Hitlerjugendführer: Leader in the Hitler Youth

     In 1933, the Hitlerjugend (HJ; Hitler Youth) became the official youth organization of the NSDAP (Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei; National Socialist German Workers’ Party). Starting at age 10, boys were expected to participate in the HJ and once in, received indoctrination on NSDAP ideology and as time went on, the HJ became a para-military organization with military training taking more and more precedence over more mundane activities such as camping. As German armed forces suffered more and more losses, it was only a matter of time before the HJ became a manpower pool to be tapped. At first, HJ boys took the places of adult firefighters, postal workers, railroad personnel, etc. who were called to arms. By 1943, plans were in place to begin using the HJ in combat, the most notable being the 12th. SS-Panzer-Division Hitlerjugend. When the Volkssturm (the German militia) was organized in October 1944 and any man aged 16-60 was conscripted into it, HJ youth were among them. It was said that HJ combat squads fighting in the last gasp for Germany amongst the rubble during the Battle of Berlin in 1945 were the fiercest of fighters, in part to their entrenched ideological beliefs in German superiority.

     While not a great photograph, it shows an HJ leader (the HJ armband can just be seen on his left arm) with a full complement of para-military awards. On his right breast pocket is the HJ Proficiency Badge. This was considered a very prestigious award, showing both the physical and ideological proficiency of the wearer. On his left breast pocket is the round Ehrenzeichen der NSDAP (NSDAP party badge) which displayed his membership in the NSDAP and beside it is the HJ membership pin. Below the party badge is the political SA-Wehrabzeichen (SA Sports Badge) which was awarded for excellence in physical fitness and athletic competition. The final award is the Deutsches Reichs-Sportabzeichen (German National Sports Badge) which was the military equivalent to the SA Sports Badge.

     Interestingly, the German Sports Badge (first appearing in 1913) is still able to be earned today and is the oldest German decoration still being issued. Today, it is a civilian issued award, given through the Deutsches Sportabzeichen (German Olympic Sports Confederation). The award is open to German military personnel and military men and women from allied nations (including the United States) as well as civilians. To earn it in one of three grades (Bronze, Silver, Gold), points must be earned in five events which test swimming, jumping, endurance, speed, and physical strength. To earn the badge in Bronze, at least 4 points must be earned, Silver is a minimum of 8 points, and Gold a minimum of 10 points. The badge, as it was during the war, is still held in high esteem and its awarding is a requirement for admission into some German police services.

The Libyan Civil War: Rebel BMP-1 Turret Technicals

     Two Libyan rebel NSTVs (Non-Standard Tactical Vehicles) or “technicals” as such vehicles are known in professional military circles. During the Libyan Civil War, rebels made heavy use of technicals as did pro-Gaddafi forces. The rebels utilized technicals as a means to create high mobility vehicles to rapidly deploy troops as well as conduct hit-and-run engagements. Such vehicles were a necessity given the rebels had very little in the way of vehicles capable of mounting heavy weapons and genuine armored vehicles and tanks were a rarity in rebel forces. 

     These two technicals are fitted with turrets removed from BMP-1 infantry fighting vehicles (likely taken from captured but non-functional BMP-1s). The turret houses a 73mm 2A28 "Grom" low-pressure, smoothbore semi-automatic gun along with a coaxial 7.62 mm PKT machine gun. From other images of similar “tank trucks”, a square metal support frame is locally fabricated upon which the turret is placed, the entire support frame secured to the bed of the pick-up truck. It is unlikely the electric turret traverse is kept (no doubt to save weight) and so the turret has to be turned manually. One such truck, involved in the Battle of Galaa in June 2011, showed that when firing, the weapon operator manually loaded the gun (as the automatic loader was either not present or discarded) and dismounted the truck although a simple computer chair was situated beneath the turret for the gunner. The operator reached his arm up into the turret and used his hand to trigger the gun. Upon firing, recoil was experienced on the truck though not to a significant degree though how many shots the support frame could take before failing is not known. 

     It is doubtful that these “tank trucks” fire the gun while on the move and are more likely used as mobile, direct fire artillery as the gun can fire a high-explosive round in addition to a HEAT (High Explosive Anti-Tank) round. In most cases, the 1PN22M1 6x/6.7x magnification image intensifying monocular periscope sight used by the BMP-1’s gunner is kept (seen to the left of the gun on the turret top). The flat rail on top of the gun mantlet is for the fitting of a 9M14 Malyutka (NATO codename AT-3 Sagger) ATGM (Anti-Tank Guided Missile) though no rebel “tank trucks” have been seen with a Sagger mounted.

The Russian OSV-96: The 12.7mm "Burglar"

(Mustafa Karali, Associated Press)

     Taken in 2012, a rebel fighter in Syria took the time to pose for Associated Press war photographer Mustafa Karali. He is holding a captured Russian OSV-96 sniper/anti-material rifle which had been seized from Syrian army forces during combat actions in the city of Maraat al-Numan. The OSV-96 is the refined and improved result of the initial rifle designated the V-94 “Volga” which was designed in the early 1990s by the Instrument Design Bureau (KBP in Russian abbreviation). 

     The OSV-96 fires a special 12.7X108mm cartridge (with the nomenclature of 7N34) to ensure accuracy at long range. If need be, the OSV-96 can fire more standard 12.7X108mm ammunition but typically at the cost of accuracy at range. The weapon uses a free-floating barrel and a sizable muzzle brake to reduce recoil. The weapon has a nickname, “Взломщик”, which means “Burglar” in English. 

     Entering service with Russian forces in 1996, users today also include India’s elite Marine Commandos (MARCOS), Belarus, Vietnam (who makes the rifle under license), and as illustrated by this photograph, Syria (rebels and government).

Panzergrenadier Division Großdeutschland: War Games in Mailly-le-Camp

     It was not an uncommon occurrence that Waffen-SS units operated alongside and with regular German Heer (Army) forces, especially on the Eastern Front. This was often by necessity given the fluidity of the battlefield and what units were available to fill gaps in orders of battle. The photograph shown here illustrates just such an occurrence of close cooperation.

     The photograph was taken by Kriegsberichter (war correspondent) Stöpfgeshoff sometime in 1944 during a war game held on the training grounds located in Mailly-le-Camp, France. Stöpfgeshoff was part of Luftwaffe Kriegsberichter Kompanie 3 (Lw KBK 3) which was assigned to Luftflotte 3 (Air Fleet 3) that supported Axis troops in occupied France (to include Vichy France), Belgium, and the Netherlands. While certainly war correspondents that served with the Luftwaffe had a priority to their own, they were by no means restricted to just documenting Luftwaffe forces. The training grounds had been used by the French military since 1902 and by the 1930s, it was exclusively used by French armored forces. Following the fall of France, the Germans occupied the grounds and used it to train their own armored troops.

     The central subject depicts a Waffen-SS soldier holding the rank of SS-Unterscharführer which is the equivalent to a U.S. Army sergeant. This determination is made solely by the silver tress on his uniform's schulterstücke (shoulder boards) and the absence of any rank pips on it. As for the uniform itself, he is wearing what is called a “panzerkombi” (literally, “tank suit”) and this is basically a pair of overalls. In this case, the uniform is cut from what collectors today call the “SS-Eich-Platanenmuster” camouflage pattern. It is a combination of two types of Waffen-SS camouflage, “Oak” (“Eich”) and “Plane Tree” (“Platanenmuster”). This camouflage pattern appeared early in 1943 and the “panzerkombi” he is wearing is one of the early makes as it does not have the thigh pocket. Of note is that the entire uniform is reversible from a “spring” side which uses green hues as the dominant colors and a “fall” side in which brown hues are the main colors. He is wearing the black M1938 feldmütze (field cap) on his head. Although difficult to see, he has a pair of binoculars in his hand and a pair of kopfhörer (headphones) over his ears. Although his unit's cuff title is not visible as it was not worn on the “panzerkombi”, he is from the 9. Panzer Regiment, 9. SS-Panzerdivision "Hohenstaufen".

     The other two men are part of the elite Panzergrenadier Division Großdeutschland (specifically, 1st. Kompanie, Großdeutschland Panzer Regiment) and this can be told by the “Großdeutschland” cuff title on their right sleeve (visible only on the crewman leaning out of the rear hatch) and the cipher on their schulterstücke. Both wear the typical black panzer uniform consisting of the black panzerjacke (tank jacket, more commonly referred to as the panzer wrap) and black trousers. They also wear the M1938 feldmütze. The pink piping, the waffenfarb (branch color) of panzer troops, does not appear present on the collar of the panzerjacke which suggests a mid- to late war manufacture when it was done away with to simplify construction. It is, however, present around the schulterstücke and the collar tabs. The soldier in the rear hatch looks to have been awarded the Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse (Iron Cross 2nd. Class) as evidenced by the ribbon on his lapel.

     The tank is a Panzerkampfwagen V Panther and we are looking towards the back of the turret. The tank's commander is in the upper hatch while the other man, likely the tank's loader, is in the turret's circular rear hatch. This is because the gunner sat below and to the front of the commander while the loader was on the opposite side and was nearest the hatch. For the war game, men from 9. Panzer Regiment served as referees and to identify them as such, they wore a white band around their arm. He is listening in to conversations on a Großdeutschland radio communications network, discussing an outcome of an engagement, or receiving instructions from higher command.

de Bange 155mm Long Canon Modèle 1877: Service in Two World Wars

     A photograph taken from a Keystone View Company stereoscope card depicts a French gun crew manning a camouflage painted de Bange 155mm Long Canon Modèle 1877. As the date suggests, the 155 L de Bange (the short name for the gun) was by no means a new gun by the time World War One began in 1914. Development of the gun started in February 1874 by a committee made up of French artillerymen. The intent of the committee was to learn lessons from the Franco-Prussian War which took place between July 19, 1870 and January 28, 1871 and from these lessons, conceive of a new heavy caliber gun for siege purposes as well as equipping fortresses. Towards the close of April 1874, the caliber of 155mm was selected and three manufacturers produced their designs which were put to test beginning in 1876. The winner of the competition was Charles de Bange with his 155 L gun and the French military put in an order for 300 guns in November 1877.

     The 155 L de Bange featured a hooped steel construction style and the barrel utilized gain-twist rifling. This method utilized rifling that had an initial slower twist rate at the breech end of the barrel which got progressively faster as the shell traveled down the barrel. This accelerated the angular momentum of the projectile. This wasn't so much as to propel the shell faster but to spread the torque of the spinning shell, which causes stress on the barrel, to be spread across as much of the length of the barrel as possible. This, then, allowed wear of the barrel to be more distributed rather than being concentrated at the breech end. As the photograph shows, the 155 L de Bange had no recoil mechanism and instead, it relied on friction to slow the backwards motion of the box trail carriage. To reduce the recoil further, wooden wedges were put behind the wheels. When the gun fired, the carriage rode up the wedges which bled off momentum and the gun would roll back down the wedges to more or less the same position it started from. This also helped eliminate the need to manhandle the gun back into position after every shot. The loader is likely checking the breech lock, a round already loaded given the gunner is ready with the lanyard to fire the cannon. Once all was set, the loader would retreat away from the gun before firing as the recoil of the gun had the possibility of the carriage jumping the wedges or coming off them. This concern also accounts for the long length of the lanyard so the gunner could be as far away from the gun as possible. The gun fired a 100lb. high-explosive round to a maximum range of 8 miles and a competent crew could fire one round every minute. The gun had a very limited traverse of 4 degrees with a maximum depression of 10 degrees and a maximum elevation of 28 degrees. The combat weight of the gun as shown in the photograph was 7 tons and so it was by no means easily moved.

     When World War One began, the French had pinned their hopes on the excellent Canon de 75 Modèle 1897. Some 1,392 155 L de Bange guns were on inventory, either in depots or in fixed positions. The French quickly learned that the Germans used heavier caliber guns that outranged the 75mm French gun and they had no counter to them in the field. In short order, the French started dragging the 155 L de Bange guns out of mothballs as a quick means to even the odds. The wheels on the gun's carriage were updated by fitting them with Rotaie a Cingolo (“Caterpillar Track Rails”), or simply cingoli. These hinged plates had two purposes. The first was to spread the ground pressure of the gun across more surface area which permitted easier movement over soft ground. The second purpose was the plates provided an immediate firing platform without extensive preparation as two plates per wheel would always be flat upon the ground. It took ten horses to pull the 155 L de Bange though gun tractors were used as well. By the end of November 1914, 112 guns were in service and by August 1, 1916, 738 guns were in action with French heavy artillery regiments. The 155 L de Bange served as a standard artillery piece but was also used in the counter-battery role, using its range to destroy German heavy guns when they were located. As the war went on, newer heavy guns began to enter service and usually after 10,000 shots, 155 L de Bange guns were taken out of service. But this did not last long as production of the newer cannons could not keep up with demand and so new barrels for the 155 L de Bange were produced starting in 1916. One way to tell an original barrel from the 1916 barrels is the position of the lifting handle. An original barrel, shown in the photograph, had a lifting handle in-line with the barrel while the new barrels had the lifting handle across the barrel. Even by November 1918, each French Army Corps had a single heavy artillery battalion equipped with the 155 L de Bange.

     Following World War One, a number of 155 L de Bange guns were sent to Romania and the Soviet Union who put them to use with the Red Army during the Russian Civil War. In 1937, the Russians sent a number of the guns to the Spanish Republicans during the Spanish Civil War. As for the French, 305 of the guns remained in service, most once more situated in fortresses or placed along the Maginot Line. France donated 48 guns to Finland in 1940 but none arrived in time to see action during the Winter War between Finland and the Soviet Union which occurred from November 30, 1939 to March 13, 1940. They did, however, see combat under the designation 155 K/77 during the Continuation War which pitted Finland and Germany against the Soviet Union from June 25, 1941 to September 19, 1944. By this time, only 19 guns were left in service. Although the Germans captured some operational 15 L de Bange guns following the fall of France, they did not put them into service.

Private: 1st. United States Army

     A studio portrait of a Private, enlisted grade E2, of the 1st. United States Army. The 1st. Army, established on August 10, 1918, was the first of three such armies created by the American Expeditionary Force (AEF). Following World War One, it was inactivated on April 20, 1919. However, an amendment made in 1920 to the National Defense Act of 1916 would see four field armies raised, geographically located throughout the United States. The intent of this was to provide a skeletal organizational structure to accommodate mass mobilizations of forces in the time of national need. Thus, the 1st. Army was reactivated on September 11, 1933, with its geographical area being the northeastern U.S., at Fort Jay, Governor's Island, in New York. Its main mission was training support. For much of its early existence following its reactivation, the 1st. Army was more on paper than actual troops and it consisted mainly of staff personnel. This changed as the U.S. moved towards a war footing and starting in 1939, under the command of General Hugh A. Drum, the 1st. Army began to fill out with actual personnel. The 1st. Army entered combat with the invasion of Normandy (D-Day) on June 6, 1944 and would see continued action in the Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace, and Central Europe campaigns. It was the men of the 1st. Army who shook hands with Soviet forces at Torgau, Germany, along the Elbe River, on April 25, 1945. In May 1945, the 1st. Army's headquarters returned to New York to begin preparations for Operation Coronet. This was the second phase of Operation Downfall, the invasion of Japan. The 1st. Army was tasked to invade Honshū, the largest of the Japanese home islands, in the spring of 1946. Fortunately, the use of the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki saw the Japanese surrender, removing the need for Operation Downfall.

     The private appears to have belonged to one of the field artillery battalions within the 1st. Army as evidenced by the branch insignia on the lapel of his jacket which consisted of two crossed cannons. That he served with the 1st. Army is denoted by the unit patch on his left shoulder. Although difficult to see, it consisted of a black letter A with an Army green border. The private is also no longer in the U.S. Army, having been discharged under honorable conditions. This can be told by the Honorable Discharge Emblem lozenge sewn onto the jacket above the right breast pocket. This emblem was nicknamed the “Ruptured Duck” as the poor design of the eagle was such that is more resembled a duck than an eagle. Because of this, we can assume this photograph was taken post-World War Two. Beneath the “Ruptured Duck” appears to be a Meritorious Unit Citation ribbon that is surrounded by a gold laurel frame. His ribbon bar, from top to bottom and left to right, seems to consist of the American Campaign ribbon, the Purple Heart ribbon with an oak leaf device (which meant he was awarded the decoration twice), the Good Conduct ribbon, an unknown ribbon (possibly a state National Guard ribbon), and the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with four Service Stars which represented campaigns he had participated in.

     Today, the 1st. Army is still very much active, being the oldest and longest established unit in the U.S. Army. Its main mission is to train Army Reserve and National Guard forces. It is divided into two commands, 1st. Army Division East and 1st. Army Division West. Under each are training brigades. 1st. Army Division East is based at Fort Knox, Kentucky and is responsible for all states east of the Mississippi River while 1st. Army Division West is based at Fort Hood, Texas and covers all states west of the Mississippi River. Notable early commanders of the 1st. Army included General John J. Pershing (1918), Lieutenant-General Hugh A. Drum (1938-1943), and Lieutenant-General Omar N. Bradley (1944). Interesting notes about the 1st. Army include their motto which is “First in Deed” and the A in the unit's patch represents the letter A in Army and also, being the first letter in the alphabet, harks to the unit being the first, as in, the 1st. Army. The patch was authorized on November 16, 1918 and approved by the War Department on May 5, 1922. Today, the A remains in black but now uses a white and red background.

Freiwilliger: 1. Kosaken-Kavallerie-Division

     The 1. Kosaken-Kavallerie-Division (1st. Cossack Cavalry Division) came into being during the months of April and May in 1943. Of all the various Eastern volunteers, the many tribes of Cossacks made up the majority of them. The first Cossack volunteers commenced fighting for the Germans almost from the very outset of the German invasion of Russia. Over time, more and more Cossack units were raised but were scattered among the many German forces spanning the Eastern Front. The creation of the 1. Kosaken-Kavallerie-Division brought these various units into one fold and with additional recruitment, some 12,000 men were assembled representing Don, Kuban, Terek, and Ural Cossacks. The division was made up of two brigades, each with three cavalry regiments and one artillery regiment. Division assets included a reconnaissance battalion, two engineer battalions, one signal battalion, and a divisional artillery battalion. The division was first deployed into action on October 12, 1943 against Yugoslav partisans and in 1944, was shifted to Croatia to battle Chetniks and Croat partisans. The unit gained a reputation for ruthlessness to the point special courts-martial were set up in the division to dispense justice on those Cossacks who exhibited more extreme barbarism. The division first saw battle against the Red Army near Pitomača, Croatia. There, the Cossacks showed their prowess in combat, forcing the Soviets to retreat from the field. By February 1945, the 1. Kosaken-Kavallerie-Division was absorbed into the XV SS Cossack Cavalry Corps.

     The soldier pictured is from one of the units within the 1. Kosaken-Kavallerie-Division. This can be told by the plain shield seen beneath the Russian Liberation Army (Russkaya Osvoboditel'naya Armiya, abbreviated ROA) shield. The divisional shield was red with a white border. The ROA shield (POA in Cyrillic) was introduced early in 1943 and issued out to the various Osttruppen (Eastern Troops) but it would not be until the formation of the Komitet Osvobozhdeniya Narodov Rossii (Committee for the Liberation of the Peoples of Russia) in November 1944 would the ideal of a singular Osttruppen army come into being. So, many of the various Osttruppen and Cossack soldiers would simply add the ROA shield to their uniform rather than replace their indigenous unit insignia with it. The ROA shield featured a blue St. Andrews cross on a white field surrounded by a red border. The POA lettering was yellow with the shield's background being a dark green. The photograph can be dated to sometime after May 1943 given that he wears the regulation crossed lances collar patches which were first authorized for Cossack troops on May 29, 1943. The lances were silver on a red background. For enlisted men, like this man who holds the rank of Freiwilliger, the patch had a olive green border. As typical for many of the ROA units, he has a mixture of rank accouterments. His shoulder boards are from the previous rank regulations for Cossacks that were issued on November 11, 1942. These consisted of shoulder boards which were of the same pattern as the German military except that the material was green with red piping around the edges. The 1943 regulations called for Czarist-style shoulder boards. He is lightly equipped, the only notable piece of equipment being the metal gasmaskenbüchse (gas mask case). 

     For weapons, he holds a Soviet Shpagin 7.62X25mm PPSh-41 submachine gun. The weapon could use a 35-round box magazine but it was most often seen, and used, with its 71-round drum magazine. The weapon was popular with Soviet troops but also was highly valued by the Germans who would use captured examples whenever possible. In German service, it had its own designation which was the MP717(r). Enough examples were captured that many were rechambered to fire the 9mm Parabellum round and such conversions were known as the MP41(r). Soviet soldiers nicknamed the weapon "Papasha“ which meant "Daddy“. The soundness of the design is validated by the fact that the PPSh-41 still sees combat to this day in the hands of various militias and irregular forces around the world.

Zugführer: Festungs Grenadier Regiment 360

      A Zugführer (platoon leader) of Festungs Grenadier Regiment 360. The unit, formally the 6th. Cossack Regiment, was commanded by Oberst der Reserve (Reserve Major) Evert von Renteln. Identification of this unit is made rather simple by two specific pieces of insignia. The first is the sleeve shield which is red with a white border. But the more prominent of the two is the tank badge. When Cossack units were first formed, the wearing of German combat decorations was forbidden. This changed but until then, commanders of foreign auxiliary units would come up with their own decorations to award bravery. In the case of von Renteln, he created the tank badge with a golden “F” as a means to award those soldiers who showed bravery in battle against Soviet tanks. 

     This Zugführer wears the authorized collar tabs and shoulderboards as given in a German Wehrmacht order issued on November 11, 1942. He is also wearing the authorized cap badge which consisted of two crossed lances over a red bar on a green oval background. For decorations, he wears three Tapferkeitsauszeichnung für Angehörige der Ostvölker (Valor Award for the Eastern Peoples; shorted to Ostvolkmedaille [Eastern Peoples’ Medal). The medal with the green and red striped ribbon is the Ostvolkmedaille 2nd. Class in Silver while the other two are likely the Ostvolkmedaille 2nd. Class in Bronze. The award had 1st. and 2nd. Classes and was awarded in gold, silver, or bronze. The German awards are the Panzerkampfabzeichen (Tank Battle Badge) to recognize soldiers who took part in armored assaults. The other decoration is the Verwundetenabzeichen (Wound Badge) in Black which signifies he had been wounded up to 2 times in combat.

SS-Obersturmführer Oskar Wolkerstorfer: 1./SS-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 105

     In Linz, Austria, on November 2, 1919, Oskar Wolkerstorfer was born. While still attending primary school, he became an apprentice at Heinrich Korb, a bookstore in Linz (the company is still in business to this day), on September 10, 1933 at the age of 13. Prior to his apprenticeship, Wolkerstorfer joined the Austrian Hitlerjugend (HJ) in August 1933. At this time, the HJ was illegal in Austria but was given clandestine support by the German Sturmabteilung (SA). He did not remain in the HJ for very long as in July 1934, he transferred into the Austrian Sturmabteilung and found himself almost immediately incarcerated for fourteen days after the failed July Putsch that took place in Vienna, Austria on July 30, 1934. Despite this, exactly three years after becoming an apprentice, Wolkerstorfer was hired on as a regular employee. However, he resigned his position, joined the Allgemeine-SS (General SS) on January 1, 1937, and departed Austria for Germany. By this time, he had already earned the Deutsches Reichssportabzeichen (German Sports Badge). On June 30, 1937, Wolkerstorfer was transferred into SS-Verfügungstruppe (SS Dispositional Troops), SS-Sturmbann “N” (SS Battalion “N”) that was formed in Prittlbach, Germany. The “N” stood for Nürnberg (Nuremberg) which was the garrison city selected for the unit. SS-Sturmbann “N“ was subordinate to SS-Standarte “Deutschland“ and participated in the Anschluss Österreichs (Annexation of Austria) that took place on March 12, 1938. By this time, Wolkerstorfer had the rank of SS-Mann (equivalent to a Private) but his superiors saw much potential in him and so on April 12, 1939, he was promoted to SS-Junker (officer candidate) and upon entering SS-Junkerschule Braunschweig on November 9, 1939, he had the rank of SS-Standartenjunker (also officer candidate but received while in officer school). Wolkerstorfer performed well, graduating on December 20, 1939, and his high marks and evaluations saw him considered for the Waffen-SS (Armed SS) as an officer. This was approved and on January 1, 1940, Wolkerstorfer reported to the SS-Unterführerschule Bresla-Lissa and by April 20, 1940, he graduated as a newly promoted SS-Untersturmführer (equivalent to a 2nd. Lieutenant) with his first posting being the 2./SS-Infanterie Regiment “Der Fuhrer“, 2. SS-Panzer-Division "Das Reich". Interestingly, Wolkerstorfer did not receive his SS number until sometime in 1940 despite his being in the SS since 1937. When received, it was 353112.

     On February 8, 1941, Wolkerstorfer was moved to 1./SS-Infanterie Regiment Deutschland, 2. SS-Panzer-Division "Das Reich" where he served as a platoon leader within one of the four companies underneath the 1st. Battalion and later, he would become the adjutant to the 1st. Battalion. Wolkerstorfer performed expertly during the campaigns in France and the Netherlands which earned him the Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse (Iron Cross 2nd. Class) on July 28, 1941. He was still with the battalion when it went into Russia during Unternehmen Barbarossa (Operation Barbarossa) which kicked off on June 22, 1941 and once again, Wolkerstorfer proved his mettle which was rewarded with the Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse (Iron Cross 1st. Class) on October 1, 1941. He was made company commander of 15./III.Bataillon, SS-Infanterie Regiment “Der Fuhrer“ in September 1941 and the unit saw heavy combat from September through November 1942. It was during this time that Wolkerstorfer earned his third of four Panzervernichtungsabzeichen (Tank Destruction Badge) when he destroyed a Soviet T-34 tank on September 23, 1941. He had destroyed two tanks prior during combat near Moscow on December 1, 1941. These awards, plus the Verwundetenabzeichen 2. Klasse (Wound Badge in Silver), were bestowed on Wolkerstorfer while he recovered from injuries suffered during combat around Istra, Russia in November 1942. Also, on December 5, 1941, Wolkerstorfer was recommended for promotion to SS-Obersturmführer (equivalent to a 1st. Lieutenant) and this was approved.

     Following his long convalescence, Wolkerstorfer returned to his unit in February 1943 and was once again in the thick of battle soon after his arrival. In combat that occurred between February 16-25, 1943, Wolkerstorfer again proved himself, earning the Deutsches Kreuz im Gold (German Cross in Gold) which was awarded on April 9, 1943. On April 20, 1943, he would earn his fourth (and last) Tank Destruction Badge. On October 1, 1943, Wolkerstorfer was transferred into the V. SS-Freiwilligen-Gebirgskorps where he was put in command of 1./SS-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 105 (1st. Battalion, SS Reconnaissance Division 105). Four days later, he was recommended for promotion to SS-Hauptsturmführer (equivalent to Captain) which was also approved. V. SS-Freiwilligen-Gebirgskorps operated in the Balkans and saw combat against partisans. During this time, Wolkerstorfer was decorated with the Nahkampfspange im Silbur (Close Combat Clasp in Silver) on March 3, 1944. At some point, Wolkerstorfer became the commander of SS-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 505 as a report dated October 20, 1944 listed him at that position. Thus, SS-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 105 had became a Sondertruppen der Reichsführung-SS (Special Troops of the Reich Leadership) unit, hence the change in designation to SS-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 505. After being wounded for the sixth time, Wolkerstorfer was awarded the Verwundetenabzeichen 1. Klasse (Wound Badge in Gold) on February 13, 1945. His name was submitted to receive the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes (Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross) on March 19, 1945 but this decoration was not approved prior to the end of World War Two.

     The photograph depicts Wolkerstorfer when he was an SS-Obersturmführer. Visible decorations include three of his four Panzervernichtungsabzeichen on his right sleeve and the Deutsches Kreuz on the right pocket of his feldbluse. Sewn through the buttonhole on the feldbluse is the ribbon for the Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse and beneath it, the ribbon for the Ostmedaille (Eastern Front Medal). On the left pocket is the Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse. Other decorations that he received during his World War Two military career include the Medaille zur Erinnerung an den 13. März 1938 (Anschluss Commemorative Medal; received in 1939), the Medaille zur Erinnerung an den 1. Oktober 1938 (Sudetenland Medal; received in 1939), Verwundetenabzeichen 3. Klasse (Wound Badge in Black; received in 1941), Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen (Infantry Assault Badge; received in 1942), Panzerkampfabzeichen (Tank Combat Badge; received in 1942), the SS-Ehrenring (SS Honor Ring; received in 1942), and the Orden der Krone von König Zvonimir, 3. Klasse mit Schwertern (Croatian: Red Krune Kralja Zvonimira III.Stupnja s Macevima; Order of the Crown of King Zvonimir, 3rd Class with Swords; received in 1944).

     Wolkerstorfer passed away in his hometown of Linz on January 11, 1971.

Char B1 (n° 238) “Hardi I”: Knocked Out Near Origny-Sainte-Benoite

     The Char B1 heavy tank, No.238, was built by Renault and delivered to the 508th. RCC (Régiment de Chars de Combat) in December 1938 where the unit was based in Lunéville, France. By September 1939, the tank was transferred to the 8th. BCC (Bataillon de Chars de Combat) where it was issued to the 3rd. Company. Named “Hardi I”, the tank was commanded by Sous-Lieutenant Gérard Bernard (a rank equivalent to a 2nd. Lieutenant on the U.S. Army), Caporal-Chef Longefay was assigned as the driver (his rank is Master Corporal), Caporal Martin served as the assistant driver/loader, and Sergent Robert Le Fleuve was the radio operator.

     On May 17, 1940, “Hardi I” was situated in the town of Origny-Sainte-Benoite which was located some 9 miles to the east of the city of Saint Quentin. Bernard had positioned his tank to overlook a bridge that crossed over the Sambre–Oise Canal as it was assumed that elements from German Heeresgruppe A (Army Group A) would attempt to seize the bridge in order to continue their advance without being delayed by having to construct their own crossings. Unfortunately, French forces were unable to hold the Germans at Sedan which opened the way into the Meuse region and resistance began to crumble in the area. Origny-Sainte-Benoite, being along the German advance as anticipated by the French, saw a very brief skirmish between elements of the 8th. BCC and German forces. “Hardi I” was taken under fire by German panzers and one of them was able to score a hit on the French tank. According to the available documentation, it would appear that the German infantry were close on the heels of the German tanks and before “Hardi I” started to burn with earnest, the crew bailed out. Unfortunately, Sous-Lieutenant Bernard was hit in the kidney area by German small arms fire and collapsed near the tank. The remainder of the crew was able to reach the retreating remains of the 8th. BCC forces in the town and were evacuated. Bernard, luckily, had survived the hit and was moved away from the tank by German infantrymen and given medical aid in the field before he was sent to the rear for further treatment. In time, he was sent to a prisoner-of-war camp.

     “Hardi I” was a tank that was photographed many times by the Germans. How long it remained where it was hit is not known but the photographic record show that over time, the left track was completely removed, the turret position changed, and the hull howitzer position was also changed. The latter two most likely occurred from curious German troops clambering inside and using the turret's manual traverse and messing around with the howitzer from within the tank. What eventually happened to “Hardi I” isn't known but it was likely scrapped at some point during the war or afterwards.

Jagdtiger "102": Demolition Outside Rittershoffen

     By 1900 hours on March 16, 1945, the 3e Division d'Infanterie Algérienne (3rd. Algerian Infantry Division; 3e DIA) had wrested control of the towns of Oberhoffen and Schirrhein from the Germans and solidified their positions. In the vicinity was Schwere Panzerjäger-Abteilung 653 (Heavy Tank Destroyer Battalion 653; s.Pz.Jg.Ab.653) who was preparing to evacuate damaged Jagdtigers by trains out of Soultz with their destination being the repair works in Bellheim. All three of the battalion's companies, 1./653, 2./653, and 3./653, were converging at Soultz with the hopes that the two trains positioned at Soultz could be loaded up and then dispatched under the cover of darkness. As work got underway with loading the Jagdtigers onto the rail cars, it was decided that a kampfgruppe (battle group) remain behind to provide a covering force to ensure the trains departed for Bellheim without incident. Put in charge of the kampfgruppe was Oberleutnant Werner Haberland, the commander of 1./653. The unit was made up of the remaining Jagdtigers from 1./653 and 2./653, seven Jagdtigers in all, plus those of 3./653 which was at its full strength of nine Jagdtigers. The kampfgruppe moved out and took up a position in the forest near Biblisheim and it did not have to wait very long before elements of the U.S. 36th. Infantry Division ran into the Jagdtigers during their push towards Gunstett. Haberland's Jagdtigers were able to punish the advancing U.S. troops enough to stall their advance. During the night, the 257th. Volksgrenadier Division launched an attack against the 3e DIA but failed to beat the Algerian troops. However, the trains departed from Soultz unimpaired and so their job done, Haberland had the kampfgruppe withdraw towards Wissembourg.

     Along the way, Jagdtiger “102” broke down near the town of Rittershoffen. It was decided that “102” could not be repaired nor taken with the kampfgruppe and so demolition charges were set and the Jagdtiger was blown up. The detonation blew a portion of the roof off the vehicle as well as blasted the gun mantlet clean off. The photograph here, though, depicts the remains of “102” after the end of the war. It was in the process of being scrapped in situ and one can see the Maybach HL 230 P30 engine has been completely removed along with the tracks, much of the rear hull and superstructure has been cut away along with a portion of the 128mm PaK 44 L/55 gun. The photograph does show the large breech block to good effect. Of note, some publications caption the post-WW2 photographs of “102” as evidence of the destruction caused by the demolition charges but this would be incorrect.

     As for s.Pz.Jg.Ab.653, by mid-March 1945, the unit's commander, Major Rudolph Grillinberger, issued a report to the Oberkommando des Heeres (Army High Command) which stated he had eighteen operational Jagdtigers with sixteen total needing repair, all of which had been dispatched by rail to Bellheim. Thus, the war was not yet over for s.Pz.Jg.Ab.653.

2cm Becker M II: Anti-Aircraft Success Story

     Somewhere on the Western Front, a crew poses with a 2cm (20mm) Becker M II automatic cannon. The Becker design actually predated the opening of World War One, development having begun in 1913 based on an earlier 1.9cm (19mm) model. Thus, when the German War Ministry issued a specification in June of 1915 for an aerial weapon under 3.7cm in caliber, weighing under 154lbs., and having a ten round burst, the Becker M II was already well advanced and thus at the right place and time. Unfortunately, when the weapon was mounted on Gotha G.I heavy bombers for testing in action, the Becker did not perform well. Still, potential was seen in the design and so the Spandau Arsenal was asked to lend their expertise to the weapon and after some modifications, an initial purchase order of 120 examples of the M II was placed. The Becker had a rate of fire of 325 rounds per minute and utilized a curved, 10-round or 15-round box magazine. Empty, the M II weighed 66lbs. and had a muzzle velocity of 1,600 feet per second. In service with the Deutsche Luftstreitkräfte (German Air Force), the Becker was used on the Friedrichshafen G.III heavy bomber as well as other bombers in the Großflugzeug (“Large Aircraft”;G-Klasse) category. In addition, some of the zeppelins utilized by the Kaiserliche Marine (Imperial German Navy) were also fitted with Becker cannons. The Germans also sought to use the Becker as an air-to-ground weapon and fitted it to prototype ground attack aircraft such as the Albatros D.VI and the AGO S.1. This latter use would see the Becker adapted as an anti-tank weapon for ground troops under the designation 2cm Tankabwehrkanone Becker M II. The gun was fitted to a heavy tripod though the recoil of the M II was still more than the tripod could handle and given the muzzle velocity, despite the caliber, the M II showed up poorly against tanks. In fact, the M II had a lower muzzle velocity than the Maschinengewehr 08 (MG 08) machine-gun which was 2,953 foot per second. Disliked by the troops, the Tankabwehrkanone M II saw production halted after some 200 were built and issued. The Becker, however, had better luck with the troops as a anti-aircraft weapon. Given aircraft were built of thin metal, wood, and canvas, the Becker's round, if it hit, could inflict significant damage, especially if it struck a critical component, such as the engine or control surface. However, there was no official anti-aircraft mount for the M II and so troops had to make improvised mountings such as that seen in the photograph.

     The gunner and the two loaders all wear the Infanterie Panzer (Infantry Armor) which debuted in mid-1917 and so this at least dates the photograph to that period. The armor was proof against small arms fire from 550 yards but it was more intended to protect the wearer from shell splinters and shrapnel. It came in two sizes, small and large, weighing 22lbs. and 24lbs. respectively. The smaller plates were secured to the chest plate by web straps with felt pads underneath the edges to prevent metal-on-metal noise. The armor was not popular with troops as it made shouldering a rifle and throwing grenades difficult and dug into the armpits when crawling. Thus, the armor became trench equipment rather than issued to individuals. When a unit left a particular trench line, the armor stayed behind and was then issued to the next unit to man the trench lines. Given the mobility restrictions, the armor was usually worn by machine-gun crews in static emplacements or as we see here, an anti-aircraft crew. It is likely the photograph was posed given the gun and crewmen are completely exposed. In actual combat, it would be better concealed with some form of cover, be it earthen berms or sandbagged emplacements. The M16 helmets they wear were first issued in January 1916, the shape inspired by the sallet helmet from the 15th. century. Of all the helmets made during World War One, the M16 was the best design of them all. The shape deflected away shrapnel, covered the neck and much of the head, and used a padded liner system which made wearing the helmet more comfortable. The lugs on the sides were ventilation holes and were also used as the attachment points for an armored plate. At 6lbs., the plate was not popular and was almost always used by static gun crews and snipers. Finally, the crew have donned their M17 Lederschutzmaske (leather protection mask) gas masks for the photographer.

Battle of Kwajalein: Armor Disparity

(U.S. Marine Corps)

     From January 31, 1944 to February 3, 1944, the Battle of Kwajalein took place on Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands. It was to be a hard lesson learned for the Japanese and a morale boosting victory for the U.S. The U.S. committed the V Amphibious Corps which was comprised of the 4th. Marine Division, the U.S. Army's 7th. Infantry Division, 22nd. Marine Regiment, the U.S. Army's 106th. And 111th. Infantry Regiments, and Underwater Demolition Teams 1 and 2. Arrayed against this formidable force was the Japanese 1st. Amphibious Brigade, 2nd. Mobile Battalion, and the 22nd. Air Flotilla. The attack, called Operation Flintlock, was a multi-stage, two-prong assault along the numerous small islands which made up Kwajalein Atoll. The two main thrusts were against Kwajalein and Roi-Namur. Tasked with taking Roi-Namur was the 4th. Marine Division. First, the division took the tiny islands of Ivan, Jacob, Albert, Allen, and Abraham all within the initial start of the operation. The unit landed on Roi-Namur on February 1, capturing half the island by the end of the day then taking the remainder on February 2. The division lost 206 men, suffered 617 wounded, and 181 men missing in action. The Japanese defenders fought to the last with 3,500 men killed with a mere 87 soldiers being captured. The Japanese found that defending on the beaches without defense in-depth was a recipe for failure. For the U.S., it proved their revised tactics worked and it was the first victory within the Japanese territorial sphere.

     The photograph depicts U.S. Marine Private First Class N.E. Carling posing beside the M4A2 medium tank “Killer”. The tank belonged to Company C, 4th. Tank Battalion, 4th. Marine Division and the photograph was taken following the Marine victory on Roi-Namur. This photograph is one of several of “Killer” which are commonly seen in publications because of its war trophy mounted on the engine deck. The trophy is a Japanese Type 94 tankette and these photographs are often used to illustrate the disparity between U.S. tanks and those of the Japanese. To be fair, the Type 94 was never intended to battle other tanks and so the comparison isn't a very good one. Development of the Type 94 started in 1932 as a tracked vehicle which could supplement or replace wheeled armored cars as the latter had limitations, especially when it came to what terrain it could operate in. The prototype was completed in 1934 and after field testing, was put into production beginning in 1935. By 1937, some 823 had been built. The Type 94 was designed for reconnaissance, supply transport (it used a special tracked trailer for hauling), and if need be, infantry support. Armor protection for the two man crew was a maximum of 12mm down to a minimum of 8mm. The armament consisted of a single, turret-mounted Type 91 6.5mm machine-gun which was later upgraded to a Type 92 7.7mm machine-gun. The Type 94 was 5.4 feet high as well as wide and was 10.1 feet long with a total weight of 3.4 tons. Although the Type 94 was superseded by the Type 97 Te-Ke tankette in 1936, the Type 94 remained in service in some Japanese units until the end of the war. Which unit this particular Type 94 belonged to is difficult to say as both the 1st. Amphibious Brigade and the 2nd. Mobile Battalion were equipped with the type and there is no unit identification visible in the picture.

     The sides of “Killer” are protected by wood boards and these modifications were made in the field to defend against Japanese magnetic mines, namely the Type 99 mine. The mine contained 1.5 pounds of TNT or RDX explosive. A feature of the Type 99 was that two of them could be stacked together to increase the armor penetration. A single Type 99 could pierce 19mm of armor but together, two of the mines could penetrate 32mm of armor which was very close to defeating the 38mm of side armor the M4A2 had.

     Finally, of interest, PFC Carling is resting his hand on the fender of a Type 97 Te-Ke tankette and the crew of “Killer” have stuffed a duffel bag into the driver's compartment of the Type 94. In addition, the box-like structure on the rear of “Killer” is the exhaust adapter for the tank's deep-wading equipment. A exhaust stack would have been fitted to it while another similar stack would have been secured as an air-intake for the engine. This equipment allowed the M4 to come ashore in shallow water (though it could not fully submerge).