Nichts getroffen, doch gelobt

Reinhold Greiner tells us about his experiences with Russian ground-attack airplanes:

During the May offensive by the Russians in the year 1942, a swarm of Ratas raked the Straße der SS and the crossroads at Kestenga, they flew directly over our 3.7 cm Flak position.
It was the first low-level attack that we had experienced. Instead of taking full cover, as we had learned in training we ran to the guns and shot with all three during each approach.
Since the rate of fire of the 3.7 cm Flak is too slow for a low-level attack none were shot down .

At the same time was our Batteriechef, SS-Hauptsturmführer Braune was only a few hundred meters away from us at the Abteilungsstab.
There he is said to have commented "If they don´t get one down, I will knock the stuffing out of them" When Ivan flew away ,he asked our chef at the baggage,
which was in Kiestinki near the lake, if everything was in order. He was told that there was severe damage and injuries.
When he asked about cover from the 2 cm Flak of the Lufftwaffe which was to secure the lakeside air field "Arado" , he was told that the gun crew took cover and did not fire .

Coming back from staff to our position he said the following :"If the Zweizentimeter takes full cover while you try your best with your slower 3.7,
I can not give you the promised reprimand ,although I would have liked to have seen one being shot down ."

We got off lightly this time and received no verbal hammering.

 

Back to Veterans main page