Storming Fortified Position Training 1940, occupied France, StuG, flamethrower, WW2 combat footage

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Episode 111

WESTFRONT-ILLUSTRIERTE Nr. 1-17

This nice 1940 German training film shows early assault guns in action. The footage fits in well with todays video which, using a case study, shows how such assault guns, infantry and engineers worked together to take fortified positions. At the end of the video there’s more color footage which continues the assault and even shows the use of a flame thrower.

We’re using an article out of the series Westfront Illustrierte which was produced in occupied France through the beginning of 1941 and circulated among troops doing occupation duty. These troops spent a considerable amount of their time training and many of the articles in these periodical focus on different types of specialized training. It’s an incredible historical resource and we have my Patreon supporters to thank for it. If you are not yet a patron supporter please consider becoming one.

We’re looking at periodical 17 from April of 1941. Of course in Berlin the planning for the June invasion of the Soviet Union was underway and the soldiers, although they didn’t realize it, were being prepared for it.

Report to an Assault Battery

At 9.00 hrs the order arrived to the command post of the tank destroyer battalion. At 9.43 hrs a motorcycle messenger raced through the war ravaged forrest and delivered the combat orders to the Battery chief.

These are the actual combat orders that were issued for the operation demonstrated in this case study.

It was clear that the tank destroyers would be needed to clear the way for the engineer reinforced infantry formation to advance. Specifically, that meant neutralizing stronghold Nr. 416 and its associated fortified positions by advancing on them, softening them up with direct fire and then overrunning them. That is also what happened.

To hide from airplanes the tank destroyers are well camouflaged as they lie in wait, ready for action. In only a few minutes the crew members take their positions in the tank destroyer and report their combat readiness.

The caption to the color photograph reads… When this German assault gun rolls into action against the enemy, private Werkmann is driving. The photograph to the top left is corporal Werkmann.

Two or three shots with the cannon are enough to silence the machine-gun nest. Whatever hasn’t been taken care of by direct fire, is destroyed by the tracks of the steel behemoth. With little effort the walls of the house are smashed through, one wall after the another. Eventlally the entire house falls on top of the tank destroyer which simply continues pushing on through and out the other end, undamaged.

The way is clear to stronghold Nr. 416 and it’s in direct sight. Within seconds the assault gun is able to maneuver into an advantageous firing position and quickly its shells begin hitting the concrete walls

A Kettenkrad is used to maintain fast and secure communication for the battery during the operation. Direct, precisely aimed fire blankets the enemy position.

Under the covering fire of the of the assault guns the engineers and infantry make their way towards the enemy fortifications. The shots of the friendly guns go just above the heads of the advancing troops. The enemy answers with artillery fire of their own.

Then it’s the the infantry and engineers turn to blow their way through the obstacles.

Finally flamethrowers are used on whatever remains of the fortification. Stronghold Nr. 416 has been taken.

And now here is more of that 1940 training film. If you would like to see more exclusive footage go to my website Military1945.com and create a free account. Patreon members get access to exclusive footage on a regular basis. You can also support the channel by buying the original collection of Westfront-illustrierte which you will also find on the website www.Military1945.com

Thanks for watching.