Fallschirm. Sturmgeschutz Brigade 12

[JasonA]

Does anybody have information as to the actions of this brigade from 06.44 onward? I am also wondering if anybody has photos of its commanding officers, too.

Thanks in advance,

J-

[vacollector]

Originally Posted by JasonA

Does anybody have information as to the actions of this brigade from 06.44 onward? I am also wondering if anybody has photos of its commanding officers, too.

Thanks in advance,

J-

Do you have a regiment or division number?

[MG-Freak]

Hello Jason,

Here is a bit information about their actions.

Commander: Hauptman Gunther Gersteuer. Earned the Deutsches Kreuz in Gold on the 1st of October 1944

Sturmgeschütz-Abteilung 2 der Luftwaffe
Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 2 der Luftwaffe (Mar 44)
Fallschirm-Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 12 (Jun 44)Fallschirm-Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 121 (28 Mar 45)

Mar 44 - formed with four batteries for II Fallschirm-Korps
Jun 44 – committed to battle in Normandy
Jun 44 - 11 combat-ready StuGs on hand
Jul 44 - StuG III’s and 3 StuH 42s serviceable
Aug 44 - virtually wiped out during the Falaise battles; one StuH 42 escapes
Sep 44 - rebuilding near Köln-Wahn with 5 assault guns
Sep 44 - transferred to the Arnhem area to provide support for 7. Fallschirmjäger-Division
Jan 45 - fully equipped with assault guns while stationed at Amersfoot
Feb 45 - attached to 7. Fallschirmjäger-Division during the Reichswald battle

(source: stugiii.com)

Edit: found this Italian website with photo's of the brigade, http://digilander.libero.it/historia...3/stugpara.htm

[JasonA]

Originally Posted by MG-Freak

Hello Jason,

Here is a bit information about their actions.

Commander: Hauptman Gunther Gersteuer. Earned the Deutsches Kreuz in Gold on the 1st of October 1944

Sturmgeschütz-Abteilung 2 der Luftwaffe
Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 2 der Luftwaffe (Mar 44)
Fallschirm-Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 12 (Jun 44)Fallschirm-Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 121 (28 Mar 45)

Mar 44 - formed with four batteries for II Fallschirm-Korps
Jun 44 – committed to battle in Normandy
Jun 44 - 11 combat-ready StuGs on hand
Jul 44 - StuG III’s and 3 StuH 42s serviceable
Aug 44 - virtually wiped out during the Falaise battles; one StuH 42 escapes
Sep 44 - rebuilding near Köln-Wahn with 5 assault guns
Sep 44 - transferred to the Arnhem area to provide support for 7. Fallschirmjäger-Division
Jan 45 - fully equipped with assault guns while stationed at Amersfoot
Feb 45 - attached to 7. Fallschirmjäger-Division during the Reichswald battle

(source: stugiii.com)

Edit: found this Italian website with photo's of the brigade, http://digilander.libero.it/historia...3/stugpara.htm

Wow...that is so helpful. Thank you so much! I will check out the site as well.

Best regards,

Jason

[MG-Freak]

You're welcome Jason

Regards,

Erwin

[MG-Freak]

Found another pic of the brigade in Normandy...


[I]A Sturmgeschutz III Ausf. G of the I./Fallschirm-Sturmgeschutz-Brigade 12 in Normandy, 1944.

The Brigade had a Panzer Ace called Heinz Deutsch. An Oberleutnant der Reserve of the Fallschirm-Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 12. He had a record of 44 panzerkills.

[MG-Freak]

Jason,

Found 2 pic's and some info about Gersteuer.

1 during the war years and 1 after.





Born 29/1/1914 - Wuppertal-Cronenberg
Death 30/5/1995 - Mölln/Schleswig-Holstein

Also found out he was awarded the Knight's Cross on 28-04-1945

[JasonA]

Thank you so much! It's great to see the photos. You've been so kind, I really appreciate it.

J-

[Panzerknacker12]

Originally Posted by MG-Freak

Found another pic of the brigade in Normandy...


[I]A Sturmgeschutz III Ausf. G of the I./Fallschirm-Sturmgeschutz-Brigade 12 in Normandy, 1944.

The Brigade had a Panzer Ace called Heinz Deutsch. An Oberleutnant der Reserve of the Fallschirm-Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 12. He had a record of 44 panzerkills.

First time ive seen a winter suit jacket ( grey / white ) in Normandie. Training in winter? No leaves on trees.

[JasonA]

Originally Posted by Panzerknacker12

First time ive seen a winter suit jacket ( grey / white ) in Normandie. Training in winter? No leaves on trees.

I don't see any winter suits? None of them are wearing gloves or any winter items that I can see. Perhaps it's a bombed out area?

Regardless, good to see photos of that unit.

J-

[MG-Freak]

Originally Posted by Panzerknacker12

First time ive seen a winter suit jacket ( grey / white ) in Normandie. Training in winter? No leaves on trees.

Take a look at the camo patern of the StuG. It is a light, maybe tan, color with dark dots. If it was in Russia, in a winter period, the StuG would be white.