Spearhead – 3rd Armored Videos

Posted on August 6, 2010 by Lone_Sentry_Admin
3rd Armored Division Spearhead Shoulder Patch   
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Captured Jeeps

Posted on August 5, 2010 by Lone_Sentry_Admin
Jeep Captured by Germans in WW2

Fallschirmjäger inspect a captured American Jeep and trailer. A German amphibious Volkswagen Schwimmwagen is parked in the background. (Creative Commons: Bundesarchiv, Bild 101I-584-2159-27 / Reich / CC-BY-SA)

Beute Amerikanischer Jeep - Wehrmacht WWII

Wehrmacht panzer troops with a captured American Jeep in Northern France during the Summer of 1944. (Creative Commons: Bundesarchiv, Bild 101I-301-1970-33 / Hasse / CC-BY-SA)

Captured Jeep

In the same location as above, German soldiers point out the U.S. marking for the cameraman. (Creative Commons: Bundesarchiv, Bild 101I-301-1970-34 / Hasse / CC-BY-SA)

Captured Russian Jeep, Eastern Front, WW2

German soldiers in a captured Soviet jeep on the Eastern Front. (Creative Commons: Bundesarchiv, Bild 169-0938 / Unknown / CC-BY-SA)

 

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German Tank and Armored Car Sights

Posted on August 4, 2010 by Lone_Sentry_Admin

Summary of major German panzer and armored car gunsights from TM-E 30-451: Handbook on German Military Forces, War Department, March 1945. [As with all U.S. wartime intelligence, the data may be inaccurate or incomplete. The source text has not been corrected.]

 

Type Used On Guns and Am­mu­ni­tion Range
Scales
(meters)		 Magni-
fication
(X)		 Field
(Degrees)		 Overall
length
(less eye
guard)
(inches)		 Weight
(pounds)		 Exit
Pupil
distance
(mm.)		 Entrance
Pupil
di­­­am­­e­ter
(mm.)		 Re­marks
Turret Sighting Telescopes
T.Z.F. 2 and 2X. Pz.Kpfw. I. Models A and B. 7.92 mm MG 13. 800 2.5 28 19 19 5.5 — It is not known with what gun the T.Z.F.2 was used, nor in which vehicle. Monocular.
T.Z.F. 3a. 4-wheeled armored car. Sd.Kfz. 222 and semi-tracked A.C. Sd.Kfz. 250/9. 2 cm Kw.K. 38.
7.92 mm M.G. 34.		 1200 — — — — — — Little is known about this telescope. Monocular.
T.Z.F. 4. Pz.Kpfw. II Models A to C. 2 cm Kw.K. 30.
7.92 mm M.G. 34.		 1200 2.5 25 22.5 20 7 17.5 First confirmed Leitz design. Monocular.
T.Z.F. 4/36 and 4/38. Pz.Kpfw. II Model F. 2 cm Kw.K. 30.
7.92 mm M.G. 34.		 1200
800		 2.5 25 22.5 21 7 17.5 The range of 800 metres applies to T.Z.F. 4/36 and that of 1200 metres to T.Z.F. 4/38. Monocular.
T.Z.F. 5a. Pz.Kpfw. III Models A to D. 3.7 cm Kw.K. (AP and HE).
7.92 mm M.G. 34.		 2000
800		 2.5 25 32.25 24 5 12.5 Monocular.
T.Z.F. 5a. (Vorl) 5 cm. Pz.Kpfw. III Model E, etc. (See Remarks). 5 cm Kw.K (AP and HE).
7.92 mm M.G. 34.		 2000
1500		 2.5 25 32.25 21.5 5 12.5 Monocular. Modified T.Z.F.5a, superseded by T.Z.F.5d.
T.Z.F. 5b. Pz.Kpfw. III with 7.5 cm. Kw.K. Models J to N. Pz.Kpfw. IV Models B to F. 7.5 cm Kw.K.
7.92 mm M.G. 34.		 2000
800		 2.4 23.5 32.25 21.5 5 12.5 Monocular.
T.Z.F. 5b/36. Pz.Kpfw. IV. Models B to F. 7.5 cm Kw.K.
7.92 mm M.G. 34.		 2000
800		 2.4 23.5 32.25 23 6 14.4 Monocular.
T.Z.F. 5d. Pz.Kpfw. III. Models F and J. 5 cm Kw.K. (APC and HE)
7.92 mm M.G. 34.		 3000
1500		 2.4 25 31.8 20.13 5.5 13.2 Monocular.
T.Z.F. 5. Pz.Kpfw. III Models L and M. 5 cm Kw.K. 39 AP or APCHE
7.92 mm M.G. 34.		 1500
3000
1200		 2.4 25 31.8 20.13 5.5 13.2 Monocular.
T.Z.F. 5f (Vorl) Pz.Kpfw. IV Models F2 to H. 7.5 cm Kw.K. 40 APCBC
     HE
     AP40
7.92 mm M.G. 34.		 2500
3300
1500		 2.4 25 31.8 20.13 5.5 13.2 Monocular. The HE scale serves for the machine gun also.
T.Z.F. 5f. 1. Pz.Kpfw. IV Models G to K. 7.5 cm Kw.K. 40 APCBC
     HE
     AP40
7.92 mm M.G. 34.		 3000
4000
1500		 2.4 25 32 26 5.8 13.9 Monocular. The HE scale serves for the machine gun also.
T.Z.F. 6. 8-wheeled armored car and Pz.Sp.Wg. II (Luchs) Sd. Kfz. 123. 2 cm Kw.K. 30 and 38, and 7.92 mm M.G. 34. 1200 2.4 22 28.4 21 5 12 Monocular.
T.Z.F. 6/38. — 2 cm Kw.K. 38 and 7.92 mm M.G. 34. 1200 2.5 25 — — — — Little known about this telescope but known dimensions agree with those for the T.Z.F.6. Monocular.
T.Z.F. 9b. Pz.Kpfw. Tiger Model E. 8.8 cm Kw.K. 36.
7.92 mm M.G. 34.		 4000
1200		 2.4 26 32.5 37 6 15 Binocular. Adjustable interocular distance.
T.Z.F. 9d. Pz.Kpfw. Tiger Model B. 8.8 cm Kw.K. 43 APCBC
     HE
7.92 mm M.G. 34.		 3000
5000		 — — — — — — Monocular. The HE scale is believed to serve for the machine gun also.
T.Z.F. 12. Pz.Kpfw. Panther Model D. 7.5 cm Kw.K. 42 (L/70) APCBC
     HE
     AP 40.
7.92 mm M.G. 34.		 3000
4000
2000		 2.5 29 45.1 63.88 6.2 15 Binocular. Light and dark filters fitted. The HE scale serves for the machine gun also.
T.Z.F. 12a. Pz.Kpfw. Panther Models A and G. As above. 3000
4000
2000		 2.5
5		 19
15		 44.5 44 6.2
3.1		 — Monocular, dual magnification.
Hull Machine Gun Telescopes
K.Z.F. 1. Early models of most tanks. 7.92 mm M.G. 34. (gimbal mountings). 200
(fixed)		 1.8 18 — — 5 — Cranked, monocular, moving-eyepiece type.
K.Z.F. 2.  Pz.Kpfw. I, Commander’s.
Pz.Kpfw. II, Flamethrower.
Pz.Kpfw. III, Commander’s and Models F to J.
Pz.Kpfw. IV, Tiger and Panther.		 7.92 mm M.G. 34. (gimbal and ball mountings). 200
(fixed)		 1.75 18 14.13 7 5 — Cranked, monocular, moving-eyepiece type.
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Churchill & Eisenhower Accused of UFO Coverup?

Posted on August 4, 2010 by Lone_Sentry_Admin

News of the strange. The British Ministry of Defense has released hundreds of secret “UFO files” online. The files, originally published at http://ufos.nationalarchives.gov.uk/, span several decades and contain eyewitness accounts, sketches, and classified briefings. The files include a letter accusing Winston Churchill and Dwight Eisenhower of ordering the coverup of a wartime encounter between a UFO and an RAF bomber.

 

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Warsaw 3-D Documentary

Posted on August 3, 2010 by Lone_Sentry_Admin

City of Ruins is a new documentary film featuring 3-D sequences showing the destruction in bombed-out Warsaw after World War II. The documentary movie from the Warsaw Uprising Museum was directed by Oscar-nominated director Tomek Baginski.

 

 

 

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M40 and M43 Gun Motor Carriage

Posted on August 1, 2010 by Lone_Sentry_Admin

The 155-mm Gun Motor Carriage M40 and 8 in. Howitzer Motor Carriage M43 were self-propelled artillery vehicles based on major components of the medium tank M4A1 with the Continental engine and HVSS suspension. The M40 Gun Motor Carriage was designed to replace the earlier M12 Gun Motor Carriage. Prototypes of the M40 were tested in WWII, but the M40 and M43 were not widely deployed until after WWII.

The following data on the M40 and M43 is taken from Technical Manual TM 9-1747.

155-mm Gun Motor Carriage M40 and 8 in. Howitzer Motor Carriage M43

DESCRIPTION:

a. The 155-mm gun motor carriage M40 and the 8-inch howitzer motor carriage M43 are identical, the model designation depending entirely upon the weapon mounted in the vehicle. When designated as gun motor carriage M40, the vehicle carries the 155-mm gun, M1 or M1A1. When designated as gun motor carriage M43, the 8-inch howitzer, M1 or M2, is used. The weapons are mounted in the rear compartment and point forward when in traveling position.

M43 Howitzer Motor Carriage

Figure 1. 8-inch howitzer motor carriage M43, three-quarter rear view.

b. This carriage is improved version of the 155-mm gun motor carriage M12, based on major components of the medium tank M4A1. The motor carriage is of the armored, full-track laying type having horizontal volute spring suspension. The hull is divided into three compartments. The drivers’ compartment is at the front, the engine compartment in the middle, and the fighting compartment at the rear. Universal-type ammunition racks for the 155-mm gun or 8-inch howitzer ammunition are installed in each vehicle. Seats are provided for a crew of eight men.

M40 Gun Motor Carriage

Figure 2. 155-mm gun motor carriage M40, three-quarter left rear firing position.

c. The M40 or M43 vehicle is powered by a 485-horsepower, 9-cylinder, radial gasoline engine, Ordnance Model No. R974-C4 (Continental) mounted in the center of the vehicle.

d. The vehicles are equipped with radio for intervehicle, and telephone for intravehicle communication.

M43 Gun Motor Carriage

Figure 3. 8-inch howitzer motor carriage M43, three-quarter left front traveling position.

e. The hull is constructed of armor plate and is divided into the fighting compartment at the rear, engine compartment in the center, and the driver’s compartment at the front. The compartments a separated by bulkheads. With the exception of several removable sections, the sided, roof and floor are welded together to form a single box-like unit. The removable sections are provided to permit access to the interior of the hull for inspection, machinery replacement and personnel. The removable parts of the hull are: spade assembly which hold the carriage against the kickback when the gun is fired; tailgate and loading ramp assembly; spotlight; drivers’ seats; oil cooler shutter assemblies; cupola hatch assemblies; spade winch and cable; exhaust and tail pipes; shell racks; and towing hooks and pintle assemblies.

155-mm Gun Motor Carriage M40

Figure 4. 155-mm gun motor carriage M40, three-quarter right front view.

f. The vehicle is propelled forward and backward by two individually driven tracks. The drive sprockets at the front end of the vehicle pull the tracks from the rear and lay them down in front of the advancing road wheels. The track and suspension system consists of the tracks, which the vehicle travels on; the suspension and road wheels, which carry the load of the vehicle and travel on the tracks; the track rear idler, which is the turning point for the track and is the adjustment point for taking up slack in the track; and the support rollers, which support the upper half of the track.

DATA (M40 and M43):

 

GENERAL
     Purpose         Gun carriage
     Type   Full-track laying
     Crew   8 men
     Fighting weight:    
          M40   83,000 lb.
          M43   83,000 lb.
     Length:    
          M40   357 in.
          M43   289 in.
     Width, over-all   124 in.
     Height, overall   129 3/4 in.
     Ground clearance   19 1/4 in.
ENGINE
     Manufacturer   Continental
     Model   R975–C4
     Type   Single-row, static-radial, air-cooled
SUSPENSION
     Type   Horizontal volute
     Track shoe width   18 3/4 in.
     Track pitch   6 in.
     Ground contact area of both tracks   7,544 sq. in.
     Number of blacks per track   87
     Weight of track   4,042 lb.
     Ground pressure (psi)   10.2
POWER TRAIN (1-PIECE DIFFERENTIAL)
     Manufacturer   Iowa Transmission

 

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Checkerboard

Posted on August 1, 2010 by Lone_Sentry_Admin

The Checkerboard newspaper of the 99th Infantry Division is available online at http://99div.newspaperarchive.com/. All issues can be browsed and searched by keyword. The Checkerboard was the newspaper of the 99th Infantry Division during World War II and the 99th Infantry Division Association post-war. During training in 1943-44, 78 issues were published. After the war, the 99th Infantry Division Association resumed publication several times per year.

99th Infantry Division Checkerboard
 

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Tigers on the Loose

Posted on August 1, 2010 by Lone_Sentry_Admin

“Tigers on the Loose” tells the story of the 10th Armored Division in World War II using wartime films and post-war interviews with officers and men of the 10th. The film was produced in 1965 and is narrated by Lorne Greene.

Part I:

Part II:

 

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Antimechanized Defense

Posted on July 31, 2010 by Lone_Sentry_Admin

FM 17-40 Armored Infantry CompanyAntimechanized defense for armored infantry from the U.S. field manual FM 17-40: Armored Infantry Company:

 

Antimechanized defense is both passive and active.

(1) The troops are protected passively against mechanized attacks by the digging of fox holes and emplacements, the erection of barricades, tank traps, and mine fields, and by taking advantage of all natural obstacles in the area. (See figs. 1 and 2.)

Passive Antitank Measures: Fox holes, barricades, and natural terrain

Passive Antitank Measures: Tank traps and mine fields

(2) Active measures (fig. 3) include the placing of all antitank weapons in the best possible places to protect the personnel from hostile mechanized attack. Antitank guns and rocket launchers are used to destroy attacking tanks. Riflemen fire on tanks (directly at the vision slits) to aid in blinding the mechanized forces and make them keep hatches closed, thus preventing crews from throwing hand grenades in emplacements or fox holes. Individuals take cover in fox holes or emplacements in time to prevent being crushed. They come out of cover immediately after the tanks pass over in order to repel the accompanying hostile infantry.

Active Antitank Measures

 

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Coast Guard SPARS

Posted on July 30, 2010 by Lone_Sentry_Admin

 

 

Coast Guard SPARS

50 reasons for being a Spar

Coast Guard SPAR UniformSPARS do 50 different kinds of important jobs at U.S. Coast Guard land stations from San Diego to Cape Cod. They receive the same pay and promotions as Coast Guardsmen and are only limited in their service by the decision of Congress that they must serve ashore and within the United States. About half of them are petty officers.

The Coast Guard is the smallest and most versatile of Uncle Sam’s four armed forces. More than half of its men—an amazingly high percentage—are now on sea duty outside the United States. Among other things they chauffeur those seagoing armored taxicabs in which men and material are moved to invasion beachheads. Grim business!

More Coast Guardsmen are needed for overseas duty. But some men cannot be shipped out of key shore jobs until SPARS take over. The time to he a SPAR is NOW.

Qualifications

Enlisted SPARS are:  American citizens . . . between the ages of 20 and 36 . . . without children younger than 18 . . . All SPARS pass prescribed physical tests and have vision in each eye correctable to 20-20 . . . They have two years of high school or business college.

Rail fare of qualified applicants is paid to the nearest recruiting office for physical examinations.

Officer qualifications are the same except: age 20-50 and education two years of college plus two of business or professional experience.

WW2 Coast Guard SPARS

 

 

 

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