The German Army on the Eastern Front: An Inner View of the Ostheer's Experiences of War by Jeff Rutherford Rutherford & Adrian Wettstein

Author:Jeff Rutherford Rutherford & Adrian Wettstein [Rutherford, Jeff Rutherford]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: HISTORY / Military / world War II
ISBN: 9781473861756
Publisher: Pen and Sword
Published: 2018-05-29T23:00:00+00:00

The number of the operational vehicles is excessively low in comparison to the establishment number because the establishment number also includes the vehicles that have to be sent to the Heimat for long-term repair (27%). A repair of these vehicles at the previous base in Minsk (moved on 20.10) was not practically possible due to the low capacity of the army motor vehicle park.

The number of vehicles in short-term repair (30%) will rather increase than decrease due to the over-taxing of the antiquated vehicle material.

B) Main Damage to the Operational and Short-Term Repair Vehicles

1) Approximately 50% of these vehicles require a replacement engine because cylinders and pistons are severely turned out and crankshafts and bearings are damaged.

2) Approximately 25% of the vehicles use up to 10 litres of motor oil per 100km.

3) Approximately 15% have damage to gear boxes to change speed and differential.

4) Approximately 20% have breaches in the frame, springs, and cranks.

5) Approximately 10% have broken drive shafts and half shafts.

A number of these vehicles (some 30%) that are necessary for the movement of the men, weapons and equipment must be moved by towing, which again has the consequence of an over-taxing of the still operational vehicles. Those vehicles that will be arriving from the Minsk repair station in the coming days (some 30) will only change the above-mentioned numbers minimally.

C) Procurement of Spare Parts

The well-known difficult replacement part situation has an especially negative impact on the division because the antiquated vehicles have become worn-out and therefore require replacement parts more frequently.

III)

A) For example, the shortage of vehicles has led to one Panzer Grenadier Regiment with a combat strength of 300 men of which 90 are immobile. At this time, 150 men in total from the combat strength are immobile.

B) The lack of any supply vehicles with the transfer of an armored halftrack company and 2 self-propelled light field howitzer batteries (Wespe) has an especially negative impact.

The most necessary vehicles for this must be provided from the available troop vehicles so that the mobility of this unit was further limited (see III A).

C) Due to the limited equipping with all-terrain vehicles – some 25% of the establishment number – the mobility of the division is further limited.

D) The available tonnage receives a further reduction as a consequence of the majority of the vehicles being able to carry at most only 75% of their nominal cargo load.

IV) In conclusion, one can say that the division can again be fully ready for action after the opportunity for a sufficient complete overhaul—with a correspondingly ample delivery of spare parts – and an allocation of around 25% new vehicles – in correspondence with the number in long-term repair (at this time already for many months). A quick remedy for the raising of operational ability can however only occur with the reallocation of transport room for ____ men, to at least make the current combat strength fully mobile.

One can clearly see in this report the dilemma between troop mobility and supply demands. This

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