Original caption: “Mountain troops in a Finnish forest have unloaded from a standard container a cylindrical chunk of frozen sauerkraut which they are cutting up. In an emergency shortage, sawdust may be mingled with sauerkraut as food filler.” . . . → Read More: Frozen Sauerkraut]]> A strange WWII sauerkraut photograph from U.S. Military Intelligence publication German Mountain Troops, December 1944.

Original caption: “Mountain troops in a Finnish forest have unloaded from a standard container a cylindrical chunk of frozen sauerkraut which they are cutting up. In an emergency shortage, sawdust may be mingled with sauerkraut as food filler.”
 

Model 88 (1928) 75-mm AA Gun.

Model 88 (1928) 75-mm AA gun is the standard Japanese mobile antiaircraft artillery weapon. It has been encountered more generally . . . → Read More: Japanese Model 88 75-mm AA Gun]]> Description of the WWII Japanese Model 88 (1928) 75-mm Antiaircraft Gun from Japanese Field Artillery, Special Series No. 25, Military Intelligence Division, U.S. War Department, Washington, D.C., October 15, 1944.

Model 88 (1928) 75-mm AA Gun.

Model 88 (1928) 75-mm AA gun is the standard Japanese mobile antiaircraft artillery weapon. It has been encountered more generally in U.S. campaigns against the Japanese than any other artillery weapon. It has a high velocity which makes it suitable for use against ground targets, especially armor. It has been used both in defense of airfields against ground attack and in a dual-purpose role as an antiaircraft and coast-defense gun. For antitank purposes it has the advantage of all-round traverse and the disadvantage of limited mobility. It thus can be quite effective when fired from ambush against tanks, but it cannot shoot and run.

GENERAL
Weapon		75-mm AA gun, Model 88 (1928), 7-cm field gun.
General Characteristics		Semiautomatic loading and firing.
Identification		Five out-riggers. Pedestal mount.
Tactical Employment		Ordinarily air defense but also in battle as 4-gun field battery.
FIRING CHARACTERISTICS
Length of Tube		130.5 in.; 44.2 calibers.
Muzzle Velocity		2,360 f/s.
Maximum Range		29,848 feet (vertical).
Elevation		85°.
Depression		0°.
Traverse		360°, 5 minutes for complete traverse.
Rate of Fire: Maximum		15-20 rpm.
Ammunition		AA pointed shell, HE, shrapnel, smoke, incendiary, and illuminating.
Type of Breechblock		Semiautomatic horizontal sliding.
Type of Firing Mechanism		Continuous pull percussion (Krupp type).
Rifling		28 grooves. 1 turn, 25.6 calibers.
Twist		Uniform right hand.
Length		101.5 in.
CONSTRUCTION AND MOVEMENT DATA
Weight of Gun:
Firing		5,390 lb.
Traveling		6,039 lb.
Over-all Length:
Firing		16 ft. 6 in.
Traveling		14 ft. 9 in.
Width:
Track		5 ft. 3 in.
Maximum		6 ft. 4 in.
Height		6 ft. 7 in.
Road Clearance		1 ft. 2 in.
Method of Transport		Tractor-drawn or 6-by-6 truck with winch.
Practical Speed on Good Roads		Maximum: 12 miles per hr.
		Normal: 3 miles per hr.
Type of Equilibrator		Spring cable.
Typeof Brakes		Hand.
Wheels and Tires		36 by 6, 90 pounds pressure, rubber.
Trail		5 out-riggers with jacks for leveling.
Recoil System:
Standard		At 0° 54.6 in.; from 50°-85°, 23.4 in.
Maximum		60.5 in.
Type of Recoil System		Hydropneumatic, variable.
Type Fluid Recoil Cylinder		Light fluid lubricating oil.
Type Fluid Counterrecoil Cylinder		Light fluid lubricating oil.
Quantity Fluid Recoil Cylinder		4 qt.
Air Pressure Counterrecoil Cylinder		830.1-1,419 lb./sq in.

. . . → Read More: New WWI and WWII Books from Tankograd]]> New March 2012 releases from Tankograd Publishing covering WWI and WWII have been announced. Tankograd specializes in publications on military vehicles and military history.

Details from NOLA.com: “Hours of ground tours and display are: . . . → Read More: Wings of Freedom Tour Visits New Orleans]]> The Wings of Freedom Tour visits New Orleans with vintage aircraft including P-51 Mustang, Consolidated B-24 Liberator “Witchcraft”, and Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress “Nine O Nine”. The Collings Foundation’s Wings of Freedom Tour will be at Lakefront Airport from March 9th to March 11th.

Details from NOLA.com: “Hours of ground tours and display are: 2:00 PM through 5:00 PM on Friday, March 9; 9:00 AM through 5. Also on display will be a P-51 Mustang. Visitors are invited to explore the aircraft inside and out – $12 for adults and $6 for children under 12 is requested for access to up-close viewing and tours through the inside of the aircraft. WWII Veterans can tour through the aircraft at no cost. Discounted rates for school groups. Visitors may also experience the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to actually take a 30-minute flight aboard these rare aircraft. Flights on either the B-17 or B-24 are $425 per person. Get some ‘stick time’ in the world’s greatest fighter! P-51 flights are $2,200 for a half hour and $3,200 for a full hour.”

Source: Engineer Intelligence Bulletin No. 3, Engineer Section, HQ. Eighth Army, May 1945.  

6. MORALE

a. General

The coming winter will again severely . . . → Read More: German Winter Morale]]> The problems of German troop morale during the harsh winters of the Eastern Front — translation of German Taschenbuch für den Winterkrieg, August 1942 from the U.S. wartime publication German Winter Warfare, Special Series, No. 18, Military Intelligence Division, U.S. War Department, December 1943.

6. MORALE

a. General

The coming winter will again severely tax the spiritual stamina of the soldier. All suitable means commensurate with the situation and combat conditions will be employed to bolster his inner resilience. The example of the soldier, especially the officer who has proved himself in all situations, is a determining factor in maintaining the morale of the troops. Eagerness for action and good discipline must be maintained, especially behind the lines. Prerequisites in assuring morale are consideration for the welfare of troops, tolerable shelter, and adequate provisions. Winter equipment, lighting facilities, and fuel must be procured in advance or substitutes provided. Important! Stimulate the initiative of troops. Shows should be staged and soldiers encouraged to participate in them. Intelligent organization of spare time is the best means of preventing useless brooding, rumor-mongering, and disciplinary offenses.

The welfare of troops in the lines has priority. Morale-building supplies for the front must actually reach the front lines. There must be no pigeonholing in depots, railroad stations, headquarters, or orderly rooms. Checks against delay must be made continually. Commanders and headquarters must be in constant communication with field offices of the High Command of the Armed Forces.

b. Recreational Aids

(1) Reading material.–Do not leave newspapers lying around. Newspapers, bulletins, and magazines must reach the front fast. There the soldier is waiting for recent news. Papers of occupied territories should be sent forward because they do not have to be transported far. Front papers of field armies also serve the purpose of inculcating combat doctrine in troops.

Exchange of library kits between battalions and regiments should be encouraged. Field library kits of the Army Book Service (Heeresbücherei) are exclusively for front-line troops. Rear echelons and higher headquarters are normally equipped with Rosenberg libraries.

“Information for Troops” (Mitteilungen für die Truppe) continues to be distributed through the Army Postal Service (Feldpost) to divisions, two copies per unit. Report immediately any failure to receive copies. This also applies to “Information for the Officer Corps” (Mitteilungen für das Offizierkorps).

(2) Lectures.–Important lectures by speakers from the High Command of the Armed Forces are possible only under quiet conditions and after long preparation. Lectures by members of units on general cultural subjects (history, geography, travel, economics, engineering, fine arts) have been successful even in small units. The units themselves have good men for this purpose!

(3) Radio.–The Army radio receiving set has worked even in winter on the Eastern Front. The further issue of sets and spare parts, on the basis of current production, is confined to front-line troops and is carried out only through higher signal officers of signal regiments. Production and distribution of additional sets and spare parts is being stressed. Rear installations and welfare organizations are equipped with commercial receivers.

(4) Movies.–Theaters are improvised behind the front lines on the basis of experience. The increase of available machines, especially of the projector unit with direct-current generator for localities without power supply, is desirable. Pictures shown are coordinated by the division G-2 (Ic der Division).

(5) Employment of “Strength through Joy” groups.–On the Eastern Front only tours by small acting troupes are ordinarily possible. Transportation and shelter must be considered. When constructing new motion-picture theaters, provide stage facilities for acting troupes. The stages will also be used for official business (lectures, instruction, briefing, schools, etc.).

It is important to employ “Strength through Joy” groups (KdF.-Gruppen) according to plan. Provide them with transportation facilities, cooperate with them, pay attention to their welfare, and provide for their security in guerrilla territory.

(6) Competitions.–Competitions are particularly valuable in all respects. New facilities have been provided for the winter of 1942-43. Important activities in this field are inventions and improvements of arms and equipments.

(7) Improvement of quarters.–The troops should be urged to improve their quarters by their own handiwork. Arts and crafts have a place in the construction of shelters. In view of the bare-minimum shelter conditions in the east, this is particularly important. Encourage by competitions the improvement of quarters, moving-picture halls, theaters, kitchens, storerooms, stables, and gardens.

(8) Organization of spare time.–In organizing spare time, schools for choir leaders are particularly valuable. Train choir leaders for the units of divisions and regiments. Also encourage hobbies, crafts, and amateur theatrical performances by and for the troops. Occupational aid through correspondence courses and civilian work groups is also successful. This kind of instruction has practical value for the future of the soldier.

(9) Service centers.–Service centers should be especially promoted. Unattractive living conditions and the lack of “places to go” and restaurants on the Eastern Front must be remembered. The establishment of numerous service centers is necessary. At larger service centers a senior hostess and several junior hostesses of the German Red Cross (DRK) must be assigned.

(10) Front convalescent camps.–These are successful without exception. Convalescent camps behind front lines meet an urgent need of troops. In large areas and broad front sectors the establishment of small convalescent camps for regiments has been successful.

DESTRUCTION OF AMMUNITION UPON IMMINENCE OF CAPTURE IN COMBAT ZONE

387. GENERAL.

a. When immediate capture of ammunition is threatened by . . . → Read More: Destruction of Artillery Ammunition]]> Instructions for destruction of artillery ammunition to prevent capture by the enemy — the methods will require imagination, initiative, and ingenuity. Source: TM 9-1901: Artillery Ammunition, U.S. War Department Technical Manual, June 1944.

DESTRUCTION OF AMMUNITION UPON IMMINENCE OF CAPTURE IN COMBAT ZONE

387. GENERAL.

a. When immediate capture of ammunition is threatened by a turn of events in the combat zone and when the ammunition cannot be evacuated, it will be as completely destroyed or damaged as available time, equipment, materials, and personnel will permit.

b. The destruction of ammunition will be accomplished only on authority delegated by the division or higher commander.

c. The methods used will require imagination, initiative, and ingenuity, and should be the simplest which will accomplish the desired purpose.

388. METHODS.

a. Ammunition can be destroyed most quickly by detonation or burning.

(1) DETONATION. Unpacked high-explosive rounds, separate-loading high-explosive shell, and high capacity items such as antitank mines, bangalore torpedoes, bursters or caps, packed or unpacked, may be destroyed by placing them in contact in piles and detonating them with a charge of TNT, using with blasting cap and sufficient safety fuse to permit reaching cover at 200 yards. About 1 pound of TNT per 100 pounds of ammunition as packed, should be sufficient,

(2) BURNING. All other types of ammunition such as packed high-explosive rounds and propelling charges, small-arms ammunition, grenades, pyrotechnics, etc., packed or unpacked, can most rapidly be destroyed by burning. The ammunition may be piled in the containers (except small-arms cartridges which should be broken out) with all available inflammable material as wood, rags, brush, and cans or drums of gasoline. The gasoline should be poured over the pile and ignited from cover. Rounds that come through the fire unexploded will be in the nature of duds, that is, in a condition dangerous to handle.

I. Beschreibung der Schußwaffenanlage der Baureihe D-9

A. Allgemeines

Abb. 1: Gesamtbild der Schußwaffenanlage

ANNEX B: Approved claims for all enemy aircraft destroyed or damaged, 1 August 1944 to 8 May 1945, while units listed were serving with the . . . → Read More: Third Army Antiaircraft Claims]]> Approved claims for U.S. Third Army antiaircraft units from Antiaircraft Artillery: A Brief History of Operations in Europe, 1 August 1944 to 8 May, 1945, Third United States Army.

ANNEX B: Approved claims for all enemy aircraft destroyed or damaged, 1 August 1944 to 8 May 1945, while units listed were serving with the Third US Army. This tabulation does not include a great many additional aircraft claimed, and earned, while units were detached from Third US Army and serving elsewhere. Units not listed made no claims under the Army.

Unit		Category I		Category II		Category III
109th Gn Bn		4				1
115th Gn Bn		34 1/2		16		4
119th Gn Bn		21 1/2		7		2
120th Gn Bn		24		6		4
128th Gn Bn		15 1/4		3		3
129th Gn Bn		31 1/6		4 1/2		2
203rd SP Bn				1
217th Gn Bn		28		9		3
386th AW Bn		8 1/3		3		1
387th SP Bn		2		3
390th SP Bn		39 1/12		13		4
398th SP Bn		16
411th Gn Bn		45 5/6		11		1
444th AW Bn				1
445th AW Bn		20		2		1
448th AW Bn		5 1/4		2		1
449th AW Bn		12		10		5
452nd AW Bn		67 11/12		19		11
455th AW Bn		80 1/3		31		23
456th AW Bn		33 1/2		14
457th AW Bn		15 7/12		7 1/2		6
463rd AW Bn		26		5		1
465th SP Bn		19 1/3		4		2
467th SP Bn		1/2		2		1
468th SP Bn		5				1
473rd SP Bn		13		4
481st AW Bn				1
489th SP Bn		118 1/12		11		32
530th AW Bn				2		1
537th AW Bn		21 1/4		12		6
546th AW Bn		27		6		2
547th AW Bn		4		7		5
549th AW Bn				1
550th AW Bn		17		9		10
551st AW Bn		8 1/2		1		1
559th AW Bn		1
565th AW Bn		2				2
567th AW Bn						1
572nd AW Bn		9		7		3
574th AW Bn		3
575th AW Bn		15 3/4		3		7
599th AW Bn		8
633rd AW Bn		26 3/4		8		1
634th AW Bn		1
635th AW Bn		5		5		9
776th AW Bn		3				2
777th SP Bn		64 7/12		19		26
778th SP Bn		14 2/3		5		1
792nd AW Bn		1 1/3
795th AW Bn
796th SP Bn		5		4		2
839th AW Bn		1
22nd FTA Bn		1
Totals		927		279		188