71g ae Lh 4 Field and Flak Divisions bea ee ue: Lg a oF AIA SLY. ~ PUBLICATIONS COMPANYLuftwaffe Field and Flak Divisions Text by Robert Kirchubel Color Plates by Dmitriy ZgonnikCopyright © 2007 by CONCORD PUBLICATIONS CO. B1, 10/f Kong Nam Industrial Building 603-609 Castle Peak Road Tsuen Wan, New Tertitories Hong Kong www.concord-publications.com All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise, without the prior written permission of Concord Publications Co. We welcome authors who can help expand our ange of books. f you would like to submit material, please feel free to contact us. We are always on the look-out for new, unpublished photos for this series. If you have photos or sides or information you feel may be useful to future volumes, please send them to us for possible future publication, Full photo credits will be given upon Publication, ISBN 962-361-156-0 printed in Hong Kong 194)eIntroduction ‘The Luftwalfe's Plight The relative ease of the German conquests prior to their invasion of the USSR (Operation Barbarossa) disguised many of the Luftwalfe'sinere weaknesses. Even the consequences of the Batle of Britain, which Hiller Pursued only halfsheartedly, were not exposed until years after the fact Despite the Laftwatfe’s sunning iii successes against the Red Army Ai Force the invasion of the Soviet Union had an immediate nepative impact on the Luftwaffe: its losses on Barbarosa's first day (92 aireraft on 22 June 1941) exceed those ofthe Batle of Britain's deadliest day (79 aircraft on 1S September 1940) By the time Barbarossa stalled before Leningrad, Moscow and Rostov the LLuwaffe’s loses were considerable. A. year later the twin disasters at Stalingrad and El Alamein plus the mounting Allied aerial assault onthe Nazi Reich marked the real decline ofthe Luftwaffe. Its atrtion rate had always heen very high appalling” according to Williamson Murray) and only got worse asthe war dragged on. The issue hung in the balance until the spring fof 1944 at which point de Allied air forces basically blasted the Luftwaffe ‘utof the skies. Hitler's i-conceived decision to make the revolutionary Me 262 ja bomber rather than a pup fighter contributed to this outcome [Al ofthese factors led to the corresponding growth of Luftwaffe ground forces beginning in late 1942 and continuing through the end of 1944. In ‘view of mounting Luftwaffe aircraft losses the need for extensive numbers of corpilots, aircraft mechanics, signal troops, construction engineers, et. ‘obviously declined. Germany never had suficient supplies of fuel and asthe war dragged on this condition drastically effected both training. and ‘operational lights. Coincidentally the increasingly atrted aerial component ‘ofthe Luftwaffe could not effectively protect the Reich from the clouds of Allied aircraft overhead, That burden fell more and more to flak (Fliegerabwehrkanonen, anti-aircraft artillery) gunners on the ground, [Non-fying forces of Giving’ “empire” consisted ofa dizzying aay of sub divisions and departments: purely military formations and Lafigau (regional) ‘administrators; various logistic and administrative organizations inthe Reich Proper, throughout occupied Europe and behind the front lines: prisoner of ‘war camps: & Luftwaffe hospital system: Security (later renamed) Festung) forces: aiid operations (command and administration) plus maintenance (including vehicle maintenance) staffs; radar operators; a very extensive network of schools for all specialties: and, even its own forestry service. Luftwtfe signal troops alone numbered between 150,008-200,000 men (this ‘count included radar operators). Airborne units made up an addtional large category of Luftwaffe ground forces not included inthis volume. “The present volume mainly covers field and lak nits. Major Luftwaffe non- aioe ground forces included the units named after Géving, four Field (Corps (LIV), six Flak Corps (I-VI), 22 Field Divisions (1-22), 31 Flak Divisions (1-31) and two Searchlight Divisions (1 & 2, later identified as Netherlands/Belgium snd Germany). Most of the units eventually found themselves fighting side by side with batered Army formations that were stretched to the breaking point on viwally every front, “The Various “Giring” Units (One of Grins earliest sources of power came from his position as Interior Minister of Prussia and bis corresponding contol of the police functions of| Germany's largest state. In September 1935, to counter growing quasi nilitary private “armies” being created by his rivals within the Nazi hicrarchy—SS, SA, RAD (Reichsarbeitsdiens) ee.—Goring consolidated some Prussian police formations ito "Regiment General Going” Following the fal of France in July 1940 it was expanded to brigade size and further to “Division Hermann ring” in October 1942, The formation reorganized as 4 panzer division seven months later. In May 1944 it took the curious Sounding name “I Fallschirmjiger-Panzer-Division Hermann Goring.” With the creation of the sister division five months later it began its final petmttion as “Fallschirmiger-Panzer-Koeps Hermann Goring “The formation or its elements took part in the occupations of Austria, the 3 Sudetenland and Ceechoslovaka plus most of the Wehmacht’s campaigns from North Africa to the Ukraine (it was not involved in the invasion of Poland), Is perhaps best known for its participation in the bates for Sicily fand Taly under the leadership of Generals Paul Conrath and. Wilhelm ‘Schmaltz. Asa panzer division it had the usual Amy table of organization: two panzer grenadier plus one each panzer and artillery regiments and myriad hattalion-sized support units. Tanks largely to Gaing's patronage it maintained a high standard of quality men and equipment until the last ‘months ofthe wat Is remnants ended the war fighting around the Saxon capital of Dresden. Field Divisions ‘The most egregious waste of Luftwaffe manpower ina futile effort was the creation of the Field Divisions beginning in the second half of 1942. As ‘Operation Blau in the southem USSR and Rome's offensive into Eaype ground to a halt, Luftwaffe aircraft losses mounted and Goring could no longer justify keeping many thousands of out-of-work navigators, area, mechanics, irfield construction engincers, etc. away from the front, Hier wanted the Luftwaffe to give up the equivalent of seven division's worth of ‘men to the Army. The Reichomarshal! balked at the thought of polluting his ddtfulblue-clad National Socialists by turing them overt the reactionary ‘Army. Giring, jealous of his prerogatives as always, countered with an offer to create his own Field Divisions, Hitler agreed to this arrangement. The generally satisfactory performance of Group Meindl (see below) and the seven newly organized Feldregimenter der Lufiwaffe following. the culmination of Barbarossa gave a false impression ofthe Luftwaffe’s ground fighting capabilities, Therefore it initially appeared tht the creation of these Field Disisions was not completly illogical. Goring called for volunteers from throughout the Luftwaffe on 17 and 19 September 1942 (oficers and enlisted men, respectively), In the late summer and early autumn the Luftwaffe began what was to become the hasty and generally poor training ‘ofthese unit. Luftwaffe combat veteran aborne cadres conducted much of this early training but in many cases instruction lasted only a few weeks prior to employment in combat, ‘The Field Divisions” preparation program accelerated and became even less satisfactory in November 1942 following Stalingrad and El Alamein. The Luftwaffe had long laid claim to some of the best men in Germany's ‘manpower pool (along with other elite branches such a the Waffen $$ and the U-boat arm) so there is no doubting their individual quality. However, thie skills as infantrymen, armored vehicle crewmen, anillery gunners, et. ‘were suspect. A more significant problem was that of officer and NCO leadership. Deplaned bomber pilots and former technical officers simply ‘wero notable to effectively lead men inground combat. A prime example is thatthe commanders of two Field Divisions were Luftwaffe major generals who had previously been head of the meteorological service and the judge advocate general—hardly good preparation for division command. The Army had to repeatedly reinforce these units with new, better qualified ‘officers and NCOs plus equipment from its own very limited stocks. ‘The fist of the Field Divisions began as ad hoc formations employing ‘unutilized Luftwaffe resources near the Leningrad sector under Major General Eugen Meindl (an alley officer who had transferred fom the Army only the year before). Others came on lie as they completed their training. While most fought in the USSR, afew participated in the Halian oF westem European campaigns while still others pulled occupation duty in Norway and Denmark. By doctrine each numbered approximately 12,500 ‘men although by late 1943 strength varied between 6,000-16.000. The Field Divisions were generally organized with four Jager battalions but often no regimental headquarters. A severe limiting factor was that they often only possessed one artillery battalion (instead ofthe usual atilery regiment found jin Army divisions) and their support elements were only company sized (instead of battalions used in Army divisions). Most had to make do with second-rate or captured equipmentOnce their everall weaknesses had been revealed on the battlefield, the Red Any ofien singled out these suspect formations asthe target of the main for in ther attacks. Most Field Divisions fighting against the Soviets and thore in western Europe were obliterated after only a few weeks combat, Those that survived until November, 1943 were absorbed imo the Army as Field Division (L)—obviously the “stood for “Luftwaffe.” Only ix lasted until July 1948, Two, the 18, and 19., were eventually renamed the 18. and 20.Nolksprenadier-Divisions. The Field-Divisions performance in combat crushed Goring’ already ruined should not waste 100 much sym thew masses of unprepared technicians to uniformly poor 9, However, one athy on the Reichsmarshal: he eallously ‘The graph below shows the date cach Field Division was established and destroyed pls its main theater of ation. Established Destroyed Main Theater Remarks 1 Summer 1942 Apedt ‘Army Group North 2 Sep-t2 Jani ‘Army Group Center Destroyed before it could be absorbed. into the Army 3 Summer 1942 and Army Group Center 4 Sep-t2 Jun Army Group Center 5 Sep-t2 May-44 Army Group °A’ 6 Sep-t2 Jun-44 Army Group Center 7 Summer 1942 Aprt3 ‘Army Group Don Destroyed before it could be absorbed into the Army 5 Oct-42 May-3 ‘Army Group Don Destroyed before it could be absorbed into the Army 9 Autumn 1982 Jan [Army Group North 10 Autumn 1942 Feb-ts ‘Amy Group Noth nL Oct-42 May-45 Balkans 2 Nov-42 Mars Ammy Group Nosh B Nov-42 pets Group North 4 Autumn 1942 May-45 Norway Is Nov-42 cea ‘Army Group South 16 Autumn 1942 sult France 7 ‘Autumn 1942, Sep-44 France 18 Autumn 1942 Sep-td France Renamed 18.Volksgrenadier-Division » Mac43 Aug-t4 Italy Renamed 20.Volksgrenadier-Division 20 Ma-43 Dee-44 Italy 21 Jun-A2 May-45, Army Group Noh Originally Group Meindl Autumn 1942 Autumn 1943 ‘Army Group North Disbanded before employed Flak Forces As poverful la-trajectory high rate-of-fre weapons the various flak guns had applications aguinst targets both in the air an on the ground. During the Spanish Civil War, the year old Luftwaffe leamed to aim its Nak guns horizontally at ground targets: medium guns proved able to penetrate any armor (even that of ships) while light guns put outa volume of fire that made them deadly against infantry, tucks and other “sof targets. All other branches ofthe Wehrmacht had flak force but the anisitcraft mission was central to the Luftwaffe Luftwaffe flak had two main missions: defense ofthe Reich and protectin forces in the Field. Mobile flak formations from batteries to comps were employed with frontline forces in every campaign. When first the immense size of the USSR and later the overwhelming air superiority ofthe Allied air forces diluted the Luftwaffe's flying strength, flak was the oaly protection from acral attack that German ground elements had. Likewise, Mak assumed the main esponsibility of holding off British and American bombers that Increasingly dominated the skies over the German Fatherland, Flak was divided ito three categories based on caliber: Light—12.7mm t0 2em; Medium—3.7 and 5.0em; Heavy—8.8em and larger. In August 1940 LLuftwatfe flak forces counted 528,000 men, In 1944 alone that number rose by a quarter million. By the autumn of that year there were 1,110,000 personnel manning Germany's flak defenses, including 450,00) now: Luftwaffe men—RAD, Home Guard, women, POWs, ete. Tis means fully ‘one half ofthe Luftwafe's strength was involved in the Reich's flak defense Over 65,000 women served in the Mak branch as Flakhelferinnen; some searchlight units were made up of over 90% women, The graph below gives sn idea of the growth ofthe ak arm (in numbers of batteries) defending the Reich during the war: ‘The strateyic flak defense of the Reich stretched from the North Sea 0 Switzerland (the British dubbed ths the Kammhuber Line). Is effectiveness required coontination between gunners, searchlights, radar and command, and control elements usually in conjunction with fighter airerat. OF course the primary purpose of flak was to shoot down enemy areraft but it had ‘number of ertcal second order effect: for guns—force bombers off target and break up their defensive formations; fr searchlighis—degrade the night vision of pilots and bombardiers pls silhouette hombers for night fighters Conclusions The Luftwaffe suffered from incompetent leadership at the very top but otherwise possessed welkintentioned, skilled and contentious “generals, offices and enlisted men. It was involved in combat in Spain just one year afte its creation and in a fllfledged world war three year aftr that. It was arguably the world’s best air force in 1939 but due toa numberof factors i soon lost any advantages. By the second half of the war operational requirements and the weak German economy limited the Luftwaffe Principally to oneengine fighters and a few ground atack aircraft. In is defense the Luftwaffe was the only branch of the Wehrmacht that fought ‘without pause from 1939-45, By the time Operation Barbarossa crested at Moscow in December 1941, the Luftwaffe was de facto becoming primarily a ground force. Ironically, primarily due to Giring’s need to compete against Himmler within the bizare arena of Nazi intemal politics s the Luftwaffe morphed into less of an “air” force the bigger its personnel strength grew. Ultimately the size of its land-based combat elements far surpassed tha of the serial (which does rot even tak into acount the massive non-flying component that makes Up any aie force). In addition to the huge flak branch the Luftwaffe ground forces eventually included the two mechanized “Goring” divisions, ten parachute and 21 field divisions plus countless smaller regiments, Abveilungen,ete—all of which should have belonged othe Ammy. So mich for the “efficient German” stereotype! Pre ciel Peace and 81 consult* Pre-WarMore peacetime feld traning, here apparently in the German countryside with a factory smoking on the horizon. range finder i Sat up on te right as {are to sets of sheltor quater stitched together to create sleeping areas for the gunners, Pro-wat fel training fox 8.8em crows, Gun in foreground appears 1 be same ‘from earlier photos. In mids distance another 8.8cm at cente-ot and a rangefinder in conteright are put ito operation ’An B.8cm unit convoy takes a rest hal, probably alongside a divided Autobahn, Vehicles are Sore, 7 prime movers. Instruction on a 20mm Flak 30 inthe Kaserme motor pool. The Feldwebel (0: NCO, center, facing camera) is wearing one-piece coveralls, Geet (corporal) Going the taking wears the Flegerbuse (air crewman's blouse) while his Students wear the light colored Daiicnanzug. Another gun crew takes 8 break along the wall wating ts turn.euntyside he ight a, 9 areas for rat halt, Autobahn, 30 in the nebel (or swearing corporal) egeruse mle his colored “Two Fak 30 gunners dressed in coveralls eat lunch from their M31 mess kis, Probably a peace-ime photo, the gun has atacted the attention of quite a fe ins from surrounding neighborhood. “Two photos of Flak 30 units inthe square of German towns prepare to move out. Guns are mounted on their Sonderanhanger (SdAnh) trailers and towed by Opel Bitz trucks. Notice Nazi tags hanging trom buldings.1h re Feld Division Flak 30 gunners 16-60 years old or fomales between 1 A senor band can oontllies Another rest halt for an 8:8¢m units convoy, inthis the straetof a German town. Guns. prime movers 5 z laden Magius tucks are clearly seen. The exciting sight has - c Two Flak caused somo German boys to abandon their bicycis, a aing oeCeremonies ‘A senior officer addresses @ formation of airmen all wearing greatcoats. An 8.8cm in the foreground and two Flak 30s flanking the podium point skyward. A band can be seen onthe et, xganized. red conter | Two Flak 30s fank speaker's pocium in Kaserne courtyard. Oficers are wearing formal Ausgehuniorm (walking out unor) wih all medals and Jodhpur tng breeches. Oticer on let is a blur in his bisk“adutant's walk 9 ;jalied camouflage shelter h Tanned and smiling captain salutes ater reoetvin ass. Buton-hoe ribbon of his ron Ch cer’ arm, Sliver brad on col ricknamed Schith of both officers are clear ng h shiny new | Fall niin, man ewauing an 20 beg taking the cath “ tripod at centereft Is C River at aring standard four-butlon Tuohrock (service tun¢ Near the reviews Field Division troops in a field formation. Enlistetto places year mix of service jackets and Flogerbuse. Judging by lack o a the ‘and wartime decorations these are brand new recut ph 10an oat 7 terwoniaty Occupation Duty leep0 on} ming armen hang out the windows of he 792mm) cated aa Judgng by todas #n MG26(1)-J chamed on the car's side their unit spent the Poi campaign, the phony war and the warn ewes lrg to Ahan Porat Satur Getler Gowns around with a mannequin, bowler hat, la Umbrella Standard issue fash ight hanging on let reat coa tobe only regulation uniform tem. His squaches in back of Kt (one aso wearing a bowler look on. ‘le a junior offer stands near a signpost ging distances home, Clealy seen i his two-cawed officers belt while Motorcycle riders pause in a French town. On Folawebel on let siver collar imiar 10 tat worm by mountain troops) dates this Tease and sleeve qualification badge can be seen. Man on right wears ran 3, s coat with trousers not bloused in his 1A telatvely large formation—possily a battalion of three batteries in a"U" shape in the shadow of an Beem. Airmen wear great coats. but not helmets. Hier (and Churehitly were obsessed with Norway ‘and maintained an inordinate amount of forces there to. the detriment of other crticl theaters, night were someficalshecpstn act (Pociecsg EET Faid fom vatety of and hei | s - An 88. guarding ‘occupied Norway. Thiet heavy, three light ang 17 mixed flak battones| ‘mostly trom the 29 Flak Division, guar Norway. Additional Norway consumer large numbers oh =! Wurzburg, Freya and Wasserman radars not to mention nave "Hande F radar, needee around ‘lsewiere to defend the type com Rech etectveNonvay. Man (Polack) epskin vests with rank. Hermann Goring Division Feld formation of division troops alongside a dit road. Present are a great | variety of uniforms: greatcoat (serio officer in front of formation), Tuchrock fand Flogerbluse. Headgear incluges Schirmmatze (officers), Eineitsmatze fand helmets (some with striped cdmoutlaged). ‘The division ral loads for statogie movement. Mix of unforms ioludes lght Dritchanzug (center) and coveralls (right) plus others. Vehicles include a Ferd (le), Ope Bitz (second from let) and Mercedes (righ). The varity of non-standard vehicles represented here created a maintenance and Supply rghtmate for the Germans throughout the war ‘AHerman Gering Dvision 2.7em Flak 18/36 towed by a Magius ruck White balls on poles on front fenders alowed the truck diver to see the limits of his Vehicle. By 1944 the Army had stripped most field divisions of their vehicles leaving Goring as the only really mechanized "Lutwatte" unt “Hance hoch" Obergetreiter (senior corporal) armed with Luger POS playing round with armored vehicle crewman, Vehicle hatch appears to Be Unique ype common to Panzer IV family. AS its fortunes in wat vacllated the units tectve strength ranged Between a fll dvsion and a reinforce regiment. Visible isthe usual mx of unilorms trom great coats to reversible winter smocks. Truck cab shows dstinctive Skoda sihouette. Bultup structure on tuck bed was tkely a mobile workshop for any number of functions ‘lieutenant in is Flegerbuse leads a group of officers through an clearing in some woods. Those in his audience wear @ wide array of uniforms: Tuchrock (et, second and third from right), great coals and camouttage mocks plus Sehirmmitze and Einheltsmiize. 13Field Divisions | da: Like fish out of water Luftwaffe aircraft mechanics, cooks, etc. try learn the infantry’ individual movement techniques. These Field Division troops are all ‘wearing Feldmdtze pls a mix of great coats and winter coveralls ‘pai of Feldwebel and a iger (as the mos! juror enisted rank was cae) recove training on a MG34 i its tripad-mounted heavy mode in 1942. Na fn fet in prone position wearing Dilichanzug Is probably simulating rileman protecting the machine gun poston. Taining on the 3.7om Pak 35/36, an officer wearing holstered Walther P38 at scissors binooulars and Getreter standing at center watch fr fall ofthe ‘oun while man on lot takes notes. The 3.7em Pak had already been proven to be almost useless by 1942-43 so the Field Divisions’ woes were ‘compounded by poor equipment such as this. The classic photograph of the German fighting man in Russia. He wears @ white-washed helmet and unadorned (at coat and is ready to take up his Kar 98 tie. Actually by necessity the Lutwatte became involved in ‘round combat from the earliest days of Barbarossa, anti partisan operations ‘were a constant feature Of the Nazi Soviet War ‘Alameinheten (emergency units) guarded airfields, convoys, tcxis cwas called) n 1942, Man, emulating a L 2 r = Feld Divison trooper fring an G34 in the ight (ipod) mode. He wears the reversible winter smock with the camouTlage splinter patter out. GBring’s niga asked for men with “strong hears” to volunter “without hesitation: “wo Feld Division troopers, one with MG34 (ef). Both wear camouflage netting on thei helmets (used from late 1942 onwards). Machine gunner is wearing camouflage smock over his great coat and dark blue gales, 15sion gunner "Flak 30 i ing posiio cut. Russia presents soene on the nave burnt Pak 35/96 mbination smutze, call who on Lee of ‘Two Feldwebe! and an Obergetrete (let) of a Field Dison’ forward ‘observer section. Tools of thet trade include Scherenferrotr on tripod plus field telephone, Judging by the fact these men are napping without any form ‘of cover or concealment Indicates they are training far fom the fighting probably in Germany. French or ltalan tow. These men provided an invaluable command and ‘onl urcion when radios or fed telephones dit work. 'A Fak 90 on its trailer in the square of a burned out Soviet town. Soldiers ‘march past the hollowed out shel ofa large building inthe back ground. Even the Romanians were often scornful ofthe Feld Dwvisions' fighting abl. Usiqutous MG34 on its ipod na frozen marsh that could be found in Ist about ary part of fhe USSR where Nazis fand Soviets fought. Crewman keeping watch in wintor over ‘erment (Schneeremde) has ed of straw ready for When he has to hil the (ound and go. into scionAn Mi with winter white side out. Dark colored stripes on upper sleeves are colored recagniton devises that changed frequently according to a units se ‘Convoy ide. A si ee Nl saxiz Somewhere in the USSA a ski parol in winter over-garments moves out. The Schneshemden were loose enough tO 2 movement and lots @ plus the equipment underneath. Comrades left behind man an MG34, while they have some shelter from the elements they have n this or 18,Men returning from patrol (notice loaded amy negotiates typically abominable road through the Russian country ‘Al ght are beginnings of a Knuppeldiam (corduroy oad—small tres li sideways) that was common in muddy areas. Prime mover is large Saki, capable of towing heavy weapons with its crew and ther equipment pus the gun's ammunition Civilan automobiles were completely unsuited for hs sort of of-10a0 ving but the Germans had 100 few tactical vehicles, Seemingly warmly Gressed unit standing around a lussian village. It has made {900d use of hearty local Panje horses to do heavy iting. These horses and their sleds ‘or wagons dd yeomens service long after less rugged horses. from western Europe succumbed othe harsh Russian elements,Two columns trudge across the remorseless snow-covered Russian countryside. To. the ‘ight are men on skis but without ‘any winter camoutlage. Men in logistes column made up of Panje horses in. foreground wear reversible camouflage mocks and trousers olten in combination with theit normal Uniform coats or trousers. Yet another horse-drawn logistics column in the Russian winter. Most men wear white winter over garment while man ton let wears reversible smock land trousers. Despite myth of ‘mechanized ltzkrieging Wehrmacht the great mass of the German mitaty marched on foot and moved no faster than & walking horse Weather not fit for man ner beast, winter 1942-49. AS cod fas this scene looks these men fare very well equipped for the Cold compared tothe Ostheer a fa year eae. AS the snow fl 8 small logistics element makes iis way across. the Fussian 20 Fi + Pe ni‘group of Falawebo! (with one airman, fourth Three lieutenants. Judging by the fact that none wear any awards or decorations on thet uniforms they are newiy minted of early has retained the wie form to keep the shape‘A group of Hermann Goring Dison troops in their niichanzug inspected Snow-dusted members ofthe Hermann Géring Division, probably in Russa by a Feldwobel (wit unbloused trousers). It appears the men have just during the winter of 1943-44. Uneven fighting qualities of Luftwaffe men completed training with their protective rhasks a the masks are out of their meant their units were often more of a burden to the Army that even those of storage canisters, Germany's less-martal ales, Feldwebelon let (ntice sver colar Tresse) and Flak 30 ‘crewmen in black coveralls eat lunch from thoir M31 mess kis. Gefeferon right wears bayonet on his bat {Guns are towed by Krupp L3HA3 Schnautzor trucks, Informal photograph of airmen wih thelr officer (contr, in Foldmuize offcers double-clawed elt buckle) and Felawebel (on office’ let, with collar Tress) sim a A a A elFlak Searchlights and Command and Control = ae (Crew of 60cm searchlight used with medium and ight flak. ne man wears bive-graytwil coveralls while other is in Drilichanzug. In good weather the 135 milion canclepower light ‘could throw a beam 5,000 feet verbally Two officers inspect dug-n 600m (24 inch) searchlight and crew. Not counting the vehicle chive his ight hada crew of four and was powered by an Bkw generator. Performing maintenance on 100m (60 inch) searchlight used with heavy flak. The size measurement relers to that of the parabolc glass reflect An eight eyinder, 51 horeepomer generator created 24kw to power the 990 milion candlepower ight 24This Leutnant der Flegortuppe, tke many other Luftwaffe ffcers, was essentially “unhorsed as Aled a forces gained air superotly in every theater of Europe. Unik many of his superiors who began ther careors in tho German ground forces, this young man probably had not served in th Army and never intended to. Now with fewer aircraft to crew and maintain, the Luftwaffe has him fighting like a sodier. His lack of experience Tkaly proved deadly to himself and to his men. He is easly identiied as a Lutwatle officer: his blve-gray Uniform, the aluminum Luftwaffe eagle on his right breast (ebscured) and the cap devices on his Schimmatze. He wears the Flegerblise, possibly from his days as an air crewman (bat these grew popular wth non-tiving elements of the Lutte) ‘and Reterhosen with leather inseams. Rank is indicated by the shoulder boards, in this case siver under laid withthe yellow Wattenfarbe tthe tying service. Since he's now in combat he has slip-on covers concealing most of the bright shoulder boards. Nevertheless fis visor cap stl has ‘iver devices and aluminum chin cords and ping (Ike that on his collar). He also wears the oficors brown bot wth two-pronged buck and matching leathor harness, Hung on fis bell are canvas ammunition pouches and a leather case forthe standard 6x20 binoculars, The lieutenants only weapon is the Erma (Erturter Machinenfabrk) MP. 38/40 Omm machine pistol, with folding ‘stock extended. The machine pistol was dovoloped to put out a large volume of pistol shells, and was designed primarily for troops expected to fight in cramped spaces such as panzer crewmen and paratroops. However, the MP 38/40 found is way to the hands of solder everywhere, especialy leaders, and has ‘come to represent the Wetrmacht in poplar cuture such as movies and television. The magazine in tis tenants left hand holds &2 roundsJust a fow months into Operation Barbarossa Luftwaffe losses ‘were such that many aircraft crewmen, mechanics signal woop, fair controllers and the tke could no longer serve in thet ‘specialties. The hardpressed army needed all the help it could {get 0 airmen were organized inte ighting in ad hoc uns. By late 1042 the Luftwaffe created ts own Field Divisions and on 4th January, 1943 the Luttwafe authorized a unique Wafentarbe of tile green fo them. Pictured here is an Obergetreter showing three wings on the green Kragenspiegel. His uniform is further dated by the M-43 cap. For added warmth he wears a non- regulation but useful evlian turtleneck sweater. ‘To give hime some camouflage and protection against the clements he wears his ctton dil Zetoahn as a parka This was walt repellent and could be joined together win one o tres ‘thers to make two- and four-man tens. Over his shoulders. his Kar 96 and siap of his gasmask canister. On his feet fare the new ankle boots and canwas gaiters. These were Introduced in 1941 as a way to save leather. ‘The leather “Y straps, ammo pouches and canteen of his ‘Sturmgepdck can be seen, as is the strap of his mask ‘canister. What eannot be seen of his combat pack are the bread bag and cooking kit (Kochgeschir). Also suspended from the corporals belt Is his helmet, painted in ld ‘expedient camoutiage ZGONNIK'O7 26His days as a machine gunner aboard a bomber oF fan aia mechanic now over, this smiling Floger ‘er Flegertruppen now fights as a Landser On top he wears tne “Second Pattern” camouflaged paratroopers ‘smock Issued in 1941. Underneath can be seen the ‘Kragensplegelot his rank and branch: one par of wings on flying service yellow. The. Lutwatle styled eagle and swastica can be seen on his blue-gray helmet. His Tuchhosen are bloused into his, leather Marchstete, < AS Loaher “7 siape support nis Sturmgepack oF light-weight combat pack. On either side of his. siver enlstes man's Lutwatte belt buckle are three ammunition pouches, each wih 30 rounds. The agonal strap hanging on his left shoulder hold. the storage canister for his M-30 gasmask (mostly concealed), Visible on the airman’ right hip isthe % ier canteen and drinking cup. His only weapon is the ubiquitous Mauser Karine 98. The 7.2mm Kar 88 (and its regular rifle version) was the standard German bolt-action rile throughout both world wars. It was a sturdy and reliable weapon,(One branch of the Luftwaffe that grew throughout the Second World War was Flak. Flak took over increased responsibilty for defencing both troops inthe field and the German Reich form enemy aircraft. It also destroyed countless enemy tanks and ‘other armored vehicles, ‘Shown here ls a Kanoniar ofthe Flak, in ths case distinguished by the red ping on his shoulder straps, On his et chest he also wears the Ant-Aireraft Badge, opposite from the nation symbol ‘on he let. The Luftwate introduced the Flakkampiabzeichen in 1840 and It was awarded to members of units accumulating Points for shooting down enemy aircaft.This aieman has also ‘eared the ron Cross, Second Class as evidenced by the Band (ribbon) in his Flie{gerbluse button hole. Ho woars a helmet with standard decals. His “Y strap holds his bolt with ammunition pouches (each with six Clips of fve rounds each). Tuckod ino his belt is @ folded Fiogormdutzo (side cap). His Zebann ‘holt is rlled up and carried on his combat pack ‘along with his bread bag and canteen. He also wears new ankle boots and leggings and as Usual, is armed with his trusty Kar 98 cr (oa 'A150cm searchlight in operation at right. Man at lf remotely aims light wih the pole. In good weather its beam could reach an altude of 16,000R. A battery consisted of four 150m lights that were used in conjunction with a 206m “master” ight that hada cistinguishing blue beam of ight, ‘A.1500m searchlight operator's position curtained of (at ight! to protect his right vision. Judging by this man's footwear he may be at the nortnem portion of the Kammhuber Line in occupied Holland. A crew of 14 normally operated tis type of searchiight 29Flak—The Mighty 8.8cm NCOs and enlisted men mar-handing an 8 Bom ough soft earth, even an officer gets inthe act (back to ). The Fiak 18, 36 and 37 models all used the same Sonderanhanger 102 trailer. Even thought the gun could re trom is traler mast fred dsmounted. A good {2@W could dismount a gun and be prepared to fie in 20, Seconds It would take them about a minute to remount the gun tots trailer "Another group of men marvhanding an &.8em while & Magius tuck sits idly by. Following the Normandy invasion over 200 flak batteries moved fram the ech 0 Franca, This seriously impacted the homelands air defenses. |An 88 crow demonstrates their gun in action toa group ff Luftwatle officers. Small_numbered signs show ‘azimuth in mils (there are 6400 mis in a crcl) to key terran inthe surrounding rling German countryside. In this type of static air delense mode four guns were salted fo one Kommandogerat 36 under the contol fof a single command post.‘An 88cm pointing skyward ffom the gunners postion. He wean] A headphones connected to the batterys command post. AS af] Sc ‘example of fak’s tlectveness, between July and December 19K rm RAF bomber loses to flak were 193 aircraft while German fghtes| of shot down 169. be 19 00 Two feutoars and Ftiwebl rt antakan tener ack Camera) end cain on the fer pons of an 8 cm Liat oi fr onter wears lator Over cost whe tat the eat has ean the ton Gos tt Case.wears | A senior ofcer wearing As an | Schemmulze inspecting 942 | traning passes a group grters | of aficers (note siver braid on Feldmitze). BY 1942 over 15,000 guns wer involved in the flak elence of the Reich ack to cer aed a en in black coveralls go trough Ivefre crew dri. Ths 8.8m i at ful Tm recoll Men called ‘ammuntion numbers” to immediate lft of gun wit shels up ‘de-down are setting ip of round in device next tothe breech that wil set automatically altitude of burst 33Pr is oth bar its bar pla Two of a series of ree photak gun at ground targets. Gi jeed over 14,000 BBs peaking at 3.082 Ane Tho carn shoving a - sho fring. Loader stands ext round. The breech opens automaticaly via recoll or by hand. A good crew could fre between 12-15 rounds pe min (vertically horizontal),Practice tring in the horizontal mode. Explosion on distant hile probably nt ‘on let as there atherwse would be isheavy use o sign parameters £0 the inner barrel sloove had to be replaced more ten than Another pair of photos of an 8.8em crew traning fo re horizontally. Photo above shows new roun ready to fre, Photo Below shows loader standing by with next round. Feldiveba on far right through binoculars for strike of round, a ating for smoke trom earlier shot to clear belore taking aim againr i An attem unit on the move, in this case loading aboard flat cars at arall head. Some men have shed ther tunics ‘as a couple of offoers look on. Although these particular {uns are not meant to fire fom ral cars, rallead batteries were one answer tothe problem of lak mobi They became the elite ofthe flak forces. “Another photo of rail loading an 8.8m. Here men pul and push a gun using @ small ramp to bridge the Gap between fat cars. Notice Feliwebe! supervising this operation caries papers in his sleeve cuf that almost looks ike a uf tie ‘After the 8.8em had defintely proven itself as a weapen ‘against ground targets models bul after 1941 mourtes ‘substantial shield to protect the crow. This and ote improvements made an already excellent gun into one the war's best weapons This tal is also loaded down ‘wth splinter mals fr adatonal protecbon diss ll UG‘The prime mover ofthis & Bem evidently strayed off the road and the gun's taller Became mired. Here crewmen try to counter te gun's weight by pulling the opposite direction | Two photographs of 8.8cm unis in envoy. Upper photo coud easly be inthe ISSR whore straight dit roads seemed to go on forover across a nearly featureless landscape. Road in lower photo appears to be paved (not at all ‘common in the USSR) and could be just about anywhere in Europ. oor E m cl Archers coma eamoys trough a boed vie possy tay tay En the Gaitg Ovaries chet Anse ant Saver vebe tro od Divisions detended Kesselrings Frieda Line. 37‘An 8.80m dugin in a well prepared positon that includes fammuntion storage i Corrugated metal shelters, Cain demeanor of the cron tends to indicate ther (un and the airrat on the horizon have itt co with one another. Field Divisions were absorbed into the Army in 1043. The officer on lft wears his camouflaged side out whe his comrades have the gray side showing, 338ston uses in natal cam oir fon iet0 ‘Another very successful 8 Bem crew, 10 victory tings onthe barrel oftheir gun. By the look oftheir fighting poston they've been here fora lang time. Business end ofa well dug-n and camoullaged 8.8om, Most 8.8cms seen in photographs are not as well protected as this and in fact are quite Conspicuous. Once the 8.8m began to be used more and more in ground combat losses quickly became unacceptable Clean-up time at an 8.8cm gun emplacement. The gun is white-washed as a partial camoutlage measure while shipping canisters for individual shells are Sacked neatly fo the right. Maximum range when fing at ground targets was | an astonishing 16.600 } etAnother white-washed 8m ina for horizontal tring and titted wit inter setting. Crews trained regardless of the weather After the Spanish Civil War the 6 8cms gun mount was redesigned escopic sight (sights were not used when fing nthe an-arat mode) i sas oe th ‘A well secured (note perforated spikes front and rear) but hal-eartedly camouflaged 8.6m. The 8.8em could fre @ 9.4kg shell © an alitude of 10,000 in ‘The shelfs bursting radius was a 50m clameter sphere. Any burst within 25m ofan enemy aircraft was usually deadly im 40T nat r ‘over wo milion men and women were involved the flak arm, Numerous Flak guns incuging @ pair of 8.8oms (loreground) in action at An 8.8om and Is crew wel-lluminated by the flash of the gun. Weapon Is right Tracers are clearly shown although its dificult to determine what pointed almost straight up in antaicratt mode. The monthiy expenditure of = they'e shooting at trajectories are too high for ground targets but 00 low to ak shells went from 500,000 in 1941-42 to 3,175,000 in December of 1948, om: incleate air targets. Adtionally, the burst of the round. not tracers, were For each bomber shot down an average of 8.349 shells were fred ata cost mainly used to adjust antarrat fro. of Rh 267,000 ($107,000), +1Medium and Light Flak Two 3:7em (1.47 inch) Flak 1896 on thelr Sonderanhanger 104 wales. This weapon was used in conjunction with Sight flak, often to. protoct ops important military cng instalaions. i had a na ts maximum vertical range ot since 15,600! and practical rate arto | of fie of 60 rounds per n of minute (rpm). Its -556kg coms ‘hall killed by contact only, cose Le, didnot explode in an ait cle butt rile ers [A 20m Flak 38 quadruple ‘mount guarding rail facility, Crewman in lower ‘ight In Drilichanzug loads 20-round magazine. This weapon had two operators, fone who fired the top left fan bottom right guns while the other fied the top right ‘and bottom left guns. The loader could change magazines while the other barrels continued to fre.Aight moment around a2 (second from right), RT aM a a me Flak 38 across a pontoon brdge. During Operation Zt nd over 900 guns of small caliber; | | truck-mounted Flak 38. In order to provide twly effective air defense for mobie units Mak had to keep up. The main advantage of the Model 38 over the Model 90 was a higher practical rato fre (200 Vs. 120 rpm) Crew of Flak 30 in Flegerbluse and for some reason most have Gasplane (gas cape) strapped across ther chests. Obergefretr commander stands in ‘ear with Luger hoster on his belt. Getreer on let holds rangefinder while wearing its frame on his shoulders. The stereoscopic rangetinder had a six ower magnification and a range of 800-26,200f A pair of 2em Flak 30s ata fring range in Germany. These weapons could fre both on thee trailer (Sonderanhanger 5) or when ground mounted. The 20m was Germany's most numerous flak weapon, used by the Army, Navy, Lutwatfe and Watlen SS.Ar ‘A Flak 30 here manned by two men in Flagerbluse ang Felamdtze (also known as Flegarmdlze). Small sgn on wall 10 lft ndicaes there i a smokestack ‘at 2500 mis. Of the 2em (79 inch) family of weapons, Models 28/29 were developed by Oerikon forthe Kriegsmarine, Model 30 by Rheinmetal-Borsig ang the Model 38 by Mauser. Flak 90 crew in| coveralis under Felewobe! at lft. These men also have thee Giaspldne as part of their uniforms. The tm rangefinder can te seen mounted on frame to right | Ey Numerous other guns | or land rangefinders con | 3h be seen in the) gu background. rec 46‘A Flak 30 dug-in in a winter fed. The Model 30 was recoll operated and could fe single shot or automatic while its “tigger was a foot pedal Flak 90 and standard five-man cre. Felewebe! with collar Tresse strikes a Napoleonic. pose. Light flak was especially accurate against targets Under 1,500M altitude Evidently in a warm climate, @ Flak 30 crew in hob-nailed boots and gym shorts, Besides their helmets, the (qunners Schutzbrila is. their’ only recognizable uniform tomSe == SRE TER ee TOT aroha reo ] | tae Fetanebet on | Sun’ appears. to be mura on 8 ot with are ety beow ‘Three Foldwabel crew a Flak 90. Men left and center wear Tuchrock with eck tie wile man on right wears Fiegerbuse A lightly camoutiages Flak 30. The Luftware adopted this weapon t 1995. Light ak guards troops in the eld, ra lines, brigges, ot Fla eh: ° a>The Flak 90 was light enough to be towed by a Schnautzer. Here a convoy stops fora short pause. | = a Flak 30 mounted on a Henschel 3801 truck. Flak forces had tobe able to quickly move to where ever the threat existed 49 ijTwo photos of the standard Luttwate aircraft machine gun the 792mm MGIS mounted for ground lise. Both use the oppatromme! (double | Ti rum) that could holdup Th to 75 rounds, As the | a Luftwaffe aroratt loses ‘mounted guns lke these were no longer need in fying units. Twin MG34s inked with a single sight and trigger | im probabiy in the USSR, us 50 nthe vate gun, B15, ound the obo id uP ses ese “wo photos of Lutwalfe men inspecting the tal of a downed enemy airplane, The NCO on both photos is a Hauptelawebe! (most senior NCO or even a warrant oficerin some countries) as denoted easily by his cuff braid, | A Fieid Division troop in sheepskin gretcoat and heavy fet boots, probably in Germany, These heavy uniform tems were wiely avallable ate the winter Of 1942-43 and intended mainly for those standing quard or sentry duty (Postenpet they would be impractical for acive combat. Sadly hundreds of trainloads of winter ciothing were avalabe forthe winter of 1841-42, but sat } immobiie ral yards in Germany; at that ime priory of al cargo sent tothe “Two side-by-side prime movers waitin front of a bombed-out airplane hanger USSR went fo ammunition, fuel, etc. 80 reaps had to do without, ‘as an Ope Olympia car dives past.theta