Diana

7.62cm FK36(r) auf Panzerjager Selbstfahrlafette Zugkraftwagen 5t (Sd Kfz 6)

Surprisingly enough, the SdKfz 6 was modified only slightly during its service career. Most were produced as standard tractors with seating for the artillery detachment that could be covered by a canvas tilt, but there were also three weapon-carrier variants. The first was the 7.5-cm Slf L/40.8 and never really got past the prototype stage; it was an attempt to produce a mobile 7.5-cm (2.95-in) gun for use with cavalry units, and at least three prototypes were produced between 1934 and 1935. The type was never placed in production, but at least one was captured during the fighting in North Africa. Then there was the model known as the 'Diana' or 7.62-cm Pak 36(r) auf Panzerjäger Slf Zugkraftwagen 5t, an attempt to mount captured Soviet 76.2-mm (3-in) guns in a high armoured superstructure built onto the rear of an SdKfz 6. This superstructure was open and rather high and the gun was placed on the vehicle complete with its wheels and attenuated trails. The gun was the Soviet Model 1936 which was used as a dual anti-tank/field gun. Only nine were produced and again one was captured in North Africa by the Allies. The third SdKfz 6 weapon-carrier was the SdKfz 6/2, which mounted a 3.7-cm (1.456-in) Flak 36 anti-aircraft gun on an open platform behind the driver's position; the sides folded down to act as a working platform for the gun crew. The first of these variants was produced during 1937 and most of them went to the Luftwaffe. They had a crew of seven and were widely used.

During the initial phases of operation Barbarossa, the Germans captured huge numbers of the Russian 76.2mm M1936 field gun. Designated 7.62cm FK36(r) or FK296(r) by the Germans, it was issued in large numbers to Panzerjager detachments, unmodified and using Russian ammunition. In late 1941, an attempt was made to self-propel this heavy anti-tank gun, by mounting it in an armoured box on the rear of a five ton semi-track. Nine such conversions were sent to Africa.

Served with the 605th Panzerjagerabteilung in North Africa. Six guns were delivered in January, and three in February 1942. They were prominent in the battle of Gazala in May/June 1942. 

The Germans started with Panzerjager Is, 47mm Czech guns on Pz I chassis.

These equipped the self-propelled gun companies in the 605th Panzerjager. In late 1941 through to May 1942 a total of 9 "Dianas" were supplied. These were captured Russian 76.2 guns mounted on an Sdkfz 6 half-track, with a thin armoured box enclosing the chassis. There were a very small number of experimental Self-Propelled 75mm Panzerjagers but these mostly broke down. From around May 1942 a small number of Marder IIIs were brought into the desert. This was the version with a Russian 76.2mm gun on a Panzer 38t chassis. These increased in numbers.

By Alamein, there were probably Marder IIIs, the remaining Diana's were captured after the battle so possibly 1 or 2 were around.

605th PzJgr Abt and in theory a Platoon of 3 went to each of the 3 companies (officially it was supposed to be 1 coy of Dianas and 2 coys of PzJgr Ib's). The Companies were originally 1 HQ Pz.I and 3 Platoons of 3 PzJgr Ib each, but by Gazala  only about 18-20 of the PzJgrs remained and none of the Pz.I's. As the Diana's arrived they reinforced each company in turn, although 1 source suggested they did end up consolidated in a single company. By 2nd Alamein there were still about 6 Dianas and 12 PzJgr Ib's operational.

Note that the Diana was not like the Marder III, it had a standard Russian 76.2mm field Gun installed, not the modified/rebored one that fired PaK40 type ammo at a higher velocity... it's fire power was therefore about the same as (or a little better than) the US 75mm in the Grant...

Chassis Nos.: 3001-3617 9 converted in late 1941

Crew: 5

Engine: Maybach HL54TUKRM

Weight (tons): 10.5

Gearbox: 4 x 2 forward, 1 x 2 reverse

Length (metres): 6.33

Width (metres): 2.26

Speed (km/hr): 50

Height (metres): 2.98

Range (km): 317

Armament: One 7.62cm FK36 (r) L/51.5

Traverse: 30° left 30° right (hand)

Ammunition: 7.62cm pzgr 39, pzgr 40, Spgr 39

Aircraft Captured by the Royal Air Force in the Middle East Part I

A former Regia Aeronautica Fiat CR 42 in the hands of No.238 Squadron at EI Gubbi, near Tobruk in Cyrenaica (Libya).

Soon after the outbreak of war, the Italians in Libya began preparations for the invasion of Egypt. The British defence plan was based on holding a line at Mersa Matruh, some one hundred and twenty miles in ide Egypt. The Italians at first advanced about half way to this position and began to gather resources for a major attack. This was pre-empted by a British attack on 9th December 1940, which took the Italians off balance, resulting in a headlong retreat. The British advanced and by 7th February 1941 had captured all of Cyrenaica (the Eastern province of Libya) including the city of Benghazi. This enabled No.3 Squadron, RAAF, to open its score at Martuba in Libya, after the squadron's arrival there in January 1941, with the capture of a Fiat CR 42 from among the two hu nd red abandoned Italian aircraft.

This Fiat CR42 biplane fighter of the Regia Aeronautica was coded '7-70'. It was repainted in silver with British markings and the 'serial number' A421 (signifying 'Australian R42 0.1'). The number was somewhat after the style of RAAF aircraft serial numbers, which are prefixed by the letter' 'followed by a number unique to the type of aircraft, and then an individual aircraft number (e.g., A58-1 was the first Supermarine Spitfire of the RAAF). The CR42 was flown by No.3 Squadron at Benina in Libya, in March 1941. When Rommel's Afrika Korps drove back British forces at the end of that month, the CR 42 was burned at Got-es-Sultan Landing Ground on 4th April, during the retreat, to prevent its recapture. On 12th February 1941, General Erwin Rommel arrived in Tripoli to take command of his 'Afrika Korps'. On 31st March, Rommel's forces attacked the British and scored an outstanding success, largely because the forces which had beaten the Italians had been despatched to help Greece (which Mussolini had invaded in October 1940), or to the Sudan to repel possible advances from Italian territories in East Africa. British forces were forced to retreat to the Egyptian border, while leaving a large garrison cut off at Tobruk in Libya.

Few British aircraft fell intact into Axis hands during these campaigns. The only example known to the writer is the Hurricane I V7670, operated by No. 261 Squadron, RAF. V7670 was SoC as a result of a 'Flying Battle' on 16th August 1941. The circumstances are unknown, but some months later (probably during Operation 'Crusader') this aircraft was recovered in the Western Desert and was taken on the strength of No. 208 Squadron, RAF.

During the period after the British retreat, one incident yielded some captures - a formation· of Junkers Ju 87Bs of the Regia Aeronautica ran out of fuel on 8th September 1941 and force-landed behind British lines. At least one of these aircraft was repainted in RAF markings.

Also during this period the British force are believed to have captured their first Fieseler Fi 156. This may have been the example identified as' M+ZS', flown by No.3 Squadron, RAAF. This Storch was painted in British markings, but retained its Luftwaffe code letters. The fate of this aircraft is unknown, but it may well have been one of the anonymous Fi 156s which acquired British desert camouflage and served the British in a communications liaison role.

A further British offensive took place in November 1941, Operation 'Crusader', which eventually advanced into Cyrenaica. A total of 458 German and Italian aircraft was captured, in various states of repair, at Gambut, Martuba, EI Adem, Derna, Gazala, Berka and Benina. By January 1942, the British had reached EI Agheila, the strategic defence point which had been their previous objective, in 1940. However, after receiving reinforcements, Rommel struck back swiftly and by 14th February 1942 the British were forced to retreat to Gazala, west of Tobruk. Nevertheless, several Axis aircraft captured during the 'Crusader' advance were flown in British marks.

These examples included a Fiat CR42 flown by No.238 Squadron at EI Gubbi, during the unit's residence there between 19th January and 5th February 1942.

It is also probable that a Bf 109F, flown from Heliopolis between February and July 1942 by No.267 Squadron, was captured in Cyrenaica during Operation 'Crusader'. Approximately six hours were flown, mostly on demonstration sorties to Army training camps for recognition purposes. The precise origin and fate of this aircraft are not known.

Aircraft Captured by the Royal Air Force in the Middle East Part II

A  later capture was this SM 79 Sparviero, taken over by No.145 Squadron at Castel Benito, Tripoli, in February 1943. The Squadron code letters 'ZX' of No. 145 appear on the fuselage and name 'Gremlin HQ' appears on the nose.

Rommel attacked again in May and June 1942, and after fierce fighting the Germans entered Egypt. The British Eighth Army withdrew to EI Alamein, a long planned defence line sixty miles west of Alexandria. By contrast with the Axis losses in the previous British advance, only five RAF aircraft were left behind on airfields during this attack.

At El Alamein the opposing side faced each other for several months. During this period, General Bernard Montgomery arrived from England to take command of the Eighth Army. On 23rd October 1942, the Battle of EI Alamein began. When that battle was won, the Axis troops never stopped their headlong flight out of Africa for more than short-term rear guard action. On 8th November, Operation 'Torch' started, a combined Anglo-American invasion of French North Africa, two thousand miles west of EI Alamein, to complete a pincer movement from west and east. The next captures by 0.3 Squadron, RAAF, were a Bf 109G and Bf109F, following the Battle of EI Alamein. The Bf109G was found at LG 139 in the Western Desert on 9th November 1942 and was first flown by the Squadron CO, S/Ldr R. H. Gibbes, on the following day.

The Bf109F was found at Martuba 0.4 LG and was flown for the first time by S/Ldr Gibbes on 20th November 1942. After a few other flights by Gibbes and F/Lt R.J. Watt, the '109F was ferried ,away to Gazala on 8th December 1942 by P/O R. V. Pfeiffer.

No.7 Squadron, SAAF, also acquired a Bf109F at this period. The example was found at LG 12. It was flown to Shandur on 27th November 1942 by the CO of the Squadron, Major Blaauw. There was no further record of the unit flying the '109. It had previously flown with III/JG 53, with the code '12'.

No.4 Squadron, SAAF, was another inhabitant of Martuba No.4 LG at this period. The unit arrived on 10th December 1942; its Bf109F made a first flight under new management on 6th January 1943, in the hands of the Squadron CO, Major du Toil. This aircraft burst a tyre on landing on this day, but was not seriously damaged. There is no further mention of it in the unit records, beyond a note that it was hoped to have the Messerschmitt flying again soon. Photographs show that the '109 was marked as 'KJ-?'. KJ being the code of No.4 Squadron.

No.213 Squadron, RAF, captured a Junkers Ju 87D at Sidi Haneish (LG 101), in November 1942. This aircraft was coded as 'AK-?' with RAF markings and was test flown on 12th November 1942.

No.260 Squadron, yet another unit to fly from Martuba No.4 L.G., took over a Heinkel He 111 H, previously '5J +CR' of III/KG4. This was made airworthy by the Squadron and was painted in British markings, with the No.260 Squadron code letters as 'HS-?'. This aircraft was named Delta Lily and was handed over to No. 211 Croup for use as a communications aircraft. It made its first flight from Martuba to Alexandria on 7th December 1942, piloted by F/Lt R. Cundy. 'HS-?'. was noted on a scrap dump at Fanara in the Suez Canal Zone in April 1947.

Most of the final tally of captured aircraft was added when British forces reached Tripoli, where the main airfield was at Castel Benito. Once again, No.3 Squadron, RAAF, was amongst the first on the scene, arriving on 22nd January 1943. No.3 Squadron chose a Caproni Ca 309 Ghibli, a twin-engined light transport and reconnaissance type, to use as a unit communications hack. This example made its first flight with the Squadron on 1st February 1943, in the hands of S/Ldr Gibbes. It was yet another coded 'CVV'. On several occasions it made long flights, for example, to Cairo, and Alexandria in Egypt, and it remained in service for several months. On 9th July 1943, No.3 Squadron flew from North Africa to Takali, Malta, to take part in the build-up for the invasion of Sicily. The unit landed at Agnone in Sicily on 1st August. The Ghibli had, in the meantime, been flying with the Squadron's back echelon in North Africa and joined the unit at Agnone on 10th August. It was last noted in the unit's records on 4th September 1943.

The Squadron also acquired a Caproni Ca 164 two- eat light aircraft; this was also possibly found at Castel Benito, although it was first mentioned in the records on 2nd March 1943 when it was flown from EI Assa to Castel Benito by P/O H.J. Bray. It was also flown frequently in North Africa until at least 29th May 1943, when it was flown from Zuara to Gabes by F/Sgt Ulrich.

Other examples of aircraft 'liberated' at Castel Benito included a Savoia Marchetti SM 79 taken over by No.145 Squadron, RAF, on the unit's arrival there on 8th February 1943. This aircraft was repainted in British markings, with the Squadron code letters 'ZX'. It was previously MM 22174 of the Regia Aeronautica. It was used extensively as a Squadron communications aircraft and wore the name Gremlin HQ. F/O Jim Pickering flew this SM 79 for 88 hours 55 minutes on Squadron duties between 24th February and 19th May 1943. Later this aircraft was handed over to an unknown USAAF unit, but was destroyed by fire before it could be flown.

Another Castel Benito trophy was a Fiat G 50 single-engined fighter. This was painted in RAF marking and was flown by a so far untraced unit. It was later handed over to the USAAF 79th Fighter Group.

Operation 'Torch' had landed British and US troops in Algeria and Morocco, but the operation had not been able to cover Tunisia. The German reaction to 'Torch' was swift- on the day following the Allied landings, German forces began to land at EI Aouina airfield at Tunis, soon to be reinforced by shiploads of men and equipment from Italy and Sicily. These German moves merely postponed the inevitable. German resistance in Tunisia came to an end on 13th May 1943.

My Valentines…

The tank first served in Operation Crusader in the North African desert, when it began to replace the Matilda Tank. It was extensively used in the North African Campaign, earning a reputation as a reliable and well-protected vehicle. The Valentine shared the common weakness of the British tanks of the period: its 2-pounder gun lacked high-explosive (anti-personnel) capability, and soon became outdated as an anti-tank weapon too. The small size of the turret and of the turret ring made mounting larger guns a difficult task. Although versions with the 6-pounder and then with the Ordnance QF 75 mm gun were developed, by the time they were available in significant numbers better tanks had reached the battlefield. Another weakness was the small crew compartment and the turret for only two men. A larger turret with a loader position added was used in some of the 2-pounder versions, but the position had to be removed again in variants with larger guns.

By 1944 the Valentine had been almost completely replaced in front-line units of the European Theatre by the Infantry Tank IV Churchill and the US-made Sherman. In the Pacific the tank was employed in limited numbers at least until May 1945. It was used in New Zealand service, some with the main armament replaced by the 3 inch howitzer taken from Australian Matilda CS tanks on the Solomons in 1943.

In Soviet service the Valentine was used from the Battle of Moscow until the end of the war. Although criticized for its low speed and weak gun, the Valentine was liked due to its small size, reliability, and generally good armour protection.

INFANTRY TANK, MARK III, VALENTINE
Designed as a heavy infantry support tank (it lacked the “A” because it was not designed to meet a specific General Staff specification), the Valentine was pressed into service as a cruiser tank in Eighth Army in North Africa, beginning in June 1941. A stable gun platform with good mechanical reliability, it was nonetheless obsolete by 1942 because of low speed and small turret, which prevented it from mounting a larger-caliber gun. The Valentine continued in service for the remainder of the war.

Production dates: May 1940–1944
Number produced: 8,275
Manufacturer: Vickers Armstrong; Canadian Pacific (Montreal) produced 1,420, beginning with Valentine VI (all but 30 of these, retained for training, were delivered to the Soviet Union)
Crew: 3–4 (commander, gunner, driver; loader on Mks III and V)
Armament: 1 x 2-pounder (40mm) ROQF Mk. IX or X; 1 x 7.92mm Besa machine gun (coaxial) (Valentine VIII, IX, X mounted a 6-pounder/57mm in place of the 2-pounder; Valentine XI mounted a 75mm gun)
Weight: 39,000 lbs. (41,000 lbs. in Mks VIII–XI)
Length: 17’9”
Width: 8’8”
Height: 7’6”
Armor: maximum 65mm; minimum 8mm
Ammunition storage and type: 79 x 2- pounder; 3,150 x 7.92mm (53 rounds in 6-pounder Valentine VIII, IX, and X; with 1,575 x 7.92mm)
Power plant: AEC six-cylinder 135-hp engine; Valentine II, AEC 131-hp diesel engine; Valentine IV, GMC 135-hp diesel engine; Valentine X, GMC 165-hp diesel engine
Maximum speed: 15 mph
Range: 90 mph
Fording depth: 3’
Vertical obstacle: 2’9”
Trench crossing: 7’6”
Special characteristics (pos/neg): Excellent mechanical reliability and stable gun platform. Rendered obsolete by 1942 as a consequence of its low speed and small turret, which prevented mounting a larger main gun. Special models: observation platform and command tank; antimine tank; bridgelayer; DD (Duplex Drive); flamethrower.

Junkers Ju 87D Series

The R-variant was basically a Ju 87B version with facilities for fitting external wing-drop fuel tanks enabling a range of 1,000 km (620 miles). The improved D-version had a slightly more aerodynamic fuselage with a refined engine cowling, and redesigned cockpit line; it could carry an increased bomb load, had a greater range, and could mount various weapons, notably two underwing WB 81 containers each housing six MG 81 guns.

Although the Stukas had suffered mightily at the hands of the RAF, the Luftwaffe had no immediate replacement available and development continued, the next production model being the Ju 87D-1 with the new 1,410-hp (1051-kW) Jumo 211J-1 engine. Considerable changes were made in the aircraft's appearance and armour was increased, probably the most popular improvement! Production of this version began in 1941 and deliveries during that year totalled 476, with 917 in 1942. The type was deployed extensively in the Middle East and on the Eastern Front, and in the former area was even used as a glider tug under the designation Ju 87D-2. The Ju 87D-3 had extra armour protection for the ground-attack role, and an odd experimental version of the Ju 87D-3 had a pod above each wing, both capable of carrying two persons and intended to be used to drop agents behind enemy lines. The pods were designed to be released in a shallow dive and to descend by parachute, but the point of this is obscure and it is not known if flight trials and release ever took place. The designation Ju 87D-4 applied to a torpedo· bomber version. The Ju 87D-5 had the outer wing panels extended to give a span of 49 ft 2 1/2 in (15.00 m), the increase being necessary to cope with the heavier loads that were being carried. Dive brakes were omitted as the variant was intended only for ground attack.

The Ju 87s in use on the Eastern Front were, by 1943, being severely mauled by the Red Air Force during daytime operations. A night assault version. also without dive brakes, was developed as the Ju 87D-7 with flame-damped exhausts, two wing-mounted 20mm MG 151/20 cannon and night-flying equipment. The Ju 87D-8 final production version was a similar but simplified aircraft.

While the bulk of the Stukagruppen now massed for the forthcoming invasion of Russia, I/St.G 1, II/St.G 2 and I/St.G 3 remained in the Mediterranean theatre to support Rommel in North Africa. With little in the way of Allied defences to oppose them, the Stukas were able to operate freely during the desert offensives and counter-offensives. In December 1941, Luftflotte 2 arrived in the area with the Erganzungs (training and replacement) Gruppe of St.G 1; and in March 1942 I/St.G 1 and II/St.G 2 were redesignated II and III/St.G 3 respectively to bring the Geschwader up to full strength. On 21 March III Gruppe moved to Biscari-San Pietro in Sicily, where it converted to the Ju87D-1; during renewed attempts to neutralise Malta, when crews often made three sorties per day, formations of about twenty aircraft set out with an entire Gruppe of fighters as escort. Eventually, demands for air support from North Africa reduced the strength of units operating against Malta and although small raids by single sections of dive bombers continued, they lacked adequate defensive covering fire and became easy prey for the defending fighters.

At the end of May 1942, III/St.G 3 too was recalled to North Africa and in June and July, when operations in support of the Afrika Korps' advance to El Alamein called for intense efforts, they again flew as many as three sorties a day, attacking troops, transport and tank concentrations, artillery positions, airfields, stores and ammunition dumps. In early June the entire Geschwader made repeated attacks on the fortress of Bir Hacheim and, up until the time of its capture, many raids were directed against shipping and installations at Tobruk Harbour; but the long advance had exhausted German air and ground forces alike, and Rommel was halted at El Alamein. The now greatly reinforced Desert Air Force inflicted heavy losses, and in spite of close escort flown by the more experienced Luftwaffe fighter-pilots the Allied fighters invariably broke through the defensive screen. As in the Battle of Britain, the Stukas were too slow for the escort. One particularly notable success for the Desert Air Force occurred during the evening of 3 July when a formation of fifteen Stukas, heavily escorted by fighters, was intercepted over El Alamein. In the ensuing air battle the Allied fighters claimed all but two of the dive-bombers destroyed, some being chased back as far as their own airfield before being shot down. Final attacks against El Alamein extended the Luftwaffe to its limit with the result that sorties were considerably reduced due to natural attrition and combat losses.

ITALY: FIAT L6/40 LIGHT

The basic Italian light tank of the war was the Fiat Carro Armato L6/40, the descendent of the 5-ton Fiat-Ansaldo light tank of the 1930s. Somewhat equivalent to the German PzKpfw II, the L6/40 weighed approximately 15,000 pounds, had a 70-hp engine, and was capable of 26 mph. It mounted a 20mm (.79-inch) main gun and one machine gun and had maximum 40mm armor protection. Unsuitable for front-line service because of its light armament, the L6/40 was utilized in the fighting in North Africa in cavalry and reconnaissance roles. It also was sent to the Eastern Front in fighting against the Soviet Union, and it served in Italy. Variants included command tanks and flamethrower tanks, and the L6/40 was also utilized in the Semovente 47/32 self-propelled assault vehicle mounting a 47mm antitank gun.

Light tank developed as successor to the Fiat-Ansaldo 5-Ton.
Production dates: 1941–February 1943
Number produced: 287
Manufacturer: Ansaldo
Crew: 2
Armament: 1 x 20mm Breda M35 main gun; 1 x 8mm (.315-caliber) Breda M38 machine gun (coaxial)
Weight: 14,987 lbs.
Length: 12’5” Width: 6’4” Height: 6’8”
Armor: maximum 40mm; minimum 6mm
Ammunition storage and type: 296 x 20mm and 1,560 x 8mm
Power plant: SPD 18D four-cylinder 70- hp gasoline engine
Maximum speed: 25 mph
Range: 125 miles
Fording depth: 2’8”
Vertical obstacle: 2’4”
Trench crossing: 5’7”
Special characteristics (pos/neg): Far outclassed by Allied AFVs in a front-line role, it nonetheless saw considerable action in cavalry and reconnaissance roles in North Africa, Italy, and the Soviet Union. Special models: command tank; flamethrower; converted into Semovente self-propelled antitank guns