PaK 43 in Normandy

[Atilla]

Does anyone know something about the deployment of the two versions of the Pak 43 during the Normandy campaign?

We're currently working on an update for the Gold-Juno-Sword mod for CloseCombat 5, and I'm looking if it would be historically correct to give some battlegroups the Pak 43/1 instead of the 43/41 version.

Any photos of this gun would also be appreciated, especially in-action ones.

[StG-44]

you mean this?

8,8 cm PaK 43/1(L/71)
auf Geschützwagen III (Sf) (SdKfz 164)
"Nashorn"

History: Also designated as the "Hornisse," the self-propelled heavy anti-tank gun was designed in 1942. In October, 100 were built for the summer offensive in 1943. For an initial order of 500 built, 494 were completed. The heavy anti-tank guns were issued to schwere Panzerjäger detachments that were independent units attached to the Korps or Armee. First service was on the Eastern Front with the s.Pz.Jgr.Abt.655 in the summer of 1943. Five other heavy tank-hunter detachments were formed that fought in Italy in the West and East.

regards
Christian

[Atilla]

Thanks for the info, but no, looking for data/photos of the non-vehicle based version(s) of the gun: so the one in the picture below:

[StG-44]

doh.. i am sorry

i will investigate further

cya
Christian

[mikerock]

This won't help you, but I thought I'd comment that "Gold-Juno-Sword" is a great mod, and I look forward to any updates!


Although I hope it doesn't take 2 days to download and install, like the mod itself :D

--Mike

[Erik E]

I have a feeling that it wasn`t present there.......

From 1943, these guns were usually depoyed to mechanized troops. The first stationary ones (in bunkers) were placed at the westwall near Cologne. This is the only place in the world you can see the rare "Regelbau 703" for the Pak43.
Fortifications were often given older or captured weapons. The newest were deployed to the front.

But there is also a possobillity that some were deployed in the fields after D-day.

Here is a Pak43 at WTS in Koblenz..... (where else )

[Atilla]

Not very likely to be present in bunkers on D-Day indeed.

I'm looking for evidence if they were deployed in battle during june/july 1944 in Normandy. Currently we're trying them out in 2 battlegroups; one from Panzer Lehr and one from 12th SS. As those units were pretty 'new', I would assume that if any, those units might have gotten some of these new guns. Or independant heavy AT units possibly.However, no proof whatsoever currently.

[David Lehmann]

Pak43 could be found in GHQ directly dependant AT units (not endivisionned) like the 657., 668., 1039., 1040. and 1041. Panzerjäger Abt. and in some divisions like 21. PzD, 77. ID, 277. ID and 91 Luftlande ID. But not in the HJ or PzLehr.

http://w1.183.telia.com/~u18313395/norm ... gerob.html

[Erik E]

These photos looks like Pak 43/41, which is completely different, exept for the barrel......

Erik

[David Lehmann]

Yes it is but it was used in Normandy unlike Nashorn.

[Atilla]

Thanks for the replies.

I'm looking for information on the version in the picture Eric E posted; any idea how common that version was in Normandy, as compared to the version in the pictures of Panzermeyer?

[David Lehmann]

I don't think that the Nashorn has been used in Normandy. Among the rarest "heavy" tanks used in Normandy there are some Jadpanther (2 Companies of the 654. sPzJäger Abt.) and some Brummbär in the 217. Sturmpanzer Abt (about 19 véhicles). I wasn't aware of the Pak 43/1 version without a chassis but used in bunkers ... about that I have no information.

[Erik E]

A little search on Google tells that 91.Infanterie-Division at Cherbourg had 8 Pak 43 guns......

Comes from a good source too

Erik

[Roger Griffiths]

1 and 2/PzJaeger Abt. 200, 21st Panzer Division each had 12 8,8cm Pak's. on 1st June 44. They did'nt nominate but most likely to be Pak 43/41.

Roger

[Roger Griffiths]

1 and 2/PzJaeger Abt. 200, 21st Panzer Division each had 12 8,8cm Pak's. on 1st June 44. They did'nt nominate but most likely to be Pak 43/41.

Roger