THE RED GAMBIT SERIES

Neither would be issue for certain. Sure as heck they would be battlefield litter or traded..... or stolen :-)

gee_colin@yahoo.co.uk at October 10, 2015 at 11:31 AM

Neither would be issue for certain. Sure as heck they would be battlefield litter or traded..... or stolen :-)

Just out of curiosity, where would the Spanish 22nd find St44s? Were there any German units in their area, for example? Or were they ever near a battleground where German troops fought?

22nd Infantry once operated in the Legion area around La Petit Pierre, where they could have acquired some left behind when the Legion was hammered. It was a company of the 22nd that was overrun on the cemetery.

gee_colin@yahoo.co.uk at October 12, 2015 at 7:31 AM

22nd Infantry once operated in the Legion area around La Petit Pierre, where they could have acquired some left behind when the Legion was hammered. It was a company of the 22nd that was overrun on the cemetery.

Was that the first combat seen by any of the Spanish units...or could there have been some under the table action before Sacrifice?

Most probably. I saw the ex-250th soldiers are more likely to be up to standard and integrated soonest, but kept them aside for other battles. In my notes I have no involvement of Spanish forces in frontline duties before the 22nd slipped into the line.

gee_colin@yahoo.co.uk at October 31, 2015 at 8:43 AM

Most probably. I saw the ex-250th soldiers are more likelyto be up to dtandard and integrated soonest, but kept them aside for other battles. In my notes I have no involvement of Spanish forces in frontline duties before the 22nd slipped into the line.

Ex-250th? I don't recall that. So the 22nd's batttle in Sacrifice was the first taste of combat for any Spanish unit, then?

The ex-250th soliders formed the Azul and Franco divisions that went to Poland.

gee_colin@yahoo.co.uk at January 12, 2015 at 2:31 AM

Mainly german, but Im sure they woudl have had a few other bits and pieces, remembering the logistic difficulties of multi-sourced weapons.

Something just occured to me...would submachine guns be numerous in the 22nd? ANd if so, what kinds? Star Z-45s?

When it came to smgs, I suspect the SPanish would not be too choosy, accepting the increased firepower over other considerations. Most certainly, I can imagine that those units that went to teh Allies support would have a good compliment of homebuilt smgs, but that the frontline troops would also acquire other items along the way. the ex eastern front vets would be very familiar with the MP40/PPsh of course.

gee_colin@yahoo.co.uk at December 21, 2015 at 4:14 AM

When it came to smgs, I suspect the SPanish would not be too choosy, accepting the increased firepower over other considerations. Most certainly, I can imagine that those units that went to teh Allies support would have a good compliment of homebuilt smgs, but that the frontline troops would also acquire other items along the way. the ex eastern front vets would be very familiar with the MP40/PPsh of course.

Would that also be true with the Blue Division?

>the ex eastern front vets would be very familiar with the MP40/PPsh of course.

Wouldn't they have all been assigned to the Blue Division? Or were some sent to the other Spanish units to supply them with experienced personnel? 

gee_colin@yahoo.co.uk at December 21, 2015 at 4:14 AM

When it came to smgs, I suspect the SPanish would not be too choosy, accepting the increased firepower over other considerations. Most certainly, I can imagine that those units that went to teh Allies support would have a good compliment of homebuilt smgs, but that the frontline troops would also acquire other items along the way. the ex eastern front vets would be very familiar with the MP40/PPsh of course.

Here is a wiki page that you may find interesting:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/9×23mm_Largo

It mentions the submachine guns that saw use by Spain in the time period before and after WWII.

Late to this discussion, but let me share something  interesting.

We have a collector in this area (Utah, USA) that collects and restores armored vehicles from WW2.  Occasionally, he allows gaming and modeling groups to tour his warehouse.  Several years ago I was on such a tour and saw something that might add something to the question of Spanish equipment.  He had restored a German 88mm Flak gun.  It was in beautiful shape, but upon close inspection, it turned out to be German in design only.  It had been manufactured (or at least so the data plates on it claimed) is Spain in '44.  It looked exactly like the pictures of other 88's I had seen, but all of the markings were in Spanish including some cast into various parts of the gun.  So the Spanish might have been making their own weapons from German designs until well into the war.

Interesting. I had no idea. Apologies for my slow response. i seem to have had some issues getting on the site!

gee_colin@yahoo.co.uk at December 21, 2015 at 4:14 AM

When it came to smgs, I suspect the SPanish would not be too choosy, accepting the increased firepower over other considerations. Most certainly, I can imagine that those units that went to teh Allies support would have a good compliment of homebuilt smgs, but that the frontline troops would also acquire other items along the way. the ex eastern front vets would be very familiar with the MP40/PPsh of course.

Something just occured to me. Do you think that Beretta 38a submachine guns would have been given to the Spanish?

i would suspect that, other than local choice to hang on to one, there would be no widespread distribution of the Beretta. I understand it was a pretty good bit of kit, and also took the 9mm parabellum. In honesty, I havent given it much thought.

gee_colin@yahoo.co.uk at March 21, 2016 at 3:51 AM

i would suspect that, other than local choice to hang on to one, there would be no widespread distribution of the Beretta. I understand it was a pretty good bit of kit, and also took the 9mm parabellum. In honesty, I havent given it much thought.

So in other words, when it comes to arming the Spanish, you just thought giving them Carcanos?

In other words, I have thought very little about arming the Spanish :-) Its not something that exercises me particularly, in as much as I believe I can come to a part with Spanish troops and justify the equipment I give them with a little thought at the time. As they play a minor part, its not something I have overly researched, more relied on my existing knowledge and snuck a look at some books when needed.

gee_colin@yahoo.co.uk at March 23, 2016 at 4:27 AM

In other words, I have thought very little about arming the Spanish :-) Its not something that exercises me particularly, in as much as I believe I can come to a part with Spanish troops and justify the equipment I give them with a little thought at the time. As they play a minor part, its not something I have overly researched, more relied on my existing knowledge and snuck a look at some books when needed.

Oh, okay.

gee_colin@yahoo.co.uk at August 13, 2014 at 4:26 AM

I like easy ones :-) Any Italian issue kit that had been captured in the desert. French small arms circa 1940. I debated on giving them springfields at one time but didnt decide.

Just out of curiosity, did you think about giving them m1917 Enfields or British weapons (such as Lee Enfields) as well?

Not really, over and above any they picked up along the way. The key issue for me tends to be logistics, and multi types ruins logistic support.