MG42 in Afrika?

[Edgar Alcidi]

Edgar, of course this is not evidence that they took MG42 along - just pointing out that they received the weapons and trained on them, therefore the possibility of them having MG42 along does exist.

Regards, Hardy

Right, there was no doubt on it. Thanks for pointing it out. And I also never excluded the possibility if you check my older messages. I just doubt it. The FJ of both "Lehr" units tested it before Afrika, this is a fact. They trained together, even if just for a very short period of time. The I./Rgt.3 was ending the training as the Burkhardt unit came.
It would be interesting to know if they really had a few MG42 in Afrika, I hope the vet can still remember it, as no one can know better than him. I just studied/read about the mission, he was really there....

[Edgar Alcidi]

Guys great news! I talked few minutes ago with my friend and he said: "Of course we had of couple of MG 42 in Afrika, well, I cannot say we was really very happy with it, but yes, we had it!"
A great guy with still a great memory for his age (89 years just a couple of days ago).
This means that my doubts about FJ was unfonded (sorry Mark/Hardy). Now we know for sure. And this is right the way I like it...

[afrikasandman]

hey guys found this on historical-media.com, listed under a AFRIKACORPS FELDGENDARMERIE which is #36 under the new update. It shows a MG 42 in Afrika. This proves that they did arrive in this field of battle. Matt

[Tommygunn]

Tom.

[afrikasandman]

fantastic pics! Matt

[EK-collector]

This weekend i had a meeting with a vet who was fighting in Tebourba. He told me that they had the MG42 in use. During the battle of Tebourba he was heavily wounded in his arm and chest but his men could throw the tommys out of their positions and make a lot of POWs. This was a very interesting interview, so i guess the question if there where Mg42 in Africa is answered ;-)))

fascinating story

[NZMark]

This means that my doubts about FJ was unfonded (sorry Mark/Hardy). Now we know for sure. And this is right the way I like it... Thanks Edgar - You are a gentleman
Regards,
Mark

[naxos]

Research at work - what makes this forum great!

[Tommygunn]

Eliot Elisofon, Tunisia, 1943.

Tom.

[fab]

[m40heer]

Great photo's! thanks

[Willi Z.]

Great photos! thanks

My thoughts exactly!

[MG-Freak]

Eliot Elisofon, Tunisia, 1943.

Tom.

My god what a Walhalla!!

[Alan Smith]

The photo of the captured MG's and accessories being sorted in Tunisia is very interesting. I count at least 4 MG-42's, with the balance being MG-34's. Also, on the '42's in the captured weapons photo, the only cocking handle visible is the early style (and, likewise, in the other photos in this thread where the cocking handle is visible you can clearly tell it is the early production style - which is what I would have expected to see in Afrika Korps use).

Not long ago I was corresponding with several folks re: the source of the MG-42's and MG-34's that Sam Cummings (a/k/a/ Interarms) imported into the US back in the 1950's. Interestingly, I learned that a significant number of these MG's were purchased from the French and came out of a French supply depot in North Africa.

My recollection is that Tunisia was a French colony, I wonder if the MG's shown ended up in the French stockpiles of surplus WWII weapons that were sold to Interarms (and are now in US collections)?

Also, it is interesting to see how the MG's are being very carefully sorted in the photo, with the '34's and 42's in one pile; the MP-38/40 SMG's in another, the Lafette mounts in a pile; the AA tripods in another. Also, if you look closely, it appears that there are several water cooled Maxim-type MG's in the background, as well as several mortar tubes and/or parts of mortar mounts.

Does anyone have any further details of the photo? Is there an original caption that goes with it?

[Tommygunn]

I'd imagine they are simply being collected for disposal after battle.
The photo was taken by Eliot Elisofon so I'd imagine that it is likely to be in the aftermath of the Battle Of El Guettar.
You will also note that all weapons are missing their bolts, as well as other parts, which indicate that they may have been surrendered/captured. If I remember correctly, it was German regulation that if under imminent threat of capture or surrender then weapons should be made inoperable i.e. removal and disposal of working parts.

Tom.