Photograph by PFRGD © 2009. No un-authorised use.

This Fuesilier takes aim from his foxhole with a Sturmgewehr 44 (or MP44). The MP44 was originally designed in 1942 by manufacturer C. G. Haenel Waffen und Fahrradfabrik. First produced in 1943 it came into service between July 1944 and May 1945 with over 400,000 manufactured.

The StG44 combined the characteristics of a carbine, submachine gun and automatic rifle. The name was chosen for propaganda reasons and literally means storm rifle as in "to storm an enemy position" (i.e. "assault", leading to the modern terminology "assault rifle"). After the adoption of the StG44, the English translation "assault rifle" became the accepted designation for this type of infantry small arm.

The rifle was chambered for the 7.92x33mm Kurz (translated - short) cartridge. This was a shorter version of the German standard (7.92x57mm Mauser) rifle round. In combination with the weapon's selective-fire design, it provided a compromise between the controllable firepower of a submachine gun at close quarters with the accuracy and power of a Karabiner 98k bolt action rifle at intermediate ranges. While the StG44 lacked the range and punch of the more powerful infantry rifles of the
period, Wehrmacht studies had shown that the majority of combat engagements ocurred within 200m.

The StG44 was the first weapon of its class, and the concept had a major impact on modern infantry small arms development. Whilst the StG44 fulfilled its role admirably, particularly on the Eastern Front, offering a greatly increased volume of fire compared to standard infantry rifles, ultimately it came too late to have a significant effect on the outcome of the war.

Photograph by PFRGD © 2009. No un-authorised use.

The trench was dug deep, an exhausting task that would have taken most of the morning to complete. Note how he wears the Splinter camouflage pattern smock as both a means of concealment and warmth. Staying warm and dry in a trench or foxhole was a luxury that all Landers would wish for. Notice the supporting Y-straps, bayonet, mess tin and breadbag on the Fuesiliers back. There is also a stick grenade ready to be used at the left-hand side of the picture.

Photograph by PFRGD © 2009. No un-authorised use.

A young Fuesilier guards one of the flank trenches with the aid of the MG 42. Note the Zelt shelter-half covering part of the trench (which can be seen later in the photo series). His entrenching tool and pick-axe can be seen to the left. All Landers carried an entrenchting tool as the order to dig in could come at any time. It was also used as a weapon of defence, with soldiers often sharpening the edges of the blade so as to administer a more brutal cut during trench raids.

Photograph by PFRGD © 2009. No un-authorised use.

The 8 cm Granatwerfer 34 (8 cm GrW 34) was the standard German medium mortar throughout World War II. Designed between 1922-1933 and produced between 1934-1945 it gained a reputation for extreme accuracy and rapid rate of fire (15-25 rpm) although much of the credit should go to the training of the crews.

Here we can see a Fuesilier loading one of the rounds, whilst his Kameraden take cover and cover their ears.

Photograph by PFRGD © 2009. No un-authorised use.

The mortar commander hands another round to the loader. The shell weighted approximately 3.5kg. The design of the weapon was conventional and it could be broken down into three loads (barrel, bipod, baseplate) for transport. With a steel barrel it weighed approximately 62kg. An alloy barrel weighted 57kg. Therefore some form of mechanised transport was required to move the mortar and it's crew to different locations. Foot infantry units would have still used horse and cart transportation for the mortar crews.

Photograph by PFRGD © 2009. No un-authorised use.

Granatwerfer 34 Designed between 1940-1941 by Rheinmetall and produced between 1941-1945, the 8 cm GrW 34/1 was an adapted mortar design for use in self-propelled mountings. A considerably lightened version (26.5 kg) with a shorter barrel was put into production as the kurzer 8 cm Granatwerfer 42. This was popular amongst Fallschirmjaeger units.

Photograph by PFRGD © 2009. No un-authorised use.

The mortar pit was dug into the flank of the trench and to the rear of the unit's forward lines. The mortars could be used in a light support role to the front line troops, when the main heavy artillery was kept often several kilometres to the rear. The mortars could be used to both bombard light enemy positions and provide a blanket of fire in no-man's land to help the front line troops fight off attacks from Soviet infantry. The GrW 34 had a maximum range of 2,400 m (2,624 yds) and in the background we can see the mortar commander who would have been responsible for measuring the trajectory and range of enemy targets.

Photograph by PFRGD © 2009. No un-authorised use.

Another MG nest operating on the opposite flank. Note the field telephone to the rear of the dugout. This form of communication would have been vital with both Komapanie HQ and the mortar section, enabling the MG team to effectively deliver the positioning of the enemy to the artillery.

Photograph by PFRGD © 2009. No un-authorised use.

Fuesilier's take some time out to enjoy an apple in a little area of the trench that would have seemed homely. The versatile Zelt could be used to keep both the rain off the trench and hopefully prevent waterlogging, provide cover from the sun and concealment against enemy positions and aircraft. Note the stick grenades to the right of thepicture.