Two new pages of Western Desert images

Originally posted by Gunner
My question is about steel tyres on steel rims... all the references I have show that motor or horse drawn, the German made guns were fitted with solid rubber on stamped or cast rims.

Mike, my tame historian called in yesterday. I had the chance to review briefly probably the best work on the subject and I think you'd find it indispensible.

Small Arms, Artillery & Special Weapons of the Third Reich.
By, Terry Gander and Peter Chamberlain
ISBN 0345 011 081

This is a massive and exhaustive work in full-size format and presented often in a Vanderveen like style with a chapter topic written preface, then followed using pictures with concise written data, very specialist and therefore I think probably expensive. I wish I had one.

Of note that jumped out of the pages was the massive scale of non-indigenous artillery usage, just about everything from everywhere, a logistic nightmare. Also of surprise, the early production and use of a Sten gun copy, albeit with their preferred vertical magazine.

As has been discussed elsewhere, the 40mm Bofors was not only an adopted type but captured nations realised some three plants making them and under Wehrmacht control continued so to the end.

In terms of transport (and wheels especially) we need to remember that 4/5ths of the German WWII army marched into battle, quite often pulling hand-carts, some horses and carts were a bonus. Army Group North alone took on charge 200,000 horses for Barbarossa.

R.