Fallschirm Aufklärungs Abteilung 12

This parachute reconnaissance battalion was created at the begining of January 1944. An independant unit attached to II. Fallschirmjager - Korps, it was led by Hauptmann Gotsche. I have quite a few spare fallschirmjager, so it will be an easy build. A lot of accounts mention no or not many Armoured cars were available, I plan to at least have 1 Italian Armoured car (1 destroyed at St Lo). And possibly one other in the 1st company, the remainder of the battalion in VW kubelwagens. The support coy, will have heavy cars. Flak 20mm and a pak 40. 

Theoretical establishment  
Stabs Kp 

1Italian armoured car AB 41/43.

222A/C

1 Kp- (Lt Von Konitz)

2 x Kubel wagon 8 figs 

2 Kp- (Lt Runge): 

2 Kubelwagen 8 figs

3 Kp- (Lt Tereux)

2 Kubelwagen 8 figs

4 Kp- (Haupt. Raabe): Heavy coy

Flak 20 4 figs light car 

81mm mortar 3 crew

2 x MG42 6 crew

5 Kp- (Lt LLig): 

1x 120mm mortar 4 crew heavy car

 1x 7,5 cm pak 4 crew 40 heavy car 

Sources

Mourir Pour St Lo, Didier Lodieu

Armes Militaria”, nº263, Juin 2007, www.militaria-mag.com

341 StuG Brigade

341. Sturmgeschütz Brigade 

This unit was formed as 341. StuG.Abt. in December 1943. It was reorganized as 341. StuG.Brig. in February 1944.In May 1944 the unit was located near Narbonne in southern France and it was still forming. On 1 June it had 19 StuG and 9 StuH which can be compared to an authorized strength of 45 assault guns. It remained in southern France during June and recieved further assault guns. On 1 July it was at full strength, having 33 StuG and 12 StuH.

Commanders 

Hauptmann Dr Karl Ernst Bumm February 14 1944 - 6th August 1944 wounded

Hauptmann Gunter Dreyer August 1944 - September 1944

Hauptmann Dr Eric Barkley September 1944- 8th December 1944 KIA

Movements 

24.7.44
Bv.TO with AOK 7.
Br.B.nr.1615/44 geh.

Daily report :
I) Troop transports:
a) Movements:
Sturmgeschützbrigade 341 leaves the Toulouse region in 5 convoys towards Pz.Gr.West.
1st convoy leaves on 25.7.44.

28.7.44
Bv.TO with AOK 7.
Br.B.nr.1643/44 geh.
Daily report :
I) Troop transports:
a) Movements:
Sturmgeschützbrigade 341:
1st convoy to Saint-Etienne-de-Montluc (northwest of Nantes, movement at 22:00.) 

2nd convoy to Couëron (northwest of Nantes, movement at 22:00.)
3rd and 4th convoy on 26.7 at the entrance to Nantes.

29.7.44
Bv.TO with AOK 7.
Br.B.nr.1648/44 geh.
Daily report :
I) Troop transports:
a) Movements:
Sturmgeschützbrigade 341:
1st and 2nd convoy to Rennes, movement planned at nightfall.
3rd convoy to Redon, movement in the evening.
4th convoy to Beslé* (north-east of Redon), movement in the evening.

* Beslé station is a railway station on the Rennes to Redon line, located in the municipality of Guémené-Penfao.

30.7.44
Bv.TO with AOK 7.
Br.B.nr.1655/44 geh.
Daily report :
I) Troop transports:
a) Movements:
Sturmgeschützbrigade 341:
1st convoy and 2nd convoy unloaded early on 30.7 at La Boussac and Pleine-Fougères (east of Dol).
3rd and 4th convoy stopped at Rennes; continuation planned for 30.7 after dark.
5th convoy at the entrance to Nantes.

31.7.44
Bv.TO with AOK 7.
Br.B.nr.1662/44 geh.
Daily report :
I) Troop transports:
a) Movements:
Sturmgeschützbrigade 341:
3rd convoy unloaded early on 30.7 at Combourg (south of Dol).
4th convoy unloaded on 30.7 in the evening at Rennes.
5th convoy on 31.7 at Redon, continuation planned at nightfall towards Combourg.

Commitment to stem the American breakout 

The unit was first comitted to combat in the Brécey - Avranches area on 31 July in Kampfgruppe Bacherer along with the iii 897 regiment, 77th infantry division and two battalions II Fallschirmjäger-Ersatz-und-Ausbildung Regiment 2 FJD to retake Avaranches. Heavy fighting occurred whilst trying to retake Pontaubault bridge. It seems that 1st Batterie was the first unit to see action. During its first days of combat, this battery lost twelve of its fourteen assault guns.

StuG III destroyed by AT fire, note the modified Shurzen and debris guard on top of the Mantlet. 

1.8.44
Bv.TO with AOK 7.
Br.B.nr.1672/44 geh.
Daily report :
I) Troop transports:
a) Movements:
Sturmgeschützbrigade 341:
5th convoy unloaded on 1.8 at Combourg.
It was reported on 1 August that the two committed batteries were almost all destroyed, while the third battery was still close to Rennes. It was reported that five railway cars with elements of the brigade were still in Redon on 2 August.


2.8.44
Bv.TO with AOK 7.
Br.B.nr.1681/44 geh.
Daily report :
I) Troop transports:
a) Movements:
Sturmgeschützbrigade 341:
(StuG of the 5th road convoy) 2.8 to Redon, movement at nightfall towards Rennes

According to Tornau/Kurowski the brigade quickly received new assault guns from Paris and Tours. How many the brigade received is not clear, but it was reported that on 3 August four assault guns were in the area of Nantes and it is possible that these were intended for the 341. StuG.Brig.

Fighting Pontorson - Dinan - St. Malo area.

Again the fighting was costly and the ii battery of the brigade eventually was surrounded.

1944 at the corner of rue de Dinan and de Langrolay/Rance in Pleurtuit

The StuH was destroyed by a 57mm from the 121st Infantry Division on the 9th August, an artillery round subsequently hit the vehicle blowing it apart. 

Destroyed by company L by bazooka 121st Infantry Division on the 8th August, St Malo,

St Malo destroyed by C Company 644th tank destroyer battalion 12th August

Withdrawal north east. 

The brigade had 20 assault guns on 27 August 14 and five days later it reported twelve assault guns.

On 1 October the brigade had 544 men which was only four less than its establishment called for. During September casualties amounted to only 18 men, while 133 men arrived as replacements. Five men had left the brigade for other reasons than being casualties. Accordingly the brigade must have had 434 men on 1 September.

No deliveries of assault guns to the brigade has been found among the records of the Inspector-General of Panzer Troops, except 17 StuG III and 10 StuH III sent to OB West on 31 July for further distribution.These arrived 9 August and may have ended up with 341. StuG.Brig. The assault gun deliveries indicated by Tornau/Kurowski may also have been taken from various training facilities in France (there was e.g. an assault gun school at Tours). On 1 October the brigade had 10 combat ready assault guns and 13 in short term repair.

Aérospatiale Alouette III. Ia French Gendarmerie

 A very old kit from the stash is finally completed, I elected to actually paint this one as a French gendarme helicopter, with a Force on force scenario in mind.  I have another two Alouette’s  which will join my French airforce and a mercenary unit in the future. 

A simple build, but the instructions leave a little to be desired, I added Elhiem civilian crew models and added a weight in the mid section so I can add a flying stand if required. The decals were a little old so I clear varnished them, only a few splintered, but not terrible. Overall quite happy with my build results. 

Cheers 

Matt

NATO pilots and ground crew

 Another small project completed. A mix of Airfix and Esci Miniatures. The pilots are a mix of RAF, USAF and Luftwaffe. I could not resist painting some of the ground crews in aircraft carrier jackets. 

Cheers

Matt