German-Occupation "Stomperud" Krag Rifle

[toot]

because the photo shown of it being fielded by LUFTWAFFE TROUPES mean that they were only issued to rear line troupes, not front line ones?

[Gunny Hartmann]

because the photo shown of it being fielded by LUFTWAFFE TROUPES mean that they were only issued to rear line troupes, not front line ones?

I doubt it would be used by front line troops due to logistical problems supplying the ammo, but i remember reading it was used by Volkssturm units who could be regarded as front line troops.

[PRE]

The Gunny makes a good point, and it holds true for most of the captured small arms. Exceptions would be weapons chambered in 7.92X57, and having many parts in common (i.e., Mauser rifles) with standard German rifles.

1941-1942 (and especially operations in the USSR) saw a dramatic drop in the number of serviceable K98k rifles available for combat troops due to insufficient supply/production, battlefield losses, attrition and simple wear and tear. This is when we see more depot built and rebuilt K98k's. At the same time, second and third line troops were re-equipped with many types of captured arms in order to free up K98k rifles for combat troops. This is where the captured weapons really filled a need, considering all of the occupied territory that was held by Germany from 1941 to about late 1944. All of those troops needed weapons, even if they were only standing post in a forgotten, wind-swept extremity of the Atlantik Wall. As long as Germany could keep up with the modest ammunition needs of occupation troops, the use of captured rifles was wise and resourceful.

On that note and on the subject of Norwegian Krags in German use, here's a photo from the Bundesarchiv Foto collection of German troops in Minsk, 1942. Note the slung Norwegian Krags.

Best,
Pat