Feldartillerie, Sturmartillerie & Nebelwerfer in Normandy (1944)

In the 1944 Battle of Normandy, German artillery was a significant factor in the defense, particularly in coastal fortifications and on the field. German artillery was divided into terrestrial (Heeresartillerie) and naval (Marineartillerie) branches, with the latter often responsible for coastal batteries. German field artillery was a mix of various calibers, including the 88mm gun, Nebelwerfers (multi-barrel rocket launchers), and mortars. German artillery was also used in counter-attacks against Allied advances, particularly in the Falaise pocket. German forces also used captured artillery, including French and Soviet guns, in their defenses.

Source :
Die Deutsche Wochenschau No. 720 - 21 June 1944
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-DzDJmt5F8

Landespolizei Training

Young artillerymen training with a 7,5 cm leichtes Infanteriegeschütz 18 (7,5 cm le.IG 18), autumn of 1936. This light artillery piece was introduced in 1932, intended to provide artillery support on regimental level. It was crewed by five, and could fire a 6 kg grenade up to 3.5 kilometers. The uniforms of the gun crew are from Landespolizei. They look like police uniforms, with their dark, two-button cuffs and many front buttons. The boots seems to be police issue, too. The Army-style national eagle over the breast pocket wasn’t a feature on police uniforms, even if there were exceptions. The M1918 Stahlhelm doesn’t add to the mystery, though, as the newly introduced M35 helmet hadn’t been produced in sufficient numbers by then. The boots are probably the three-buckle Army boots used before the traditional jackboot was reintroduced again. The buckled boots had lacing, but there were issues with them leaking, so the older style was preferred.

Source :
Photo collection Björn Hellqvist
https://ww2inphotos.wordpress.com/2017/07/24/mystery-uniform/

Reichswehr Artillery Team

A gun team mans a 7.5cm Feldkanone (field gun) NA, during a pre-war Reichswehr exercise. Although the light artillery piece was used in World War I, it was extensively used to equip escort batteries, which were

established in 1939 to assist the attacking infantry.

Source :
Book "Sturmartillerie: Spearhead of the Infantry" by Thomas Anderson

Das Reich Soldiers Marching Through the Burning Soviet Village

Das Reich Division soldiers photographed marching through a Soviet village with their two 7.5 cm leIG 18 light howitzers during Operation Barbarossa in 1941. Stalin’s scorched earth policy can be seen in the background.

Source :
http://5sswiking.tumblr.com/post/150186588847/das-reich-division-soldiers-photographed-marching

Mathias Arians from 260. Infanterie-Division

German soldier Mathias Arians (red arrow) from IV.Abteilung / Artillerie-Regiment 260 / 260.Infanterie-Division. He was born in 1915 in Straelen. The insignia in his left sleeve looks like an artillery gun layer's specialty patch (Richtkanonier der Artillerie)

Source :
http://wordpress.260id.de/?page_id=2692

A Heavy Artillery Unit from the SS-Verfügungstruppe on Manoeuvres

These photographs show a heavy artillery unit from the SS-Verfügungstruppe carrying out manoeuvres somewhere on the French coast in October 1940. After running home the round, SS-VT gunners anticipating the moment of firing. Members of the gun crew stand ready to react against the explosion of the gun being fired with fingers pressed into ears and mouths half open, a practice which helped to reduce the force of the shock on their ear drums of the gun crew.

Training of SS Artillery Team

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 SS instructors look on as a team of recruits manhandle a heavy, wheeled artillery gun on their training ground, 6 March 1941