Photograph by Simon Patrick © 2008. No un-authorised use.

The eyes and ears of the Gruppe. The Leutnant deftly moves ahead to the high ground to scout for enemy activity. The binoculars provide a better field of vision for the Leutnant, allowing him to pinpoint the enemy at the earliest opportunity.

Photograph by Simon Patrick © 2008. No un-authorised use.
The Gruppe is formed into Schützenreihe with all riflemen with regular spacing behind one another as they are prepared for entry into combat.

The Gruppenführer leads from the front and awaits the results of the observations from the Leutnant.

Meanwhile, the Truppführer brings up the rear, providing shape and guidance to the riflemen furthest from the Gruppenführer.

Photograph by Panzer Füsilier Regiment Grossdeutschland © 2008. No un-authorised use.

This Füsilier provides cover as his Kameraden advance through narrow alley-ways. His weapon of choice is a stolen semi-automatic Soviet SVT-40. The design was used by the Germans as the basis for the Gewehr 41/43. The SVT-40 was capable of firing 7.62 ammunition with a feed of ten rounds from a detachable box magazine. This increase in firepower would have certainly given it the edge over the single shot bolt-action K98.

Note how the Füsilier has pushed long grass through the rubber band on his Stahlhelm, hoping to enhance his camouflage against enemy soldiers.

Photograph by Simon Patrick © 2008. No un-authorised use.

Decision time. GD Füsiliers have broken through the enemies initial fortifications and are now gathered for a larger and more daunting push through more narrow alleyways. The passes are narrow and the potential for ambush increases. Searching eyes look for guidance from both the Leutnant and the Unteroffizier who have tough decisions to make.

Note how the Füsilier (centre left) wears his Zeltbahn at the top-end of the Y-Straps, which for some provided more comfort.

Photograph by Simon Patrick © 2008. No un-authorised use.
The Leutnant brings extra firepower to the field. He has also claimed a Soviet weapon from a distant battlefield. The Soviet PPSh-41 Shpagin Machine Pistol; nicknamed Pah-Pah-sha, was a popular choice amongst Landsers who were lucky enough to find one.

Because of the similarities between the 7.62x25mm Tokarev and the 7.63x25mm Mauser cartridge used in the Mauser C96 pistol, the PPsh was easily supplied with ammunition. In fact so many were captured that it became the second-most-common submachine gun used by German forces.

Photograph by Simon Patrick © 2008. No un-authorised use.
This Gefreiter from an infantry regiment, experiences complications with the MG-42. A single round has lodged itself awkwardly in the firing mechanism.

Despite having an array of tools to hand, sometimes just a bit of manoeuvring with a bayonet can dislodge a stubborn casing.

Note how the Leutnant wears the denim HBT armoured crew trousers, which, in this case are simply tucked into the ankle-boots with ease. Wearing boots without gaiters was common amongst armoured personnel and would certainly have saved considerable hassle when taking boots on and off.

Photograph by Simon Patrick © 2008. No un-authorised use.
Within cover, the Leutnant prepares his PPSh for another burst of deadly fire. Note his gloves, officers map case and 1944 Stug wrap-over tunic. The large helmet net provided additional opportunities for camouflage.

Some of the PPSh's drawbacks included the difficulty of reloading, the tendency of the drums to jam (solved by the box magazines) and the high risk of accidental discharge when dropped - the last being a fault common to all open bolt submachine gun designs.

Photograph by Nick Halling © 2008. No un-authorised use.
Edging cautiously forward, the silhouetted figure of Unteroffizer strikes a domineering image. Noticeable are the marching boots in place of ankle boots and gaiters.

Photograph by Nick Halling © 2008. No un-authorised use.
The Unteroffizer charges towards the high-ground, always leading his Schützen from the front as an example to all. He is armed with a German-made MP-40, staying within the equipment regulations. Perhaps this Gruppenführer prefers German-manufactured equipment, or has not been lucky enough to find a Soviet alternative. Residual smoke blankets the battlefield, limiting the field of vision but providing reasonable cover for an advance into enemy lines.

Photograph by Nick Halling © 2008. No un-authorised use.

The MG-42 team follow closely behind the Gruppenführer into battle. The MG No. 2 carries two tins of ammunition, with 250 rounds in each tin, and an additional 50 round belt around his shoulders. Weighed down considerably more than the rest of the Gruppe, the young Füsilier is also armed with a K98 and a P38 pistol, the latter residing in a leather holster to the front of his belt. If the MG failed, support weaponry like this would have been vital.

Photograph by Simon Patrick © 2008. No un-authorised use.
All eyes are on the Leutnant as the fatigue of the last confrontation has taken its toll on the battle-weary Fusiliers. The Fusilier on the left has removed his Stahlhelm, allowing him an opportunity to think clearly.

The impetus for the development of the PPSh came partly from the Winter War against Finland, where it was found that submachine guns were a highly effective tool for close-quarter fighting in forests or built-up urban areas.

The PPSh had a simple blow-back action, a box or drum magazine, and used the 7.62x25mm pistol round. The chrome-lined chamber and bore helped to make the gun very low-maintenance in combat settings.