WW2 German Pioneers

[Coma]

Hi all;

I was hoping someone would have information on German sturmpioniere units, 1940-1943. Specifically there is a long handled demolition charge I am curious about.

Here (http://www.modelhobbies.co.uk/shop/images/military35b/ZVE3613.jpg) is the model kit I bought with the equipment in question.

I have used Google.

Thank you.

[flanker7]

It looks like a field expedient solution IMO

[Coma]

What would it be a solution for? Do you think it'd be appropriate for, as an example, blowing the door off of a hardened structure? Or were they more involved in mine and obstacle clearing?

[Basillicus]

I've got the impression that those are used to blow up fortifications. A satchel charge doesn't do that much damage to e.g. reinforced concrete even if it blows up near, but when it's pressed against a wall or door using that wooden stick as a support the released energy is transferred much better to the structure giving better effect.

[Connaught Ranger]

Or for pushing it into a ventilation vent.

[SturmPionier]

I've got the impression that those are used to blow up fortifications. A satchel charge doesn't do that much damage to e.g. reinforced concrete even if it blows up near, but when it's pressed against a wall or door using that wooden stick as a support the released energy is transferred much better to the structure giving better effect.


You are right, i read about this weapons where used in belgium during the attack of the albert canal, they used them to blow up bunker at Fort Eben Emael. Fallschirmjäger from "Sturmabteilung Koch" fought there.

Most of the improved weapons to knock out bunker etc. where wood slats with an 3 or 5 Kilogramm load of explosive.

[Connaught Ranger]

You are right, i read about this weapons where used in belgium during the attack of the albert canal, they used them to blow up bunker at Fort Eben Emael. Fallschirmjäger from "Sturmabteilung Koch" fought there.

Most of the improved weapons to knock out bunker etc. where wood slats with an 3 or 5 Kilogramm load of explosive.

They actually used shaped charges against the forts of Eben Emael,

many against the ventilation domes.

Connaught Ranger.

[intrinsic]

Didn't realise Zvezda had released these, nice set of figures.
I would think that the handle for the charge was made by the pioneers own workshops. They could well have been mission specific and tailor made from intelligence gleaned

Intrinsic


PerArdua

[Andy-M]

Not quite the same look as the model, but I did find this information


k. 12.5-KILOGRAM HOLLOW CHARGE (Hohlladung). (1) Description. This charge is designed to blast holes in steel plates in permanent fortifications or for special tasks. It is enclosed in a sheet iron cover with a carrying handle. In the base of the charge is a hemispherical cavity, and in the top is a standard threaded cap socket. This charge is usually part of the equipment of airborne troops.

(2) Characteristics.

Outside diameter 11 inches.
Diameter of cavity 5.3 inches.
Weight 28 pounds.
Filling TNT.

and this picture,

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a188/dythel/Hohlladung125-kgDemolitionCharge.jpg

I found it about half way down this page

http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/Germany/HB/HB-8.html

hope this helps.

[Andy-M]

did a bit more research and came up with this site with a photo of one in use, seems they are 'obstacle clearing charges' rather than anything else

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a188/dythel/44.jpg

inscription reads: Engineers storming fortifications. Equipped with pole charges and bundles of 200 gramm charges used for demolishing wire obstacles.

http://www.pionier39.pl/pioniere_fotstp3.html

[Eztyga]

An intel report from 1943.





ENGINEER ASSAULT TACTICS (German)


1. INTRODUCTION
This section deals with German engineer assault tactics developed since the battle of Crete. Since the formation has been obtained from German prisoners of war (engineers) captured in Tunisia, it should be accepted with the reservations customary under such circumstances.
2. ATTACKS ON PILLBOXES
a. Composition of Detachment
An engineer assault detachment (Pioniersturmzug), whose principal task is the assaulting of pillboxes, may be composed of any or all of the following:
(1) From two to six men with pole charges or tube charges. (These tubes are said to be about 2 yards long.)
(2) From one to three flame-thrower teams of two men each. There is also said to be a third man, who accompanies them and serves as an alternate, if needed.
(3) From one to four men with hollow charges and explosives.
(4) Light machine-gun covering detachments.
The engineer assault detachment in action is normally divided into two sections (Gruppen).
b. Assault Tactics
The assault is normally preceded by a concentration of artillery fire. One purpose of this fire is to make craters in which the advancing engineers can take cover. When the assault detachment reaches the wire surrounding the enemy pillbox, Very signals are fired, calling for all available artillery fire to be placed on the pillbox and its immediate surroundings.
It is reported that, at this point, a smoke screen is laid by two men of the detachment, using smoke grenades (similar to stick grenades), smoke candles, or smoke canisters. Also, there are reports that smoke screens are put down as soon as the artillery is compelled to cease fire because of the proximity of the assault troops.
Men armed with wire cutters cut a lane through the wire obstacle, hidden by the smoke screen. As an alternative measure, men with tube charges go forward and push their charges under the wire. These tube charges, which are similar to Bangalore torpedoes, contain 18 to 20 pounds of explosive. When the charges are in place, a designated engineer calls out "Ready for ignition!" (Fertig zum zünden), whereupon the commander of the obstacle-blasting party replies "All together, ignite!" (All zusammen zünden). The engineer then ignites the fuze and calls out "Burning!" (Brennt) to warn personnel nearby to get under cover. The explosion of the tube charge opens a lane in the wire. The engineers nearest the lane then shout "Gap here!" (Hier Gasse).
Besides blinding the defenders of a pillbox by meads of smoke, the Germans also fire antitank guns directly at the embrasures of the pillbox.
(It seems highly probable that the shouting drill has been developed to enable the engineers to keep in touch with each other when visibility is poor or zero, and because of the difficulty of commanding the whole operation from a central command post.)
The flame-throwing detachment, having advanced with the remainder of the assault party from crater to crater, now moves through the gap in the wire and attempts to reach a point 5 or 6 yards from the pillbox.
Now that artillery fire has lifted from the area around the pillbox, the task of keeping the defenders' heads down is taken over by covering machine guns. The flame-thrower operators direct jets of flame at the various embrasures in the pillbox, in accordance with orders given before the operation began. The blinding effect of the jets enables the men with the pole charges to advance. When the flame-throwing detachment is about to run out of fuel, a designated engineer shouts "Last jet!" (Letzter Strahl). Each man who is carrying a pole charge advances to an embrasure and detonates his charge inside it. Prisoners state that these charges are effective even against closed embrasures.
If the pillbox continues to hold out, either of two alternatives is possible:
(1) The engineers may throw smoke candles into the pillbox to drive out the occupants.
(2) The engineers may blow in the roof, using a charge weighing about 110 pounds. This charge, which may be carried in two pieces, is fitted with handles for easy transport. It is circular, and has a concave undersurface and convex upper surface. It is said to be about 10 inches thick in the center, but thinner toward the edge. Since the charge is constructed on the hollow-charge principle, it can penetrate normal concrete or armor. It is detonated by a friction igniter.
As soon as an important pillbox has been taken, a swastika flag is draped over it as warning to friendly dive bombers. A pillbox in a fortress, for example, is considered especially "important."
3. ATTACKS ON TRENCHES
German engineers who have taken part in exercises involving attacks on trenches state that they have used ordinary assault methods, preceded by a liberal use of hand grenades.
For this purpose, certain men are trained as short-distance throwers (Nahwerfer) or as long-distance throwers (Weitwerfer). The flame-throwing detachments move directly behind the hand-grenade throwers, and the whole party is covered by machine-gun fire from the flanks. [ NOTE.—The Germans, having devised these tactics, are thoroughly familiar with the methods of defense against them, one of the most important of which is the use of pressure and trip antipersonnel devices in the vicinity of the dead angles of bunkers. Extremely meticulous intelligence is an essential for this type of assault. ]

[deadtired]

It's a pole charge. US Marines used something similar against bunkers and such in the Pacific.

[Coma]

Thanks a lot all, exactly the info I was looking for.