GERMAN MOBILE STEEL PILLBOX

I think I would prefer the Mobile steel pillbox known as a tanks LOL.

"German Mobile Steel Pillbox" from Intelligence Bulletin

[SIZE=-1]Allied intelligence report on the German mobile machine-gun pillbox including Russian notes on attack methods, from the July 1944 issue of the Intelligence Bulletin.
[Editor's Note: The following article is wartime information on enemy equipment published for Allied soldiers. More accurate data on German weapons and equipment is available in postwar publications.] [/SIZE]

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GERMAN MOBILE STEEL PILLBOX​

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1. INTRODUCTION
In Italy the Germans have been using a mobile steel pillbox, nicknamed the "Armored Crab," which made its first appearance on the Russian front in 1943. This pillbox (see figure) is mounted in an inverted position on wheels, and usually is hauled by tractor to a designated site, where it is overturned into a prepared cavity. After this, the exposed upper half of the pillbox (which is non-rotating) is camouflaged with rocks, earth, or local vegetation.
The pillbox accommodates two men, and is armed an M.G. 42.
2. TABLE OF CHARACTERISTICS
The following characteristics of the German mobile steel pillbox are worth noting:
a. Dimensions
Overall height . . . . . . . . . . 6 ft 3 inOverall length. . . . . . . . . . 5 ft 10 inOverall width. . . . . . . . . . 5 ft 7 inInterior height. . . . . . . . . . 6 ft 1 inInterior length. . . . . . . . . . 5 ft 1/2 inInterior width. . . . . . . . . . 5 ft 3 inDoor. . . . . . . . . . 1 ft 11 in by 1 ft 11 inGun slit. . . . . . . . . . 3 in by 5 inVision slit (front). . . . . . . . . . 2 in by 5 inOpenings for periscopes. . . . . . . . . . 4 in diameterVentilation slit. . . . . . . . . . 8 1/4 in by 2 1/2 in
b. Armor
Front . . . . . . . . . . 7 1/2 inRear and sides. . . . . . . . . . 1 3/4 inTop. . . . . . . . . . 1 3/4 inDoor. . . . . . . . . . 1 in
German Mobile Steel Pillbox
3. DESCRIPTIVE NOTES
In the front of the pillbox, there is a small embrasure for the machine gun, with an observation peephole above. When necessary, these openings are covered outside by a heavy metal shield, which can be moved either to the right or left of the embrasure by means of a lever inside the pillbox. On top of the pillbox are two collapsible periscopes, also regulated from the interior. The entrance to the pillbox is a small door in the rear; this is locked from the inside by means of two brackets.
The machine gun is mounted on a single bracket mounting which allows a free horizontal traverse on a semicircular grooved slide. The field of fire is 60 degrees. Elevation and depression, which are limited, are accomplished by a small handle to the left of the machine gun.
Forward of the machine-gun trigger, there is a leather cover to channel off the gases from the gun and also to receive spent cartridges. Attached to the cover is a metal tube. In turn, this tube is connected to a metal box fastened to the floor. The gases are expelled by a small fan situated beside the metal box. The fan is operated by two small foot pedals, one on each side of the pillbox. Each pedal may be worked independently. Air is expelled through a slit above, and to the right of, the door. Fresh air enters through a vent in the ceiling.
Two folding seats are provided for the crew. There are two iron rungs which serve as steps to facilitate entering and leaving. Two leather straps are hung from the ceiling, near the periscope openings.
At the rear of the pillbox, and near the top, there are two holes into which steel bars may be inserted to lift the pillbox on and off its trailer. When these holes are not in use, they are closed by metal plugs.
Ammunition is stored on shelves below the machine gun, in the forward part of the pillbox. There are also two boxes for tools and spare parts for the gun. Space is provided for a field telephone.
4. HOW THE RUSSIANS COMBAT IT
The following is a paraphrase of a Red Army discussion of the best methods of combatting the German mobile steel pillbox:
Inasmuch as only a small portion of the pillbox may show above ground level, the installation may be somewhat difficult to detect. Thorough reconnaissance is necessary. The pillbox can best be detected by the outline of its embrasure, its periscopes, and its flue pipe, and by flash and powder smoke when the machine gun is fired.
Riflemen or mortar squads should demolish the periscopes, thus leaving the crew without means of observation, apart from the embrasure peephole. Rifle fire should be aimed at the embrasure. In a number of captured pillboxes, armor-piercing rifle bullets had made holes in the lower half (the walls of the base). Obviously, such fire is possible only if this portion has been uncovered by artillery or if it was not completely covered with earth when the pillbox was emplaced. Antitank guns should aim at the sides of the pillbox about 20 to 24 inches from the top, since the thickness of the armor there is only 1 inch. The most practical method of destroying these pillboxes is by point-blank fire from antitank or artillery guns. Since the field of fire is only 60 degrees, separate pillboxes may be destroyed by assault troops moving in on the vulnerable and unprotected sides and rear. As a rule, these pillboxes are used in groups, but, by neutralizing the supporting pillboxes, it is possible to isolate any particular one. When assault troops come up to these pillboxes, they should first clog the embrasure with earth and throw hand grenades at the trap door in the rear. If the crew refuses to surrender, the pillbox should be blown up. In attacks on these pillboxes, Molotov cocktails may be used against the periscope openings. If no explosives or gasoline bottles are available, stones or logs should be wedged against the door, to trap the occupants.


Lone Sentry: German Mobile Steel Pillbox (U.S. WWII Intelligence Bulletin, July 1944)

 

WHAT THE!!!

great find as usual.

 

thanks for the interesting posting , I had seen a 1/35 kit of this pillerbox and I was looking for some more information , I think they were used in north west Europe also

regards

Jerry

 

This really reminds me of the Grasshopper vehicle (Don't remember the numerical designation), a PzKpfw IV chassis fitted with a turret with a 105mm howitzer which was to be removed from the vehicle before firing.

 

Doesn't seem like a particularly formidable obstacle.

 

"b. Armor
Front . . . . . . . . . . 7 1/2 in"

"4. HOW THE RUSSIANS COMBAT IT
The following is a paraphrase of a Red Army discussion of the best methods of combatting the German mobile steel pillbox:
Inasmuch as only a small portion of the pillbox may show above ground level, the installation may be somewhat difficult to detect. Thorough reconnaissance is necessary. The pillbox can best be detected by the outline of its embrasure, its periscopes, and its flue pipe, and by flash and powder smoke when the machine gun is fired.
Riflemen or mortar squads should demolish the periscopes, thus leaving the crew without means of observation, apart from the embrasure peephole. Rifle fire should be aimed at the embrasure. In a number of captured pillboxes, armor-piercing rifle bullets had made holes in the lower half (the walls of the base). Obviously, such fire is possible only if this portion has been uncovered by artillery or if it was not completely covered with earth when the pillbox was emplaced. Antitank guns should aim at the sides of the pillbox about 20 to 24 inches from the top, since the thickness of the armor there is only 1 inch. The most practical method of destroying these pillboxes is by point-blank fire from antitank or artillery guns. Since the field of fire is only 60 degrees, separate pillboxes may be destroyed by assault troops moving in on the vulnerable and unprotected sides and rear. As a rule, these pillboxes are used in groups, but, by neutralizing the supporting pillboxes, it is possible to isolate any particular one. When assault troops come up to these pillboxes, they should first clog the embrasure with earth and throw hand grenades at the trap door in the rear. If the crew refuses to surrender, the pillbox should be blown up. In attacks on these pillboxes, Molotov cocktails may be used against the periscope openings. If no explosives or gasoline bottles are available, stones or logs should be wedged against the door, to trap the occupants."

The Soviets thought different.

 

I don't know , I think the germans used them as a part of a defensive line where pillboxs would provide overlaping fields of fire covering each other as in the gustav and hitler line in italy.

 

Yea, my comment was directing towards the very limited firing arc (60 degrees) and the the single MG42. But I can see how they can be a problem when deployed in large numbers and adequately supported by outside infantry and anti-tank guns.

And I would not want to man one of these coffins..

 

Great stuff guys.

Brian

 

Did the Germans call this the "rear guard special"? Since it held two men one guy could have kept firing while the other yanked the end around to increase the field of fire. The steel plate part surely was intended to be proof against small arms so the part where they said "disable the periscopes with rifle fire" probably caused more casualties then knocked out periscopes.

Obviously a last ditch weapon. I'm guessing the Germans could easily have made plenty of decoys out of cardboard or something so the enemy slows down and wastes his fire on them.

An economical weapon it its own way. For the price of two men and an mg-42 a lot of Russian infantry gets knocked out, and the Russians have to bring up a tank or some other heavy weapon to deal with it. This often took time, something the Germans on the Ostfront did not have a lot of towards the end, and so anything that slowed the Russians down was often worth doing.