I'll skip many photos to post the ones which show the unit.
Chris it is the:
2nd Battery. Observation Unit 34. In german: Beobachtungsabteilung 34 (Beob.Abt.34)
I dont know much about Observation Batteries, but I wonder if this is a Pz Beob. Abt since the album is Pzjgr?? According to Lexicon de Wehrmacht, the 2nd battery of Unit 34 was a "Schmallmessbatterie". (guessing a small battery in this case maybe a Pak battery?) Im not too sure because I am used to hearing these terms when speaking of Artillery Batteries, sorry. Maybe HPL can explain better. So I guess my question would be, is this a Panzerjager Observation unit?
HPL, thanks for answering my Signals question. I wasnt sure if it was different with StuG/SP anti-tank uniforms. another example of why I need to get a good uniforms book!
Okay, Here I have a photo that I always thought were Gebirgsjager men from the bergmutze/etc. Ive never second guessed it until now, as I start to look closer at uniforms/etc. You normally dont see "tall boots" on GJ men. Also the collar of the tunic is not a dark green color, nor do they wear the sleeve/cap edelweiss. I would like some help here HPL. Should I stick with my first instinct or what? lol.
Also note the Tank Destruction Badge, which is not as usual for a GJ man too I would think.
Last edited by Bill T; 06-25-2011 at 07:35 AM.
They are not Gebirgsjäger.
As you said: No cap- or sleeve Edelweiss.
The visored cap worn by three of the men is not the mountain cap [Bergmütze]; it is simply the Model 1943 standard field cap [Einheitsfeldmütze]. Three others wear the Model 1934 field cap for NCOs and other ranks [Feldmütze für Unteroffiziere und Mannschaften] and one has the Model 1942 field cap for NCOs and other ranks [Feldmütze 42 für Unteroffiziere und Mannschaften].
The dark-green uniform collars were discontinued in 1940, so their absence on this photograph is no surprise.
(By discontinued, I mean issue field blouses manfuactured after that time did not have them anymore. Of course, already issued uniforms were worn out and existing stocks were issued until depleted; also, tailor-made field blouses were usually stilll made with the dark-green collar. Thus, it was seen until the end of the war.)
Observation Detachment 34 [Beobachtungsabteilung 34] was attached to the 34th Infantry Division [34. Infanterie-Division].
Schallmessbatterie [not "Schmall..."!] means "Sound Ranging Battery". (For some info on sound ranging, see: Sound ranging - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia )
Bill and Andreas thanks for the info. I read the link you provided Andreas, it was very useful as i had no idea what is a sound ranging unit.
Check the boards on these photos. Why are the numbers different since they are from the same unit?
And some more for today.
...
Nice landscape
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