17th SS Götz von Berlichingen in Normandy & Pays de Loire part 1

 17th SS Götz von Berlichingen in Normandy & Pays de Loire 1944

Another upcoming winter project for the analogue painting challenge this year is to add the 17th SS Gotz von Berlichingen to my collection. I have commenced putting together some information for the division in preparation for my build. As with all of builds I will select some of the more useful units to build for my Normandy collection. The unit predominantly was filled with Volksdeutsche Balkan conscripts and 500 Italians who fitted the Aryan ideal with cadre of NCOs from the 10SS, the Der Furher 35th and 36th regiments supplied the Officer and senior NCOs cadre,  a bit of confusion with the division make up as some units became cadre for other SS units. 

Unit movements Normandy & Pays de Loire 1944

According to an order by Hitler dated 3 October 1943 the 17. SS-Pz.Gren.Div. was to be formed, a process that was begun on 15 November, south of Saumur at Thouars. The structure of the division was laid out 

Its manpower strength amounted to 17 321 men on 1 June, but it was short of 233 officers and 1 541 NCO:s, while it had a surplus of 741 privates. This meant that the division was short of about 40 % of its officers and NCO, a serious disadvantage. 

At the beginning of June the division had many deficiencies. The greatest was probably the lack of infantry and supply vehicles. The supply services of the division completely lacked transportation on 1 June. According to a report concerning the situation 15 May the division had only 257 trucks and towing vehicles of all types. No deliveries of JagdPz IV had yet occurred, but the 3. Kompanie of the had three 7.62 cm Pak R (Sf) and nine 7.5 cm Pak (Sf).

By using the Aufkl.Abt., StuG.Abt., SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt. 38 and one reinforced artillery battalion (consisting of four batteries with 105mm le.FH and one battery with 150mm s.FH a mobile Kampfgruppe was formed that moved to Normandy on the 6th of June. 

I will concentrate on this Kampfgruppe and 17th Jagdpanzer Panzer which fought only 20klm from my house. 

Weapon returns 

In June it had the following equipment

	On Hand	Shortage
Machine Guns	1 008	146
8 cm mortar	99	0
7,5 cm le.IG	8	21
15 cm s.IG (Sf)	12	0
10,5 cm le.FH	25	0
15 cm s.FH	12	0
10 cm K	4	0
5cm Pak 7.5cm Pak 7.6 cm Pak	33 22 3	5
2 cm Flak	44	0
2 cm Flakvierling	7	0
3,7 cm Flak	9	0
8,8 cm Flak	12	0
Flamethrower	72	2
Motorcycles	275	410
Cars	1104	22
Trucks	245	1 441
RSO	2	0
Towing vehicles	10	245
Schtz SP & Pz Spah	61	0
Marder	12	0
StuG IV StuG III (in late July)	83 17	0 0
Bef.Pz III J, H and M	0	3 arrived in August

A disadvantage was the shortage of Panzerfäuste. According to Stöber the division did not receive any until mid-July and then only in insufficient quantities.

When they were transferred to the invasion front, the 3 companies of SS Panzer Division 17 each had 14 StuG IVs, a total of 42. These were delivered to the unit in February, March and April 1944. The division staff did not yet have any armored vehicles. Panzer Division IVs did not arrive until mid-August 1944.

Stabs Company with 2 Panzer Befwg. III, 6 Flakpz. 38 

1st - 3rd Company with a total of 42 StuGs
(the vast majority of which were StuG IVs, as I currently assume that all 41 StuG IVs delivered were taken over by the Panzer Gren Division - which already had this type) one StuG  III is also in images for July.

1st June 44, GvB had four Sd.Kfz. 231 8 rad A/C, fifteen 222 2cm and 221 mg, 42 StuG IVs, and 3 Panzer III H or J or M 5cm L60 guns. There is a pioneer zug in the Stabs Kp of the Panzer Abt. and this may have been equipped with Sdkfz 251/7 (There is one picture in the book of this vehicle with the HQ of the Pioneer Abteilung ). 

On 27 June all the six infantry battalions were still considered strong back lacking officers and Ncos. The Aufkl.Abt. on the other hand was rated to be weak.

At the beginning of June 1944, the SS-Pz.Jg.Abt. 17 was only represented by the 3rd Company in its division. It had 3 Panzerjäger 38 (t) for 7.62 cm Pak 36 (Sd.Kfz. 139) and 9 Panzerjäger 38 (t) for 7.5 cm Pak 40/3 Ausf. H. The majority of the 1. and 2./SS-Pz.Jg.Abt. 17 was still being set up and trained on the Jagdpanzer IV (7.5 cm Pak 39 L/48) (Sd.Kfz. 162) and remained in the previous assembly area near Saumur when the division left. 31 Jagdpanzer IV were then delivered on 30.6.1944. 

The SS-Pz.Jg. Abt. 17 with 12 Panzerkampfwagen 38, 2 cm Flak 38 (Sd.Kfz. 140) the SS-Pz.Jg.Abt. 17 marched towards Normandy on August 4th, 1944. On the orders of the AOK 7, however, it was deployed in the Laval - Le Mans area and was almost destroyed in a five days. Only 5 damaged Jagdpz. IV and 4 Flakpz. 38 arrived at Nogent let Rotrou 10 days later.

By August 15, 1944 , there were only about 5 Jagdpz. IV (all damaged), 5 StuG IV (all damaged), about 2 Marder III and 4 Flakpz. 38 remaining (two more Flakpz. 38 arrived in the following days). A few days later, the 3 Pz.Bef.Wg. IV arrived. The 5 StuG IVs had been given to a Pz.Werkst.Kp. in the Greater Paris area for repairs. It is not entirely clear whether they ever returned to the division. In the second half of August, 17 new StuG IIIg were delivered to SS-Pz.Abt. 17 in late July early August. It is not entirely clear whether they actually all arrived, however a photo in late July before operation Lüttich it seems at least one was in combat. If they did, most of them were lost again within a short time, because on September 15, 1944, only one StuG of an unspecified type was reported.

Movements

June 6 : Allied invasion, Normandy 

June 7 : operation Mimosa, orders for mobilization to advance to Normandy. The 17th aufklärungsabteilung, and a Kampfgruppe made up of 3 battalions move to Normandy immediately via vehicles, the remainder of the infantry on bicycles, the artillery move that evening. 

June 8: the reconnaissance battalion and the 38th battalion begin arriving at St Lo. Petrol supplies are low and many of the infantry battalions vehicles are destroyed on route by aircraft. 

The Self propelled guns and assault guns are loaded onto trains to move to Laval but are attacked by allied aircraft losing two vehicles one StuG IV and one SP gun, the trains unload at La Flèche short of  Le Mans, then drive to Laval - Fougéres - Avranches - Villedieu - Torigny to the Balleroy area

SS-Flak Abteilung 17 and SS-Pioneer Bataillon 17 move to Saumur to defend the five bridges across the Loire between Angers and Tours. 

June 9 : 17th SS Aufklärungsabteilung (reconnaissance) battalion in clashes with British 7th Armoured, and infantry on route to Bayeux and American armour and troops on route to Isgny-sur-mer, plus capture missed dropped parachutists. 

June 10 : 17th GvB subordinated to the 7th Army 

June 11 : 17th SS Aufklärungsabteilung, 17 SS-Panzergrenadierregiment 37 and elements of 6th Fallschirmjager Regiment Combat at Carentan against 101st Airborne and 2nd Armoured (Bloody Gulch)

June 11-12 Graignes combat between 182 men of the 506, 507 and 74th transport carrier squadron were assaulted by elements 17th SS 38 Regiment. The fighting is fierce however the numerically superior 17th SS overrun the village, they destroy and burn the village, executing 17 US Paratroopers and 11 civilians, the Us Paratroopers retreat into the wetlands around the village. 

June 12 : US paratroopers capture Carentan, SS regiment 37 III battalion counterattack against the American parachute units at Auvers.
June 13 : Carentan; unsuccessful counterattack by SS-Pz.g Regt 37 1 & 2nd battalion against the US 101st Airborne at bloody gulch. 
June 16 : SS-Brigadeführer Ostendorff WIA ; SS-Oberführer Eduard Diesenhoffer becomes division CO.
June 18 : SS-Kampfgruppen 1 & 3 become SS-Panzergrenadier Regt.s 49 & 51 respectively 

June 26 -27 : GvB counter attack at Méautis, south of Carentan, halted by US 4th infantry and 2nd Armoured., loss of three StuG IV.
June 30 : Division strength of 16,976 men SS-Kampfgruppe 3 strength: circa 2,900 

June 30 : 17 Pz. Jg. Abt receives 31 Jagdpanzer IV 7.5cm pak 39 L48 & 12 sdkfz 140 2cm flak 38 in Saumur, HQ Saumur Chateau.

July 1944 division strength at 8,500; 

3rd July units in reserve behind “ Mahlmann line”

6th July fighting around Saint Framond

7th July withdraws to the Perriers area and west of St. Lo by the beginning of July 1944

9th -21st July 38th Régiment fighting at Sainteny against 83rd infantry division. 

10th fighting around Pont-Hébert defending against 30th and 35th US infantry divisions. 

15th -24 July heavy fighting Perrier area against US 90th infantry division 

July 25 : US Army breaks through west of St. Lô. During Operation Cobra 

July 26th : GvB counterattack near Marigny against US 1st Infantry division and 3rd Armoured Division. 

July 27 : counter attack at Notre-Dame-de-Cenilly against Us 2nd Armoured and 4 infantry divisions breakthroughs.

July 28 : 7th Army AOK order withdrawal to Weisse Linie ” (“white line”) near Percy to prevent German units in the Cotentin peninsula being cut off. 

GvB Heavy fighting for the high ground around Cerisy-la-Salle overlooking Countances road vs US 3rd Armoured Division 

July 29 : US Army captures the bridges at Avaranches opening the route into Brittany. Elements of the Gotz von Berlichingen, along with units of the 91st Luftlande Division and 2nd Das Reich SS cut off and captured in the Roncey pocket. 

July 30 : 17 Pz.Jg. Abt receives movement orders for Operation Luttich, elements join 2nd SS for the operation. 

August 1944 : 

Aug 4: 17 Pz.Jg. Abt departs Saumur for Normandy.

Aug 4: 51st Regt. sent to Troyer, France 

Aug 4- 5th: 17 Pz. Jg. Abt arrives Laval after diversion by AOK 7 to defend Mayenne River crossing and airfield at Laval. 

August 6: Laval heavy fighting defending the city, fighting retreat towards Le Mans after breakthroughs north and south of Laval,, sacrificing the majority of the jagdpanzer IV defending the road to Le Mans (7th army HQ was in Le Mans)

Aug 6 : Kampfgruppe Fick prepares for the "Mortain Offensive" (a.k.a. Operation "Luttich") - the assault on Avranches to cut off Pattons 3rd army. The GvB kampfgruppe assigned to the 2nd SS-Panzer Division
August 7 : Operation Luttich launched at 3am with GvB in the vanguard. 

August 7: 17 Pz. Jg. Abt fighting retreat to Le Mans
August 8: Le Mans Captured, 7th AOK headqauters retreat north east to Chartres.  

August 9: remainder 17 Pz. Jg. Abt retreat towards Nogent Le Rotrou towards Chartres.
Aug. 10 : 49th Regiment reclasified as "26.SS-Panzer-Division" (originally named 25th SS Panzer Division by the SS-FHA before they realised that they had already given out the number to a SS division of Hungarian recruits) & 51st Regiment as "27.SS-Panzer-Division" (26th divsion?) - to confuse allied intelligence. 

Aug 11 : GvB kampfgruppe remnants given the order to retreat from Mortain towards Domfront. 
Aug 13 : 49th Regt. transferred to France; attacked by the Danish Resistence and Allied "Jabos" (fighter-bomber aircraft) the unit suffers heavy casualties and loses much of its equipment.
Aug 15 : Fighting Withdrawal commences.

 GvB split into 4 Kampsgruppe:
Kampgruppe Braune SS flak- Abteilung 
Kampgruppe Gunter SS Aufklärungsabteilung and elements of ost battalions 439 and 635. 
Kampgruppe Fick - SS-Panzergrenadier Regiment 37 and SS-Pioneer Abteilung 17 under SS-Obersturmbannführer Jacob Fick.

Kampgruppe Wahl SS-Panzergrenadier Régiment 38 under SS Hauptsturmfürhrer Kurt Wahl. 
Aug 16 : Regt. 49 arrives Calais. 

Aug 21: The division kampfgruppe then trapped in the Falaise Pocket. Only around 1,500 men in the division were able to escape to their own lines. First the men marched to Laigle, then to the Seine and to Meaux by August 25th.
Aug 28 : 1st Battery 17th SS Flak Battallion covers retreating German troops at Loire river bridge at Angers. 
Aug 22 : Regt. 49 transferred to Meaux
Aug 23 : Regt. 51 attacked by US 4th Armored Division, Troyes
Aug 25 : Regt. 51 remnants flee Troyes; unit subordinated to GvB (some accounts say this occured Sept 7-8); 49th Regt. combat Romilly; then retreats to Verdun
Aug 29 : remnants of GvB Panzerjager withdraw to Chartres forest for refitting.

Organisation Rapid Fire 

Commanding officer 

SS-Oberführer Werner Ostendorff (Janvier 1944 – 15 juin 1944)
SS-Obersturmbannführer Otto Binge (16 juin 1944 – 18 juin 1944)
SS-Standartenführer Otto Baum (18 juin 1944 – 1er août 1944)
SS-Standartenführer Otto Binge (1er août 1944 – 29 août 1944)

Stabs Kompanie Co, 2IC + 8, PKW car, radio truck, M/C combo, Sanits Kompanie sdkfz 251/8, sdkfz 7/1 20mm flak

SS-Panzergrenadier Regiment 37 : SS-Obersturmbannführer Fick 

17. stab Komp co + 5 radio, medic, 1 car, radio car, panzerschrek 1 M/C combo

I. Bataillon : Häussler Ertl OC + 5 radio, sniper, medic, panzerschrek Tartra car, light car

1 to 4 Kompanie 6 figs, MG, panzerfaust each, light French truck
II. Bataillon : Opificius OC + 5 radio, sniper, medic panzerschreck, light car 
5 to 8 Kompanie  6 figs, MG, panzerfaust each, cycles light French truck (civilian)

III. Bataillon : Zorn OC + 5 radio, sniper, medic, panzerschreck, light car 

9 to 12 Kompanie  6 figs, MG, panzerfaust each, cycles 

13. Kompanie :  1x IG 75mm 4 crew light truck, 2x 81mm mortar, 6  crew Steyr, 2 x MMG 6 crew 2 x MMG 6 crew light truck 

14. Kompanie (Flak) : 1x 20mm flak, light car 4 crew 

15. Kompanie (Pionier) : 6 figs mg, flamethrower light car
16. Kompanie (Aufklärungs) : 8 figs cycles 


SS-Panzergrenadier Regiment 38 :Horstmann 

17. Stab Komp co + 5 radio, medic, sniper, panzerschreck, 1 car, radio car, 1 M/C combo

I. Bataillon :  Ertl OC + 5 radio, sniper, medic,  panzerschreck, sdkfz 2 pkw

1 to 4 Kompanie 8 figs, MG, panzerfaust light French  truck
II. Bataillon : Nieschlag OC + 5 radio, sniper, medic, panzerschreck
5 to 8 Kompanie  6 figs, MG each, panzerfaust light French truck civilian 
III. Bataillon : Bolte Ertl OC + 5 radio, sniper, medic, panzerschreck
9 to 12 Kompanie  6 figs, MG each, panzerfaust  cycles 
13. Kompanie Sig 150mm 4 crew truck (MMG), 2x 81mm mortar, 6  crew, medium car 2 x MMG 6 crew light car 
14. Kompanie(Flak) : 1x 20mm flak, light car 4 crew 
15. Kompanie (Pionier) : 6 figs MG, flamethrower light truck
16. Kompanie (Auflärungs) :  8 figs 2x kubelwagens 

SS-Artillerie Regiment 17 : Binge, OC + 5 radio truck, VW  car 2 spotters, supply wagon, sdkfz 7/1 20mm flak

5 batterie  2 x SFH18m 4 crew horse limber per gun 

6 batterie 2 x SFH18m 4 crew horse limber per gun

8 batterie 2 x 150mm 4 crew tractor per gun 

SS-Panzerjäger Abteilung 17 : SS-Sturmbannführer Schuster 1 x PzJagd IV lang,  2 x flakpanzer 38
1. Kompanie : 2 x Pz Jagd IV lang (deployed in Pays de Loire)
2. Kompanie : 2 x PzJagd IV lang (deployed in Pays de Loire)
3. Kompanie : 1 Panzerjäger 38 (t) for 7.62 cm Pak 36 Ausf M, 1x Panzerjäger 38 (t) for 7.5 cm Pak 40/3 Ausf. H, 1 x pak 50 4 crew maultier.  (Deployed in Normandy)

SS-Panzer-Abteilung 17 : Kepplinger Befwg Panzer IIIM L50, 1 x sdkfz 7/1 20mm flak, sdkfz 250 radio and trailer, bergpanzer III, sdkfz  9 Famo, 

1. Kompanie : 2 x StuG IV
2. Kompanie : 2 x StuG IV
3. Kompanie : 2 x StuG IV
4. Kompanie : 2 x StuG IIIG
StuG IV had both nose types, predominantly in 3 colour camoflauge, with zimmeritt. 

SS-Flak-Abteilung 17 : SS-Sturmbannführer Braune
2. Batterie : 1x flak 88 tractor 6 crew, 1 x 20mm 4 crew tractor 
4. Batterie : 1x flak 37 tractor 4 crew.

SS-Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 17 Holzapfel

1 Kompanie 2 x Panzerspahwagen 2cm kwk 8 rad, 1 x 222 A/C

2 Kompanie 6 figs MG schwimmwagen
3 Kompanie 6 figs MG  schwimmwagen

4. Kompanie 8 figs MG and 81mm mortar 2 x  schwimmwagen 

5. Kompanie 4 figs, opel blitz truck pak 40

SS-Pionier-Bataillon 17  Fleischer OC + 3 light car, Sdkfz 251/7, panzerschreck 

1. Kompanie 6 figs mg flamethrower, panzerfaust

2. Kompanie 6 figs mg, Flamethrower, panzerfaust 

3. Kompanie 6 figs mg, flamethrower, panzerfaust 

Research resources 

Sarthe Août 1944 Histoire d'une libération, Fabrice Avoie 

Panzers Normandie 44 SS Panzer Abteilung 17, Götz von Berlichingen, S Cazenave & S Neuhaus

Gotz von Berlichingen Jean-Claude Perrigault & Rolf Meister

Normandy 1944 N. Zetterling 

Pantserwagen M38 Landsverk 180

 

 Pantserwagen M38 Landsverk 180

Off the desk this week as I hit the painting desk again after returning from Australia. This last 5 days I have been building kits and airbrushing kits. I finally painted a large amount of vehicles that have been in the queue for some time. 

First up is Dutch M38 armoured card for my 1940 Dutch. I cannot recall the resin manufacturer as they been awaiting paint for at least four years as the kit was missing it’s doors, so I sat down and crafted some from plastic card, quite happy with my result. I also painted the markings as I could not find my Black Lion decals I purchased a long time ago. 

 

Cheers

Matt

217 Sturm Panzer Abtielung

 217. Sturm-Pz.Abt

Saumur tank museum sd.kfz 166 Sturmpanzer IV (Stupa) Brummbär,

 

sd.kfz 166 Sturmpanzer IV (Stupa) Brummbär,

This unit was unique in Normandy, since it was the only unit equipped with the sd.kfz 166 Sturmpanzer IV (Stupa) Brummbär, with its short 15 cm howitzer in a box superstructure on a panzer IV chassis. The low muzzle velocity of the weapon made it unsuitable against tanks in an anti tank role, but it was quite effective against buildings and ground targets.

According to Niklas Zetterling The battalion probably had a T/O&E strength of three companies with 14 vehicles in each and three StuPz in the battalion staff. This is similar to the organization of the 216. Sturm-Pz.Abt., first employed at the battle at Kursk 1943 and also similar to the organization of the Tiger battalions.

On 24 June it was intended to send the battalion to the Conde-sur-Noireau  - Le Beny Bocage - Vire area in Normandy, but on 18 July, the battalion had still not arrived. The battalion seems never to have been employed in Normandy as a complete unit.

On 21 July one company (probably the 2nd) had arrived in 21. Pz.Div. area. Two days later the 2nd company was subordinated to 21. Pz.Div. On 24 July, the company had 11 StuPz IV operational and 2 in short term repair. Later, on 29 July, the company was subordinated to Leibstandarte (1. SS-Pz.Div.) and one day later its strength stood at 9 vehicles operational and 2 in short term repair.

The first document found where the 3rd company is mentioned is dated 30 July. It is stated that the 3rd company is transferring from II. SS-Pz.Corps area to the 74th Corps. 2nd company remained with 1. SS-Pz.Div. and had 10 StuPz IV operational 31 July. That number was unchanged on 1 August, but had risen to 12 on 3 August¹¹, when the company still was subordinated to 1. SS-Pz.Div. Both strength and location was unchanged on 4 August.

On 6 August 2nd company was with II. SS-Pz.Corps and had 3 StuPz operational for the beginning of Operation Lüttich. Simultaneously 13 runners were with 89. Inf.Div during the fighting around Tilly during Operation Totalize . Three days later ten were operational with 12 SS-Pz.Div. and just one with 89. Inf.Div who lost four vehicles destroyed by Canadians around the village of Cintheaux along the Caen Falaise road (just south of the Canadian war Cemetry) . The battalion shrunk to just 5 operational with 12. SS-Pz.Div. on the 10 August. On 11th it was unchanged. This day it was also reported that the 1./Stu-Pz.Abt. 217 was subordinated to 271. Inf.Div.

After that no documents from the staffs in western Europe mention the 217. Stu.Pz.Abt., though this should not be interpreted as indicating that the unit did not take part in the actions, since higher command echelons usually did not deal with smaller units than divisions. Furthermore, the excellent daily reports on tank strength found in Pz.Gr. West/5th Panzer Army records do only cover the period up to 11 August. Thereafter no such documents have been found. On 4 September the 217. Stu.Pz.Abt. still remained in action.

There exist however one report, dated 16 August among the files of the Inspector-General of Panzer Troops. According to this the battalion had 17 operational StuPz IV and 14 in short term repair (within three weeks). The casualties 1 - 15 August amounted to 10 killed in action, 33 wounded and 12 missing. The authorized manpower strength was 772 men, but it was short of 69 men.

The 2nd company of the battalion clearly took part in the battle, but the whereabouts of the 1st and 3rd is less clear. Only on 30 July is the 3rd explicitly mentioned. Also on 6 August StuPz IV were found both with 12 SS-Pz.Div. and 89. Inf.Div. which might mean that two companies were present. However, these two divisions were quite close at the time and it is not inconceivable that they came from the same company. The total number of StuPz IV with these two divisions was 16, which exceeds the strength of a company, but it is also possible that the battalion staff was in Normandy (with three StuPz according to T/O&E). Whatever the truth, the number of StuPz IV employed certainly was small. As indicated by the table below only 28 StuPz IV were delivered before the end of the campaign in Normandy.

On 1 October, the battalion had a strength of 603 men, while casualties during September was 13 killed, 57 wounded and 53 missing. Only 11 men had arrived at the battalion as replacements and 36 men had left the battalion for other reasons than being casualties. This indicates that the battalion had over 700 men on 1 September, which means that it was far from destroyed.

The deliveries of StuPz IV to the battalion were.

24 May	19 StuPz IV
25 June	2 StuPz IV
10 July	7 StuPz IV
18 August	10 StuPz IV
16 September	10 StuPz IV
26 September	4 StuPz IV

On 1 October the battalion had 14 combat ready StuPz IV, while 5 were in short term repair. The number in long term repair is not known.

As the companies fought attached to larger organisations I plan only to build two vehicles at this stage for Rapid Fire. 

Cheers

Matt

References 

Niklas Zetterling ("Normandy 1944, German Military Organization, Combat Power and Organizational Effectiveness". ISBN 0-921991-56-8)

Combat history of Sturmpanzer Abteilung 217 - Hassler and Vosters. 

1/72 Israeli M50 and M 51 part 1

 This year planning to complete some more Israeli tanks for the 6 days war and Yom Kippur. A long time ago I purchased a number of Cpl Obervy Sherman 1/72 conversions for the Israeli M50 and M51 tanks. These conversions are for Dragon or Hasegawa Sherman kit’s, predominantly with the HVSS chassis in mind, although some M50s were on the vertical chassis. Dragon 1/72 are becoming more and more rare, plus expensive, but hasegawa still are quite available, however with 3d printing available I printed the chassis I required.  

There were no instructions so I spent a number of hours watching videos whilst I cleaned up the kits. After gluing a deck on one of the vehicles the video informed me that the exhaust system was different on each variant. Frustrated  I thought I would search for info and come across some explanations of a build. This explained the different chassis and turrets I had much better!

The kits are very cleanly cast in resin, with lots of spare bits, Jerry cans, wheels, boxes and track boxes, spotlight, barrel brace, although I scratch built some more Track Boxes as some M51 seemed to have them on both sides looking at images.  The 50 cal is particularly nice, but be careful trimming the hatches as the points are particularly fine, I think I only successfully cleaned up one without breaking it. I would have like a 30 cal also for the M51 and a closed up front hull mg port. 

 Unfortunately it seems that CPL Obervy has closed shop, so your only choice is 3d printed kits now. Looking forward to getting all of mine assembled and painted over the next few weeks. 

M50 conversion kits 

Replacement engine deck with the extra welded plate in the middle between the air filter intakes 

The original dragon chassis, the later master for the Hasegawa

M50 dragon on the left, hasegawa on the right

The rear plate conversion, add your block outs or exhaust depending upon mark

M51 Hasegawa conversion kit, I also received baggage, fuel drums and boxes

M51 turret, dragon on the left hasegawa on the right 

M51 dragon on the left Hasegawa on the right

Instructions for the hasegawa chassis 

Deck and rear plate exhaust arrangements for both M50 and M51 

Cheers

Matt

Able Archer Arab Israeli Wars - Syrian Armed Forces

 Syrian Able Archer list 1963-1990

 

Israel and Syria have technically at war since 1948 with the purple line 1973 ceasefire has remained. The scope of these lists are from 1963 with the socialist Ba’ath party achieved total control of the state, up until the end of the Lebanese civil war in October 1990. Syria fought the Israelis in the 1948, 1967 six day war,  and 1973 Yom Kippur war. 1970 Black September Jordan civil war, 1970-82 Muslim Brotherhood civil war, 

My Syrian Armed Forces are based on order of battle for 1973 up until 1990, for the sake of completeness for other able archer players I have added a list at the bottom from 1956-1990 equipment also. 

Syrian Structure for Rapid Fire Able Archer

Corps and Divisional Assets

Battle Group Command assets

1x BTR50PU with command Group 

1 x BTR50PU with Artillery Observation group 

AA platoon ZSU 23-4 (shilka) 

2 x SA9b + BTR 40b 

Supply assets 

3 x Zil 157 or Ural 375 trucks 

Engineering assets 

Field Engineer battalion 

BHQ Gaz46

1-4 coys 

KMT- 54 mine clearing tank on a T54 chassis (Armoured and motorised division) 

Bridging battalion 

BHQ

1-4 coys

MTU12 T54/T55  bridge layer

Anti tank assets 

Towed

2x D44 85mm anti tank gun, gun tractor Zil-157 4 crew 

Anti tank missile coy 

2x BDRM 2 9P122 ATGM

Anti Air Assets 

Praga 53/59 

BDRM Battery 

BDRM recon 

2 x BDRM 2 SA9 Gaskin 

S75 Regiment 

Zil 157 Command truck 

FNR75 Fan Song radar trailer mounted 

6 x SA 2 S 75 Dvina guideline truck mounted. 

SA3 Gia S125 Neva missile battery 

Zil 157 command truck P15 radar 

Zil-157 missile truck 

SA 6 2K12 Kub Gainful (attached to Armoured brigade) 

Zil 157 command truck P 15 Radar  

2 x SA6

Sam 5 battery ( Syrian Territory defence)

55k6e radar command truck 

3 x Sam5 s200 Gammon missile (delivery 1983) 

SA8 battery 

2 x SA8 9K33 Oska Gecko (1982) (infantry division support) 

Armoured brigade battle group 

Brigade HQ 

Officer commander + 2 medic, 2 radio, defence pltn 2

1 x T-62A (T340/85 or T54 or T55) 

1 x BTR 152 K ambulance 

1 x BTR 152 S command radio 

Tank battalion 

HQ 1x T62 (OC) Officer commanding 

1st Coy 2 x T62

2nd Coy 2 x T62

3rd Coy 2 x T62 

Armoured Reconnaissance Company 

1x BDRM1 Officer, 3 infantry and 1 x RPG 

1x PT-76 

Mechanised 

Armour options six day war 

PIV twenty five operational in 67 war 

Jadgpanzer IV 48 six purchased, deployed on Golan heights in the six day war one knocked out

StuG III G forty one purchased (24 in defiladed positions on the Golan heights six day war)

T34-85

T-54

T-55

Armour options 74 war 

T-62

Artillery Assets (off table normally) 

Each Syrian artillery battalion has two batteries, artillery may use the ammunition types listed for the year of manufacture if you want to get into the weeds of ammunition types. A radio truck must be used for more than one battery. Doctrine for brigade and division is to concentrate fire so one mission can include all tubes of a battery’s available but not split fire on the table. Corps artillery is assigned by the corps Observor attached at battle group level. Assigned as required for scenario, some of the heavy artillery and missiles are not required for a tabletop, I do like deploy the Forward Artillery Officer and vehicles, plus the command radio vehicles present (which can make the targets). I also like to have missile batteries for scenarios for commando type raids. 

Dedicated Brigade Assets

HQ Gaz69 car - OC plus 2 

Gaz 69 car Forward artillery Observor plus 2 other ranks for FO team

BTR152S radio truck plus 3 Other Ranks

M43 120mm mortar (6 tubes per battery) 6 crew Gaz 66 truck

M56 160mm mortar (6 tubes per battery) 6 crew Gaz 66 truck (1956-85 normally infantry brigade)

HQ ACRV2 command vehicle

2S1 122mm self propelled Howitzer (6 tubes per battery)

 

Division Field Artillery Battalion 

HQ Gaz69 car - OC plus 2 

Gaz 69 car Forward artillery Observor plus 2 other ranks for FO team

BTR152S radio truck plus 3 Other Ranks

122mm Howitzer D20, Towed Ural 375 or Zil 131 - 6 tubes per battery

HQ ACRV2 command vehicle

152mm 2s3m Akatsiya Self propelled 6 tubes per battery 

HQ Gaz69 car - OC plus 2 

Gaz 69 car Forward artillery Observor plus 2 other ranks for FO team

BTR152S radio truck plus 3 Other Ranks

240mm M53 mortar towed Gaz 66, 6 crew, 6 tubes per battery 

Corps Artillery Assets

130mm M46 gun towed Zil-131, 6 crew 6 guns per battery

180mm S23 gun towed 

Bm-24

BM-27

Plans for 2025

2025 goals and plans 

I have a few big goals and lots of plans in sand. I main focus is in two main directions this year Napoleonics and WW2. I really want to complete my French guard cavalry (all front rank) and 20mm Americans this year. The other stuff is all ready to be worked on as the mood grabs me. My plan is for the next three months concentrate on my French Guard and 20mm Americans. 

28mm Napoleonic 

Complete my French Guard Cavalry (96 cav)(front rank)

Complete 4 battalions to French Line in greatcoat (warlord) 1812-14 (156 foot)

Complete  2 regiments of (warlord) Lancers 1812-14 (36)

Complete Baden foot infantry regiments x 6 (200 foot) (Skytrex-Warlord)

28mm Other

Additions 13th century collection 40 cavalry, 60 foot (Mirliton)

Complete my French 1488 Mad War Ordonance army 60 foot, 20 horse, 2 guns. (perry)

5th century Greek 80 foot (immortal-Warlord)

80 Thracian foot, 12 cavalry  (Foundry)

20mm ww2

82nd airborne division 

210 foot, 6 artillery and 18 vehicles, 4 x 1/72 gliders (AB, Alder and Simons soldiers, heller, italeri, airfix SHQ)

US 5th Armoured 

30 tanks, 90 foot, 4 guns and 12 halftracks, 12 trucks and other vehicles (heller, italeri, AB, Simons Soldiers, Alder)

90th infantry division 

70 foot, 21 vehicles (AB, Alder and Simons Soldiers)

US landing craft x 12 various sizes marked up for Omaha. (Airfix and italeri) 

17th SS 

4 x StuGs, 4 x JGD IVL,  60 infantry, 12 vehicles (PSC, italeri, Plana mayor, Battlefeild, FAA)

101 panzer ersatz training battalion 1 pz iii, 2 x H39, 2 x R35, 10 infantry, (heller, first to fight, Battlefeild) 

Panzer Lehr 

15 tanks, 26 vehicles, 60 infantry, 4 guns, 4 x Flak guns.(elhiem, Simons soldiers, PSC, Airfix, Italeri, hasegawa) 

British airborne 

5 gliders with correct markings for operation Tonga. 1 Hamilcar glider (airfix, italeri, planet models) 

20mm Cold War 

67 War Israeli 

7 tanks, 5 half tracks, 60 infantry, 3 jets, 1 helicopter (heller, italeri, dragon, hasegawa, airfix, cpl overby)

67 war Egyptian 9 tanks, 5 APCs, 2 jets

Cold War Russian 

Naval infantry 12 APCs, 3 t55 6 other vehicles, 60 figures, landing craft x 3, 1 helicopter (Britannia, Ammo, elhiem, italeri, S&S models)

Cold War Motorised Russian infantry x 60, 12 APCs, two Sam launchers  (elhiem, sSmodels, Armo)

British Cold War 6 tanks, 8 APCs 40 infantry, helicopter, 2 jets. (Dragon, 3d prints, elhiem, airfix)

That should keep me busy

Cheers

Matt