HG with K43s many different uniforms.

[17thairborne]

While scouring the web I came upon this image identified as HG division troopers with K43s. I posted this on the FJ forum because of the gear. The photo is identified as:

"German snipers of the Hermann Goering Division in Bautzen, 1945"

https://www.forgottenweapons.com/vin...charfschutzen/

Apparently the HG Division was at this battle in 1945 as part of the Army Group Center. There is certainly an eclectic assemblage of weapons (K43, M38 Beretta, Moisan Nagant), they are wearing both FJ smocks and FD smocks, there are both FJ and standard helmets, and there appear to be different types of boots. (I can't tell if they are schnurschue, FJ lace up boots or GJ shoes)

This is a great image for late war HG uniform study.

[mwl]

Amazing picture, thanks
Regards,
Mats

[Willi Z.]

Oz, that is a stunning photo!! To see scoped K43s is exceptionally rare.

They look like a jolly bunch and if they only knew what was to follow. Likely to have been captured by the Soviets less than a month later, and like the fate of most of the HG troops, most simply disappeared in a Soviet Gulag.

[Gene]

Awesome pic!

[17thairborne]

It has all the attributes of one of the best images i have seen:

sniper rifles
captured weapons in use
para helmets
camo smocks
HG panzer division
last days of ww2

What is most amazing to me is the look on their faces. You can almost tell they are positively excited about something. Here they are with only two weeks remaining in the war, they just went on or are going on the last successful offensive of the war, against all odds and they manage to smile heartily.

Soldiers are an amazing breed.

What a great movie this operation would make.

[17thairborne]

They look like a jolly bunch and if they only knew what was to follow. Likely to have been captured by the Soviets less than a month later, and like the fate of most of the HG troops, most simply disappeared in a Soviet Gulag.

Very perceptive. This would make a great thesis for study!

[peterm]

Wonderful photo! You maybe will look after pics on hundreds of flea-markets and will possibly never find an image like that...

Kind regards, Peter

[Jean-Loup]

Isnt that a rather odd way to be carrying a rifle? And for four or fivemen to be doing it at the same time?

[17thairborne]

Isnt that a rather odd way to be carrying a rifle? And for four or fivemen to be doing it at the same time?

Jean-Loup,
I was thinking the same thing. It must be spelled out in the HG Pz Div regulations for carrying the K43, otherwise they would not ALL be doing so.

[Rene Chavez]

Awesome picture thanks for posting

Rene Chavez
www.foreignvolunteerlegion.com

[Rheinmetall]

I am particularly interested to know if anyone can distinguish the camo pattern of the Field Division smocks being worn? I am not able to make it out easily on my viewing screen.

[merdock]

Hi,
Great photo ,so what do we have 2x 98's,2x43's 1x Mosin,and 1 sub machine gun.

[collector19]

Hi,
Great photo ,so what do we have 2x 98's,2x43's 1x Mosin,and 1 sub machine gun.

The sub machine gun may be an MP41?

[Gran Sasso]

The sub machine gun may be an MP41?

Looks more like a Beretta II

[hoover]

MP 738(i) Beretta modello 38/42