Battle for Arnhem.... (2 Viewers)

[panda1gen]

Nicely done Kevin. Cracking shot of the kneeling Figarti PBI.

Thanks Simon - Another of him and some of his mates. I just 'found' these old shots. 30 Corps still need some reinforcing ................

from http://www.rememberseptember44.com/rs44.htm

The Guards Armoured Division spent the night in Valkenswaard to the astonishment of the soldiers. Why stop during the night when they already were behind schedule?







But the soldiers were unaware of the situation in Son. Because the bridge was blown it was pointless to continue the advance during the night. After ten hours delay, the advance continued. Just behind Aalst, a little town between Valkenswaard and Eindhoven, the Irish Guards and the Household Cavalry leading the XXX Corps encountered a German 88-mm gun position.



While the battle near Aalst continued, a group of armoured cars of the Household Cavalry drove to Eindhoven via a wide curve west around the city.
They reached Woensel, north of Eindhoven, and made the first contact with the paratroopers. After the Germans were defeated at Aalst, the main force of the Guards Armoured Division reached Eindhoven. They continued until the Son bridge where further advance was impossible.

​

 

[panda1gen]

The newsreel, press and military photographers were all there mapping 30 Corps' progress...........

 

[The Lt.]

A nice touch Kevin with the black and white photos and as usual very nicely staged and photograph.....The Lt.

 

[ARGENTINA]

will it be possible to see a skyland photo of the whole dio?

 

[panda1gen]

The Lt. Re: Battle for Arnhem....
A nice touch Kevin with the black and white photos and as usual very nicely staged and photograph.....The Lt.

Thanks Lt, enjoying your photos too.

ARGENTINA Re: Battle for Arnhem....
will it be possible to see a skyland photo of the whole dio?

Sorry, but not really as there is no single dio, I have shot various scenarios over several years.




I enclose some illustrative shots..................

This is a set up of John Gittings buildings with HB and NMA vehicles primarily. It lasted a day................around April 2007



This is also from April 2007 but a different set up.......



Here we have an airfield set up in Louis' back yard in July 2007 with the paras getting ready to board the glider, this was changed for different periods over a week.



This was set up in October 2008 with the K&C Berlin building and JGM buildings and street boards



This is another part of the same diorama from Oct 2008 with same hard working four Brit infantry of the time!

 

[panda1gen]

Airlanding Brigade infantry were involved in a slogging match as they try to force their way through Arnhem from the landing grounds

Hastily dug trenches were necessary as the Germans blocked the advance and rained mortar bombs and bullets on the British



View attachment 42192

 

[panda1gen]

The Dutch intelligence during the battle was excellent, but unsuccessfully exploited.

Reports of the German reaction and build up for counter-attacks was relayed to the commanders of Market Garden.

Here we see elements of the counter attack on the way to the battle area. Some Tiger tank crews and their vehicles.................





And accompanying grenadiers....................



The luftwaffe was also very active as although the weather over Holland was quite good, allied airfields were affected a good deal by fog..............

 

[Louis Badolato]

It was really fun sitting on my butt up and down the stairs setting those dioramas up. I look forward to doing it again soon . . .

 

[panda1gen]

It was really fun sitting on my butt up and down the stairs setting those dioramas up. I look forward to doing it again soon . . .

Louis you 'wus'. Don't you know that the hard work is the photographer sat on his butt all day watching you fetch and carry - too slow. Can't get the staff.

Some more reminders of how much you slacked that summer - I hope you appreciate what hard work it is shrinking these to post

Thirty Corps fight their way into the town we set up.

 

[panda1gen]

Lieutenant-Colonel John Dutton Frost​

Unit : Headquarters, 2nd Parachute Battalion​

Army No. : 53721​

Awards : Companion of the Bath, Distinguished Service Order and Bar, Military Cross, Grand Officer of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta​

John Frost was born in Poona, India, on the 31st December 1912, the son of General F. D. Frost of the Indian Army. The family returned to England before the start of the First World War in 1914, in which his father participated, earning the Military Cross and being Mentioned in Despatches on no fewer than five occasions. After the War, his father was posted to Mesopotamia, now Iraq, but John and the remainder of the family returned to India until it was practical for them to join him, eventually taking up residence just outside of Baghdad. During his stay here, the young John Frost began to learn Arabic. The family returned to England in 1921, and John attended school at Wellington. His progress here was, however, in decline, and so he was moved to the more compatible Monkton Combe, thence to Sandhurst, and, in 1932, he took up a commission with the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles), with whom he served in England and Palestine.​

Holding the rank of Captain, Frost was transferred to the Iraq Levies in 1938, and he was still with them when the Second World War was declared. He was eager to return home, and as his contract with the Levies expired in June 1940, he asked to be returned to the Cameronians, but his request was refused as his knowledge of Iraq and Arabic was deemed more useful. Frost was not at all satisfied with this assessment and was determined to look for any excuse to get into the War. One morning Mr Sethi, his Company Clerk, obligingly handed him a sheet of paper concerning the establishment of a parachute battalion. Frost said, "What on Earth made you think that I would be interested in this? You don't suppose I would ever want to get involved in that sort of thing, do you?". Sethi replied, "You might be surprised... You never know all that is to come." These words of wisdom were lost on Frost for the moment, but in time he was granted his wish, perhaps as a direct consequence of his worsening mood and feelings of abandonment, and received orders for his return to Britain and the 10th Battalion The Cameronians. As a parting gift, the Hunt Committee presented him with an inscribed copper hunting horn, which he would later use in battle as a rallying call to his men.​

Active service in Britain, however, came as something of a disappointment. The 10th Cameronians, a part of the 15th (Scottish) Division, were deployed in Sussex on tedious coastal defence duties, and despite initial optimism of a posting overseas, it soon became clear that such an adventure would not be forthcoming. Feeling dejected once again, Frost had made up his mind to put his name forward for Staff College, but as he was about to make the request he received a note from the War Office asking for Captains willing to become company commanders in the newly formed Special Air Service. Frost had little idea what the Special Air Service was, but, imagining it to be some variant of the Commandos, he immediately applied. Paying a little too much attention to derogatory and quite inaccurate remarks in the British press about the quality of German paratroopers, their effectiveness on the battlefield and the quality of their morale, not to mention the enormous casualty rate suffered on the jump alone, Frost had formed a low opinion of airborne warfare, and so he was somewhat shocked when he was informed that he had applied to join the British equivalent. His Commanding Officer agreed to let him go, but added "I can't imagine any sensible person choosing you to be a parachutist, you ought to keep your feet firmly on the ground." Nevertheless, Frost passed the interview and, after an intense course of training, he was posted to the 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment.​

Promoted to Major and given command of "C" Company, then an all-Scottish unit, Frost was chosen to carry out the famous Bruneval Raid on the French coast, the second airborne operation of the War. The operation, to attack a radar installation and bring back components of the new German narrow-beam radar system, was carried out with great success on the 27th February 1942. On his return, Frost was called to personally brief Winston Churchill on the raid, and in due course he was awarded the Military Cross for his handling of the operation.​

Shortly after, Frost temporarily become Second-in-Command of the 3rd Battalion, but he soon rejoined the 2nd Battalion in the same post. On the 29th October 1942, the Battalion was about to depart for North Africa when its commander, Lieutenant-Colonel Gofton-Salmond fell in, and, despite his determination to continue, was put ashore by Brigadier Eric Down, who passed command of the 2nd Battalion to Frost. He commanded the Battalion throughout the North African campaign, and after a series of difficult, occasionally disastrous operations, established a reputation within the division as a most able commander.

Brigadier Lathbury said of Frost: "He had a very relaxed style of leadership when out of action, letting the very good company commanders get on with it. But, in action, he was absolutely on the ball and suddenly became five years younger."


from: http://www.pegasusarchive.org/arnhem


This early K&C matt figure is of Lt-Colonel Frost with the ubiquitous and quintessentially British cup of tea


Frost on the right



On the right again before take off


















​

 

[panda1gen]

1st Airborne Division Anti-tank Units through the period of the Arnhem operation

[SIZE=-1]1st Airlanding Anti-Tank Battery RA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]28.09.1942 - 24.03.1945[/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]

2nd Airlanding Anti-Tank Battery RA[/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]23.10.1942 - 24.03.1945[/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]

[/SIZE]The 17pdr Anti tank guns during airborne operations would have been members of the Royal Artillery this would also apply to those manning the 6pdrs, 75mm pack howitzers and any type of Anti Aircraft gun.

75mm pack howitzer




These troops would have worn the standard airborne uniform of Battle dress blouse and trousers with the Denison smock worn over it, the steel helmet would be the airborne pattern, should they be sporting their maroon berets this would have the Royal Artillery badge attached rather than that of the Parachute Regiment.

The 17pdr was not used by the 6th Airborne at Normandy and was only issued to airborne artillery anti tank batteries shortly before Operation Market Garden (Arnhem). 6th Airborne would therefore have had them issued in time for Operation Varsity (Rhine crossing).



At the time of D-Day each airborne anti tank battery would have consisted of 4 troops of 6pdr anti tank guns.

6pdr crew and gun at Arnhem



Prior to Market Garden this was changed to

- 6 troops in the 1st Battery (4 x 6pdr troops & 2 x 17pdr troops)

- 5 troops in the 2nd Battery ( 3 x 6pdr troops and 2 x 17pdr troops).

The following link shows the units that formed the 6th Airborne artillery element from June 1944 to May 1945

http://www.ra39-45.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/nweuro/page22.html

The standard individual troop breakdown for 1st Airborne Division is as follows and one can only presume that this was repeated within the 6th Airborne Division.

1st Airlanding Anti Tank Battery (1st Para Brigade)

A Troop 4 x 6pdr, B Troop 4 x 6pdr, C Troop 4 x 6pdr, D Troop 4 x 17pdr, P Troop 4 x 17pdr, Z Troop 4 x 6pdr.

(Hypothetically this would be the appearance of 3rd Airlanding Anti Tank Battery within 6th Airborne)




2nd Airlanding Anti Tank Battery (4th Para Brigade)

E Troop 4 x 6pdr, F Troop 4 x 17pdr, G T roop 4 x 6pdr, H Troop 4 x 6pdr, X Troop 4 x 17pdr

 

[lancer]

A really impressive collection of figures and scenery, with a great photo-story line. Thank you for taking the time and trouble. It is quite entertaining. -- Al

 

[panda1gen]

A really impressive collection of figures and scenery, with a great photo-story line. Thank you for taking the time and trouble. It is quite entertaining. -- Al

Thanks

A para patrol in the streets approaching the bridge.



The squad leader is alerted and calls a halt by raising his arm



The patrol edge forward carefully, a sten armed paratrooper suddenly notices movement to his right and sees green German troops moving in the ruins of a destroyed factory.



A beret wearing para gives covering fire from the back of a destroyed sdkfz 251 halftrack



The section bren is also deployed for covering fire



some of these photos seem to repeat and have defied re-organisation in correct order so please bear with me

 

[panda1gen]

The German 88 mm Flak gun was one of the most highly publicized, famous and feared weapons of the Second World War. It was primarily an anti-aircraft gun adaptable to general artillery use where it performed with distinction, from the start to the very end of the war, against ground targets and in the anti-tank role.

The best gun of the war, the 88 was a lethal and extremely versatile gun. It could appear on a tank, as an anti-tank gun, assault or as an anti-aircraft weapon. It proved able to knock out any Allied tank at ranges up to 2,000 yards and equally lethal as an anti-infantry weapon.



From this, the 88 developed a mythos or reputation equaled only by the Tiger tank and perhaps the German 81-mm mortar. Any German artillery fire was usually attributed to the 88 gun, even if known to be otherwise.

In the following text, extracts from the U.S. Military Intelligence document of February 8, 1943 "German Antiaircraft Artillery", the point is well made. This weapons stout reputation is the dual result of a great design coupled with flexible and sound German tactical doctrine.



The German military was flexible enough to allow the use of the 88 not only against aircraft but also on the ground, against tanks, infantry, other vehicles and even against major fixed fortifications.
" German Antiaircraft Artillery: 88-mm Dual-Purpose Gun"

I: OPERATIONAL USE AGAINST GROUND TARGETS

a. General: The basic principle of German combat methods has said to be a clever adaptation of fire to movement, with fire power increasing directly in proportion to the resistance encountered. Movement is normally from one piece of advantageous terrain to another, with maximum fire applied during the movement. Both fire and movement are applied with one basic purpose in view: To attain the objective of the unit. This principle is applicable to the offensive combat of all German units, from squads to armies. In defense the German commander chooses the most suitable ground for combined action by infantry, machine guns, antitank guns, artillery, and tanks. In such depth as resources permit, he will usually construct a series of defense areas capable of all-around defense against any form of attack. The artillery of all types will be placed where it can support either the defense area, or the tanks if these are launched in a counter- attack.

In withdrawals, after skillfully thinning out most of the transport facilities and battle impedimenta, the German commander will usually launch some form of feint action to cover the withdrawal of the remainder of the force. This feint action often takes place in the evening; during the night the whole force withdraws, leaving only reconnaissance elements supported by a few guns to hold up hostile forces.

In any of the above general situations, full use in roles against ground targets can be expected to be made of any AA guns not specifically required for use in an AA role.

Figarti 88mm

 

[panda1gen]

b. 88-mm Dual-Purpose Gun:

(1) In antitank roles. Using both HE and AP ammunition, the 88-mm Flak gun has been used on fronts with deadly effect against medium and heavy tanks. Its worth as an AT weapon was proved in the Polish and French campaigns.

Since the beginning of the Russian Campaign, when it was used with much success against large Russian tanks the armor of which proved invulnerable to the then standard German 37-mm AT gun, the 88-mm gun has been considered by the Germans to be their heavy AT weapon. Wherever balanced AT support is considered necessary, it is now considered usual for German task-force commanders to allot a certain proportion of 88-mm guns for purely AT roles.

This is especially true since the weapon has made its appearance on the new 12-ton half-track vehicle, which is armored in front and carries small supply of ammunition. When mounted on this self-propelled mount, the gun is used only for engaging ground targets, necessary AA protection being furnished from other sources. It should be remembered, however, that the gun can also be used in an AT role when mounted on the special trailer (No. 201), which is fitted with pneumatic tires and is drawn by a half- track vehicle carrying the gun crew and a small supply of ammunition. Such ground targets as tanks can be engaged while the gun is in this traveling position.

(2) In other roles. Since German military commanders are trained to utilize all available weapons to a maximum degree, it is not at all surprising that this gun has been used in other than AA and AT roles. Thus,

in the battle for Sevastopol in the Russian Campaign, the German command was confronted with a narrow front barricaded completely with concrete, steel, and guns. In view of the mobility of the 88-mm Flak gun, an AA combat detachment manning one of these guns was ordered to support a local infantry attack. At short ranges and over open sights, this gun engaged pillboxes and other enemy centers of resistance which the infantry could not overcome, thus assisting the infantry in carrying out its mission. In many sectors, this gun has been used in normal field artillery roles. It has been used against fortified bunkers as well as against personnel. In the crossing of the Albert Canal in the Western Campaign, it was used in a ground role to cover the bridging operations being carried on by engineers.

(3) Fire-control methods. For use against armored vehicles and for field artillery tasks, the following four methods of fire control have been used: direct fire, using a telescopic sight; director control; fire directed from an observation post; and air burst HE.

(a) Direct fire. This has been the most successful method employed against armored vehicles. Apart from the extreme mobility of the gun, the efficient telescopic sight has contributed largely to the success of the 88-mm gun in an AT role. The latest mark of telescopic sight used is the ZF 20-E, which has already been described.

(b) Director control. With director control, the data for the first round is calculated in the same manner as for an air target. Corrections for direction, range, and fuse range are made from observation of fire and arbitrarily set into the director. This method has not proved very satisfactory.

(c) Fire directed from an OP. When the target is below the horizontal, or at ranges greater than 10,340 yards (i.e. beyond the limit of the telescopic sight), fire may be directed from an observation post. The OP officer takes azimuth, range, and elevation from his fire-control map. From these, he calculates the firing data with a range table and transmits the data to the gun position by telephone. A director is sometimes used for giving the initial direction to the guns. Corrections are ordered from observation of fire and are applied at the guns.

(d) Air-burst HE. Fire for effect with time-fuse air burst HE against troops in the open, and against battery positions, has also been reported. Ranging is carried out with a low height of burst. Fire for effect follows with the fuse range being adjusted to obtain the most effective height of burst. It is believed that this method is not used very often.

 

[panda1gen]

II: GUN DEVELOPMENT

Development. The German 8.8 cm gun was introduced in 1934 as the standard mobile AA gun. It was then known as the 8.8-cm. Flak 18. In 1936, during the Spanish War, it proved a very effective weapon against tanks, which were at that time relatively lightly armored.

In order to develop still further this dual-purpose employment, the Germans produced armor-piercing ammunition for the weapon, a telescopic sight suitable for the engagement of ground targets, and a more mobile carriage.

An HE shell with a percussion fuse was also produced so that the weapon could, when necessary, be employed in a field artillery role. The improved equipment was ready in time for the Battle of France, when it proved itself capable of dealing with the heavier French tanks, against which the then standard AT gun, the 3.7-cm (1.45-in) PAK was relatively ineffective.

The next step was to provide the gun with a new carriage, from which the gun could engage tanks without being taken off its wheels, and to fit a shield. Still more recently, a self-propelled mount has been reported and while there is no precise information as to its design, it appears that from this mount the gun can readily take on ground, but not air, targets.

Description

(a) General. For all practical purposes, the operating characteristics of the18, 36, and 38 models of this weapon are the same. The main characteristics of the 8.8-cm Flak 18 are as follows:

-Muzzle Velocity: 2,755 f/s
-Maximum horizontal range 16,600 ft
-Maximum vertical range 35,700 ft
-Maximum effective ceiling 34,770 ft
-Theoretical rate of 25 rpm
-Practical rate of fire 12 to 15 rpm
-Weight in 4.9 tons Weight in draft . 7.1 tons
-Elevation -3 to +85 degrees
-Traverse 36 degrees (limited to two complete revolutions of the handwheels,
either side of zero, to avoid excessive twisting of the data transmission cable)
-Length of barrel . 56 cals

(b) Gun data (8.8-cm Flak 18). The gun consists of a jacket, a sleeve, a removable tube in three sections, and a breech ring. The three section tube is held in place by the breech ring in the rear and by a locking collar in the front, both of which are secured to the sleeve. The sleeve is secured to the jacket by a locking ring at the breech end. One of the joints in the three section liner is in the chamber of the gun and is therefore sealed by the shell case, but the other occurs at about one-third of the distance to the muzzle.

The breech mechanism is of the horizontal sliding wedge type, semiautomatic and self-cocking. As the gun recoils, the mechanism opens, ejects the empty case, and at the same time, compresses the striker and breechblock operating springs. Loading is by automatic rammer used in conjunction with a loading tray. Firing is by percussion.

The withdrawal of the loading tray will operate the firing mechanism unless set to "Hand." The breechblock may be opened and closed by hand if desired. The mechanism must be hand-operated for loading the first round. Safety arrangements are incorporated in the mechanism to prevent firing until the breech is in the closed position.

(c) Mount data. The mount has a platform which rests squarely on the ground when the gun is in the firing position. The platform has four legs, with jacks at the outer ends of each for approximate leveling. In the traveling position, the two side legs fold upward. The pedestal is secured to the platform and supports the body through a gimbal ring and body pivot housing.

The body, which contains the azimuth and elevation gears, supports the cradle on its trunnions and rotates in the housing for azimuth traverse. Accurate cross leveling is accomplished by rocking the body pivot housing in the gimbal ring by means of cross-leveling handwheels on the platform. A 5-degree movement is possible by this means. The gun slides on the cradle, to which it is connected through the recoil mechanism.

The recoil system incorporates a hydraulic buffer below the barrel, and a hydro-pneumatic recuperator above. Both cylinders are secured to the cradle, and the pistons are connected to the breech ring. The buffer contains 18.8 pints of buffer fluid. The recuperator contains about 4.5 gallons of fluid and an approximately equal volume of air at 39 atmospheres. Length of recoil is variable, being about 1,050 mm at 0 degrees quadrant elevation, and 4700 mm at 85 degrees quadrant elevation. The automatic milliner operates with the return cylinder, loading-tray, and actuating mechanism. The internal construction of the return cylinder resembles that of the recuperator on a smaller scale. A hand-operated fuse setter with two openings is fitted to the left side of the body.

To put the gun in traveling position, the side legs are folded upward and secured. A limber and carriage are attached to the platform, which is raised by winches and secured. Some modifications of this gun are capable of being fired from the traveling position at ground targets, and there is also a model on a self-propelled mount.

(3) Ammunition & Penetration The three types of ammunition used with this weapon are as follows :

(4) Fire control. The gun may be laid on the target by three methods :

(a) Indirect laying, by matching the pointers of the data receivers, which are controlled by the director (the Kommandogerat)

(b) Direct laying, by means of the Flak ZF 20-E telescopic sight. Vertical and lateral deflections are applied to the telescope, and the man at the azimuth handwheel puts the cross hairs on the target. The gun is elevated by the man on the elevation handwheel, who follows an indicating arm which moves with the sight.

(c) The dial sight may be used for laying the gun in azimuth, while the quadrant elevation is set in by the elevation man as ordered.

(5) Mobility. This gun is normally towed by two types of half-track vehicles. These vehicles, which are respectively of 140 and 185 horsepower and weigh 11 1/2 and 14 1/2 tons loaded, carry the gun crew, as well as a supply of ammunition in lockers at the rear of the vehicle. T he exact amount of ammunition carried is not known, but seems to be at least about 35 rounds.

(6) Personnel.

(a) For action against aircraft. The gun detachment consists of a detachment commander and nine men, with duties for antiaircraft action as follows: Detachment Commander, No.1 Elevation setter, No.2 Azimuth-setter, No. 3 Loading and firing number, No.4, & 5 Ammunition numbers, No. 6 Fuse-setter, No. 7, 8 & 9 Ammunition numbers

(b) For action against ground targets. For the engagement of ground targets, the duties of this gun detachment are as follows: Detachment Commander, No.1 Elevation setter, No.2 Azimuth-setter, No. 3 Loading and firing number, No.4, 5, 6 & 7 Ammunition numbers, No. 8 Range setter, No. 9 Lateral deflection setter

Figarti 88



An old picture of the pioneer early K&C 88mm



These last three posts are from http://efour4ever.com/88.htm

 

[wayne556517]

This is a great thread and this is a great photo..............

 

[Louis Badolato]

Great stuff, Kevin!

 

[wwiibuff]

Great photos and commentary. Thanks for posting.

 

[Normandy1944]

Oosterbeek Dio









Harrie