john_g_kearney Posted July 14, 2012 Share Posted July 14, 2012 Not sure if this post should be on 'German Vehicles' or 'Trailers'... I can't read Sutterlin all that well; I think the first part says 'Auf dem Marsch...' but I can't read the last two words. I assume that the photograph was taken in 1940 during the invasion of France. Any thoughts re the trailer and the towing vehicle please? John. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
24851606 Posted September 6, 2012 Share Posted September 6, 2012 Hi John, the MG34 mount in the trailer is called a Zwillingssockel 36 and as for the trailer, I believe that to be an IF5. I can't tell the vehicle as there's little to see in the photo, but the IF5's were also towed by horse and there was a specialised limber. Just to let you know that Stoewer produced a Kfz 4 which was purposely built and had a Zwillingssockel in the back (the 2 back seats were removed), and Kfz 1's were also converted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_g_kearney Posted September 7, 2012 Author Share Posted September 7, 2012 Many thanks for the information - I have noted it down in my records. Re the Sutterlin on the rear of the photograph, it now looks to me like it reads: 'Auf dem Marsch nach Polenzug'. (On the march to the Polish campaign.) Did Landser use the term 'Polenzug' I wonder? John. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
24851606 Posted September 12, 2012 Share Posted September 12, 2012 Hi John, I've found a photo of a limber towing an IF5 with a Zwillingssockel 36 mounted in the rear, photographed from the rear. As for "'Auf dem Marsch nach Polenzug", my basic understanding of German translates that as "During the march to Poland". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferret1972 Posted September 12, 2012 Share Posted September 12, 2012 Hi, the fourth word is "nach" which means "to", the last word seems to be the name of a city/ village in France. So the meaning of the writing is "On the march to ...". The style of the houses in the backround looks more french than polish so I'm quite sure the picture was taken during the french campaign. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_g_kearney Posted September 13, 2012 Author Share Posted September 13, 2012 (edited) That's a great photograph, many thanks. I wonder how the horses reacted to the twin MGs suddenly going off over their heads? Re the last word, it might read: Pont__ug or Pons__ug. I have given up on my 'Polenzug' transcription as the background does look very French, and the letters 'COIF...' are visible in shop window, perhaps indicating a hairdresser (coiffure). John. Edited September 13, 2012 by john_g_kearney Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
24851606 Posted September 18, 2012 Share Posted September 18, 2012 Hi John, I thought I'd share a couple of photos of Zwillingssockels in IF5's being towed which I found on ww2.ru Best regards, Martin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_g_kearney Posted September 19, 2012 Author Share Posted September 19, 2012 Many thanks, Martin; most interesting photographs. Are there alternative mountings for the twin-MGs front and rear? Either way, 360 degree traverse is not possible without the gunner jumping out of the trailer. In use, was the trailer detached and rotated to track aircraft as required? John. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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