Would you believe that the over 2,000 casualties of Omaha beach during the Normandy invasion were inflicted by ONE MAN? That’s right. Heinrich Severloh was manning the MG42 that decimated the American beach landings. Some estimates say he inflicted as many as 2,000 casualties by himself with a single MG42 and taking potshots with his Kar98 while it was being reloaded or awaiting more ammo. What was the rest of his unit doing? Running him ammunition. Upwards of 60 men were running boxes of ammunition all the way up to his position through the trench line.
As others have pointed out, German doctrine was all about supporting the MG. Marching in a column formation, the MG was up front on point. At the first sign of contact, he was to deploy and fire on the spot, while the rear sections of infantry advanced to support both of the gunner’s flanks. It is estimated that the volume of fire that the MG42 could produce was the equivalent of 9 squads of riflemen.
Here is Heinrich Severloh and his MG42, a name that should be synonymous with Omaha beach.
Of course most will recognize this from the movie Saving Private Ryan. I cannot imagine being on the "receiving end" of such hellish fire. My granddaddy was there and he said he'd never forget the sound of "Hitler's buzz saw".
By the way, what would a Feral Irishman post be without a little "eye candy"?
H/T to Ed in Moulton
Would you believe that the over 2,000 casualties of Omaha beach during the Normandy invasion were inflicted by ONE MAN? That’s right. Heinrich Severloh was manning the MG42 that decimated the American beach landings. Some estimates say he inflicted as many as 2,000 casualties by himself with a single MG42 and taking potshots with his Kar98 while it was being reloaded or awaiting more ammo. What was the rest of his unit doing? Running him ammunition. Upwards of 60 men were running boxes of ammunition all the way up to his position through the trench line.
As others have pointed out, German doctrine was all about supporting the MG. Marching in a column formation, the MG was up front on point. At the first sign of contact, he was to deploy and fire on the spot, while the rear sections of infantry advanced to support both of the gunner’s flanks. It is estimated that the volume of fire that the MG42 could produce was the equivalent of 9 squads of riflemen.
Here is Heinrich Severloh and his MG42, a name that should be synonymous with Omaha beach.
Of course most will recognize this from the movie Saving Private Ryan. I cannot imagine being on the "receiving end" of such hellish fire. My granddaddy was there and he said he'd never forget the sound of "Hitler's buzz saw".
By the way, what would a Feral Irishman post be without a little "eye candy"?
