The 12th SS-Panzer Division Hitlerjugend was formed in mid 1943 from members of the Hitler Youth born in 1926. The leaders of this Division of 17 year old boys were sourced from senior NCOs and Officers of the Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler (LSSAH). Many of the soldiers in the unit were so young that they received sweets instead of the standard ration of tobacco and alcohol.
Showing posts with label Panzer 4. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Panzer 4. Show all posts
Monday, 25 July 2011
Sunday, 17 July 2011
US Infantry Weapons and their Effects - 1943 Training Video
Today's post is a departure from the usual in that it is not in colour, though it should be interesting nonetheless. It is a US Army training film from 1943 entitled 'Infantry Weapons and Their Effects' (T.F. 7 1266). It depicts the use of many types of ammunition being fired from most of the standard US infantry weapons of the period. Films like this have always fascinated me as they show live ammunition in use, with the associated recoil and realistic damage to targets.
Of note is the penetration power of the .30-06 round fired by the M1 Garand, and the effect of the M1 Bazooka on a pillbox and sandbagged emplacement. The potential penetration from rifle rounds is always something Hollywood and TV studios seem to disregard. That and the recoil produced by such weapons, though I can understand it is difficult to grasp the true recoil of a weapon when it is only firing blanks.
Of note is the penetration power of the .30-06 round fired by the M1 Garand, and the effect of the M1 Bazooka on a pillbox and sandbagged emplacement. The potential penetration from rifle rounds is always something Hollywood and TV studios seem to disregard. That and the recoil produced by such weapons, though I can understand it is difficult to grasp the true recoil of a weapon when it is only firing blanks.
Friday, 1 July 2011
Panzer rollen in Afrika vor
Today's image is a Panzer IV Ausf. E, taken in March or April 1941 in Libya. These dates match the first offensive against Tobruk so it is quite likely this vehicle was knocked out during one of these assaults.
It has taken hits to the muzzle mantlet and turret front, and although none of the rounds seem to have penetrated, the crew would have been subjected to extensive spalling from the rounds striking the turret.
It has taken hits to the muzzle mantlet and turret front, and although none of the rounds seem to have penetrated, the crew would have been subjected to extensive spalling from the rounds striking the turret.
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