MG08 at Stalingrad?
MG08 at Stalingrad?
I just read Peter Kokalis' article in Shotgun News about the museum at Stalingrad in Russia, and he specifically mentions an MG08 that is in the museum, that was apparently with the Germans during the battle. I knew the Germans had MG08s in WWII, but had no idea that one was at Stalingrad?? Does anyone have any pictures of this gun? Or any other information about that, or pictures of it in the battle?
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Re: MG08 at Stalingrad?
Holy crap, I cannot say as I have seen any German newsreel footage of the mighty 6th Army lugging those old frauleins in that hell hole, while I certainly believe it is true.
Is it also possible that the Russians pulled out Mg08s they had confiscated in WW1 to use them against the Fatherland in an 8mm-friendly environment ? I know not likely, but just a thought.
Is it also possible that the Russians pulled out Mg08s they had confiscated in WW1 to use them against the Fatherland in an 8mm-friendly environment ? I know not likely, but just a thought.
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Re: MG08 at Stalingrad?
That is interesting and I think its certainly possible the Russian pressed them into service. I mean at one point they did not even paint the tanks right?
Its was probably used in a reserve division for security detail and got caught in there circle. I have never seen any real pictures and I am sure the Germans would not be taking pictures of the old guns... I am sure they were taking pictures of MG34s... the few that were taking pictures and didn't fall in Soviet hands.
Its was probably used in a reserve division for security detail and got caught in there circle. I have never seen any real pictures and I am sure the Germans would not be taking pictures of the old guns... I am sure they were taking pictures of MG34s... the few that were taking pictures and didn't fall in Soviet hands.
Re: MG08 at Stalingrad?
I could certainly see an MG08 still with one of the non-front line German formations being sucked into Festung Stalingrad, the 6th Army was huge, and was re-enforced several times with lots of extra units, the gun may have been with an artillery battery or a munitons column, supply unit, or even a veterinary unit, I think they were all wrapped up in that hell hole. There were even Luftwaffe troops there to defend the airfields, and I have no idea what the report is on where it was, as Kokalis didn't bother to tell us...
I'd understood that all the non MG34 MG's in the regular front line army units were turned back into the depots by them, repaired, and re=issued. From there, I'm not sure where they all went, except i've seen pictures of Organization Todt guys with them later in the war.
I wonder about the idea of the Russians using one, that's a clever thought! I don't know about that, but it certainly is possible, we'd have to see if the gun was one with the then new improvements!
I'd understood that all the non MG34 MG's in the regular front line army units were turned back into the depots by them, repaired, and re=issued. From there, I'm not sure where they all went, except i've seen pictures of Organization Todt guys with them later in the war.
I wonder about the idea of the Russians using one, that's a clever thought! I don't know about that, but it certainly is possible, we'd have to see if the gun was one with the then new improvements!