9th SS Project - Sdkfz 251/1 part 1

 

 9th SS - sdkfz 251/1 

This year adding halftracks to my  9th SS project. A plastic soldier company 1/72 kit, with SHQ stowage bits added. Decals from Skytrex and Plastic Soldier Company, quite happy with the camo, I need to add another gloss then matt varnish over the decals to dull it down a bit more. Must crack on with the other 9 vehicles and also complete the crews

Cheers

Matt

346th Infantry Division Normandy 1944.

 

346th Infanterie -Division 

The 346th was constituted on 21st September in 1942. Based in Bad-Hersfeld as a static division for the Atlantic wall. Originally deployed in Bretagne it was posted to Saint Malo. In December 1943 it was to be formed into a reserve division mobile type 1944 for the 15th Armee in the Somme sector. It was posted to Bolbec north east of Le Harve and occupied the sector with the 17th Luftwaffe field division and the 84th infantry division. 

Order of battle June 1944

HQ 346 Infantry Division Lt Gen E Diestel

Signals 

Fusilier Abteilung 346 (mounted cyclists) 

346 Pioneer Abteilung 

346 Feldersatz (field replacement) Abteilung 

346 Versorgungseinheiten (supply)

Nachrichten Abteilung 346 (communication)

Panzerjager Abteilung  346

I company 

14 x SP 7.5 pak

II company 

1346 Sturmgeschutz battery 10 x StuG III

III company 

12 SP 2cm flak ( sdkfz 10/5) 

Grenadier Infantry Regiment 857

I Abteilung (Ost Battalion 630 detached to 17 Luftwaffe Feld Division) 

II Abteilung 

III Abteilung 

Grenadier Infantry Regiment 858

I Abteilung 

II Abteilung 

III Abteilung 

Grenadier Infantry Regiment 1018

I Abteilung 

II Abteilung 

III Abteilung 

Artillery - Regiment 346

1st Abteilung 

1 batterie 4 x 7.62 FK297(R)

2 batterie 4 x 7.62 FK297 (R)

3 batterie 4 x 7.62 FK297 (R)

2nd Abteilung 

4  batterie 4 x 10.5 Lefh 325 (F)

5 Batterie 4 x 10.5 Lefh 325 (F)

6 batterie 4 x 10.5 Lefh 325 (F)

3rd Abteilung 

7 batterie 4 x 12.2 Sfh 396 (R)

8 batterie 4 x 12.2 Sfh 396 (R)

9 batterie 4 x 12.2 Sfh 396 (R)

Known vehicles

Opel Käptain limousine
opel blitz radio truck
Chevrolet vans
Italian trucks
Flak
Ford V3000 maultuer flak 2cm
Artillery tows
Latil
 Latil TAR H2(f) 

References 

Niels HENKEMANS, Defending Normandy Volume 1B, German Infantry Divisions on the Cotentin – Part II (264 pages) [Panzerwrecks, 2024]

Normandy 1944: German Military Organization, Combat Power and Organizational Effectiveness

Mustang P-51D “cookie”

 Completed another Mustang P-51D, built out of the box. Added Airfix pilot. I used AK real colour aluminum and steel  mix, panel lined, hand painted invasion stripes, then decals. I nice simple Revell kit. 

Battle of Hill 64

 A rapid fire reloaded game on the table last week, based on Operation Charnwood the remainders of the 16th Luftwaffe division tried to hold up the advance of 3rd infantry division. The 16th had massive losses to the pregame bombardment with two battalions down 50% as per history. The British artillery during the assault dominated the losses in the first two turns. The sug and Marder did manage to make some kills before being destroyed, Only that the Luftwaffe troops were dug in the kept passing morale checks and needed to be winkled out of the buildings. A narrow win to the English with a tank getting off the edge of table in the last turn. 

Counterattack Saint-Mere-Eglise

A few photos from recent learning game of the counterattack at Saint-Mere-l’eglise. The German assault failed due failed activation rolls, both supporting stugs were destroyed, one by a 57mm and one bazooka. 

A few more games of Chain of Command 2 to grasp the new rules fully. 

243rd Infantry Division Normandy

 243. Infanterie Division 

Inspection of III 920 by Generalleutnant Heinz Hellmich 

Division Insignia 1943, Heinz Hellmich. 

Raised as a static division in Döllersheim, Austria provisionally called division B in June 1943. Formally named 243 infanterie Division in July and moved to northern France in August, then Brittany in October. In November it transformed to a mobile division and in January moved to Normandy, becoming part of LXXXIV army. It was deployed to the west coast of the Cotentin peninsula in June. Some of the division was cut off in the Cherbourg peninsula (four detached battalions) but the majority held the left flank and were on the front line of operation Cobra at Lessay in late July. After the Cobra breakout a majority the division tried to breakout south towards Granville then Avaranches but most were captured or destroyed, those who did breakout joined the 353 ID. The division was formally disbanded in September. 

Division Vehicle insignia, three gold lions Passant on a red field, adopted from the Normandy Manche department, the insignia was removed from all vehicles by order in May 1944.

Commander: Generalleutnant Heinz Hellmich (KIA 17 June)

: Oberst Bernhard Klosterkemper 17 June - August 1944 (former 91st Division, commander GR 920)

Command post (CP): Château de Malassis (Le Vrétot Normandy) 


Grenadier-Regiment 920 (Oberst Bernhard Kloster-Kemper – CP: Etoupeville) cyclists
I./920
II./920 (CP: Couvert)
III./920 (CP: Flamanville) – Ost-Bataillon 561 (Russians) (detached to 709 Infantry Division where is joined Infantry Regiment 739. Battalion fought in the defence of Cherbourg) 

Grenadier-Regiment 921 (Oberstleutnant Jacob Simon – CP: Mauger) cyclists 
I./921 (posted to static position Cherbourg)
II./921 (CP: Les Courts)
III./921 (CP: Château Mondet)

Grenadier-Regiment 922 Fusilier (Oberstleutnant Franz Müller – CP: Le Haguais hamlet at Pierreville) mounted as cyclists 

I./922 stab (assigned static position Cherbourg peninsula) 5 figs

1st coy 8 figs 

2nd coy 8 figs

3rd coy 8 figs

4th company Italian 81.6mm mortar, MMG horses

II./922 stab

5th 8 figs 

6th 8 figs 

7th coy 8 figs 

8th coy 81mm mortar, MMG horses

III./922 (CP: Hamel-Duval)

9th 8 figs 

10th 8 figs 

11th 8 figs

12th coy 81mm mortar, MMG 

13 company 7.62 IKH 290(R) chenilles Renault UE tractor tow

14th company 7.5cm Pak (sources indicate that this company was combined with the 13th company) 

15th company (part of feldersatz battalion 243)

Artillerie-Regiment 243 ( Oberst Eduard Hellwig – CP: Le Vretot)

Stab 

HQ batterie 4 trucks 
1./243 

2nd batterie 4 x 7.62cm FK39 (R) RSO tractors 

3rd  batterie 4 x 7.62cm FK39 (R) 

4th batterie 4 x 7.62cm FK39 (R) 
2./243 (CP: Hatainville)

5th batterie 4 x 7.62cm FK39 (R) 

6th batterie 4 x 7.62cm FK39 (R) 

7th batterie 4 x 4 x 7.62cm FK39 (R) 
3./243 (CP: Caudard)

8th batterie 4 x 122mm sFH 396 (R) sdkfz 7 prime movers 

9th batterie 4 x x 122mm sFH 396 (R) 

10th batterie 4 x x 122mm sFH 396 (R) 

11th batterie 10 x 2cm flak 38 (proportioned out as required) 

Panzerjäger-Abteilung 243 : (Oberleutnant Franz Fallnich – CP: La Commanderie)

Stab 

Volkswagen, Motocycle, kitchen French lorry, medic Tatra car,  Kfz 1, kfz17 (radio truck) light and medium trucks, maintenance section sdkfz 8 recovery, sdkfz 9 and trailer. 
1. Kp (CP: Aux-Petits) (

14 x 138 Marder III

2. Kp (CP: Le-Pont-aux-Moines)  (officially sturmgeschütz-Abteilung 1243 Feb 1943)   

10 Sturmgeschutz III

3. KP 

12 x SP 2cm flak 38 sdkfz 10/5

Pionier-Bataillon 243 (Hauptmann Reicherzer (6-12 June) Hauptmann Klein CP: Les Pieux) 

Stabs coy, OC plus 3 light truck 

1st company LMG, flamethrower 7 figs, cyclists 

2nd company LMG, Flamethrower 7 figs, cyclists 

Nachrichten-Abteilung 243 (Hauptmann Horst-Alex von Bierbrauer zu Brennstein)

Panzerabteilung 206 

Major Ernst Wenk, ADJ Oberleutnant Ehrenfried Obenauf – CP: Auderville

Stabs kompanie

2 x Pz-S35(f) a French Somua Char 1935-S

2x Pz-R35 (f) a French Renault 35

1 x Pz-B2 Flame (f) a French Char BI bis converted to a flame tank

2 x B2 Renault de 32t (ex B1 bis)

1 kompanie

4 x Pz-S35(f) a French Somua Char 1935-S

14 x Pz-H38/39(f) a French Hotchkiss Char 1938-H (

2 Kompanie 

4 x Pz-S35(f) a French Somua Char 1935-S

14 x Pz-H38/39(f) a French Hotchkiss Char 1938-H

4 x Pz-B2 Flame(f) a French Char BI bis converted to a flame tank

Schweres Stellungswerferregiment 101 (Major Rasner – CP: Vasteville)
I./101 (CP: Aumeville)
II./101 (CP: Quetteville)
III./101 (CP: Le Gardot)

I plan to build a number of units for this division also to add to my collection 

Bibliography 

• Niels HENKEMANS, Defending Normandy Volume 1B, German Infantry Divisions on the Cotentin – Part II (264 pages) [Panzerwrecks, 2024]

Cheers

Matt

Assault Gun Battalion 902 - Assault Gun Brigade 902

902. Sturmgeschütz Abtielung

A Sturmgeschutz school was formed in January 1944 Tours France for 7 Armee gruppe west for StuG and StuH drivers, crew and commanders, this school produced four Sturmgeschutz Brigades for the army of the west. On February 14th, using men from the Panzer Lehr ersatz und Ausbildungs and Sturmgeschutz 247. The new unit was formed and named Sturmgeschutz Brigade 902 with a strength of 19 StuG III L48 and 12 StuH III 42. Placed in command was Hauptmann Frerich von Lessen 

When the allied forces landed on the 6th of June the battalion was still at Tours in its training role. On the 8th of June 902. was subordinated to the 17. SS-Pz.Gren.Div however the battalion was not committed in the defensive sector of the 17. SS-Pz.Gren.Div in Angers-Saumur-Chinon Pays de Loire or in Normandy (south of Carentan). Hans Stöber, who has written a history of the 17. SS, states that the 902 StuG Abt was ordered to Normandy but did not appear with the division. On 11 June the 17. SS-Pz.Gren.Div. was subordinated to 2. Fallschirm Korps, while 902. StuG Abt was with 84. Korps. On 19 June the 7. Army Gliderung shows that the battalion was with Gruppe von Schlieben. However, two days later the 902 StuG Abt was located near La Haye du Puits and had 13 combat ready StuG in the 91 Luftlande Division area. There is some support for this in the Gliederungen charts and by an OB West document which indicates that the brigade was located in the Valognes area attached to Gruppe König 91st Luftlande Infantry Division on the 20th of June with 30 StuG but only 18 available.

On 1 July the battalion was at full strength, having 30 StuG III combat ready and one in need of repair. The losses suffered by the battalion during its first month in Normandy were slight. Until 11 July only three StuG were total losses, while two drivers and five vehicle commanders had been killed.

The 26th July final order of battle from the 91st Luftlande Division has the 902. With two batteries in operation. Operation Cobra was in full swing and was much more costly for the brigade.


On the 27th the full effect of the breakthrough further east meant a retreat to Countances and a new line towards Dangy with the HQ at Orval, the neighbor units were the 17th SS, Das Reich and 6th FJR.

28th of July a new line was ordered Percy- Sourdeval - La Baleine- Gavray - Cérences -Bréhal- coast line.The 902 were positioned to hold the Countances- Bréhal road on the left flank with 91st Luftlande Division. The whole front was weak in places, even while taking up position the American elements were attacking Trelly and ales Mesnil-Aubert. It this point the unit was totally combat ineffective and were withdrawn east, some units successfully filtered through the American lines and thrust toward Avaranches.  


On the 1 August it had only one StuG combat ready, while seven were in workshops. Also it had 3 combat ready StuH III which indicates that it had received some replacements. The remainders of the brigade withdrew towards Flers then the Falaise gap. I am yet to confirm however the brigade is mentioned in the defensive line south east of Flers -Argentan, in a French article. In September the Brigade report 265 men and no vehicles in Holland. 

The Panzers 

Note the debris guard, a feature of all Tours Armour School based StuG and StuH models 

Quettreville sur sienne

Quettreville sur sienne