While hundred's of thousands of horses went to Russia, mine are going to be drafted to Normandy & Arnhem, regardless whether they were really ever there. Still think they will look good and fit in amongst the armor columns I have in this sector of the war. Cheers, Robin.
It looks like they were just used in the EAST. Although BSP subscribes more to the Military Modeling mentality of accuracy...I don't like going as far as rivet counting.
I like the tolerance there is in the Toy Soldier community has for what if's......The Great Crusade will not get involved in the EAST....So either we don't use them, or we do a what if senario...SS Calvary at the Bulge! ? ! ?......
The main Cavalry unit was the 1st Cavalry Division which fought in Poland in 1939, France 1940 and Barbarossa 1941 after which it was reformed into the 24th Panzer Division and it's horses were sent to infantry regiments. But later in the war, when gasoline was becoming scarce and allied bombing was hampering vehicle production more cavalry units were formed and by 1945 there were as many as 6 cavalry Divisions (Mostly SS for anti-partisan) and 2 Corps plus many smaller units. They were for scouting and anti-partisan use in terrain where AFVs would have trouble going (mountains, forests, swamps)
While all of the cavalry Divisions and Corps after 1941 were in the eastern front, typical German infantry Divisions had a mounted platoon of 31 men in the headquarters company of each infantry regiment which was used to spearhead regimental movements, for reconnaissance and for screening.
So there almost certainly were small cavalry units in the west in the form of SS anti-partisan and as part of the infantry divisions.
Terry
OK I will go with that......I also remember in BOB, men from Easy ran into a horse mounted German...I will have to check that scene and see if it can be determined what unit he was from.
I remember too! Its the scene in which a Easy 101 para kills a mounted German officer and takes his luger as a prize. If you find out the unit, great, please let me know, but anyway I won`t feel awkward now placing them in my Bulge dioramas... I will sure get all 6 of them!{sm4}
I thought he was SS in that scene.
Mitch
Also I love the German medic set.
Is that coming in a winter version?
Cause in my mind I picture the complete mounted set stopped while the medic checks a found fallen soldier. but I would need an empty horse in the same scale.