Equipment/Gear identification thread.

[Kav Man]

Hello All!!!
I am very familiar with the letter codes and WaA##s but I have something that baffles me totally. Equipment marked with S.U.W.W. with a ReichsAdler and Su21 beneath it in place of the WaA.
Any ideas on who or what these markings would belong to?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Chris
http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/5535/adfasdfasdfql7.jpg

[Egorka]

http://www.arcor.de/palb/alben/56/3789756/1024_6531323431393866.jpg

[Wolfgang Von Gottberg]

Einzatzkommando possibly...

[GermanSoldier]

It looks like a mine squad because of the skull on their helmets. I seen german mine warnings with skulls on them like that so I think it is a mine squad.

[Flammpanzer]

well, I am not sure, but I think I have seen such painted helmets before and they did not belong to a german unit, maybe these are finnish troops? I think the idea with the mine-sweepers is not right, bur like mentioned before, I am not sure.

jens

[1000ydstare]

No other markings at all, apart from on their helmets.

I doubt they are Einzatzkommando, their uniforms don't look right.

Possibly mine clearers, these were generally punishment postings (which could explain the lack of insignia and other markings) with the helmet as a warning to others.

Strange that a machine gun seems to be in evidence (held by second man) yet no ammo. Nor do they wear any belt kit.

[Ace Tankkiller]

Can anybody take a guess what type of gun that is in his hand?Might help us figure it out.

[Ace Tankkiller]

No other markings at all, apart from on their helmets.

I doubt they are Einzatzkommando, their uniforms don't look right.

Possibly mine clearers, these were generally punishment postings (which could explain the lack of insignia and other markings) with the helmet as a warning to others.

Strange that a machine gun seems to be in evidence (held by second man) yet no ammo. Nor do they wear any belt kit.

Have to admit thay do look kinda miserable.

[Panzerknacker]

Those are finnish soldiers, the insignia belongs to a infantry regiment of that country.

In the belt you can see the natonal knife or "puuko" , the weapon is probably a locally built Mosin-Nagant with grenade launcher cup.

[1000ydstare]

Spot on Flammpanzer.

From www.warantiques.com/images
http://www.warantiques.com/images/282_germanfinnishEH009.jpgfront_crop.jpg
NEW! Finnish M42 ,War Continuation helmet. ( Image R.J Williams War relics)

Also the original picture from this thread.
http://www.warantiques.com/images/123_War_Finnish_soldiers.jpg

and a pic of the inside.

http://www.warantiques.com/images/170_germanfinnishEH009B.jpg_liner.jpg

[1000ydstare]

From http://www.mosinnagant.net/finland/Finn-Helmets.asp

Some good info on the Finnish markings of helmets here plus a possible id on the one above.

The fourth photo is seen in a number of published works showing Finnish Soldiers in 1944 awaiting the Soviet push into Finland. The photo credits the helmets to members of the 3rd Brigade (AKA the Blue Brigade) but it is not known i fit is accurate.

You can't copy and paste from this site or take photos, so you will have to visit it.

My thanks to Flammpanzer for the steer to the Finnish.

[Egorka]

Cool! Thanks guys!

And this one is my favoruite! :)

http://www.mosinnagant.net/images/group-lun4-00091.jpg

[1000ydstare]

Anyone know why the Finns were so keen on skulls/skeletons?

[1000ydstare]

Any ideas on this plane?

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w313/u62_album/m87.jpg

Have had a few suggestions including COndor (Fw-200) and He-111.

Too stubby a nose for a Condor, and 4 engines compared to 111s two (and lack of glazed nose).

Undercarrage looks He though.

Could it be an Allied plane in German colours, ala KG.200?

Any suggestions gratefully received.

[Wolfgang Von Gottberg]

Is this the Focker 'New York' Bomber?

[windrider]

Looks like a Ju-290
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Junkers_Ju_290

[Librarian]

Presented airplane definitely is a Junkers Ju 90, my dear Mr. Windrider. Currently I am too busy with my photographic research for our Ju 87 and FW 190, as well as for our somehow neglected Quiz thread, but I think that I will be capable to find some unpresented photograps about this indeed intriguing airplane as soon as possible.

In the meantime – all the best. :)

[Panzerknacker]

I think this is a italian bomber Piaggio p.108, used mostly for transport duties in the Luftwaffe.



http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/7315/ital21vf2.jpg

Is this the Focker 'New York' Bomber?


Focker did not make any of such aircrafts in ww2.

[Librarian]

And you are definitely right, my dear Mr. Panzerknacker. I stay corrected. Presented airplane definitely is a Piaggio P 108 A – those propeller-blade root flanges are the most distinctive element available. Here you have a complete airplane profile that was partially presented before. Please, just follow this link:

http://www.comandosupremo.com/Photo6.html

I was befuddled with that nose shape, because almost standard mind-pattern connected with Piaggio P 108 is that well known step-shaped proboscis of a P 108 B. You will be able to find that detail here:

http://www.finn.it/regia/immagini/piaggio/piaggio_p108_b.jpg

And a nice profile of a Ju 90 snout is observable here:

http://www.1000aircraftphotos.com/Contributions/Alfarrabista/3328.htm

However, my mistake is obvious. Sorry for all potential inconveniences caused by my hotheaded ratiocination.:cry:

[Panzerknacker]

And you are definitely right, my dear Mr. Panzerknacker. I stay corrected. Presented airplane definitely is a Piaggio P 108 A – those propeller-blade root flanges are the most distinctive element available. Here you have a complete airplane profile that was partially presented before. Please, just follow this link:

Thanks, is always nice to be right :D


The Piaggio 108 was a very good plane for his intended use, that is long range bomber, however the italians never developed enough numbers or the right tactics to use this powerful airplane.

[Librarian]

Undoubtedly, my dear Mr. Panzerknacker, but the price you have to pay is sometimes very heavy - it usually costs you your joie de vivre.;)

And yes – Piaggio P 108 really was a very good airplane. Here you have another not very well known photography that was taken back there in April of 1942. The bombers were heading home from an action over Mediterranean.

Besides, just imagine those never achieved, always only supposed potentials of a joint Italo-German airplane production... Piaggio P 108 really was an already available solution for those neglected plans toward operationally usable, but desperately deficient strategic component of the Luftwaffe, anticipated by late Lieutenant-General Walther Wever.

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a137/Langnasen/PiaggioP108BApril1942.jpg

Piaggio P 108 B, april 1942

And yes - perhaps we could start another thread about achievements and equipment of Reggia Aeronautica. After all – so many stunning pictures are still unknown…

In the meantime, as always – all the best!

[windrider]

Nice catch !
much easier with the whole picture isn't it ?

[1000ydstare]

Cheers lads.

Good information.

[Librarian]

much easier with the whole picture isn't it ?

Categorically, my dear Mr. Windrider. In that case all those highly observable specific parts - so characteristic for a given airplane type - are more than apparent. And yes, here is a small gift for you: a not so well known snapshot of the Junkers Ju 290 A3. As far as I know, this picture today has its own web-premiére.

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a137/Langnasen/JunkersJu290A3.jpg

Junkers Ju 290 A3


And thank you for the given cerebral stimulus, Mr. 1000ydstare. You know, situation with conundrum-solving is like rowing against the current. As soon as you stop, you drift back again. So keep us tuned.;)

[Nickdfresh]

Undoubtedly, my dear Mr. Panzerknacker, but the price you have to pay is sometimes very heavy - it usually costs you your joie de vivre.;)

And yes – Piaggio P 108 really was a very good airplane. Here you have another not very well known photography that was taken back there in April of 1942. The bombers were heading home from an action over Mediterranean.

Besides, just imagine those never achieved, always only supposed potentials of a joint Italo-German airplane production... Piaggio P 108 really was an already available solution for those neglected plans toward operationally usable, but desperately deficient strategic component of the Luftwaffe, anticipated by late Lieutenant-General Walther Wever.

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a137/Langnasen/PiaggioP108BApril1942.jpg

Piaggio P 108 B, april 1942

And yes - perhaps we could start another thread about achievements and equipment of Reggia Aeronautica. After all – so many stunning pictures are still unknown…

In the meantime, as always – all the best!

I was just about to ask this...

Thank you for answering. The Germans would have had a four engine bomber in which to attack Soviet factories moved east, and possibly transports bringing supplies to Britain...

[windrider]

Thanks for the nice picture, Mr. Librarian!
That was quite an impressive-looking plane.
I'm obliged to contribute with a few pics from http://www.luftwaffephotos.com/
(a very impressive collection from various sources, if you don't already know)
1st pic, loading ramp down.
2nd pic, notice the radar antennas ?

[Jessen]

The soldiers with German helmets and Totekopf paintings are soldiers from the army of Finland. I don't know wich regiment.

[1000ydstare]

Jessem, mate, we have already sussed that, if you read the whole thread.


Welcome to the forum though, from where in Denmark do you hail?

I have visited a few places including Aeroskobin on the island of Aero, Frederica and Sondorburg.

[american sniper]

My uncle found a german stick pin in his father in laws shed a few weeks ago and we want to know what they where used for.

THIS IS NOT THE ONE HE FOUND

His has a ring around the swastika

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y18/Sol23/pix777357796.jpg

[Panzerknacker]

It depend what you mean with pin, there was some insignia that could pinned in the soldiers uniform, but those were combat insignia like this, the nahkampfabzeichen, close combat clasp.

http://axis101.bizland.com/CCCbadge1.jpg



http://axis101.bizland.com/CCCbadge2.jpg

[american sniper]

i will try and get a photo of it next time i go over his house.

[Wolfgang Von Gottberg]

American Sniper.

The photo you posted is a lapel pin. It sounds like your uncle could have found something similiar to that.

[Splinter54]

I think those where used by NSDAP Civil Officials like Gauleiter etc.
Those had been also pinned to ties.

[Wolfgang Von Gottberg]

True, but I thought the ones pinned to ties were more of a pin back..

Similiar to the classic Afrika Korps tie pin.

[bluedonkey99]

as said, its probably a NSDAP Party badge or award pin?

http://www.regaliaspecialist.com/catalogue.php?sid=AWARDS%20-%20STICKPINS%20AND%20MINIATURES

http://www.regaliaspecialist.com/catalogue.php?sid=MEMBERSHIP%20AND%20AFFILIATION%2 0STICK%20PINS

http://www.regaliaspecialist.com/catalogue.php?cid=THIRD%20REICH%20GERMANY

[Wolfgang Von Gottberg]

My history teacher has a very strange Nazi Armband..

Before I ask my questions, I'll give you a brief history on what I already know...

My teacher's uncle was an American soldier in Holland during WWII (1944), and his job was to pull paratrooper gliders that had crashed into German territory back to American territory.

Anyhow, his uncle was pulling back gliders, when he was assaulted by Waffen-SS troops. His uncle fled, but got lost and jumped into a ditch in enemy territory. He had to stay there for a week or so.

He was able to recover a strange Nazi Armband used by the Waffen-SS Military Police.

Strangly, it had no indication of Military Police on it, but it was in the style of a NSDP armband.

Unlike regular SS armbands, this one did not have any black stripes along the edges. It also has a blood stain partialy in the white and red zone of the armband.

My teachers uncle unfortunately died before he would tell my teacher how he retrieved the armband, so my information is limited to that.

Does anyone have any ideas where this was from?

[Wolfgang Von Gottberg]

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s81/GermanWW2/armband001.jpg

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s81/GermanWW2/armband002.jpg

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s81/GermanWW2/armband003.jpg

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s81/GermanWW2/armband005.jpg

[Wolfgang Von Gottberg]

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s81/GermanWW2/armband004.jpg

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s81/GermanWW2/armband007.jpg

Do notice the blood stain. I need any information :D

[Panzerknacker]

I suposse that there is no chance you provide some picture, at list an aproximate one.


(Edited, all right I see the picture now)

[Wolfgang Von Gottberg]

Look at the topic again. (Sorry, my photobucket crashed so I couldn't get them in right away)

[Panzerknacker]

hehe, that happen with "Instant replay" :rolleyes:

Seems one of those used by Volkssturm commanders units.

http://wilk.wpk.p.lodz.pl/~whatfor/panzer6/sd6_poz.jpg

[Wolfgang Von Gottberg]

Ok thanks. It seems that, but his uncle did tell him it was Waffen-SS Military Police. They were trying to tell the troops that they were 'The Big Shots' with the NSDP armbands. By this time (Operation Market Garden, Late '44), the Military Police were executing deserters, so I think this is of a Military Policemans, but you could be correct. Thanks again.

Anybody else?

(Edited, the blood stain is what really attracts me to the armband. Like..what happend to the wearer?)

[Amrit]

The armband itself is a standard one but what it implies is probably more important.

The wearing of overt nazi symbols like an armband would have shown the other troops that the individual(s) was considered a Nazi, with it's subsequent power, rather than just "ordinary" soldiers. It would have implied a degree of authority beyound their standing rank.

As to them being Military Police, it may have that they were soldiers who had been assigned local temporary powers, because standard German MPs / Feldgendarmerie wore special insignia and gorgets. Have a look at this site which covers both Army and SS Police uniforms etc:

http://home.mweb.co.za/re/redcap/germany.htm

[Panzerknacker]

Incidentally the laboral service R.A.D wears one very similar.

http://chrito.users1.50megs.com/uniformen/heer/rad/radunif1.jpg

[Wolfgang Von Gottberg]

Interesting..but the Reichs Arbeit Dienst were never called into combat..were they?

[Panzerknacker]

Yes the formation was used in combat , since 1941 ocasionally but from 1944 specially.

Most of the RAD units were agregated to SS or Volkssturm combat vervande.

[Splinter54]

Hello! :)

I have a question:

How had been these vehicles "sponsored" by the Germans painted in the Romanian and Hungarian army?

Hungary
PzKpfw 38(t) light tanks

PzKpfw III Ausf M and N

PzKpfw IV Ausf D and G

Sturmgeschutz III (40) Ausf F

Jagdpanzer 38(t) Hetzer tank destroyers

PzKpfw V Panther G medium heavy tanks

PzKpfw VI Tiger heavy tanks


Romania
PzKpfw 38(t) light tanks

PzKpfw III Ausf M & N medium tanks

Sturmgeschutz III (40) Ausf F

PzKpfw IV Ausf G medium tanks

SdKfz.251 halftracked personnel carriers



Thanks!! ;)

[athon]

Hello,

I am looking for informations/plans/fotos about the bilstein crane we can see on the foto.

http://img104.imageshack.us/img104/8443/bilsteinlq3.th.jpg (http://img104.imageshack.us/my.php?image=bilsteinlq3.jpg)

Could you help me to find some ?

Thanks,

Best Regards,

[athon]

Hello,

as we can see on some pictures, The Axis force used many trucks coming from other countries.

I think that the truck in the following foto is a Skoda 6ST6L...

http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/3377/camiongrue3sd4.th.jpg (http://img515.imageshack.us/my.php?image=camiongrue3sd4.jpg)

as we can see here :
http://img122.imageshack.us/img122/8607/012nned9.th.jpg (http://img122.imageshack.us/my.php?image=012nned9.jpg)

Could you post some more pictures ?
Best Regards

[Kovalski]

Hi Athon,

one tiny correction:
Skoda is from former Czechoslovakia ;)

Pozdrawiam,

Kovalski

[athon]

Hi Athon,

one tiny correction:
Skoda is from former Czechoslovakia ;)

Pozdrawiam,

Kovalski

Thanks, I modify the title ;)

[Nickdfresh]

I once read something about French trucks in Wehrmacht 'Osteer' service as something as a "Montezuma's Revenge" of France, as they more frequently broke down than the Mercedes and Opels, were difficult to service due to lack of parts, and caused an overall logistical nightmare...

[Nickdfresh]

Here's a pic of a French Unic halftrack...

From: http://forum.axishistory.com/files/unic_p107.jpeg

[Nickdfresh]

And here's an interesting thread (http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?t=23596&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=30) on captured French equipment used in Wehrmacht service...

[Nickdfresh]

A Berliet truck:

[Nickdfresh]

A Renault truck:

http://forum.axishistory.com/files/vehicle_parc__renault_ahn_2_555.jpg

[AM_R.A.D.6th]

I have finally received my great uncles WWII dog tag. I have researched his travels through the war with the RAD and Wehrmacht to the best of my ability and would like some help reading his dog tag. I know he was in the RAD in the early goings (Danzig Westprussen) and was brought up to battle at 17 years old in 1944 to fight in Belgium, this is where the war ended for him as he was taken prisoner by a Canadian tank regiment. (wounded, straffed by machine gun, 5 slugs which he carried in his body until his death at 83 years old)
Any help with regards to the following info i will give you on his dog tag would be appreciated. To the best of my ability the tag reads exactly as follows:


II FL Rgt.71
4. Komp. 708

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v619/Over30/dogtag-1.jpg


Again, any help in further information on this would be greatly appreciated. To show my appreciation, if i receive information i regard as further education in my research, i will post 2 pictures of my uncle in full uniform for you to view.

[Panzerknacker]

I am sending you a link by private M, that migh be helpful.