This is a nice condition battlefield relic which is a German MG 34/42 machine gun drum ammunition basket. The basket is complete and is a nice condition relic and the very rare bit with some of its original green paintwork remains fairly clear to see it has some rust and rust holes but nothing to bad.The lid still opens but does not lock as the hinge is broken but still retains its carry handle which still moves. It has been carefully cleaned and is very solid, not breaking up or falling apart, and is perfect and a nice one for display or inclusion in any collection.The basket 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. The basket comes with a pair of laminated A5 information cards with map and diagram.
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 nice condition battlefield relic which is a German MG 34/42 machine gun drum ammunition basket. The basket is complete and is a nice condition relic and the very rare bit with some of its original green paintwork remains fairly clear to see it has some rust and rust holes but nothing to bad.The lid still opens but does not lock as the hinge is broken but still retains its carry handle which still moves. It has been carefully cleaned and is very solid, not breaking up or falling apart, and is perfect and a nice one for display or inclusion in any collection.The basket 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. The basket comes with a pair of laminated A5 information cards with map and diagram.
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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