World War II Database

1.  Bill says:
28 May 2012 10:16:08 AM

THE RUSSIAN FRONT DOSEN'T PUT MEAT ON A MANS BONES: ARE THE REPLACEMENTS GETTING YOUNGER AND YOUNGER...

Let's see what our young NCO has been issued
rank Unteroffizier or Corporal, w/lace trim around the collar, issued the M35 steel helmet. Uniform is the M43 without pleats on the pockets made from wool, looks like he's also wearing padded winter trousers.

His belt was made from leather the buckle was dull silver w/eagle holding the swastika with oak leaves, along with the words
"Gott Mit Uns" God be with Us. This is the information I get from this photograph.

Awards:

Close Combat clasp were issued in bronze, silver or gold for 15, 30 and 50 days of unsupported close combat.

Eastern Front Medal: Known to the troops as the "Frozen Meat Order" issued to troops who fought through the Russian winter of 1941/42.

Iron Cross 2nd Class: Awarded for acts of bravery, some soldiers wore the Iron Cross on the lower uniform pocket, others wore the ribbon on the second button hole of the uniform.

Weapons:
He's armed with the MP40 9mm submachine gun. With two triple magazine pouches carrying three magazine each w/32 rounds to a magazine giving our NCO 192 rounds plus one magazine in his weapon for a total of 224 rounds.
Plus ammo for his 9mm pistol that could be a walther or luger, or any other semi-auto 9mm pistol.
I'm sure soldiers carried as much as they could, In the field, I carried as much as I could.

2.  Bill says:
8 Jan 2013 11:26:35 AM

"The mind of a historian, the courage of a soldier"
It has always been my intention to bring historical accuracy to ww2db. To share my knowledge of WWII history, and to leave behind a written record in this database in the care of the editor/ww2db to share my comments(Bill)based upon my own experience.

3. Mark says:
13 Dec 2013 06:30:49 PM

Thank you, Bill. I just wanted to show my appreciation for all your comments on pictures throughout the site. It's nice to learn the background information on a lot of these pictures.

4. Bill says:
14 Dec 2013 05:38:33 PM

Thank you Mark for your kind comment, ww2db has given me the opportunity to share my knowledge of
World War II, and History this couldn't have been possible, without the continued support of its editor/ww2db C. Peter Chen. who I owe many thank you's

Looking at many of the photographs, in ww2db, I found that I could identify from my personal collection, from reference materials and books and give a more credible perspective point of view, besides leaving a historical comment and my personal experience as a soldier who served two-tours of duty in Vietnam.

Best wishes,

Bill