Germany
REINVENTING INFANTRY
Soviet Small Arms. StG 44 The Germans had already noted the Russian success with machine pistols (submachine guns). The major shortcoming of the machine pistol was that it was, in fact, a pistol with a longer barrel and a larger magazine (thirty or more rounds). Despite the longer barrel, the pistol cartridge lacked accuracy, even when fired from the hip…
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SMS Seydlitz – Operational History I
SMS Seydlitz 1915 “Drauf Seydlitz!” In April 1913 Seydlitz was delivered to Kiel by a dockyard crew. On 22 May the cruiser was put into service and began trials. The crew of Seydlitz came for the most part from the armoured cruiser Yorck, and was augmented from elsewhere. It is…
SMS Seydlitz – Operational History II
Conclusions after the Dogger Bank Battle After the near-catastrophic hit on Seydlitz there was a searching inquiry into what had happened and why. As Kapitän zur See Egidy put it: Afterwards, a thorough examination showed that everything had been done in accordance with regulations. I told the gunnery officer: ‘If…
SMS Seydlitz – Operational History III
Seydlitz, heavily damaged during the battle of Jutland and attempting to limp home The Skagerrak Battle At 03.00 on 31 May 1916 there was light rain and a light NW wind in Schillig Roads as Seydlitz weighed anchor and steered out to sea in accordance with Operational Order 6, travelling…
Horten H.XVIIIB
In 1944 the RLM issued a requirement for an aircraft with a range of 11000 km (6835 miles) and a bomb load of 4000 kg (8818 lbs). This bomber was to be able to fly from Germany to New York City and back without refueling. Five of Germany’s top aircraft…
Dragoon and Anvil I
At the end of 1943 an Anvil planning group known as Force 163, headed by Brigadier-General Garrison H. Davidson, the US 7th Army Engineer, was established at the école Normal at Bouzareah just outside Algiers. Force 163 included a French component under Colonel Jean L. Petit. Toulon became their focus,…
Dragoon and Anvil II
Dragoon’s naval support The 8th Fleet was responsible for putting the Riviera assault force ashore and maintaining it there until such time as the French ports were secured. The Control Force was to look after supporting maritime operations while the Alpha, Delta and Camel attack forces were responsible for landing…