My Grandpa with the German Fallschirmjägers during WW2

General Meindl's comment about "the whole senselessness of the thing" and "the disaster clearly unfolding" are great descriptors of the lines constantly under threat of being "rolled up". It is sad that men on either side had to endure this kind of carnage and that men have inflicted this upon each other throughout all of history.

Really good reports. He is a much better writer than he thinks, worried as he is about how history will view his brave men.

 

That it is what makes the difference between Officers and responsible Officers! Meindl was a well liked and experienced Officer.

 

That was a fascinating read, Ulrich. You can almost feel his frustration and exasperation with the higher command. However, I also notice a hint of the problem with Nazi Germany in Meindl's own language:

Clearly, Meindl cared about his men. However, he used the language of his time. In Nazi Germany, there were no human beings, only human material. Material is either useful or it is disposable. It has no inherent value. It's value is derived from it's usefulness. What do we call material that has no use? Trash.

I wonder if the contradiction between his feelings for his men and the words he used to describe them ever occurred to him?

 

Maybe later,Tommy, but i´m not sure! I´ve read a lot of reports from him and he always called his men "Boys" and they called himt "The old Boy" so that i think he had seen more in them as only Material. But this language isn´t only a 3rd Reich language. Lets have a look at todays Companies and their "Human Resources-Centers" that gives the same thoughts to you as the word Human Material, or......?

 

I was trying to make the point that Meindl did not think of his men as material, but used "human material" because it was a common expression at the time. Your counter example is a good one, but I believe there is a difference. A "resource" by definition has value or usefulness. The term "material" is value neutral.

Having said that, I will acknowledge that I did not consider the issue of translation. Words and expressions in one language do not necessarily translate easily into another language. It is possible that the phrase "human material" is a less than accurate translation.

 

You´re right about the translation, Tommy! This thing can make it or take it. BTW there is a great book on this topic " Is that a fish in your ear?".

Found another good one:

http://downloads.sturmpanzer.net/FMS/NARA_FMS_B051.pdf

 

Meindl's anger over the situation was very evident in his comments. The arrogance of von Luttwietz is uncomprehensible. Meindl's recommendations were blown off and chances to change the situation for the better were wasted. I'm sure that his "slang" was probably what he actually said to his superiors. It sounds like he believed that nobody was listening to him.The strain had to have been enormous. I would have to believe that Meindl had an excellent relationship with his soldiers otherwise he couldn't have gotten out of them what he was able to. Every account I've read on Normandy from the Allied side that mentioned the German paratroopers did so with terms of respect.

 

And this makes it so interesting to see how they did it! They´ve struggled with the enemy and the enemy in their own rows! Can anyone imagine how they´ve could fought if they had what they needed?

 

Ulrich, that thought is a little scary!

 

View attachment 16318
















​

• The MG42 was quite a superb weapon and was revered on both sides of the lines.
• Specifications and quick recap of the MG42. The MG pictured here is equipped with a nice scope / rangefinder. Anyone know the name / model of said scope ?

• 
  ​
• Caliber - 7.92mm Mauser
• Muzzle Velocity 2,480 feet per second
• Rate of fire 900 up to 1,500 rpm
• Feed: 50 round belt - 75round drum
• Effective range 2,300 feet / 700 meters
• Length 48 inches
• Weight 25lbs
• Tripod weight 45lbs
• Needs a squad for best operation
• More: THE GERMAN MG42 MACHINEGUN

View attachment 16319

Panzerschreck ->>>>>>>>>

[TABLE="width: 100%"]
[TR="class: style_text"]
[TD="class: style40, colspan: 2"]

88 mm Raketen Panzerbuchse 54 Panzerschreck ​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: style_text"]
[TD="class: style40, width: 52%"]Type[/TD]
[TD="class: style39, width: 48%"]

anti tank rocket launcher ​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: style_text"]
[TD="class: style40"]Caliber[/TD]
[TD="class: style39"]

88.9 mm ​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: style_text"]
[TD="class: style40"]Length[/TD]
[TD="class: style39"]

64.5 in ​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: style_text"]
[TD="class: style40"]Weight[/TD]
[TD="class: style39"]

20 lb 25 oz ​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: style_text"]
[TD="class: style40"]Barrel[/TD]
[TD="class: style39"]

62.5 in long, smoothbore ​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: style_text"]
[TD="class: style40"]Projectile & weight[/TD]
[TD="class: style39"]

Hollow charge, 7.25 lb ​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: style_text"]
[TD="class: style40"]System of operation[/TD]
[TD="class: style39"]

Single shot rocket launcher ​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: style_text"]
[TD="class: style40"]Effective range[/TD]
[TD="class: style39"]

150 m ​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: style_text"]
[TD="class: style40"]Penetration[/TD]
[TD="class: style39"]

102 mm at 0° ​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: style_text"]
[TD="class: style40"]Production delivery[/TD]
[TD="class: style39"]

August 1943​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: style_text"]
[TD="class: style40"]Final delivery[/TD]
[TD="class: style39"]

February 1945 ​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: style_text"]
[TD="class: style40"]Production figure 1943[/TD]
[TD="class: style39"]

50,835​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: style_text"]
[TD="class: style40"]Production figure 1944[/TD]
[TD="class: style39"]

209,000​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: style_text"]
[TD="class: style40"]Production figure January and February 1945[/TD]
[TD="class: style39"]

21,000​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: style_text"]
[TD="class: style40"]Price per unit[/TD]
[TD="class: style39"]

70 RM
= ~32 $ = ~7 £​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]





View attachment 16320

Dug in Para with Field Glasses in hedgerow ambush country. From WWII History March 2012.

 

Just reading Descent into darkness...Time Life Books...just a general synopsis picture type book of last year of Germany in ww2...Just an off the cuff comment on one page...British Brigadier had his men line up in respectful silence as the German paratroopers walked past in surrender to the rear. Says it all for me.

 

That says it all, urgh! They´ve been respected and they had respect for their opponents! Grandpa told me always that they had respect and sometimes like at the town of Monte Cassino they felt cheated to have to shoot at the poor guys of New Zealand, which had no chance to have good cover.
This is what i often heard from vets, a sort of compassion for their enemies which had to do with the respect to them.