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 Photograph by Panzer Füsilier Regiment Grossdeutschland © 2008. No un-authorised use. |
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An Unteroffizier speaks with the Kompanie Sani (Medic). The rifleman, a Stabsgefreiter, stares into no-mans land, patiently observing for any signs of enemy activity. The Soldaten look nervous as they have received word of an upcoming Soviet offensive. The Unteroffizer fears that his Gruppe may well call upon the Sani's services in the near future and this is reflected in his expression. |
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 Photograph by Panzer Füsilier Regiment Grossdeutschland © 2008. No un-authorised use. |
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The Soldaten have prepared their defences using whatever scraps they can find and that are deemed suitable - planks of wood, branches and leaves. The addition of the camouflaged 'Splinter' Zelt adds to the Landers concealment. An MG-42 is strategically positioned in a slit between the trench walls. |
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 Photograph by Panzer Füsilier Regiment Grossdeutschland © 2008. No un-authorised use. |
The MG-42 team march quickly through the trench that has been hastily erected. Work will continue throughout the various sectors in the line in order to improve the fortifications but as Soviet attacks increase, positions will be abandoned and re-taken. After abandoning their positions and with Soviet tanks quick on the heals of the Germany infantrymen, new positions would have to be dug and even a slight shallow in the ground could provide much needed cover. |
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 Photograph by Panzer Füsilier Regiment Grossdeutschland © 2008. No un-authorised use. |
The No.1 gunner of the MG-42 team makes preparatory checks on his weapon. His responsibility would be high as the MG-42 functioned as the focal point of fire within the Gruppe. Here it can be seen in its 'light' role without the tripod required to turn the weapon into a heavy machine gun. The MG-42 was capable of firing approximately 1200 rounds per minute with an effective range of 1000 metres, or thereabout. The MG-42 had a proven record of reliability, durability, simplicity, and ease of operation, but it was most notable for being able to produce a stunning volume of suppressive fire. It is therefore unsurprising the devastation it could inflict upon the tightly congested waves of Soviet infantry. |
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 Photograph by Panzer Füsilier Regiment Grossdeutschland © 2008. No un-authorised use. |
The high rate of fire of the MG-42 sometimes proved a liability, mainly in that, while the weapon could be used to devastating effect, it could quickly exhaust its ammunition supply. For this reason, it was not uncommon for all soldiers operating near an MG-42 to carry extra ammunition, thus providing the MG-42 with a backup source when its main supply was exhausted. |
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 Photograph by Panzer Füsilier Regiment Grossdeutschland © 2008. No un-authorised use. |
The Soviet bombardment begins. Lander's scramble into their dugouts and hug the ground tightly. The Red Army was famous for its en masse artillery bombardments which could saturate several kilometres of land, leaving a trail of destruction and shattered nerves in its wake. |
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 Photograph by Panzer Füsilier Regiment Grossdeutschland © 2008. No un-authorised use. |
The infamous Katyusha multiple rocket launchers unleash terror from the heavens. These harbingers of death were unaffectionately known by the Landser's as 'Stalins Organs'. The terror is obvious on the faces of all who occupy the dugouts. |
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 Photograph by Panzer Füsilier Regiment Grossdeutschland © 2008. No un-authorised use. |
The bombardment persists with Germany artillery unable to offer little in the way of counter-battery fire. Artillery ammunition had to be preserved for more critical circumstances when it could be used to greater effect. The intensity of the explosions produced a 'winding' effect on those subjected to it. Trench walls would cave in, burying Landers under suffocating layers of dirt and rubble, sometimes the weight of which would leave the only option available to the Landsers of clawing their way out impossible. |
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 Photograph by Panzer Füsilier Regiment Grossdeutschland © 2008. No un-authorised use. |
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The Stabsgefreiter, a man of experience, peers out from his trench, ready in an attempt to halt the enemy onslaught. Soviet solders advance in a frenzied mass wave with their signature cheers of "hurrah". It is at this moment that the aforementioned unique sound of the MG-42 being brought into battle would have been very comforting. |
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 Photograph by Panzer Füsilier Regiment Grossdeutschland © 2008. No un-authorised use. |
It is critical during the on-rush of Soviet infantrymen that the Landsers keep their nerves, which are already frail enough. Younger recruits will look up to "alte hands" as their experience and cool nerve is both critical and comforting in such daunting situations. |
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