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Luftlande Truppen, May 1940

Discussion in 'Western Europe 1939 - 1942' started by kerrd5, Oct 15, 2018.

  1. kerrd5

    kerrd5 Ace

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    Here is a photo I won on eBay. Airborne troops at Werl Airfield, May 1940.

    Resized to 1000 dpi to post here.

    Luftwaffe Werl RS.jpg

    Luftwaffe Werl Reverse.jpg


    Dave
     
    kerrd5, Oct 15, 2018
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  2. A-58

    A-58 Cool Dude

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    A-58, Oct 15, 2018
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  3. Otto

    Otto GröFaZ Staff Member WW2|ORG Editor

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    I love zooming in on scenes like this one.

    Very interesting to see the way troops kitted themselves out for transport into combat. The man on the near left has an mp40 strapped to the top of his backpack, it's upside down with the barrel pointed to his right (our left). To feed this mp40 he has the 3+3 stick magazine pouches on his chest. He also has what appears to be two water canteens at his right hip. Add to this the grenades that both men have tucked into their boots, they are probably expecting a prolonged engagement.
     
    Otto, Oct 15, 2018
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  4. A-58

    A-58 Cool Dude

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    Yeah, the first thing that tipped it off that they weren't parachute troops was that they were wearing regular issued tunics and not Knochensacks.
     
    A-58, Oct 15, 2018
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  5. A-58

    A-58 Cool Dude

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    And also notice there are no cuff titles on the lower sleeves. Definitely early war period.
     
    A-58, Oct 15, 2018
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  6. RichTO90

    RichTO90 Well-Known Member

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    Yes, 22. Luftlande-Infanterie Division, but not glider-born. It was intended they be flown in in Ju-52/3m. In this case, they are Infanterie-Regiment 47, which were tasked with capturing Valkenburg airfield in Holland after it was to be captured by two platoons of 6./FJR 6. The assault was a disaster. Two of the six Ju-52 carrying the paratroopers were shot down, as were four of those carrying troops of IR 47. Another 50 Ju-52 were destroyed on the airfield after elements of Regimentsstab, 9., 10., and 12. Kompanie were flown in, leaving it unusable for follow-on forces of the regiment.
     
    RichTO90, Oct 15, 2018
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  7. kerrd5

    kerrd5 Ace

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    Thanks for the insight, guys.


    Dave
     
    kerrd5, Oct 16, 2018
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