Some TOE nitpicks and ideas

[DRG]

Yes there are now 2 units armed with the MKB42(H) assault rifle.

The weapon was added sometime between 2002 and 2004 and at unused since that time but this year it was applied to two units. I honestly cannot recall adding them but given the photos are new for this last release, I guess I did ( it was a very busy year...)and didn't check that the specs were correct for that cartridge. It's now been corrected.

I am well aware of the difference between the two weapons. I own an MP.43.

There are a lot of myths associated with these weapons. The best one is that is was used by Kampfgruppe Scherer to fight it's way out of the Kholm Pocket in Feb 1942 which would be impossible. My particular "Bible" is George Markams 'Guns of the Reich' who states the first full field test was made in the "Spring of 1943" by SS Division "Wiking". By mid 1943 approx. 8,000 had been delivered to various units. Right now I'm not sure where the 10/42 start date came from but 4/43 would be better. Although "first full field trial" does not mean there weren't limited issues made before that but as I have stated many times before, sources do not agree on the speed of a Tiger 1 so when a test rifle was issued and to who is certainly open to "interpretation"

The other "nitpicky" items have been noted and will be looked at next time we start OOB work again

Don

[Ts4EVER]

-First 1500 MKb42(H) sent late April 1943 for testing in six divisions from (HGr. Nord):

1. Inf.Div.
11. Inf.Div.
21.Inf.Div.
93.Inf.Div.
212 Inf.Div.
18 Inf.Div.(mot)

This according to "Sutrmgewehr" bei Hans Dieter Handrich. However considering pictural evidence at least some must have been delivered to SS units (including SS Fallschirmjägers)

[DRG]

Originally Posted by Ts4EVER

-considering pictural evidence at least some must have been delivered to SS units (including SS Fallschirmjägers)

I have written "evidence" that they were tested by SS units as well that spring and it is quite possible they could have made their way into the hands of SS paras. However, all that particular photo "proves" is that a Para is carrying a MKb42(H) and is standing beside an SS registered vehicle.

Can we end this particular nitpicking session in the knowledge that the start dates have been advanced to April 1943 and that a regular Infantry unit now has one and that all are now radio code RARE ??

Don

[Ts4EVER]

Yeah, calm down. I wasn't trying to critizise, I just thought you might find the other info and picture interesting.