| Weasel | 25 Aug 2016 9:37 a.m. PST |
Got to talking about this with a friend and the couple of books I have don't give this information. What is the first battle Sten guns were used in? |
 Doms Decals  | 25 Aug 2016 9:43 a.m. PST |
Good question – I want to say the Bruneval raid for European service, but can't help feeling it should have seen North African battles well before then. |
| Starfury Rider | 25 Aug 2016 10:23 a.m. PST |
Bruneval seems a good shout – link What about St Nazaire in Mar42? Canadians had them for Dieppe in Aug42 – A total of "approximately 350" Stens was issued to the Canadian force engaged at DIEPPE (Major-General J.H. Roberts to Adv HQ 1 Cdn Corps,30 Oct 42, 2 Cdn Div file 2DS(G) 1-1-23-1, at present in custody of Historical
Section, CMHQ). This was the first occasion on which the Canadians used the Sten, and many adverse reports were received upon its performance. PDF link Gary |
| Weasel | 25 Aug 2016 2:04 p.m. PST |
Very curious to see if anyone can find something in Africa in 41. |
| Rod I Robertson | 25 Aug 2016 2:43 p.m. PST |
Weasel:
For reasons unknown to me I was prevented from copying the relevant passage to quote here. But check out the sixth paragraph on the second page of the following article which cites the first use of the Sten in combat as the Dieppe raid. link Cheers.
Rod Robertson. |
| Fatman | 25 Aug 2016 5:06 p.m. PST |
Frosts Paras definitely had Stens during the Bruneval Raid. If you check the Osprey Raid on the Operation there are clear photos of Paras holding he weapons during the rehearsals for the raid. Fatman |
| Andy ONeill | 26 Aug 2016 2:15 a.m. PST |
This is the 6th paragraph:
"
Despite entering operational service in 1941, the STEN was not used in direct-enemy combat until 1942 when British and Allied elements (largely Canadian) participated in the disastrous Dieppe amphibious assault on August 12th. Losses included 3,367 Canadians along with 275 British special forces elements to the German's 311 KIA. While the assault was a complete failure for the Allies and a resounding victory for the Germans, the STEN gun was a proven commodity under battlefield conditions. The Dieppe Raid also served as a launching point to the heralded D-Day invasion landings of Normandy in North France of June 1944.
" |
| Weasel | 26 Aug 2016 6:23 a.m. PST |
Well, I suppose that settles it :) |
| Phrodon | 29 Aug 2016 11:26 a.m. PST |
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| Starfury Rider | 29 Aug 2016 11:43 a.m. PST |
Found a discussion on another forum which includes one photo from Brunveval with a definite Sten – link That points to another site with the same pic, plus another possible one – link Image 1 on page 1 and image 6 on page 3, and image 8 on page 4 seem to show Stens. Sorry, I'm rubbish at posting pics. Re North Africa, Tommy guns seemed to reign supreme well into 1942. I do wonder if 44th and 50th Divs might have had Sten guns, as they went overseas June and July 1942 respectively. Might be some mention in an Alamein account? Gary |
| number4 | 30 Aug 2016 2:58 p.m. PST |
Never heard of Stens going to North Africa; they would have added another non-standard ammunition type to an already hard pressed supply chain Of course you van always count on the RAF to throw a spanner in the works
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opens the box on the Armoured Panzergrenadier Company HQ (Late-War) for Flames of War.
