Wyatt the Odd  | 20 Oct 2005 10:36 a.m. PST |
I think this has been discussed before, but the Germans employed Bactrian camels in at least one instance in Southern Russia. Now, a new book from Schiffer, "German Infantry Carts, Army Field Wagons, Army Sleds 1900-1945" by Wilfried Kopenhagen link has the following caption on page 28 (sorry, I don't have the photo): "A team that was not foreseen in H.Dv. 465/1 of 1936: A column of Hf.2 heavy field wagons on the Don steppes in the summer of 1942." While I was at it, I found these photos: camelphotos.com/war_camels.html Granted, a bunch of them are of German personnel playing tourist but it looks like they were also employed as "transport" Wyatt |
| aecurtis | 20 Oct 2005 11:13 a.m. PST |
For some reason (probably related to miniatures), I've re-acquired an interest in LRDG and other operations deep in the North African Desert. This week, have read Laszlo Almasy's (the historical "English Patient") "With Rommel's Army in Libya" and Fitzroy Maclean's "Eastern Approaches". I'm waiting for the arrival of "The Lost Oasis: The Desert War and the Hunt for Zerzura", which describes Almasy's and Bagnold's pre-war expeditions. I'm almost ready to hook up with these folks and go there myself! link So, great. Camels. Thanks. I need more inspiration to collect and paint obscure stuff. Allen |
| Richard Baber | 20 Oct 2005 1:50 p.m. PST |
What about the French Compagnies Sahariennes, These camel mounted auxillerys served with the French colonial army as part of La Colonial from early in the 20th Century right through to the 60s (although by then they had traded their camels for 4X4s and armoured cars). |
| Wyatt the Odd | 20 Oct 2005 1:59 p.m. PST |
I think there's some photos of the Sahariennes on that page as well. Its got a photo from the Boxer Rebellion and some older conflicts as well. Wyatt |
| caml1420 | 20 Oct 2005 9:52 p.m. PST |
Ve Vas only folloving orders! :) |
| Monophagos | 20 Oct 2005 9:56 p.m. PST |
Don't forget the US contribution of Lend-Lease Llamas to the Red Army, as detailed in the forthcoming Osprey title, 'Arid Habitat Mammals in Wartime Service II: the Allies'. The first volume details the Axis, whose camels looked way-cooler and were less prone to catching fire when hit by AP rounds. All in all, a good series on the subject, but I still prefer 'Night-op Manatees of the Kriegsmarine 1939-45', or of course 'The Emperor's Emperors: Very Large Penguins of the Japanese Sendai 1941-45'. ;) |
| Richard Baber | 21 Oct 2005 3:53 a.m. PST |
"All in all, a good series on the subject, but I still prefer 'Night-op Manatees of the Kriegsmarine 1939-45', or of course 'The Emperor's Emperors: Very Large Penguins of the Japanese Sendai 1941-45'." That actually had me laughing out loud, thank you ;-) |
| Martin Rapier | 21 Oct 2005 6:30 a.m. PST |
Allied camels were generally better fed and watered and had masses of artillery support, there were also a lot more of them. A rule of thumb was that it took five allied camels to take out one German one though. |
 jimbomar  | 21 Oct 2005 7:21 a.m. PST |
Not only that, but the German camels always arrived on time. |
| Ditto Tango 2 1 | 21 Oct 2005 7:34 a.m. PST |
Not only that, but the German camels always arrived on time. I thought one of the things Mussolini did that was appreciated by the Italians was make the camels arrive on time? |
| Murvihill | 21 Oct 2005 2:12 p.m. PST |
I thought the Italians used mostly older dromedaries for their armies? They were less capable but tried really hard. |
| Monophagos | 22 Oct 2005 11:47 p.m. PST |
Some apposite rhymes: 'The camel is a mammal' 'Dromedary, very hairy'. |
