operations (for example, intelligence gathering), sabotage techniques, establishment of beachheads, survival in all climates, and being able to operate on little to no support. About 2,000 men were selected for the training but in the end, only 108 of them made it through, forming four platoons. The unit was commanded by Vice Admiral Manuel Ramón Montes Arache.

     When the civil war erupted, the Cuerpo de Comandos de Hombres Ranas joined the Constitutionalist faction that supported the deposed Juan Emilio Bosch Gaviño. Situated in Santo Domingo, the Cuerpo de Comandos de Hombres Ranas established a hasty training facility to rapidly instruct civilian Constitutionalist faction rebels in urban guerrilla combat techniques. The forces of the Constitutionalists outnumbered the Loyalist faction's troops that supported acting President Donald Reid Cabral though the latter enjoyed more armored support and air power. At 10:30am on April 25, Constitutionalist forces, including elements of the Cuerpo de Comandos de Hombres Ranas, stormed the presidential palace in Santo Domingo, arresting Reid. This assault, though, was the last battle for Capozzi as he was killed during the attack. It was the U.S. intervention that commenced on April 30 that saw the end of the Constitutionalist uprising which had been on the verge of victory. The arrival of U.S. Army and U.S. Marine forces would see a ceasefire go into effect that very night. Some sources state Capozzi died on May 19, 1965, also while attacking the presidential palace. I was not able to find a definitive accounting of the combat that took place commencing on May 13 when Loyalist forces broke the ceasefire to attack Constitutionalist forces within the Santo Domingo area. It is possible that the Constitutionalists sought to retake the palace which was within the demilitarized zone that divided the two factions.

     The photograph is one of many featuring Capozzi. His rank is unknown, sources citing he was a Captain while others state he was a Colonel. He is wearing French battle dress made with the U.S. M1942 “Frog Skin” camouflage pattern which was widely utilized by the U.S. Marines during World War Two and for a short period of time by the U.S. Army in the European Theater before its use was discontinued. Following World War Two, the U.S. sold the camouflage pattern to the French who utilized it in their uniforms through the 1950s with much of the production going to the French Foreign Legion, specifically the 1st. Foreign Parachute Regiment and 2nd. Foreign Parachute Regiment that saw combat in the First Indochina War. The helmet he wears is the U.S. M1 “steel pot” but it has been refitted with the French TAP/EO system as used by French parachutists. While not definitive evidence, the fact he has such equipment suggests Capozzi may have served in one of the two regiments. His web gear is a mixture though the majority is U.S. Army issue. Of note is his rifle, a 7.62mmX51mm ArmaLite AR-10. Numerous Central American countries purchased the AR-10, including Guatemala and Nicaragua. Capozzi, however, is said to have used a Cuban AR-10, Cuba having been another buyer. The grenade on his belt appears to be a U.S. M26 fragmentation grenade. Capozzi also carried a pistol sidearm and the brown leather magazine pouch is visible on his left hip along with a fighting knife. Behind the magazine pouch is the U.S. issue pouch (he had two) that he carried his extra AR-10 magazines in. The civilian rebel he is chatting with is armed with a .30cal. Cristobal M2 carbine.

 

Private Lemuel Engle: Company K, 148th. Indiana Regiment (Infantry)

(Photograph taken by the author)

     The Civil War isn't my specialty but on a recent business trip, a cemetery was visited which resulted in a few interesting soldier graves. I won't divulge the location as many of the headstones have been vandalized and even outright stolen. This marker is for Private Lemuel Engle who served in Company K, 148th. Indiana Regiment (Infantry). He mustered into the unit on February 23, 1865 at the age of 24. Much of the men taken into the regiment came from the 6th. Congressional District of Indiana and the regiment was formed in Indianapolis and was fully mustered on February 25, 1865 with a strength of 1,027 men. The unit was considered a "One Year Regiment." Within three days, the regiment was dispatched to Nashville, Tennessee. Bear in mind that by this time, the Confederacy was all but pushed out of the area following the Union victories during the Franklin–Nashville Campaign which ended in December 1864. Thus, when the 148th. Indiana Regiment arrived, it served as a garrison force in the central Tennessee area under the overall command and control of the Army of the Cumberland which was, at this time, commanded by Major General George H. Thomas. 

     The 148th. Indiana Regiment ceased to be on September 5, 1865 when it was stood down. PVT Engle was released from duty on that day. For the just over 6 months of the unit's existence, it had 75 desertions of which Company K accounted for ten of those men. The unit had 36 fatalities of which Company K accounted for two of the deaths. Both men, PVT William Harper and PVT John Henderson, died on July 22 and August 16, 1865 respectively in Pulaski, Tennessee. Pulaski, about 73 miles south of Nashville, was the site of Fort Hill though some current historians don't think such a fort existed. However, records show that at least by 1862, some sort of fortified position was established by Union troops in Pulaski and given the name Fort Hill. It is possible that unit(s) of XIV Corps, who encamped in Pulaski for some months in 1862, could have erected the fortified position upon the hilltop. Pulaski, however, was also the site of several Union hospitals and according to records, 34 of the 36 deaths from the 148th. Indiana Regiment were due to illness of some form. 

     Interestingly, Engle was mentioned in Volume E of the 1912 U.S. Senate Reports where he was requesting an increase in his pension from $12 (granted in 1907) to $24 due to deteriorated health. By this time, he was 71. He would die in 1921 at the age of 80.

Oberleutnant der Reserve Karl Buckel: Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 277

     Born on June 12, 1920 in the Mörzheim district of Landau in der Pfalz in the Rhineland, Karl Buckel first entered service with the Reichsarbeitsdienst (RAD; Reich Labor Service) in 1939. He was assigned to the 4th. Kompanie, 84th. Bataillon (RAD.-Abteilung 4/84) from the VIII Brandenburg-Ost District and held the rank of Arbeitsmann. His unit was involved in the construction of fortifications along Germany's western borders, known as the Westwall (or the Siegfried Line to the Allies), and for this, he was awarded the Deutsches Schutzwall-Ehrenzeichen (West Wall Medal) on March 15, 1940. Sometime in 1941, Buckel was called up for military duty in the Heer (Army). His first posting was with 2.Bttr./Stu.Gesch.Abt.189 (2. Batterie, Sturmgeschütz-Abteilung 189), the unit having been formed on July 10, 1941 at the Jüterbog Truppenübungsplatz (Jüterbog Military Training Ground) in the south of Berlin. Following training, the unit deployed for the Eastern Front on August 5, 1941 where it was initially part of IX. Armeekorps, 9. Armee, Heeresgruppe Mitte but within five days, it was shifted to XXXX. Armeekorps (mot.), 9. Armee where it remained, seeing combat between August 10 through September 2, 1941. On November 19, 1941, Buckel's unit, 2.Bttr./Stu.Gesch.Abt.189, was ordered to detach and report to XXVII. Armeekorps, where it continued to see action. It was during this time that Buckel, now holding the rank of Unteroffizier (equivalent to Corporal in the U.S. Army), earned the Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse (Iron Cross, 2nd. Class) on December 16, 1941. Beginning on January 3, 1942, 2.Bttr./Stu.Gesch.Abt.189 was placed under 9. Armee (Reserve) along with the headquarters unit of Stu.Gesch.Abt.189 and both remained there until Januay 11, 1942 when the entire unit reformed at Olenino, Tver Oblast, Russia. Through January 22, 1942, the unit engaged in operations around the Olenino area but on February 18, 1942, 2.Bttr./Stu.Gesch.Abt.189 was again detached and subordinated to another unit, this time VI. Armeekorps. It was during this period that Buckel was awarded the Allgemeines Sturmabzeichen (General Assault Badge) on January 20, 1942. This decoration was usually awarded to non-infantry units that participated in or supported infantry or mechanized infantry assaults on three different occasions. 2.Bttr./Stu.Gesch.Abt.189 was transferred to the 6. Infanterie-Division, VI. Armeekorps on August 24, 1942 and the rest of the unit soon joined it on August 26, being deployed along the Rzhev Salient. From late August to October 19, 1942, Buckel saw further combat before the unit was shifted to XXVIII. Armeekorps, 9. Armee. It was during these engagements that Buckel earned the Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse (Iron Cross 1st. Class), being officially awarded on October 15, 1942. At some point in 1942, Buckel became a Fahnenjunker-Unteroffizier (Officer Candidate) though his rank remained Unteroffizier. 

     Given there is a bit of a gap in Buckel's decorations, it could be surmised that sometime in 1943 he attended officer candidate school (Kriegsschule; Military School) that encompassed eight weeks of intensive training. After his graduation, he then went to one of the Truppenschule (Branch of Service School) for continued training, this time as an assault gun (Sturmgeschütz) unit leader. Perhaps a validation of this was that on December 27, 1943, Buckel was awarded the Ehrenblattspange (Honor Roll Clasp) which was received for further distinguishing acts in combat. At the time of this award, he now held the rank of Leutnant (2nd. Lieutenant). Buckel was assigned to a new unit, Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 277, which had been formed on February 11, 1944. Specifically, Buckel was with the 1st. Battery (1.Bttr). Buckel's ability as a soldier and officer saw him quickly promoted to Oberleutnant der Reserve (1st. Lieutenant of Reserves). The unit was assigned to 6. Armee (Reserve), Heeresgruppe A and spent several months being refitted and crews trained. In June 1944, the unit was sent to the Cholm region of operations on the Eastern Front under 4. Panzerarmee, Heeresgruppe Nordukraine. On March 21, 1944, Buckel received further accolades by being decorated with the Nahkampfspange (Close Combat Bar or Clasp) in Bronze and the Allgemeines Sturmabzeichen III.Stufe (Grade III; meaning, he had engaged in at least 50 assaults with or in support of infantry). On July 2, 1944, he received the Deutsches Kreuz in Gold (German Cross) for repeated acts of bravery or outstanding achievements. Buckel was made the commander of the 3rd. Battery (3.Bttr) and on July 15, 1944, Buckel earned the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes (Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross) for actions in support of the 212. Infanterie-Division. The division was positioned near Lepel along with Buckel's unit when it came under attack by Soviet forces who broke through near the village of Durilowitschi, the main area of operations for the division. Buckel's 3rd. Battery deployed and succeeded in destroying several Soviet tanks that stalled the Soviet advance. After rallying German forces nearby, Buckel was able to initiate a counterattack which ousted the Soviets from Durilowitschi. Further actions saw Buckel earn the Allgemeines Sturmabzeichen IV.Stufe (for participating in at least 75 assaults total) on October 31, 1944. By this date, the unit was under the XXVI. Armeekorps and in December 1944, the unit was renamed Heeres-Sturmartillerie-Brigade 277. Buckel was also decorated with two Panzervernichtungsabzeichen (Tank Destruction Badge) though the exact dates of when they were earned and how is not known. He was also awarded the Medaille Winterschlacht im Osten 1941/42 (Winter Battle in the East 1941–42 Medal), better known as the Ostmedaille (Eastern Medal), for his service on the Eastern Front. 

     As for Heeres-Sturmartillerie-Brigade 277, it remained with Heeresgruppe Mitte until the end of the war when the general surrender of Heeresgruppe Mitte forces was issued on May 8, 1945. Buckel was taken prisoner by French forces but he would later escape from the POW encampment and was never recaptured. In time, Buckel returned to military service, this time with the West German Bundeswehr which was formed on November 12, 1955. He would retire from the Bundeswehr in 1976, having attained the rank of Oberstleutnant (Lieutenant-Colonel). Buckel passed away on September 2, 1997 at the age of 77.

     The photograph of Buckel shows him with the majority of his awards and it also shows him with the rank of Oberleutnant der Reserve. The ciphers on his schulterstücke (shoulderboards) are difficult to identify but may be the unit number of 277. Given he is wearing the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes around his throat, the photograph can be dated on or sometime after July 15, 1944. The two tank destruction badges can be seen on his right sleeve, the Deutsches Kreuz is on the upper, right pocket, and through the buttonhole on his feldbluse is the ribbon for the Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse and beneath it, the ribbon for the Ostmedaille. Above the left pocket of his feldbluse is the Nahkampfspange and above that can be seen two stitched thread loops, often used to secure a ribbon bar which he is not wearing. Typically, this is where he would have worn the ribbon for the Deutsches Schutzwall-Ehrenzeichen. Beneath the Nahkampfspange is his Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse, Allgemeines Sturmabzeichen, and another unidentified medal. Not seen is the Ehrenblattspange which would normally have been pinned through the ribbon for the Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse. This was because the actual clasp was not produced until after January 30, 1944. Before that date, it was only a paper award and noted in the soldier's soldbuch. At the time the photograph was taken, Buckel may not have had the opportunity to obtain the clasp.

Unteroffizieranwärter: Panzer-Division Hermann Göring

     An interesting studio portrait of a Unteroffizieranwärter (NCO Aspirant) of either a Sturmartillerie (assault artillery) or Sturmgeschütz (assault gun) unit belonging to the Luftwaffe's elite Hermann Göring Division. That he is a NCO candidate is indicated by the single loop of tress around his uniform's shoulderboards (Schulterstücke). That he belongs to either an assault artillery or assault gun unit is based on his uniform which is typical of those worn by such crews. It is a field grey version of the all-black uniform as worn by tank crews. This particular jacket is a pre-1944 version as it retains the white piping around the collars. After 1944, this was left off the uniform to simplify manufacture. A more telling indication of a possible early dating of the photograph is due to the white collartabs. There appears to be no piping around the collartabs and this was indicative of uniform changes after June 1943. Before this time, the collartabs would have had a pink piping. The totenkopf (death's head) pinned through the collartabs are the standard Heer (Army) model as used by Heer panzer troops. Another indicator of a 1943 date is that in January 1944, men were ordered to remove the white collartabs due to their conspicuousness and the totenkopf would be pinned directly to the collars. The shoulderboards were piped in pink in keeping with Waffenfarbe (Corps Colors) standards. The unit's cufftitle (seen on his right sleeve), for enlisted men, was a mid- to dark blue band with block capital letters spelling out HERMANN GÖRING. 

     His only decoration is the Hitler Jugend Leistungsabzeichen (Hitler Youth Proficiency Badge) which was awarded to a Hitler Youth member who excelled in physical fitness/sports as well as ideological proficiency all of which was measured by means of numerous tests. He appears to be wearing a white service shirt with a black tie. It is likely this choice was done for his portrait as in the field, the regular blue or field grey colored service shirts were the usual fare for such crews.

Schütze: 32. Infanterie-Division

(Author's Collection)

     A studio portrait of a schütze (private) belonging to the 32. Infanterie-Division. He is wearing the waffenrock (“uniform tunic”) which was a non-combat uniform that was worn for taking part in parades, more formal walking-out dress, and for other military or civil ceremonies and ceremonial duty when formal dress was required. His unit is denoted by the “32” stitched to his schulterklappen (shoulder boards) and what company he was assigned to was given as a number or Roman numeral on the button that secures the shoulder boards to the waffenrock. Unfortunately, this cannot be made out in this photograph. He is wearing the standard enlisted rank schirmmütze (“uniform cap”) which was proscribed for wear in much the same situations as the waffenrock. 

     The 32. Infanterie-Division was formed on October 1, 1936 and took part in the invasion of Poland, France, and Russia. The division was also tasked for the aborted Operation Sea Lion (Unternehmen Seelöwe), the invasion of the United Kingdom. The division was part of the Courland Pocket and ceased to exist on May 10, 1945 when it and other remnants of various German forces trapped in the Courland Pocket surrendered to the Russians.
 

The Phalange Africaine: The Afrika Korps' French Volunteer Legion

A captured Phalange Africaine soldier sometime in 1943. The helmet decal, unique to the unit, is described below.

     The Phalange Africaine (“African Phalanx”) was one of the shorter lived units of World War II. The formation of the unit was in response to Operation Torch, the Allied invasion of French North Africa which commenced on November 8, 1942. Invasion forces landed in Morocco and Algeria but originally, Tunis, Tunisia was to have been included as it represented the chance to interdict supply lines that supported the Afrika Korps. However, the relative close proximity of Luftwaffe forces in Sicily and Sardinia saw Tunis stricken from the plans. Instead, the Algeria landings and an overland push on Tunis had to suffice. Returning to the Phalange Africaine, the invasion saw the 6th. Congress of the French People's Party (6e Congrès du Parti Populaire Français) in Paris, France authorize the formation of the Phalange Africaine and a list of officers was drawn up. Originally, 60 officers were listed but it was cut down to only 15. In the end, only 6 officers arrived in Tunis on December 28, 1942. By this time, Tunis was no longer in Vichy French hands. Instead, the Germans, knowing there was little fight in the Vichy French forces, had pumped three German divisions, two Italian infantry divisions, and Luftwaffe assets into Tunis to contest the coming Allied attack on the city.

     The Phalange Africaine was led by Lieutenant-Colonel Pierre Simon Cristofini and with the approval of Heinrich Otto Abetz, the ambassador to Vichy France, Cristofini commenced recruitment. This was done by recruiting those soldiers still loyal to the Vichy cause, impressing Vichy troops from destroyed units, and enlisting French or native men into the unit. However, the unit failed to fill the ranks with men to the point that the majority of the Phalange Africaine was made up of native Tunisians. It is believed Cristofini was the cause of the lackluster recruitment drives and when he was injured in a training accident on January 23, 1943 and sent to Sicily to recover, recruiting improved. The number of recruits vary, source depending. Numbers from 130 men to as many as 450 men have been cited. What is known is that the unit was a mixture of the young, the old, and crippled (but who could still at least fight) as well as a mixture of soldiers and civilians. Most were sympathizers to the Vichy and collaborationist causes. The Germans, however, had other ideas for the Phalange Africaine. They cut the unit down to the size of one company, which would consist of around 200 men, under the command of Captain André Dupuis. The training was conducted under German oversight, the German cadre having all been veterans of combat on the Eastern Front. The Phalange Africaine troops learned to fight the German way, to include anti-tank and anti-aircraft battle techniques. The majority of the heavy weapons, anti-tank guns, and mortars were of French manufacture while German Gewehr k98 rifles made up the majority of the unit's small arms. On April 5, 1943, Generalmajor Friedrich Weber, commander of the 334. Infanteriedivision, felt the Phalange Africaine was ready for combat after observing the unit during training maneuvers. The unit formed a company within the 2.Bataillon, 754.Panzergrenadier Regiment, 334. Infanteriedivision. There, it had the nickname Franzosische Freiwilligen Legion (French Volunteer Legion). 

     The first engagement fought by the Phalange Africaine was against elements of the British 78th. Infantry Division near Medjez-El-Bab from April 8 through May 7, 1943. 170 men were on the front lines, the remainder in the rear to support supply operations. The Phalage Africaine acquitted itself well, with seven soldiers being decorated with the Iron Cross from Generalmajor Weber himself. However, throughout the combat, the Phalange Africaine had been pounded almost daily by British artillery and attacked by Royal Air Force fighters and fighter-bombers to the point that by May 7, 57 men were missing, 7 wounded, and 6 killed. May 7 also spelled the end of the Phalange Africaine's existence. With the inevitable capture of Tunis by the Allies, the Phalange Africaine was dissolved. Some of the men, mainly officers, evacuated to France while others made for Italy or Spain. Those unlucky enough to not have the means to escape the country sought to blend in with the populace but many were exposed and arrested. In all, some 200 former Phalange Africaine men were put on trial beginning in April 1944. Sentences varied depending on many factors. Those who were minors at the time of enlistment were simply sent home or served in work sites. Regular ex-soldiers of the Phalange Africaine were sent to Algerian or Moroccan regiments to serve out tours of duty. Former officers either suffered execution or hard labor. The very last Phalange Africaine soldier left prison in 1953.

     The uniform of the Phalange Africaine was that of the regular French infantry in the area. The only German issued items were helmets, mantel (great coat), and boots. The photograph of what is likely a captured Phalange Africaine soldier (judging by what appears to be a British soldier in the background) shows the helmet to good effect and the unique Phalange Africaine helmet emblem which consisted of the French flag colors of blue, white, and red with the entire border being white. However, the flag colors were reversed on the helmet, matching the original color positions of the French flag before 1794. On the other side of the helmet was a white double-headed ax on a black shield edged in white. Both the flag and the emblem were hand painted on each helmet. Phalange Africaine soldiers also wore a badge on their tunic which was much the same as the helmet badge except the ax and the edging was in yellow. This soldier holds a cheich in his hands, a traditional scarf used by French colonial forces.