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apex

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Posts posted by apex

  1. Indeed it is one of the overlooked aspects of history that at the time when both Germany and the Soviet Union were military weak (i.e. the 20s), influential circles in Poland, emboldened by its alliance with France, considered adding german territories, bei it in East Prussia or Upper Silesia, or even a march on Berlin. Any practical plans however were forestalled by the construction of the german fortifications along the East-prussian border and the Oder/Warthe line.

    By September '39, any plans of a polish invasion obviously were boondoggles, still, one of the factors that hastened the polish defeat was that their armies were grouped such that they could switch over to the offense should there be a substantial relief brought about by France's entry into the war.

    apex

    PS: Jhaberwhatever, try "Lost Victories" by von Manstein. He was von Runsted's chief of staff at Army Group South at the time and provides an excellent description of the operations in Poland. Seems the english editions are out of print though, german should be available though if that's your cup of tea ;)

    [ August 19, 2002, 05:23 PM: Message edited by: apex ]

  2. Anybody know why they wouldn't have used it more? Like were they not reliable or something?
    They were reliable - all latewar fighters (Bf109, Fw190) mounted the MG131, as did many bombers. MG151/20 was even more common (Fw190 had 4xMG151/20 and 2xMG131). I don't think that reliability had something to do with it, they just weren't needed. The MG34 and later 42 performed admirabily in the anti-infantry role, and the light anti-armor and AA role was filled by the FlaK38 (20mm) series mounted on the bulk of recce vehicles or in towed configuration - no need for something in the middle requiring its own logistics chain.

    apex

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