SS MG Team on Training

A two-man SS machine gun unit standing at their firing positions in a neatly dug slit trench. Needless to say, this photograph was taken during an exercise on a training ground.

SS Recruits Manhandling an 88mm Flak Gun in Training

SS recruits manhandling an 88mm Flak gun and ammunition limber as part of their training programme. The 8.8 cm Flak 18/36/37/41 (commonly called the eighty-eight) was a German 88 mm anti-aircraft and anti-tank artillery gun from World War II. It was widely used by Germany throughout the war, and was one of the most recognized German weapons of that conflict. Development of the original model led to a wide variety of guns.

Training of Flemish SS Volunteer's MG Crew (part 3)

Recruits, either Germans, racial Germanic types or of Nordic stock, entering the Waffen-SS underwent a very rigorous training programme designed by the SS authorities to produce very efficient fighting material. This photograph show Flemish volunteers undergoing field training as a two-man machine gun crew. Taking whatever cover a shallow depression affords them, the crew set up their MG as stealthily as possible. The gunner pulls the MG into its firing position whilst the No.2, who has already opened the lid of the ammunition container, starts to observe his front through his binoculars. It was the task of No.2 to observe, usually through field glasses, the target ahead and to direct the fire of the MG onto the enemy.

Training of Flemish SS Volunteer's MG Crew (part 2)

Recruits, either Germans, racial Germanic types or of Nordic stock, entering the Waffen-SS underwent a very rigorous training programme designed by the SS authorities to produce very efficient fighting material. This photograph show Flemish volunteers undergoing field training as a two-man machine gun crew. They are spring up from their prone positions and start to cover the open ground as quickly as possible. At this moment they are most exposed to enemy counter fire.

Training of Flemish SS Volunteer's MG Crew (part 1)

Recruits, either Germans, racial Germanic types or of Nordic stock, entering the Waffen-SS underwent a very rigorous training programme designed by the SS authorities to produce very efficient fighting material. This photograph show Flemish volunteers undergoing field training as a two-man machine gun crew. Here, the No.2, armed with a Luger pistol, awaits the moment to dash forward to his next position. The Maschinengewehr 40 (MG 40) was carried by the gunner, the No.1, whilst spare ammunition, contained in its carrying case, and an extra machine gun barrel, carried in a special metal container, were both carried by the No.2