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Funker displays - Heavy weapons HQ, Normandy 1944

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    Funker displays - Heavy weapons HQ, Normandy 1944

    This scene may have played out somewhere around Caen where the Bulk of the SS forces were deployed. Equipped with a brand new Torn.Fu.b1, our Funker at a heavy weapons staff batallion is establishing contact with one of its units in the front line.

    <a href="http://s672.photobucket.com/user/Funksammler/media/DSC06480_zpsbdcbe1f5.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv86/Funksammler/DSC06480_zpsbdcbe1f5.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo DSC06480_zpsbdcbe1f5.jpg"/></a>

    The Torn.Fu.b1 was typically deployed in heavy weapons role, for example with Panzerjäger, MG companies, Mortar battalions etc. Typically the staff company of a heavy weapons batallion was issued with six Torn.Fu.b1's and a crew of three for each radio.

    In the semi static defensive fighting the Funker would have searched out an outhouse near the batallion HQ offering protection from direct enemy observation and occasional shelling. He would have taken care that his antenna does not face too many obstructions in the direction of the stations he is contacting, making sure that the antenna can not be spotted by the enemy.

    He would have been ordered not to transmit unless telephone contact with the unit was lost and only after contact had been made with the enemy. But now
    the enemy is attacking and the telephone lines have been cut by the incessant artillery fire. Our funker is receiving reports of heavy shelling and casualties but the line is holding, for now....

    Each radio team would have been issued with a "Sprechtafel" and a "Tasttafel" containg code words and letter groups covering specific tactical communications. When using morse code like our Funker is doing, a certain three letter code would mean a certain type of ammunition requirement, another code might mean a specific position gained or lost.

    <a href="http://s672.photobucket.com/user/Funksammler/media/DSC06481_zpsd85c37a2.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv86/Funksammler/DSC06481_zpsd85c37a2.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo DSC06481_zpsd85c37a2.jpg"/></a>

    Our Funker is keeping his transmissions to a minimum. Intense radio traffic will almost certainly result in heavy shelling, as the enemy is listening and will try to triangulate his transmissions. Even the allied heavy naval guns lying offshore may get involved in targeting suspected HQ's. For now our Funker is concentrating intently on the radio traffic bearing witness of the heavy fighting at the front, but soon it will be time to pack up and move the HQ.....

    regards,

    Funksammler

    #2
    Outstanding display.Great material,smocks and equipment.Very informative....job well done

    Etienne

    Comment


      #3
      Funker displays - Eastern front 1944, SS infantry company

      The Tornister Funktrupp d (Ukw) was the main radio communications troop in infantry units. Fitted with the Torn.Fu.d2, the Funktrupp would typically contain two or three men. The advantage of the Torn.Fu.d2 was that it could be operated while marching.

      In this configuration the front Funker carries the radio set, while the actual operator marches behind carrying the battery case. The Funkers have to stay close together as the battery cable is only 1.5 meters long.

      <a href="http://s672.photobucket.com/user/Funksammler/media/DSC06496_zpsbcf1faba.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv86/Funksammler/DSC06496_zpsbcf1faba.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo DSC06496_zpsbcf1faba.jpg"/></a>

      Our Funkers are marching with their company on a dawn patrol. They would stay in close proximity of the company commander, relaying messages between the company commander and battalion HQ. Again they have been issued a "Sprechtafel" and a "Tasttafel" containing codewords and letter groups to convey tactical messages. They are operating approximately 7 kilometers in front of the batallion HQ, heading towards their first objective "Klaus", a road crossing a few kilometers ahead. At this distance the Funkers can use voice communication, so the operator is wearing his throat microphone to keep his hands free during the march.

      They would have been ordered to maintain radio silence until contact with the enemy has been made. The company is now closing on objective "Klaus" with the forward scouts appoaching the junction.

      Suddenly shots ring out from the distance, the company deploys in fighting order. Our two Funkers stay together, about 10 meters behind the company commander. More shots, shouting.... The company moves forward, the firing fades. The commander shouts towards the funkers that the objective has been taken and that the enemy has withdrawn. "... Hier Fuchs, Napoleon bitte kommen, Napoleon bitte kommen..." speaks the Funker". Shortly after the answer crackles in his headphone, "Hier Napoleon, Fuchs bitte kommen....". ""Klaus genommen, feind abgestezt" speaks the Funker.... "...verstanden, Napoleon aus..." comes the answer, with that the short communication ends.

      <a href="http://s672.photobucket.com/user/Funksammler/media/DSC06495_zpsf509fa5e.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv86/Funksammler/DSC06495_zpsf509fa5e.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo DSC06495_zpsf509fa5e.jpg"/></a>

      The company reorganises, the scouts are already moving towards the next objective. "Marsch" orders the company commander and our Funkers continue along the road....

      <a href="http://s672.photobucket.com/user/Funksammler/media/DSC06484_zpsd5be89d3.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv86/Funksammler/DSC06484_zpsd5be89d3.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo DSC06484_zpsd5be89d3.jpg"/></a>

      regards,

      Funksammler

      Comment


        #4
        Great display!

        Comment


          #5
          Hi
          Great info amazing desplay

          Robert

          Comment


            #6
            Funker displays - Battle for France 1940 - Nachrichten unit at Divisional HQ

            The “Funkkompagnie” was part of the Nachrichten Abteilung of an infantry division. Containing signals specialist, the Funkkompagnie maintained the medium and longer range communications for the division.

            Our Funkers are part of one of the smaller teams in the Funkkompagnie, a “kleiner Funktrupp b”, operating a medium range FU 9 SE 5 set, the team consisting of 4-11 men. Dependent on the mobility of the division, the Funktrupp would transport their equipment in horse-drawn wagons, light enclosed trucks or medium 4WD cars.

            Now, the Funktrupp have parked their vehicles and have moved their station into a building near the Divisional HQ. In their stationary position they have been able to erect their fixed “Schirmantenne” using “Steckmast” poles and antenna wires giving their radio set a 60-70 kilometers range using Morse code. They are tasked with keeping contact with their colleagues at the regimental HQ’s in the Division.

            <a href="http://s672.photobucket.com/user/Funksammler/media/DSC06526_zps77d5df54.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv86/Funksammler/DSC06526_zps77d5df54.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo DSC06526_zps77d5df54.jpg"/></a>

            Their FU 9 SE 5 contains a Torn.E.b receiver and a 5 W.S. with a “Tretsatz” to generate the power for the transmitter. At the moment they are only listening and taking down messages, so the Tretsatz is not manned. They have set up their station using folding tables and chairs. The Funkers are now well behind the front line and are wearing light order but they are keeping their helmets and gas masks close in case of “Fliegeralarm”.

            <a href="http://s672.photobucket.com/user/Funksammler/media/DSC06527_zpsea23889b.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv86/Funksammler/DSC06527_zpsea23889b.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo DSC06527_zpsea23889b.jpg"/></a>

            The station handles messages between the divisional and the regimental staffs so security is essential. All their messages are encoded and decoded using an Enigma machine and all their messages are transmitted using Morse code.

            Working in a larger Funktrupp means that the procedures and paperwork are more extensive than with the portable radio troops in the front line. All incoming messages are noted down on paper. A station log is kept for each message: time and date it is received, from which station, to whom it is addressed. The message itself is noted down on a message form in five letter groups and passed to the Funker operating the Enigma machine.

            After setting the enigma wheels to the individual message settings, the Enigma operator types in the letter one by one and notes down which letters light up on the Enigma machine. Slowly recognisable text emerges. The cypher operator groups the letters into words and enters them on a new message form.

            <a href="http://s672.photobucket.com/user/Funksammler/media/DSC06498_zpsbbd5f080.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv86/Funksammler/DSC06498_zpsbbd5f080.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo DSC06498_zpsbbd5f080.jpg"/></a>

            Once finished, the clear text message form is folded and sealed. The message is handed to a waiting runner, who will take it to the addressee at the HQ across the road.

            A signals officer checks in from time to time and verifies that traffic is handled efficiently. At the moment he is listening in to check the quality of the radio link. He is also dropping off a list of new operating frequencies, new code names and enigma settings that will come into operation at 24:00 tonight. Soon he will be off again to do the same for the other stations under his command.

            <a href="http://s672.photobucket.com/user/Funksammler/media/DSC06497_zpsb2cf8f0b.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv86/Funksammler/DSC06497_zpsb2cf8f0b.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo DSC06497_zpsb2cf8f0b.jpg"/></a>

            A runner comes in and hands a new message from HQ to our Funker at the coding machine. Another urgent job awaits our Funktrupp......

            regards,

            Funksammler

            Comment


              #7
              Absolutely amazing collection and not just Funker gear but uniforms as well.
              Outstanding wealth of information.
              Thanks so much for taking the time to post.

              Scott

              Comment


                #8
                Funker Displays - Normandy 1944, Canadian Infantry radio operator

                ... D-day was yesterday, and the 9th Brigade of the Canadian 3rd Infantry Division had come ashore after the 7th and 8th Brigades had stormed the beach. Our Canadian radio operator with the "North Nova Scotia Highlanders" came ashore, initially moving inland rapidly reaching Colomby sur Thaon by nightfall not far from Carpiquet airfield. Today the advance was to continue, with the Brigade tasked to take the airfield.

                Being in the follow up force on D-day, our radio operator would have worn the standard infantry webbing and equipment, rather than the assault gear issued to the other Brigades. He is carrying a "Wireless set nr 38", an Infantry short range infantry radio, with a range of 1 - 1.5 kilometers. Our radio operator is keeping in contact with the other platoons in C company.

                <a href="http://s672.photobucket.com/user/Funksammler/media/DSC06515_zps3c50cec2.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv86/Funksammler/DSC06515_zps3c50cec2.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo DSC06515_zps3c50cec2.jpg"/></a>

                At daybreak they have set out towards Buron and have now reached Authie just after noon. Carpiquet airfield is just across the main road. Suddenly noise, smoke across the field. The platoon on the left comes on the radio "Tanks! the Germans are attacking from the direction of Caen!.."

                Our radio operator runs for cover, diving behind a hedge. Stuck between Authie and Franqueville, C company digs in preparing for an all round defense as heavy shots crack overhead. Our radio operator has lost contact with the other platoons, what is happening? ....

                <a href="http://s672.photobucket.com/user/Funksammler/media/DSC06516_zps280b39a8.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv86/Funksammler/DSC06516_zps280b39a8.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo DSC06516_zps280b39a8.jpg"/></a>

                The subsequent events for these men of C company of the North Nova Scotia Highlanders will cast a dark shadow over the reputation of the SS. C company was overrun by Panzergrenadiers of the 12th SS Hitlerjugend division. Survivors were marched toward the Ardenne Abbey. In the follwoing hours and days, a total of 43 Canadian prisoners were murdered by the SS troops around Buron and at the Ardenne Abbey. Lest we forget.....

                regards,

                Funksammler

                Comment


                  #9
                  Wow... fantastic collection, excellent detailed displays and very informative text... Congratulations again Funksammler and thank you for sharing this with us!

                  Best Regards,

                  Cristiano

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Display

                    Fantastic ! looks like alot of work and reasearch!!

                    best C

                    Comment


                      #11
                      Fernsprecher display – St. Lo 1944, Fallschirmjäger cable layer

                      The Normandy bocage provided good defensive positions. Each field was surrounded by tall hedges, rooted in a thick earth banks. Small, sunken roads and paths ran between these fields and hedges, providing almost natural fortifications.

                      The Fallschirmjäger operating in this area would dig positions in the banks near the corner of the fields with only a firing aperture toward the enemy, covering the field with machine guns from both corners. Any enemy attack would be met with a deadly crossfire. In a sunken lane a few hundred yards behind these forward positions, 8 cm mortars would provide indirect fire.

                      These positions were connected by an extensive field telephone network. Near the front, bundles of wire hung from the trees and bushes, linking the forward MG positions with command posts, mortar position, artillery in the back etc.

                      Our young “Strippenzieher” is part of a small detachment sent to build a new position a few fields behind the front line. He is carrying a “Rückentrage” with a 500 meter reel of wire. They started at the command post which houses the telephone exchange and they are now making their way along a sunken alley. Behind him another soldier hangs the wire over the branches of the hedge.

                      <a href="http://s672.photobucket.com/user/Funksammler/media/DSC06500_zps30aa163e.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv86/Funksammler/DSC06500_zps30aa163e.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo DSC06500_zps30aa163e.jpg"/></a>

                      Heavily loaded, our “Strippenzieher” is also carrying a FF33 field telephone, which will become the main means of communication in their new position. For laying wire, he has uncoupled the winding mechanism of his "Rückentrage", storing the crank and chain in the leather pouch connected to the frame. He keeps the cable taut by pulling on the leather lead connected to the cable reel brake.

                      When they reach the position, he will drive an earth pick into the ground, connect a wire to it and connect it together with the telephone line to his “Feldfernsprecher”. When he gets a chance he will run a second line, but for now the single line should do.

                      <a href="http://s672.photobucket.com/user/Funksammler/media/DSC06499_zps68c7d47c.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv86/Funksammler/DSC06499_zps68c7d47c.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo DSC06499_zps68c7d47c.jpg"/></a>

                      With that his work will be far from over. The Americans shell the area frequently and this will only get worse when the front kreeps closer to their new position. Almost daily the line gets cut. Our “Stippenzieher” will have to leave the cover of his position to retrace the line, find the break and repair it. Under fire, in darkness, whatever it takes….

                      regards,

                      Funksammler

                      Comment


                        #12
                        Great display, Funksammler!!!

                        Do you have a museum at home?


                        kind regards,

                        Stefan

                        Comment


                          #13
                          Originally posted by Gabbertje View Post
                          Great display, Funksammler!!!

                          Do you have a museum at home?


                          kind regards,

                          Stefan
                          Starting to look like one......

                          Comment


                            #14
                            Funker Displays - Kurland Pocket spring 1945 - Radfahrer Jäger Funker

                            Although the Kl.Fu.Spr.d "Dorette" survives in relatively large numbers today, little is known about its actual deployment. It is safe to say the that majority of surviving "Dorettes" today were found in stores, unissued in their original transport cases.

                            To date, no period photographs of a Dorette in use have emerged. A number of ground dug relics have emerged from the Kurland pocket area, giving the only hard evidence of their use. The only official records of their assigment I have found to date mentions the use of the Kl.Fu.Spr.d in the Machine Gun Company of Radfahrer Jäger Battalion.

                            Our Funker is shown dismounted from his bicycle and is wearing typical late war gear:

                            <a href="http://s672.photobucket.com/user/Funksammler/media/DSC06501_zps8ef33a37.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv86/Funksammler/DSC06501_zps8ef33a37.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo DSC06501_zps8ef33a37.jpg"/></a>

                            He is joining a foot patrol and has clipped the Kl.Fu.Spr.d onto his y-straps. The battery box is suspended from his belt. On the march with the 1.6 meter "Bandantenne" he should expect a range of about 2 kilometers.

                            <a href="http://s672.photobucket.com/user/Funksammler/media/DSC06502_zps4b89f803.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv86/Funksammler/DSC06502_zps4b89f803.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo DSC06502_zps4b89f803.jpg"/></a>

                            His patrol will establish an observation post on the front line. The likely avenues of enemy advance have been mapped out and covered my indirect machine gun fire. As a "Sprechfunker" he will use code names for the target areas to call in fire if enemy movements are spotted, requests for adjustments will be in clear text. For now he is keeping radio silence, keeping his "Dorette" on receive.

                            <a href="http://s672.photobucket.com/user/Funksammler/media/DSC06503_zps060785fd.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv86/Funksammler/DSC06503_zps060785fd.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo DSC06503_zps060785fd.jpg"/></a>

                            Once his patrol has reached the observation point, he will build a fixed position for his radio: he will unfasten the radio and battery box from his personal gear and connect the two together. He will build a small niche on the edge of his dugout where he will place his Dorette and he will build a wire antenna pointed at the rear. With the fixed wire antenna, the range and reliability of the connnection should increase considerably. The front line must hold....

                            regards,

                            Funksammler

                            Comment


                              #15
                              Funker Displays - Normandy June 1944, Panzergrenadier Sprechfunker

                              The Feldfu.b/b1/b2 was the most widely used version of the Feldfunksprechers. The b, b1 and b2 all work on the same frequency and can all be used in a common network (The earliest Feldfu.b's were issued in 1941, redesign of the casing resulted in the Feldfu.b1 in January 1944. A electronic redesign resulted in the Feldfu.b2 in about November 1944).

                              <a href="http://s672.photobucket.com/user/Funksammler/media/DSC00070_zpsa9b76615.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv86/Funksammler/DSC00070_zpsa9b76615.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo DSC00070_zpsa9b76615.jpg"/></a>

                              The Feldfu's were primariliy issued a company level, in infantry units typically 4-6 Feldfu.b's were issued in the "Kompanietrupp", to be assigned to the platoons as required.

                              The distribution of Feldfunksprechers in the Panzer Grenadier companies is less clear as the relevant TO&E's only mention personnel and not equipment. A Panzer Grenadier company had 2 “Sprechfunkers/Melders” in the “Kompagnietrupp” and 2 in each of the four platoons, indicating that it had up to 10 Sprechfunkers/Melders in each companhy. In armoured panzer grenadier units these “Sprechfunkers would man the Funksprecher f’s in the armoured personel carriers while in the more common truck mounted units they probably would have been issued Feldfu.b’s. (Feldfu.f’s may have been issued for close support operations with the Panzer units).

                              <a href="http://s672.photobucket.com/user/Funksammler/media/DSC06505_zpsb0e1ad7f.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv86/Funksammler/DSC06505_zpsb0e1ad7f.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo DSC06505_zpsb0e1ad7f.jpg"/></a>

                              Our SS Panzergrenadier fighting in the Caen area is carrying a Feldfu.b1. The German forces have not yet been forced on the defence, and our “Sprechfunker” is preparing to move out with his platoon to counterattack the invasion forces.

                              In this early phase of the fighting the platoon commander may still rely on radio contact, but soon the division will be forced on the defensive. A month of semi-static defense under heavy fire lies ahead....

                              During this defense, the platoon commander will primarily rely on a field telephone connection, however if that fails (and they fail often due to heavy enemy artillery fire), the Sprechfunker will attempt to re-establish contact with his Feldfunksprecher until the line is repaired (assuming that the equipment will have survived the early engagements). Failing that he will have to act as messenger and reach the company command post on foot.

                              <a href="http://s672.photobucket.com/user/Funksammler/media/DSC06504_zps8f1c15e9.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv86/Funksammler/DSC06504_zps8f1c15e9.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo DSC06504_zps8f1c15e9.jpg"/></a>

                              He is carrying his “Sturmgepäck” clipped to the back of the radio, carrying as much personal equipment forward as he can. He has left one of his magazine pouches to make space for the remote control unit of his Feldfunksprecher and a map case. He is carrying message forms, pincels etc. as well as a "Sprechtafel" containing the code words for the most common tactical messages. He has clipped the front lid of the radio onto the map case but he will ask one of his collegues to clip it onto the radio before they move out. He is still optimistic that they can throw the enemy back into the sea.....

                              regards,

                              Funksammler

                              Comment

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