Hey everyone!Sorry for my absence, but I have returned and I have a few questions. I was doing some brainstorming for a short story for my series of WWII stories and I've got pretty good ideas...I think..but to bring some realism I'd like to ask some questions here to the people who know much more about German WWII things. Here's what I brainstormed....There is a German Luftwaffe Kampfgeschwafer-200 airbase/R&D complex which is developing a special weapon to turn the tide of the war, this part will be much later in the war.Anyway, here's what I need help with;The airbase will be situated somewhere in Norway, but my knowledge of the area during WWII is very very small so I'd like to ask, was there any allied bases on Norway?The aircraft at this base would consist of Amerika Bombers which will be tasked to conduct various bombing runs, as well as fighter escorts. The base will be defended by elite German paratroops and elite Spec. Op types, us Allies had the Devils Brigade, did the Germans have a Devils Brigade type of unit?I've got that the area around Norway would be guarded by Uboats, navy destroyers, sea mines, aircraft recon, and German aircraft carriers, as well as anti-aircraft guns. In respect to having to possibly reenforce or transfer troops here, where would these new troops/units arrive from? I've been trying to research some of these questions, but I'm not the greatest at searching on the Internet, I can never seem to zero in on what I'm searching for. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!Also, one final question, what kind of weaponry did the Germans use for anti-aircraft defense? My knowledge of German WWII anything is very very small and any help you all can provide would be very helpful, even if it's just a link for a site where I can find the info I'm looking for. Thanks!
hey gdu, just a little info. the kreigsmarine(navy) didn't have any complete aircraft carriers, after norway was occupied by the germans the allies didn't have any bases there,the germans had a spec ops. unit called the (i think, brandenburg brigade) but it was under adm.Canaris's control.the troops might be shipped over from bremerhaven,the antiaircraft weapons would likely be a hodge podge of whatever they had on hand but the majority would have been 88's. but then again im no expert.hope this helps.
Actually, Paratroops/Commando's would not have been used as perimiter guards. Now a detachment of Mountain troops is a possibility and they were considered as an elite formation compared to conventional infantry. Another route could be a pro German ethnic unit from either Scandinavia or the east. This would as likely be SS. AA guns would range from machineguns, 20mm, 37mm, 88mm and I believe 100mm. There were I believe some 12 divisions of troops deployed in the area at one point, but they were generally understrength as most German Divisions of the time were.
The closest allied base would be Iceland which was occupied by the USAAF, but most allied operations were flown from Britain.
thanks guys these stories are all going to be a mix of truth with alternate history....to make some interesting stories. thought of a neat idea, involving a vist to a top secret base IN Norway by werner von Braun and several other german scientists.
Hey guys,I've got just a few more questions.I've got some more ideas involving this story of the airfield at Stavanger which has a secret research facility and there is going to be a counterattack by allied forces but due to a build up of German forces at this airfield, assaulting it with just regular ground troops would be suicide. In a mission like this, who would be asked to plan an Op to attack a heavily fortified and heavily armed German force which is a mix of German mountain troops and Brandenburg Brigade. Would this be a mission for the Devils Brigade? The result of this counter attack is going to be the Germans will be pushing the Allied attackers back causing them to withdraw, as this story will be leading into another story, quite possibly.......with a different outcome.
Light infantry, and the Devil's Brigade was that, is at a disdvantage in a protracted fight in anything but very closed terrain as it's light on firepower, if you want to make things "interesting" pit them against the 25th Panzer division that at one time was part of the Norway garrison, though possibly it was moved to the USSR before the allied unit was formed. Would be more historical than Branderburghers doing garrison duty. Or if you really want special forces you could have the ubiquitous Skorzeny and his SS paras doing some mountain training in the area before going after Tito. Look at the 1942 Tobruk raids, though the allied force was much smaller than brigade sized, or at Dieppe for samples of engagements similar to the one you immagine, taking a fortified area by assault with light infantry is tough.
GWU I find nothing wrong with your interests but be careful to always do research before writing a great piece. Your readers will appreciate the more realistic story this will bring about. I am just repeating age old advice like don't get the cart before the horse type stuff and I am sure you will understand if you think about it awhile. Reading the various threads about different subjects covered on this forum is one way to learn a great deal. You may also wish to get a librarians advice on books available on these subjects you mention as they are always a great help to find good sources for that kind of background information. If you get to know a librarian that bothers to get to know your interests---a great deal of reading enjoyment could come about. School libraries and public libraries should be visited when you have a good interest as they may be full of the things you are in need of. They have always helped me and I am not the best at reading books as I have some eye sight deficiencies, however over the years I have been there many times. Everyone on this forum appreciates interests in our subject matter so enjoy!
Thanks TOS I'll definately check out those raids. And thanks Victor, I definately understand. I want to make these stories quite realistic, so any info you're able to pass on is greatly appreciated Thanks!
@TiredOldSoldier Found the SS para idea interesting, I did some research and found that Otto Skorzeny is dubbed as the father of Special Forces. All I need now, is who will be assaulting the airfield. I'm starting to google to see what units took part in the allied Norway invasions. What sort of weaponry would the SS Paras be using?
