Stalingrad sFH 18 150mm Howitzer Set and German Hauptmann! (2 Viewers)

[Phantom Warrior]

Its hard to believe there are not some good photo's out there of the transportation of this gun , that would be a good book on a little covered subject which would be a good read IMO . There are plenty of books on the glory units that used Horses like the 22nd SS Maria Theresia or 8th SS Florian Geyer and also the Cossack Units .
I would think it would also have presented a problem with heavy artillery pieces being horse drawn with keeping up with the Mechanized units . i would still vote a horse drawn one all the same . Best Regards Gebhard

It was a serious problem keeping up with the mechanized units. Even with the bogie wheels and towed by a prime mover, the weight and instability of the gun did not allow for high speeds. But with the horse drawn guns, it also took time to dis-assemble the gun for transport and left the battery vulnerable to counter battery fire from the Russian heavy guns.

The 150 mm gun was put on the Hummel so it could keep up with the mechanized units and quickly re-position itself.

Terry

 

[Cyber Field Marshall]

What an incredible piece of artillery....and its not even an 88mm! I can only imagine what it would look like matched up with horses to pull it. Well done FL, truly remarkable work.

 

[Ken & Ericka Osen/H&A Studio]

It would be nice if this was made available without the crew. This is a nice addition to the many models already available of German equipment from various manufacturers and would be nice to add to a collection to be displayed a bit differently than this version of the crew might suggest.
Any chances?
Ken

 

[Gebhard]

A really good book for those interested in horses in the german army in WWII is as you would guess, Horses in the German Army in WWII by Louis Johnson. With over 500 pics if you want pics of the germans using horses for everything this IMO is about as good as it gets
Mitch

Mitch,
Are you aware of any books that contain first hand accounts of soldiers that served in such units ? Over the past couple of years my reading has been focussed on such types of books to me they are more exciting , I would be interested in reading it . I remember reading a book a long time ago by an Alsatian who spent some time driving a supply truck in Russia during the War and it was one of the best first hand stories I'd ever read. Gebhard

 

[Gebhard]

It was a serious problem keeping up with the mechanized units. Even with the bogie wheels and towed by a prime mover, the weight and instability of the gun did not allow for high speeds. But with the horse drawn guns, it also took time to dis-assemble the gun for transport and left the battery vulnerable to counter battery fire from the Russian heavy guns.

The 150 mm gun was put on the Hummel so it could keep up with the mechanized units and quickly re-position itself.

Terry

Thanks Terry ,
I got those facts on stinkipedia when looking for photo's of this baby being pulled by Horse . I really like original photo's , any chance you have any in your vast supply of reference sources. If so book and page number please that would be most helpful .
Die Hummel would be another nice release I'd love to see down the road from First Legion . Best regards and thanks again Gebhard

 

[Phantom Warrior]

Thanks Terry ,
I got those facts on stinkipedia when looking for photo's of this baby being pulled by Horse . I really like original photo's , any chance you have any in your vast supply of reference sources. If so book and page number please that would be most helpful .
Die Hummel would be another nice release I'd love to see down the road from First Legion . Best regards and thanks again Gebhard

Sorry - I don't have any photos of the gun. As Frank said they are rare. I don't remember seeing the 2 that are on this thread before. Most photos of 150 mm guns are of the Hummel - there are lots of those but not many of horse drawn divisional artillery.

Terry

 

[Mitch]

Gebhard...

I think there are a good few out about various accounts from WWII. I have these which, I think are really great reads for what you seem to like:

A better comrade you will never find
Helmut schiebel

Once I had a comrade: Karl Roth and the combat history of the 36th Panzer regiment 39-45
R W Bryd

Five years, four fronts the war years of Georg Grossjohan memoirs of a german soldier 39-45
George Grossjohan

Hot motors cold feet: A memoir of service with the motorcycle battalion SS division Reich 40-41

Hope it helps
Mitch

Mitch,
Are you aware of any books that contain first hand accounts of soldiers that served in such units ? Over the past couple of years my reading has been focussed on such types of books to me they are more exciting , I would be interested in reading it . I remember reading a book a long time ago by an Alsatian who spent some time driving a supply truck in Russia during the War and it was one of the best first hand stories I'd ever read. Gebhard

 

[lancer]

Mitch,
Are you aware of any books that contain first hand accounts of soldiers that served in such units ? Over the past couple of years my reading has been focussed on such types of books to me they are more exciting , I would be interested in reading it . I remember reading a book a long time ago by an Alsatian who spent some time driving a supply truck in Russia during the War and it was one of the best first hand stories I'd ever read. Gebhard

I think the book about the Alsatian was "The Forgotten Soldier" by Guy Sajer. I found this to be the best German war memoir I have read. He was with the GrossDeutschland Division. It is well worth getting and reading. -- Al

 

[Gebhard]

I think the book about the Alsatian was "The Forgotten Soldier" by Guy Sajer. I found this to be the best German war memoir I have read. He was with the GrossDeutschland Division. It is well worth getting and reading. -- Al

Yes lancer that is the one , It is a Great read any anyone not having read it yet should buy it all cost . Truly one of the best . Gebhard

 

[Gebhard]

Gebhard...

I think there are a good few out about various accounts from WWII. I have these which, I think are really great reads for what you seem to like:

A better comrade you will never find
Helmut schiebel

Once I had a comrade: Karl Roth and the combat history of the 36th Panzer regiment 39-45
R W Bryd

Five years, four fronts the war years of Georg Grossjohan memoirs of a german soldier 39-45
George Grossjohan

Hot motors cold feet: A memoir of service with the motorcycle battalion SS division Reich 40-41

Hope it helps
Mitch

Thanks ,
I have not read any of these books yet but will surely give em a shot . I have just finished reading Sniper Ace by Bruno Sutkus , he had over 200 kills all on the Russian front it was pretty good and also showed the Horrors of the extreme left after the war . I also have Sniper on the Easter front the story of Josef Allerberger which I'm looking forward to reading soon .

So as not to hijack this fine thread I will mention my hopes that First Legion will do a set of Snipers both German and Russian to showcase their fine figures and to also add something to the splendid Stalingrad line Gebhard

 

[graycap]

Can I recommend the following:

Wuster W. An Artilleryman in Stalingrad. (Author a battery commander in 71st Inf Div).

Holl, A. An Infantryman in Stalingrad. (94 Inf Div).

Both published by Leaping Horseman Books.

 

[Currahee Chris]

I don't believe Picasso could do it better. Way to go FL!! "First" is more than just the first word in the company title.


Love the looks on the faces of the two arty crewman- one looks like he's going "Whheeeewwwwwwww BOOM!!"

 

[Mitch]

Currahee...
Had a good look at them as I had not noticed until you mentioned it there are some great expressions and would make a great caption competition!!
Mitch

 

[Gebhard]

Can I recommend the following:

Wuster W. An Artilleryman in Stalingrad. (Author a battery commander in 71st Inf Div).

Holl, A. An Infantryman in Stalingrad. (94 Inf Div).

Both published by Leaping Horseman Books.

Please see PM regarding Leaping Horseman Books. Thanks Gebhard

 

[Simpson & his donkey.]

Hi I love the painting of First Legion soldiers. I am going to finally see some in person on the weekend as a bloke is coming over to buy some K&C off of me and will bring some WW2 soldiers to show me. But is just me or are all the faces the same on these photo's. They all appear to be the same bloke to me. The faces are the same. Simmo.

 

[Spitfrnd]

Hi I love the painting of First Legion soldiers. I am going to finally see some in person on the weekend as a bloke is coming over to buy some K&C off of me and will bring some WW2 soldiers to show me. But is just me or are all the faces the same on these photo's. They all appear to be the same bloke to me. The faces are the same. Simmo.

I think it is you Simmo.

 

[Simpson & his donkey.]

Look at the guys loading the gun and the entire crew.It's the same bloke just doing something different. Simmo.

 

[Vezzolf]

I think they may are related to each other....brothers maybe....not an issue....this is going to be a great addition to FL Stalingrad collectors......I want one

 

[sammy719]

Look at the guys loading the gun and the entire crew.It's the same bloke just doing something different. Simmo.

Well I guess I'm seeing things because to me you see different facial features in all 5 guys, there are some similar areas but not all the same...Sammy

 

[Gebhard]

Hi I love the painting of First Legion soldiers. I am going to finally see some in person on the weekend as a bloke is coming over to buy some K&C off of me and will bring some WW2 soldiers to show me.

Simmo ,
Its Great to hear that you love First Legion , maybe you can take some side by side comparison shots when the bloke brings over his First Legion products. I always find them very informative and helpful . It's Great that your finally gonna see some in person.
You better watch selling off your K & C figures to some bloke , that's how i started and now I only have 5 figures left As for the gun crew looking alike , maybe they were part of the Lebensborn Program Happy collecting Gebhard