Luftwaffe Flak and Field Divisions 1939-1945: Rare Photographs from Wartime Archives
Hans Seidler
Language: English
Pages: 39
ISBN: B00QXZ50JW
Format: PDF / Kindle (mobi) / ePub
From the outset of WW2, Gõring’s Luftwaffe Flak units saw extensive fighting with their 2cm, 3.7cm and deadly 8.8cm anti-aircraft guns. By the time of Hitler’s invasion of Russia, Luftwaffe ground forces had been expanded and were being used in both the army support and air roles.
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Division 16th Luftwaffe Field Division Eventually transferred to the Heer as 16th Luftwaffe Infantry Division (later 16th Volksgrenadier Division) 17th Luftwaffe Field Division 18th Luftwaffe Field Division 19th Luftwaffe Field Division (later 19th Luftwaffe Sturm Division) Eventually transferred to the Heer as 19th Grenadier Division (later 19th Volksgrenadier Division) 20th Luftwaffe Field Division (later 20th Luftwaffe Sturm Division) 21st Luftwaffe Field Division (previously the
and worked in collaboration with Ian Baxter on Operation Barbarossa (all published by Pen and Sword in the Images of War Series). Seidler’s next book in the series, entitled Hitler’s Boy Soldiers, is scheduled for release in early 2013. He can be contacted through Pen and Sword Books Ltd.
heavy – 8cm and larger. A crewman using an optical range finder to correct fire for the FlaK battery. Should rounds fall short or over the target, his task was to advise the FlaK aimer on the corrections needed for the battery to hit the target. Three photographs showing the 2cm FlaK 30 gun. By the time Barbarossa arrived FlaK units were being used extensively across the entire front. By the winter of 1941 the Luftwaffe was becoming primarily a ground force constantly supporting both army and
too difficult to break. By the spring of 1944 the Soviet command had drawn up plans for a massive concentration of forces along the entire frontline in central Russia. The new Soviet summer offensive was to be called ‘operation Bagration’ and its objective was to annihilate Army Group Centre once and for all. On the morning of 22 June, the third anniversary of the German invasion, ‘operation Bagration’ was launched by the Red Army against Army Group Centre. The three German armies opposing
optical range finder. Although these light anti-aircraft guns were used extensively to deal with the regenerated threat of the Soviet Air Force, the recurring appearance of heavier enemy armour compelled many FlaK crews to divert their attention from the air and support their own infantry and armour on the ground. Preparing for the front line in Russia, new field division airmen are greeted by an officer wearing his ceremonial dagger. Flower posies and oak-leaf sprigs are in the men’s hands and
