Sam Wren wrote:Rui,
...
One curious claim by Becker could pose as a possible "hole", though. As I mentioned before, the SP guns that he created while still a battery commander in AR 227 were created by using his own men of the battery as the labor force. I will quote the rest from Spielberger's book (my translation, for better or worse):
"After the loss of its vehicles in Russia, particularly by mine damage, the soldiers of Becker's battery were used as infantrymen. Severe restrictions forbade the transferal of operational soldiers out of the East to France where Becker, in the meantime, on behalf the Reich Ministry for Armament and War Production (Hauptdienstleiter Saur and Oberst Schaede) had formed the Building Staff Becker in Paris. There was nevertheless a way out. The commander of the 227th Infantry Division sent ten soldiers on home leave weekly and afterwards they had to report for duty with Building Staff Becker. By Christmas 1942, almost all of its soldiers were with Becker in Paris. The 227. Infantry Division received 20 armored vehicles in return. The manipulations around these transactions were adventurous."
The book does not mention what armored vehicles they received. Perhaps someone has a history of this Division that could elucidate what sorts of vehicles were sent. Maybe it includes the 4 15 cm auf Lorraine-Schleppers out of the 64 created by Baustab Becker that did not go to the the SP units in France (they received 30 each, leaving 4 unaccounted for)?
If you do not have it, Spielberger's book Beute-Kraftfahrzeuge und-Panzer der deutschen Wehrmacht is essential. It is in German, is dated and is not free of errors, but nothing better is available in this subject area.
Maybe some of the 20 armoured vehicles you mention that 227. Inf. Div. received could be:
According to Jentz's Panzer Tracts No. 10: Artillerie Selbstfahrlafetten:
Two 10,5 cm leFH18 auf Lorraine Schlepper (f) were produced in early December 1942 and issued to a new StuG Zug/15./Art.Rgt. 227 of the 227. Inf.Div. on the Eastern Front.
The 15. Batterie, a.k.a. Sturmbatterie, was the same unit that received the six 10,5 cm leFH16 auf Geshützpanzer Mk VI (e) in October 1941, and used them as Sturmgeschütz, according to Jentz).
As early conversions made by Major Becker and issued to the 227. Infanterie-Division, 10.5 cm & 15 cm SP howitzers, Ammo carriers, Artillery Observation vehicles, the other vehicles could be also similar, but on different chassis:
These could be some of them?
- Grosser Funk und Beobachtungspanzer auf Lorraine Schlepper (f) - Radio/Artillery Observation vehicle (30 produced)
- 15 cm sFH13 auf Lorraine Schlepper (f) - SP howitzer (15 cm) (64 produced in the 2nd batch, 1st batch sent to Africa and all lost)
Major Becker converted some British Mark VI light tanks into: (and delivered to the Sturmpanzer Batterie/15./Art.Rgt. 227 in October 1941)
- 10,5 cm leFH16 auf Geshützpanzer Mk VI (e) - SP howitzer (10.5 cm) (12 produced)
- 15 cm sFH13 auf Geshützpanzer Mk VI (e) - SP howitzer (15 cm) (6 produced)
- Beobachtungspanzer auf Fahrgestell leichter Panzerkampfwagen Mk VI 736 (e) - Artillery Observation vehicle
- Munitionspanzer auf Fahrgestell leichter Panzerkampfwagen Mk VI 736 (e) - Ammunition carrier (12 produced)
Source: Spielberg's Beute-Kraftfahrzeuge und Panzer der deutschen Wehrmacht
Best regards,
Rui Esteves
by Rui on 02 Mar 2010 06:00 
), that the 11.Panzer-Division had 4 SP howitzers on Lorraine chassis. Can anyone clarify this info? Or post the link?
