Heer Artillery Troops & Forward Observers:

Oberschutz,  3. Batterie 57. Artillerie Regiment:

Established in Elbing, Wehrkreis I on 15 October 1935 from elements of AR (Artillerie Regiment ) 1 & 21 as a motorized heavy artillery unit.  The regiment’s 6 batteries were made up of 10.5 cm light and 15 cm heavy field howitzers supported by regimental supply, transport, and staff units. In August of 1939, the regiment underwent a complete upgrade in equipment and then moved to the Polish frontier as part of the  III. Armee Korps.  Following the Polish campaign, the regiment moved to the western front for the French campaign and then in 1941 to the Russian frontier as part of the Armee Groupe Center.  

Always a Korp’s level asset deployed as needed for support the regiment fought the rest of the war in the east finally being destroyed in January 1945 in the “Visual Arch” near Radom as part of the 9. Armee.

 15 cm Schwere Feldhaubitze 18 or sFH 18 (field howitzer, model 18), nicknamed Immergrün “the Evergreen” was the basic German division-level heavy howitzer from1939 till 1945, serving alongside the smaller but more numerous 10.5 cm leFH18.   An improved howitzer based on a First World War design it was generally outdated compared to the weapons it faced. It was, however, the first artillery weapon equipped with rocket-assisted ammunition to increase range.

10.5 cm Leichte FH 18 (light field howitzer) was the standard artillery piece of the Heer, adopted for service in 1935 and used by all divisional and artillery battalions. A major advance on its predecessor the 10.5 cm leFH16, the leFH 18 was superior in caliber to its early opponents in the war, with adequate range and firepower, but the modern split trail gun carriage that provided it with more stability and traverse also rendered it too heavy for a mobile role in the largely horse-drawn artillery battalions of the German army, particularly in the mud and snow of the Eastern Front.

This section is an example of how the German Uniform part of the collection came to be, the Shoulder Boards, were the original collection, like the Signals, Medical, Etc. I realize in short all of these look the same, most are M36 patterns and early war period examples, that is because the Regimental Numbers being applied to them soon disappeared after 1940. But ya know, some more of the different units and where they fought get told, and I tried to apply this to show some or explain some of the main artillery pieces as well.

Geferieter, Artillerie-Regiment 17, 17. Infanterie-Division:

The major part of an Infanterie-Division’s firepower was embodied in its organic Artillerie Regiment. In the initial wartime Infanterie Division this regiment consisted of three leichte Bataillons with twelve 105mm howitzers), one schewer Bataillon with a dozen 150mm howitzers, and a motorized Artillerie Beobachter, artillery observation, Bataillon with calibration, sound ranging and flash-ranging batteries plus a weather platoon.

A few also retained an observation balloon battery. The regiment's four Kannon Bataillons were all horse-drawn. The regimental headquarters and all battalion headquarters included a communications platoon. Originally formed covertly in 1934 in Nürnberg as Wehrgauleitung Nürnberg then renamed Artillerieführer VII. The Artillerie Regiment then received troops from the 21. (Bayerisches) Infantire-Regiment of the Reichswehr’s 7. division which brought with it the manpower to become 17. Infanterie-Division in 1935. 17. Infanterie-Division took part in the occupation of Austria in Marz 1938 and then campaigned in Poland.

In 1940, as part of the XIII Armee Korps it fought in France then training for the invasion of England. Moving to the Ost for Operation Barbarossa as part of Heeres Gruppe Mitte. Following the Battle of Moscow it spent nearly a year in France for rest and refit returning Ost in the spring of 1943.

The division and regiment fought there until surrender. The Gefreiter’s Heeresdienstanzug Model 1936 has regimental numbers directly embroidered into Schulterklappen which are in turn sewn in at the shoulder. A rare embroidered national eagle has been factory sewn making this a unique uniform. Campaigning in Poland and France has secured this Kannonier the Sturmabzieche.

The uniform represents but one of these Artillery Regiments, and I have a number of these “Early Examples” in the collection, I realize they all are nearly the same, and that’s because they're from the same time period, I just want to show them tell a bit of what the story.

Obergefreiter, Artillerie Regiment 21:

Artillerie Regiment Elbing was formed in Wehrkreis I in 1935 and was renamed Artillerie Regiment 21 in Oktober 1936 and then made part of the 21. Infanterie Division. The regiment campaigned in Poland and France before participating in Operation Barbarossa 1941. Resting and reforming in France in 1943 it returned east where it fought the remainder of the war. The Obergefreiter wears the Allgemeine Sturmabzeichen along with the Sudetenland Occupation ribbon.

Note: Pictures of guns narrowed off the internet, credit?

Kanonier 3. Batterie / Artillerie Regiment 36:

Artillerie Regiment 36 was formed in Oktober 1936 in Babenhausen. After several organizational moves, the regiment was made part of Infantrie-Division 36. Taking part in the Battle of France the regiment supported the divisional attack at Chiers towards Le Ferte. In November 1940 the regiment was designated a motorized unit.

As part of the XXXXI Panzerkorps, the regiment attached to Armee Gruppe Nord and in late Oktober 1941 supported the establishment of the bridgehead near Kalinin exchanging heavy artillery fire with the Red Army 365th Rifle Division. Licking its winter wounds it fought at Rzhev and Baranovo during the Sommer 1942.

Part of the divisional de-motorization in Mai 1943, yet still retaining more vehicles than any other Infanterie-Division of the time, the regiment supported at the Battle of Kursk. Rendered combat ineffective by Sommer 1944 the regiment and the division were withdrawn to France for rest and refit Volksgrenadier-Division 36. The newly formed unit moved west in September to engage the advancing allies. It fought until Marz 1945 ending the war facing Patton’s 3rd Army in central Germany.

Note: the final picture here(unknown credit) shows a SiG33 Howitzer, just to show another of the artillery used by the Germans.

Schütz 3. Batterie Artillerie Regiment 62 Artillerie:

Regiment 62 was a heavy artillery regiment established in Oktober 1936 near Bonn in Wehrkriess VI. Part of Infanterie Division 26 the regiment took part in border security on the Westwall near Echternach. On 10 Mai 1940, it crossed the Luxembourg border and took part in several campaigns in the Battle of France. Following the victory in the west, it remained in northern France and southern Belgium as an occupation unit until it moved to eastern Poland in Mai 1941. On 22 Juni 1941, the division crossed the German-Russian border at Suwalki fighting to Moscow and then Vyazm. Fighting at Kursk in 1943 began the slow, fighting retreat until Marz 1944 when it was destroyed and rebuilt as the 26 Volksgrenadier Division.

This Schütz is shown during the regiment’s time in occupation. He has been awarded the Allgemeines Sturmabzeichen for his constant service during the multiple engagements with the enemy as a crew member on a heavy, most likely a 170mm cannon which was the workhorse of the German heavy field artillery. \ While on occupation duty when he takes in the local color he wears this Heeres Diestanzug Model 1936 matching, trousers, Marchstiefel, belt with enlisted buckle, and Feldmütz with Rot branch Soutasche.

“Trager des Deutschen Kreuzes in Gold” Leutnant, 29th Artillery Regiment, Modified Model 1944 Field Service Tunic:

If a photo is worth a thousand words this one must have quite a story behind it (Upper Left). A highly decorated, very confident Leutnant poses for the camera. In a photograph that must date from at least late 1944, we can only piece together probable histories until the future name, and his story is discovered (as exhaustive searches have failed).

The setting is rural and the officer must have the ability to obtain a vehicle. While the vehicle may look camouflaged with branches a closer look shows this to be a depth of field of the camera, as the beach is much closer to the officer. The car is parked next to the house out in the open, with no effort to conceal it.

For a Leutnant he is very highly decorated, Leading one to believe in service as an NCO. The Silver Wound badge could mean he has a major injury is up to 4 wounds. And quite possibly after some time in the hospital, he is home till he is completely healed, happy to be out of harm’s way on the way to recovery. This would also have given him time to receive the new M44 uniform, and for unknown reasons lacking officer collar insignia, he had taken the time to modify it, with a dark bottle green collar, the M36 uniform that had the dark green collar was popular, and well in through 1943, when the M42 began making it to the field.

The officer depicted here has only decorations that are hard-earned, dealing with serious combat. he is no stranger to leading soldiers in battle, having the Iron Cross I and II, Classes. He has been in close-quarter battle time and again, several recorded engagements, likely leading to his wounds, and the Close Combat Clasp. But his highest and most precious is the German Cross in Gold, “Deutsches Kreuz in Gold” awarded for bravery and outstanding achievements in combat but the Knights Cross of the Iron Cross wasn’t awarded for it. The recipient did however already earn the first two Iron Crosses. The exact number of German Crosses awarded during the war is not exactly clear.

Looking at the shade of the waffenfarbe on his shoulder boards, one can deduct is not that of the infantry “White”, And in his rehabilitation, may have had a transfer to the Artillery, hence we thought maybe the “Red” of Artillery and the “29” number on the boards could be 29th Motorized-Artillery Regiment, that was part of the 29th Motorized-Artillery Regiment, that was part of the 29th Panzer Grenadier Division. This was formed to replace the 29th Motorized Infantry Division destroyed at the Battle of Stalingrad. Formed in 1943 the 29th Panzer Grenadier Division fought in Sicily and Italy in all major campaigns including Salerno, Anzio, as well as the Po River. Finally destroyed in April of 1945 by the British 8th Army.

The Close Combat Clasp is not unknown for an artillery soldier, especially one that has won the German Cross. So either he was an Infantryman early on, or has led an Infantry section perhaps at some point, in a fill-in emergency. But we can only speculate on this part of the story.

The concept that this NCO was selected for officer training is not out of line, and perhaps he had a uniform modified for a more befitting officer uniform, merging it with the M44 jacket. By late 1944 I should think uniform regulations were getting fairly lax too. The thought here he is on leave and having a good time, but getting ready for the final go at the Allies, which he knows is coming, is not beyond belief.

The Leutnant wears a standard Schirmmutz with a little of a crush look to it. The shirt looks to be civilian as probably the tie is as well. The M44 was meant to be worn open collar and seen often with a roll-neck sweater, so the shirt and tie will possibly be left on the roadside apron arrival to the front.

This is one of my favorite uniforms in the German collection. Just jumped out at me, and it took a while to figure out what exactly the picture of the wearer was telling me. Thought about it so much I confused myself about what the jacket was, it’s an odd and interesting subject.

Captain, Waffenrock, 9 Artillery Regiment, 9th Infantry Division:

The 9th Infantry Division was formed in Giessen, Whr. IX in 1935. It was originally filled from the area, of Hessen-Nassau. Initially used to guard the Western Front during the invasion of Poland, it did get into the fighting in France, under von Kleist. The nin 1941 it started the 3-year fight in Southern Russia, taking part in the Donets, Caucasus, Kuban, and Lower Dnieper Campaigns, as well as fighting in Ukraine.

Ground down to a Battle Group size by 1943, when the division was taken out of the battle line and rebuilt up in Denmark, absorbing parts of the 584th Volksgernaider Division, and then they were committed in 1944-45, Ardennes Battle (now the 9th Volksgrenaider Division), they had early successes, but soon were fighting in retreat, all the way back to Nurenburg, were they ended up surrendering to the Allies.

The Hauptmann depicted here has joined the regiment after time spent guarding the west wall in 1939, having prior service with a unit that served in the Czechoslovakian Occupation. Interestingly he has the badge for commanding an Anti Aircraft group, and fought against ground targets as well with the General Assault Badge, leading us to think he served with the 88mm gun unit.

His Combat Leadership had earned him the 1 class and 2nd Class awards of the Iron Cross, as well as the German Cross in Gold. His Bravery had earned him the Close Combat Clasp in Bronze, and he was wounded, receiving the Black Wound Badge. He has served in the battle of the Kuban and has the ‘rare’ Kuban Shield on his sleeve.

The uniform is actually completely regulation, in that, there is no custom work really, but all good 1st class matching material, with the Trousers and Schirrumtz, he could wear it with an Artillery Dagger, or Officers Sword, and Black shoes, and Belt if he has the sword. The uniform could have been something worn in the calm, of Denmark, with the transition to the 9th Regiment, or during its build-up.

The Waffenrock, as we know was not a battle uniform, but rather something worn for a special event, like back in Germany, to receive decorations or recognition, maybe a raise in rank, parade, or meeting with the Fuhrer and the like, so worn once or twice and put away in storage, till wars end, when or if he came home, or if his home was still there after the war.

“Geferieter” (Acting Corporal), 32 Panzerjager Abteilung (Pak 36):

Schütz, Panzerjäger Abteilung 22, 22. Infanterie Division (LL):

The 22. Infanterie-Division was formed in October 1935 in Bremen.  During the Polish Campaign, the division took part in securing the Westwall along the French border in the region of Eifel and Saarpfalz.  In October 1939, the 22. Infanterie-Division was transferred to the Sennelager training area where it was trained as an air landing unit, the only one of its kind in the entire German military. Its role was to be air transported into battle well ahead of any advancing ground units. It was trained to be airlifted shortly after German paratroopers has secured an airfield or landing zone appropriate for transport aircraft to land in. With this training, the term Luftlande (LL) was added.

The 22. Infanterie-Division (Luftlande) took part in the Western Campaign in 1940 in its intended air landing role when the division was flown into Holland in the early hours of May 10th in the van of the attack on the low countries following the airborne assault of the 7. Flieger-Division.  A combination of terrible coordination, Dutch resistance, and horrible landing zones caused considerable losses.  During the second phase of the Western Campaign in June of 1940, the 22. Infanterie-Division (Luftlande), now regrouped and refreshed, took part in the advance into France fighting in the region of Dinant and Recroi to Saint Quentin.

PanzerJäger Abteilung 22 provide an antitank defense to the other elements of the division and with their Luftlande designation were limited to the weapons systems they were able to transport. The PaK 36 (Panzerabwehrkanone 36) a 3.7cm anti-tank gun was the Abteilung’s heaviest weapon and was towed by an assigned Kettenkrad, a tracked motorcycle hybrid tow vehicle.   The other standard anti-tank weapon was the Panzerbüchse 39, an anti-tank rifle firing an armored piercing bullet that could be used against softer areas of the tank to disable the motor or attack the driver or command vision ports. 

The Schutz has earned the Allgemeines Sturmabzeichen for actions in the Battle of France, most likely as part of a PaK 36 crew.  With his Heeres Dienstanzug Model 1936 he wears a Feldmütz 1938 or Stahlhelm. The Shoulder Boads have the “P” stitched onto them, in the pink-rose piping color, while the piping was retained after 1942, the regimental numbers and unit letters became rather rare, the backing became the same feldgrau as the uniform soon there after. Each gun crew member is armed with the standard K98k service rifle with two leather ammo pouches worn on the cartridge belt along with other gear.  The M36 Bluse had provision for internal support straps that hold up the weight of these, the canteen, bread bag, and other gear strapped to the belt during combat.

Obergefreiter Panzerjäger Abteilung 30 1940

Panzerjäger Abteilung 30 was mobilized as part of the first wave of deployment activated in Oktober 1939 in Lübeck, Wehrkreis X, as part of the 30. Infanterie Division.  Fighting as part of Heeresgruppe Sud during the Polish campaign the division, as a whole, suffered heavy casualties preventing a breakthrough by the Polish 8th Army.  Following the action in Poland the division moved Siegfried Line as border security in the Eifel region.  At the beginning of the campaign in the west, the divisions attacked through Holland and Belgium pushing towards Ypres where it was put into a reserve status occupying Paris until August 1940.  Moving to the coast the division took part in preparations for Operation Seelöwe.  When the invasion England was postponed to the 30. I.D. took part in the occupation of Holland until April 1941.

The 3.7 cm PaK 35/36 was the standard German Army anti-tank gun at the beginning of the Second World War. Initial design work began in 1924, although the final version did not become operational until 1934. The PaK 35/36 was first employed during the Spanish Civil War. The gun was widely sold abroad to other nations, including Italy, Turkey, Holland, Japan, and the Soviet Union.

The weapon's light weight and portability meant that it was ideal for use with light infantry and airborne units. The French campaign in 1940 highlighted numerous performance deficiencies. The weapon had a poor performance against British and French Tanks, such as the Matilda and Char-B. The weapon was also used on the Eastern Front, and when it went into action against Russian T-34 tanks, it was found to be totally obsolete. Despite this, the PaK 35/36 remained the standard anti-tank gun for many of the front-line units into 1942, after which it was gradually replaced with the 5 cm PaK 38 and the 7.5 cm PaK 40.

The Sonderkraftfahrzeug (Sd.Kfz.) 10 saw widespread use by German forces as a prime mover for small towed guns such as the 3.7 cm Pak 36. The Sd.Kfz. 10 could carry eight troops in addition to towing a gun.

The Obergefreiter wears a Feldbluse Model 1936 with Schulterklappen ‘P’ and ‘30’ machine embroidered in rose branch Waffenfarben.  He has earned both Eisernes Kreuz II. Klasse u. Allgemeines Sturmabzeichen during both the Polish and Battle for France.

Kompaniefeldfwebel u. Ritterkreuztrager, Josef Niemitz, 3. [Flak] Kompanie der Panzerjäger Abteilung 332:

Niemitz entered military service as part of the 100,000 men Reichswehr in 1933, and by 1937 he was part of the Flak-Truppe of (Anti-Aircraft Artillery) training at Sprottau. Early combat duty in Poland demonstrated Niemitz's leadership and this was rewarded with the Eiserne Kreuz II Klasse. Due to his combat leadership during his service with Flak-Bataillon 611 in July of 1941, Neimitz was promoted to Oberfeldwebel and awarded the Eiserne Kreuz I. Klasse. Assigned to the new 3. (Flak) Kompanie der Panzerjäger-Abteilung 332 in Hamburg-Fischbeck, Neimitz was again promoted to Hauptfeldwebel and Zugführer.

During the battle of “Kursk”, Niemitz was wounded yet took charge of the company when the commander was killed. Using their Anti-Aircraft in the ground fighting role, Hauptfeldwebel Niemitz attacked and then secured the left flank of the division and displaced an enemy headquarters.

For this, he was awarded the Rittrkreuz des Eisernen Kreuze on the 24th of July 1943 becoming Kompaniefeldwebel (Speiss). He surrendered to the US Army in 1945.

For his wound at Kursk Niemitz was awarded the Verwundetenabzeichen in Silver, obviously having been wounded in prior battles several times. He was also awarded the Allgemeines Sturmabzeichen and reportedly the Heers-Flak-Abzeichen (However no photographic evidence shows the award being worn by him). Niemitz took part in the Occupation of the Sudetenland in 1938 as shown by his ribbons bar and in the first winter battles of the Russian Campaign wearing this combat award style. Like his gunners, Niemitz would wear light combat gear in action, like a Rifle-cartridge belt or MP-40 pouches with a holstered sidearm, he may have even worn a camouflaged smock one time or another.

Leutnant, Heeres-Flugabwehr der Infantrie:

The “Heeres-Flugabwehr der Infantrie” is an organic portion of the Infanterie Regiment deployed as air defense of the Kompanie, Bataillon it is assigned.  The Fla.Inf.Inf. Bataillon is the first line of training and support for these troops at a divisional level but their combat role in combined arms has Kompanie level units supplied to Infantrie Regiment Bataillons then under Bataillon command assigned as needed.  To fulfill this mission, elements are usually motorized.  

In the air defense, the members of the Fla.Inf use weapons ranging from the Flak-mounted Mg34 up to a 3,7cm cannon to defend to a range of 2000 meters.  In support of the Infanterie in ground combat, the units will use their 2cm and 3,7cm cannon in fires ranging from 4400 and 6500 meters respectively.

 The Heeres Flakabzeichen was instituted on 18/7/41 by the OKH to bring the Army in line with the other two services. Like both the Kriegsmarine and Luftwaffe awards, the Flakabzeichen was awarded on a points system. However, unlike the Luftwaffe badge, the Army recipient could qualify for the award by destroying both ground and air targets. This point system worked based on the soldier acquiring 16 points before he could qualify for the award of this badge. If the individual was awarded the Eisernes Kreuz or Kriegsverdienstkreuz, he automatically qualified for the Flakabzeichen. This was also the case for those soldiers killed in the line of duty.

Feldwebel, 3./Heeres-Flak-Bataillon (mot) 605:

Flak Bataillon (mot) 605 was organized 20. Januar 1940. The Bataillon was continually at the front following its first combat service during the Battle of France. While on the Ost Front, in November 1942, 3. Batterie and a portion of the headquarters troop were ordered back to Wehrkreis VI and were used as the core cadre for Flak-Artillerie-Abteilung (mot) 290 which then became part of 4. Panzer Division. The Abteilung fought with the division on the Ost Front until destroyed in the Kurland in 1945. The Feldwebel displays the Eiserne Kreuz I. u. II. Klasse as well as the Heeres Flak Abzeichen on his Feldanzug Model 1936. At this point in the war, this may well be his ‘walking out a uniform’ worn with the Schirmmütz für Unteroffizier.

The vehicle photos show the Panzer IV hulled, modified as Flak Mobile Flak Weapons, and I wanted to show these vehicles, and the Infantries use of the 20mm and 37 mm weapons. But the uniform is from an earlier period, more likely used with the 20mm, or 37mm towed weapons.

Unteroffizier, Nebelwerfer Bataillon 2:

The Nebelwerfer was a nonartillery method of delivering chemical, smoke, and high explosive rounds with rocket-propelled projectiles. Nebeltruppen was organized with six launchers per battery, and three batteries per battalion. Usually, three battalions form a regiment. Nebelwerfer Bataillons 1., 2. u. 5, equipped with 24 10 cm New 35 mortars in three batteries, were ready for the invasion of Poland in 1939 with the 1. u, 2. Bataillons campaigning. By Mai1940, five more Bataillons had been formed, all equipped with 10 cm NbW 35 mortars. All three of the original Bataillons, plus two newly formed ones, took part in the Battle of France.

Early pattern Schulternklappen, with pointed ends and lacking any Waffenfarbe, indicates the Unteroffizier’s Bataillon affiliation with the addition of the silver metal ‘2’. On the left sleeve of the Heeresdienstanzug Model, 1936 is the Nebelwerfer Richtkannonier Abzeichen indicating proven proficiency in all areas of this weapons system. A Bordeaux Red piped enlisted Schirmmütz tops this ‘walking out’ uniform when he goes on parade or into town. The Unteroffizier’s wartime experience began with the Annexation of the Sudetenland in 1938. For combat service with his Bataillon in Poland and France, the Allgemeine Sturmabzeichen has been awarded. The SA-Wehrabzeichen in Silber indicates he has competed for and earned this national achievement badge

Der Spieß 5./Batterie Ballon-Batterie der Beobachtungs-Abteilung 5:

Beobachtungs-Abteilung 5 was established 6. Oktober 1936 in Lemgo, Wehrkreiss VI and made part of Infantarie-Division 6 in 1939. Following service with the division on the West Wall, the Abteilung took part in the Battle of France and then became part of the Armee Gruppe Mitte advancing on Moscow.

In 1942 Ballon units were taken from the divisions, designated as Heerestruppen, and became part of non-divisional Artillerie Bataillons. A motorized unit the Batterie was tasked as needed to support the needs of higher command from divisional to Korps level of Höheren Artillerie-Kommandeur (motorized) (Motorized Higher Artillery Commander or Harko) or ArtillerieKommandeur (motorized) (Motorized Artillery Commander or Arko) was assigned at corps level, responsible for coordinating all artillery within the corps.

Der Spieß has modified his Heeres Dienstanzug Model 1936 to reflect his promotion to Stabsfeldwebel with the addition of slip-on bands of tress; much easier than removing the sewn-in Schulterklappen. Silver metal enlisted ‘B’ indicates service with the observation or Beobachtung-Abteilung.

The Richtabzeichen für Artillerie indicates his proven ability to direct the fire of the Kannon under his control. The award of the Ballonbeobachterabzeichen, authorized late in the war, recognized the bravery of the soldiers in these above-front lines’ lighter air observation posts.

*Gefreiter, Lichtmessungs Batterie / Artillerie Beobachter Abteilung 31, 1939:

 Artillerie Beobachter Abteilung 31 was established in Braunschweig, Wehrkreiss XI in 1936.  The Abteilung was made up of four Batterie: Stab, Vermessungs (Survey & Map) Schallmessung (Sound Ranging), and Lichtmessung (Flash Ranging) Batteries.   The Abteilung trained and mobilization as part of Infanterie Division 31 in August 1939.

Artillerie Beobacheter Abteilung 31 crossed the Polish border with the division and its Artillerie Regiment on 1. Sep. 1939 fighting through that campaign finally taking part in the surrounding of Warsaw. 

Following the Polish campaign, the division was transferred back to its home garrison and then relocated to the Lower Rhine.  On 10 May 1940, the division crossed the Belgian border and took part in the Battle of France.  After the completion of the Western campaign, the division was stationed in Normandy before moving east to Poland in September 1940. 

Fighting from the beginning of the Russian campaign the division was part of Heeresgruppe-Center until it was destroyed in 1944.

The Gefreiter’s uniform reflects the standard prewar appearance of the Feldbluse Model 1936 and Schirmmütz.  The Schulterklappen is of the pre-36 design without piping but with the Fraktur ’B’ cipher in the bright red Waffenfarben of the Artillerie branch.  Possibly being newly assigned the Gefreiter has modified these with metal numbers.

 Long hours in position, like snipers the Beobachter had to use stealth in their forward positions to not be observed themselves and brought under fire. 

The wartime photos show us; This team will observe enemy activity, in this case, a pre-plotted fire zone.  The observer will make and adjust the impact area of the Artillerie through the soldier on the field phone.  Exact fire adjustment is critical for the suppression of the enemy and the conservation of ammunition.

*The set of very rare, and very early Wehrmacht, shoulder boards as they were bought originally, and the uniform came to be, made around these.

Gefrieter, Artillerie Beobachter Abtelung 9, Frankreich, 1941:

Artillerie Beobachter Abteilung 9 was established in October 1937 in Mühlhausen as part of 9. Infanterie Division.  In the summer of 1938, the surveying battery was moved to the Trier-Prüm area before the division’s deployment to the Westwall in September.   The division was transferred to Austria and in October took part in the occupation of Bohemia.  Following a return to Germany, the division was again deployed to the Westwall.  In the spring of 1940, the unit was moved to the Eifel in the area between Prüm - Daun. 

On May 10, 1940, the unit crossed the border into Luxembourg and was in Lyon at the end of the Battle of France.  The division served in occupation south of St. Quentin until being moved to the east for the beginning of Operation Barbarossa.  In November the Abteilung reached Klin, 60 kilometers from Moscow before beginning the retreat west.  Fighting continually in the east the Abteilung was seconded to various units on a need-be basis.  It finally surrendered as part of the 4. Armee Korps near Rosenberg.

The artillery forward observer, Vorgeschobene Beobachter, plays a decisive part in the success of the attack of defense.  He has been involved in the planning as well as the pinpoint delivery of offensive as well as defensive artillery that is often shooting beyond the line of sight.

The Gefreiter wears the Feldbluse Model 36 with cyphered shoulder boards.  He has earned the Eisenes Kreuz II. Klasse as well as the Allgemeine Sturmabzeichen for his actions in the Battle of France.

“NEW” Gefreiter 3./Artillerie Beobachter Abteilung 6 Beobachtungs-Abteilung 6:

Beobachtungs-Abteilung 6 was established 6. Oktober 1936 in Lemgo, Wehrkreiss VI and made part of Infantarie-Division 6 in 1939. Following service with the division on the West Wall, the Abteilung took part in the Battle of France. Supporting the division’s Artillerie Regiment’s 3 leicht u.1 schwer Bataillon the Beobachter Abteilung consisted of: Stabs-Batterie-Headquarters Batterie 1.Vermessungs-Batterie-Survey and Mapping 2.Schallmeß-Batterie-Sound Direction and Ranging 3.Lichtmeß-Batterie-Flash Spotting and Ranging 4.Ballon-Batterie m.Flak-Zug-Observation Balloon with supporting Anti-Aircraft Platoon.

The Gefreiter wears the Heeres Dienstanzug Model 1936 uniform dating to around Mai 1940 bis Mai 1941, prior to the start of the invasion of Russia. The Bluse displays Abteilung identifying embroidered Schulterklappen. His service on the West Wall is noted by the single ribbon stitched above the pocket

*Note: The Helmet in the photographs is one of the “Universal” Helmets I have, that has been used in several uniforms in different photo shoots, I just can’t get a helmet for every uniform.