This is a German machine gun barrel for the Czechoslovakian ZB vz 26, captured and used by the Wehrmacht. The barrel is largely complete but is deactivated by condition. It retains some original colour and its stainless steel end sight. As a relic, it is solid, well-cleaned, and despite pitting and surface rust, remains in very good condition. This makes it an excellent display piece or addition to a collection, and a rare battlefield find in such well-preserved condition.
The barrel was recovered near the town of Kalach, in an area captured by the 14th Panzer Division during the Battle of Stalingrad in July-August 1942. It comes with two laminated A5 information cards.
The Battle of Kalach took place between the German Sixth Army and elements of the Soviet Stalingrad Front from 25 July to 11 August 1942. The Soviets deployed the 62nd and 64th Armies in a Don River bridgehead west of Kalach to impede the German advance on Stalingrad, delaying them for several weeks before being destroyed or captured by the German Sixth Army.
The 14th Panzer Division struck the Kalach bridgehead, making contact southwest of Kalach by late afternoon, trapping the main body of eight rifle divisions of the Soviet 62nd Army in an encirclement. Joined by the LI Army Corps, the Germans systematically destroyed the surrounded Soviet forces. The pocket was eliminated within four days, by 11 August, resulting in nearly 50,000 prisoners. The Germans also claimed the destruction of 1,000 Soviet tanks and 750 guns, though tank losses are thought to be somewhat exaggerated. These losses forced Stalin to commit additional reserves to the fighting at Stalingrad.
This is a German machine gun barrel for the Czechoslovakian ZB vz 26, captured and used by the Wehrmacht. The barrel is largely complete but is deactivated by condition. It retains some original colour and its stainless steel end sight. As a relic, it is solid, well-cleaned, and despite pitting and surface rust, remains in very good condition. This makes it an excellent display piece or addition to a collection, and a rare battlefield find in such well-preserved condition.
The barrel was recovered near the town of Kalach, in an area captured by the 14th Panzer Division during the Battle of Stalingrad in July-August 1942. It comes with two laminated A5 information cards.
The Battle of Kalach took place between the German Sixth Army and elements of the Soviet Stalingrad Front from 25 July to 11 August 1942. The Soviets deployed the 62nd and 64th Armies in a Don River bridgehead west of Kalach to impede the German advance on Stalingrad, delaying them for several weeks before being destroyed or captured by the German Sixth Army.
The 14th Panzer Division struck the Kalach bridgehead, making contact southwest of Kalach by late afternoon, trapping the main body of eight rifle divisions of the Soviet 62nd Army in an encirclement. Joined by the LI Army Corps, the Germans systematically destroyed the surrounded Soviet forces. The pocket was eliminated within four days, by 11 August, resulting in nearly 50,000 prisoners. The Germans also claimed the destruction of 1,000 Soviet tanks and 750 guns, though tank losses are thought to be somewhat exaggerated. These losses forced Stalin to commit additional reserves to the fighting at Stalingrad.
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