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Posted on 02/14/2005 9:37:30 PM PST by SAMWolf
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 are acknowledged, affirmed and commemorated.
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| Our Mission: The FReeper Foxhole is dedicated to Veterans of our Nation's military forces and to others who are affected in their relationships with Veterans. In the FReeper Foxhole, Veterans or their family members should feel free to address their specific circumstances or whatever issues concern them in an atmosphere of peace, understanding, brotherhood and support. The FReeper Foxhole hopes to share with it's readers an open forum where we can learn about and discuss military history, military news and other topics of concern or interest to our readers be they Veteran's, Current Duty or anyone interested in what we have to offer. If the Foxhole makes someone appreciate, even a little, what others have sacrificed for us, then it has accomplished one of it's missions. We hope the Foxhole in some small way helps us to remember and honor those who came before us.
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Sd. Kfz. 164  In the winter of 1941, German designers decided to utilize either Panzer III's or Panzer IV's chassis for anti-tank gun carrier. Since Panzer III and IV's chassis was not suited to be a self-propelled mount, the idea of using them was rejected. Instead Alkett's newly developed special chassis by Alkett - Geschutzwagen (gun carriage) III/IV was used. It combined components of both PzKpfw III (mainly Ausf J - engine, fuel pump, driving and steering mechanism) and PzKpfw IV (mainly Ausf F - suspension). In February of 1942, Alkett designed new Panzerjager "Hornisse" (Hornet) armed with 88mm Pak 43 L/71 gun based on Geschutzwagen III/IV. In late 1942, Nashorn's chassis and hull was used in the development of Hummel (Sd.Kfz.165). The engine was moved to the center and the hull was lengthened to allow adequate room and weight distribution for the long-barreled 88mm gun. Because of the gun's great weight and the limited capacity of the chassis components, only light armor protection for the crew of 4(5) was provided.  In October of 1942, soft steel model was presented to Adolf Hitler, who accepted itand expected production to start by May of 1943. In the early 1944, the arrangement of the driver front plate was changed during production and gun was changed to newer the 88mm Pak 43/1 L/71, creating two different models. On February 24th (or 27th) of 1944, by Hitler's order, second never model was named Nashorn (Rhinoceros). Hornisse and Nashorn were almost identical with the only difference being the driver front plate and gun version (unnoticeable). Despite their inadequate armor protection, they both provided the much needed mobility for the long-barreled 88mm anti-tank gun. Limited space provided in the fighting compartment allowed storage space for only 24 to 40 rounds. Hornisse and Nashorn's crew traveled in an open-top fighting compartment with all its weather-related disadvantages. Protection against the weather could be provided by canvas covers. Both models lacked a machine gun in the hull, so single MG34 or MG42 was carried inside the fighting compartment for local defense. From February of 1943 to March of 1945, only 474 Nashorns and 20 Hornisses were produced. Both models were designed by Alkett and produced by Deutsche Eisenwerke in Tieplitz-Schonau.  Both models were issued to the schwere Panzerjager Abteilungens and had their debut during the Kursk Offensive with 655th sPzJagAbt and/or 560 sPzJagAbt. Even with their light armor protection and high silhoutte but powerful armament, they proved to be successful tank destroyers. Six schwere Panzerjager Abteilungens (560, 655, 525, 93, 519 and 88), each equipped with 30 Nashorns, were created and saw service on all fronts (e.g. 525th schwere Panzerjaeger Abteilung in Italy, 1944). Each Abteilung was composed of command company and 2 to 3 companies with 4 platoons each. Each company had 14 to 17 Nashorn and each platoon had 4 to 5 Nashorns.  Nashorn - Interior with 88mm gun Eventually, Nashorns were replaced by the new generation of more powerful and better armored Panzerjagers like Jagdpanzer IV and Panzerjager V Jagdpanther but remained in service to the end of the war. The most notable Nashorn ace was platoon commander of 1st company of sPzJagAbt 519, Junior Lieutenant Albert Ernst. He later commanded the 1st company of sPzJagAbt 512 (equipped with Jagdtigers). On December 23rd of 1943, he destroyed some 14 Soviet tanks in a single day using only 21 round of ammunition. The engagement took place near Vitebsk and Albert Ernst received a nickname "Tiger of Vitebsk". In December of 1943, Ernst destroyed total of 19 enemy tanks and on January 22nd of 1944, he was awarded the Knight's Cross.  It is reported that in early March of 1945, Lieutenant Beckmann from sPzJagAbt 88 destroyed Soviet IS-2 at the range of 4600 meters near Marzdorf. Some Nashorn crews reported that they were able to knock out Soviet T-34 tanks at distance as great as 4000 meters. Nashorn crews also reported numerous kills of KV and IS-2 tanks as well as SU-152, ISU-122 and ISU-152 assault guns.  Nashorn from 2nd Company of schwere Heeres Panzer Jaeger Abteilung 93 was also responsible for the destruction of the only M26 Pershing, destroyed in Europe. Pershing from the 3rd Armored Division was knocked out at the distance of 250 meters with a single shot. This engagement took place in the town of Niehl, north of Cologne on March 6th of 1945.
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Good morning EGC.
Good morning from sunny but frosty Oregon.
Good morning Mayor.
((Hug))
Rain over there equals lots of mud doesn't it? Is it still hot or is it always hot over there?
Good morning SZonian. Cute tagline.
LOL. You know the rules. If it's out there, it's fair game. ;-)
Mornin' Mud.
Good morning PE. Feeling better?
Shameless Plug
Happy Birthday-Abraham Clark (signer Declaration of Independence)
Colonial Hall
http://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1343564/posts
/Shameless Plug
Interesting blog.
I do have a problem with this,
"Now, my recruiter was not a very bright guy. Let's cut the sh*t---he was a stone's throw away from being flat out retarded."
Someone is in need of a clue.
This is the hottest place in Afghanistan, but I still got mighty cold this morning. I don't think it got above 40 today, and the wind blows hard enough to make a flag stand out straight most of the time.
Lots of mud. Ankle deep in a lot of places, knee deep in a couple of places and I know one unfortunate who found some waist deep.
Morning PE.
Heaven forbid!!
Mornin', SAMWolf.
After a couple of sun shiny days we will have dust blowing into the mud puddles.
I think the Good Lord's on our side, but American patriots are gonna haveta do the heavy lifting...MUD
Good news on Dad. He's been released from the hospital. The meedical issues that have kept him there have been resolved to the doctor's satisfaction.
We'll see how things play out in the next few days.
free dixie HUGS,duckie/sw
AYE, feeling human again. I'm even hungry for the first tim in three days.
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