Andreas

It did of course also lead to an unfortunate preference for using far too weak elements in assaults on strongpoints, with predictable consequences. All the best Andreas

Seriously, if you know something about these units, you are a sad loser with no life. All the best Andreas

Slow speed is because of the heavy ammo load. In WW I HMGs were water-cooled, which makes mobility that much more difficult. All the best Andreas

I think what Steve meant was that HMGs were not that useful on the assault. Which is correct - they are support weapons, but it takes actual riflemen to maneuver and take ground. I suggest reading "18 Platoon" for a thorough discussion of WW2 British platoon tactics, and on how to take ground without any HMGs being present. All the best Andreas

There were also some Stugs, which may have been L43 at least, and which would in any case have been good enough to deal death to lighter Soviet tanks, using hollow-charge ammo. IIRC the Stug unit attached to 78.ID claimed over 160 Soviet tanks in the battle. While the claim is probably nonsense, it gives you an idea of the performance of the weapons. All the best Andreas

Panzerarmee Africa had about 300 German tanks operational (May 42). They also constantly lost tanks in transit. In late 42 (before Alamein, it was probably similar. A good number of tanks were in units rebuilding (6.PD) or converting (SS Panzerkorps). Those would probably account for 6-700 right there, if not more. In late 42 they were also busy committing 10.PD to North Africa, a full strength division with two battalions of III and IV long, another 200+. How many of the 5,000 were actually combat-worthy (i.e. at least 50L42 equipped Panzer III)? All the best Andreas

I'd just use late-war Panzergrenadiers with two LMG per squad. All the best Andreas

The German HMG could be turned into an LMG by not using the bipod. Than you can form a squad of twelve with two LMGs in support, i.e. very considerable firepower. A platoon had four HMGs, so this would give you a two squad platoon. Or you can come up with different organisations (e.g. 3x8 guys with 1x2 LMG,, 2x1 LMG in the squad; 1xHMG w/6, 3x half-squad of 6 with one LMG as maneuver elements). All the guys in the battalion would have had basic infantry training in any case. All the best Andreas

Did the 81mm ever become leGrW? I thought it became mGrW when the 120mm was introduced? All the best Andreas

That analysis is quite old, really. I recall reading it in Ellis 'Cassino', and I am not even sure whether he did it or copied it himself. All the best Andreas

You forgot Ziemke/Bauer and Ziemke in this list: Moscow to Stalingrad Stalingrad to Berlin Far better than Erickson in terms of writing, and makes an honest attempt to take the Soviet side into account based on what was available. The German side is very thoroughly treated, much better than what you get in either Glantz or Erickson, using German army records. All the best Andreas

Which day exactly? All the best Andreas

'The Creek' from the CD is set at Salerno, but it is not a historical engagement. All the best Andreas

Hah! What do these people know. German tanks did not fire on the move. Papperlapapp. All the best Andreas

I take it you know where to find Murray as a free legal download? All the best Andreas

Afraid not. But you may want to check in here - particularly the latter half: http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?t=78524 and here: http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?t=58571 Long review of WoD: http://fistfulofeuros.net/afoe/the-european-union/review-the-wages-of-destruction-adam-tooze List of reviews: http://www.complete-review.com/reviews/economic/toozea.htm FT review: http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/b5ef2df2-22b3-11db-91c7-0000779e2340.html?nclick_check=1 Sunday Torygraph review: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml;?xml=/arts/2006/07/23/botoo09.xml All the best Andreas [ November 30, 2007, 05:57 AM: Message edited by: Andreas ]

It's hard, but I have to say I agree with URC. Here is one more recent paper on the matter, discussing the issues with Speer's index: Prof. Streb's Conference Paper - PDF Part of Tooze's argument can be read in his article here: Tooze on the production miracle - PDF All the best Andreas

But it had nothing to do with Speer. He only came in to reap the reward of decisions that others (Milch) made before him. Also, a lot of the miracle apparently had to do with steel allocations, which went into production instead of fortification after 43. Or sumfink. In any case, Murray has made that argument 30 years ago. 'Strategy for Defeat' is a free download today on the Air University webpage. One thing Speer was doing well on was self-propaganda. All the best Andreas

German or Soviet? All the best Andreas

I have a new shrink. All the best Andreas

There's an Osprey book on Bagration which has details including one of their nice 3-D maps. I think I have that at home and can have a look. http://www.ospreypublishing.com/title_detail.php/title=P4784 All the best Andreas

It means that some people have a life. All the best Andreas

The glorious 3rd 'We Drink for Victory' Guards Army has a few open spaces welcoming good Communists, defenders of the Rodina, and those who want to smite fascism into its ranks. First come, first served. Register on the forum (link in my sig) and drop a PM to V.S.Petrov for further information. All the best Andreas Ps. We are winning, in case you are interested in glory. Those who like the depression of a good Götterdämmerung should inquire with the German side.

URC I have no idea if it will come back. It is up to Greg. All the best Andreas

Good to know that my copy of the history maybe worth what I paid for it. Some people... "yes it was true that as flame throwers they were not afforded protection under the Geneva Convention" I'd like to know where in the GC it says that. All the best Andreas