AFRA get ANOTHER 251

[ThomasStewart]

A member of AFRA has just purchased an OT810, for those of you who do not know what this is; an OT810 is a Czech variant of a German 251 halftrack. AFRA already has one OT810 almost completely refurbished back to its 251 origins, whilst this latest halftrack should be completed in the coming months. This will be a great addition to the group and give AFRA the ability to be the only group (as far as i know) in the uk able to field 2 halftracks.

Our website is: www.AFRA.org.uk

[DavidUpton]

Nice, I have always been a fan of the 251.

I look forward to seeing you guys next week.

[xtc-alec]

Damn sani you lucky son of a gun!

[enigma]

So you's are the Only British Mechanised Re-enactors group.

How many people can fit in one of those?

[DavidUpton]

You sure it's the OT 10?

[ThomasStewart]

Roughly 8 men a vehicle. Which compliments a PAK40, two motorcycle combis, a Schwimwagon and a kubelwagon in use by the group.

I edited my first post because its not an OT10 its an OT810

[DavidUpton]

It amazes me how you manage to pay to keep all those...

[ThomasStewart]

[ThomasStewart]

Originally Posted by xtc-alec

Damn sani you lucky son of a gun!

Yes I am lucky that I am apart of such a succesful re-enactment group. No walt insults for us then.

[enigma]

Originally Posted by Sani

Roughly 8 men a vehicle. Which compliments a PAK40, two motorcycle combis, a Schwimwagon and a kubelwagon in use by the group.

I edited my first post because its not an OT10 its an OT810

Does that include the dude driving?

So is it just one of the guys in the back which would operate the mg on top?

[DavidUpton]

I assume so.

Then again, my only evidence come from Panzers: Phase One/Two where the MG on the halftrack would only work when you had a squad in it. I need to stop trusting games as an accurate source of information.

[Sgt So and So]

Originally Posted by David

I assume so.

Then again, my only evidence come from Panzers: Phase One/Two where the MG on the halftrack would only work when you had a squad in it. I need to stop trusting games as an accurate source of information.

Well, I passed my WW2 history test by playing Panzers Phase 2, CoD2, Red Orchestra, and Axis and Allies non-stop for week, so I think you'll be fine.
Sani, you lucky dog! Hop on that MG and gun down some nerds for me!

[xtc-alec]

In my reenactment group we have a kubelwagon (awwwww yeah)

And a half track (sept its messed up at the moment )

And a Yank APC with a super awesome 30 cal on top, Gas powered

Next event i am attending is in the snow, my first event were i get to fire a k98

Ill be sure to put up alot of photos!

[ThomasStewart]

Roughly 8 people including the driver.

Good luck young Alec

[enigma]

am not really up tp speed on panzergrenadier tactics, was the driver part of the squad?
Would he dismount and fight with the rest or drive off somewhere while the other 6-7 got there hands dirty?

[ThomasStewart]

Originally Posted by enigma

am not really up tp speed on panzergrenadier tactics, was the driver part of the squad?
Would he dismount and fight with the rest or drive off somewhere while the other 6-7 got there hands dirty?

Depends upon what role and situation the unit was in. If the driver was attached to the panzergrenadier kompanie from say a tank unit then he would stick solely with the halftrack and was not technically apart of the zug....if he was apart of the panzergrenadier kompanie as a fahner then he could be both in and out of the halftrack.

Usually halftracks were employed to keep the infantry up to speed with the tanks, they would lag just behind the tanks and then once an enemy infantry force was engaged the tanks would cover the advance of the halftracks. Once the halftracks had driven 100-200 meters infront of the enemy, they would de-bus the grenadiers. The grenadiers would then proceed under covering fire from 2 tanks and possibly the halftracks MG, whilst the remaining tanks advanced. Bearing in mind that this is an ideal kompanie of motorised panzergrenadiers followed up by an ideal squadron of tanks. As taken from their tactical doctrin.

[rAstha]

Oh look! Its Sani! And he's a jerry!



Cool uniform mate!

[ThomasStewart]

You mean youve only just worked that out rAstha?

[DavidUpton]

haha...

[rAstha]

Originally Posted by Sani

You mean youve only just worked that out rAstha?

Heey, dont look at me, I know you did reenactment but you never said you looked that stupid in an uniform! haha
just kidding mate, that group of yours look really interesting, if I lived in the UK I'd probably get more involved... when I'm 18 that is

[ThomasStewart]

Hehe. Well, I was knackered at that point. The image was taken at 6am in the morning, I had been on watch from 11 till 4am because we got bumped in the night....I got my head down for 30 minutes at 4am before being woken up and then at 5am woke the other guys up so they could go draw weapons from the armourer....

At the end of the day, I'm not surprised I look dosey in that picture.

[DarkCanuck]

sounds like fun. not too much of that going on here in toronto though.

[DavidUpton]

Move to the UK then.

I used to think that there was barely any reenactment in the UK, but then I did some research and now I can see that it is a very popular hobby over here.

[Hamilkar]

DarkCanuck Im a WW2 airsofter, and Im from Toronto.

By any chance are you on ASC?



http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a3...re/outside.jpg

[xtc-alec]

oooooo i gotta get a picture of me with my russian "pal"

EDIT: here it is

[Dolman]

Yo
I drive said half track Sani talks about


Here is the one we are about to convert


and here's one we have nearly finished converting


The halftrack usually holds a crew of 10.
A driver/Commander. A co Driver/radio op/Front MG gunner.
In the back, a Squad leader, a Squad 2 IC, 4 riflemen and 2 MG gunners. One of the MG gunners mounted his MG at the rear of the track when in motion.....
Driver does what it says on the tin
Co Driver mans comms, navigates and when the Infantry debus, he mans the Bow MG to give cover fire.
Seating for the squad was
Leader behind Driver (on left) Next to him two riflemen next to them MG gunner (next to rear door.
Opposite Leader (behind co driver) - Assistant Squad leader, then two riflemen and last another MG gunner
When debussing the MG gunners are first out and deploy to give Cover fire to the rest of the squad. Usually the squad halves debus to either side of the vehicle and link up with the crews from other tracks to form a line......

Normally the tracks would stop some 500m from the action and would be working in close support of tanks. Debussing means the Grenadiers advance to contact under cover fire from a bank of tracks as well as tanks.
Tracks worked in fours.
a 250 would be the command vehicle (sometimes replaced with a 251)
251 containing Squad A
251 containing Squad B
251 containing Squad C
If you want any more info just ask..... I drop in from time to time

[[BEF]-R!G4M0RT!Z]

Wow, that was a useful bit of info, and I like the pictures!

[enigma]

Dolman, thanks for the info.

So there would not be cases of the HTs getting in real close to basically drop the squad off on the doorstep of the enemy?

[ThomasStewart]

Originally Posted by enigma

Dolman, thanks for the info.

So there would not be cases of the HTs getting in real close to basically drop the squad off on the doorstep of the enemy?

The tactical doctrins changed throughout the war, the mannual I quoted was 100-200 meters, but as Dolman says, 500 meters was also a de-bussing point - a far safer one for the HT itself.

[ThomasStewart]

I have copied this over from AFRAs forum. Originally posted by Dolman.

This weekend we went to the barn again.
The Krieger Brothers had fun along with Herr Fleishmann and myself getting the halbkette running. von Maur came along too to offer technical support.....
The starter motor was the problem but after several hours trying different tactics and putting theories into practise... Dollman pushed the button and she roared into life.
It was time then for Krieger Snr. to get behind the wheel and take her down the lane.....

He quickly found out that there was a certain skill involved with a crash box and the heavy steering of the 9 tonne beast.....

But he was quickly underway and getting the hang of it

We also took the newly painted Kubel out for a spin and after consulting Frau Fleishmann, she will (the Kubel that is!) be painted on Monday in a nice three colour Normandy Scheme.... But here she is beautifully resprayed in Ordnance Tan by Herr Forster

We also got the weapons out which we will be mounting on the halftracks etc. Old Wehrmacht saying - "You can NEVER have enough MG42s....."

Sunday saw The Kriegers back at work on the halftrack getting it ready for Forster to blow over with a coat of Ordnance Tan in preparation for Beltring..... She'll still be an OT810 but when the season closes work can start in earnest to convert her to the same spec as the other one.... which by the way should also emerge in a nice 3 colour scheme. We're always busy in Der Windhund..... and we now have more seats for members in our ever growing and changing collection of vehicles......
If you are reading this forum and not in a group but you fancy it..... look us up. If you fancy a change of direction and are looking for more activity, more shows, more variety and something to do OUT of uniform as well as in it..... click the banner in my signature.....