The photo is probably staged, even if the mine seems to be a British one.
It must be noted that, when planting a minefield, the final activation of the mine was always done, or supervised by, an Officer.
Picture of the day. (20 Viewers)
- Thread starter syscom3
- Start date
The photo is probably staged, even if the mine seems to be a British one.
It must be noted that, when planting a minefield, the final activation of the mine was always done, or supervised by, an Officer.
Hansie Bloeckmann
Senior Airman
Mountain troops-but, with the long wooden handles on the "Potato Mashers" and tucked into the harness or webbing, how difficult it would be to drop into the prone position while running- getting the handle end of such a grenade jammed into your crotch might not be a pleasant experience. Wonder if there was another way the Germans could carry those grenades?
Did only the K98 rifles carried by the Mountain Troops have the heavy steel buttplate- a Mauser collector told me that those were designed to use the rifle as a aid to climbing in steep, rocky terrain- sort of a "crutch" I suppose.
Last edited:
Hansie Bloeckmann
Senior Airman
A.T. -- "Anti-Tank" Mark V- or Mark 5. How was this mine activated, after being buried? How would these British mines have compared to the "Teller" design, as used by the Germans?
Airframes
Benevolens Magister
Basically the same activation method and effect. A pressure activated firing pistol, requiring around 200 lbs of pressure, 'fired' by pressure on the central 'plug' in the dome, or by a slightly larger diameter pressure plate. The British mine used that cross-shaped ring, or 'spider, as the pressure activation, which pressed on a sear, releasing a pin which activated a plunger-type firing pistol. This meant the mine could be fired by pressure anywhere around the upper surface of the mine, whereas the 'Teller' normally required that pressure to be in the center, so it could possibly be run over at the edge, and not detonate.
I think the German 'Teller' (plate) mine had around 10 or 12bs of HE, whereas the British Mk.V contained around 8 lbs, and was later replaced by the more effective and reliable Mk. VII AT mine.
All of these mines were designed to blow the track off a tank.
I think the German 'Teller' (plate) mine had around 10 or 12bs of HE, whereas the British Mk.V contained around 8 lbs, and was later replaced by the more effective and reliable Mk. VII AT mine.
All of these mines were designed to blow the track off a tank.
The boat nearer the photograph is not a submarine but is a towable submersible float for the transport of liquid fuels (GR 253 - Sportiello-type float) built during the war 1940-1943. After the war it was used as fuel depot in La Spezia. In the background the CORAZZATA C. DUILIO in reserve.
Photo by Aldo Fraccaroli taken on 1.7.1954 at the Banchina Scali de La Spezia and published on Erminio Bagnasco, "Aldo Fraccaroli Naval Photographer", Parma, Albertelli, 1996.
michaelmaltby
Colonel
were these floats manned during transit?
Nasty, good shots Sys!
Hansie Bloeckmann
Senior Airman
Luftwaffe Push-Ups??
- Thread starter
- #10,470
syscom3
Pacific Historian
Two Liberators shot down with the war being over soon.
michaelmaltby
Colonel
michaelmaltby
Colonel
Recovering a Tiger
michaelmaltby
Colonel
michaelmaltby
Colonel
Airframes
Benevolens Magister
Trying to make a trunk call - I'll get me coat.
Crete perhaps ?
Crete perhaps ?
Could also be Central Italy, from the landscape at distance the mountains are similar to the Apennines.
The tree could be an evergreen oak, Quercus ilex, common in the Mediterranean.
Hansie Bloeckmann
Senior Airman
Is that a MG-34 or a MG-42- MY guess is: MG-42, but it is inverted, can't see the buttstock details-- One way to distinguish between both of "Hitler's Zippers"???
