German Sapper Stormtrooper Bust 1/10th

About this Bust

The bust depicts a young sapper of a German Pioneer unit, in this case the famous Storm Battalion No. 5 (Rohr). This experimental training unit, founded by Major Calsow in the spring of 1915 and later commanded by Hauptman Willy Rohr, formed the nucleus of the new infiltration assault tactics. Equipped with infantry support guns and large body shields, the originally named Sturmabteilung Calsow or SA Calsow was ordered to the front in June 1915 to counter an Allied attack, losing half its members by the time the unit was withdrawn from the front. Calsow was relieved of his command and Hauptmann Rohr took over the detachment from September, adding an MG and flame thrower platoon to the unit strength.

Now promoted, Major Rohr refined the unit’s tactics, discarding the heavy body shields in favour of speed and movement and replacing the cumbersome infantry support guns with new developed models, converted from captured Russian 76.2 fortress guns. The new assault tactics now employed, involved much smaller, independent squads, or Stoßtruppen, supported by heavier weapons, infiltrating the weaker areas within the enemy defences and bypassing strongpoints, to be cleared later by regular trooper. Enemy trench system would now be cleared (or rolled up) by Stormtroopers armed with stick grenades, protected by their own riflemen.

The new tactics called for a different approach to weapons and equipment. Shorter, more practical weapons were employed, such as carbines, pistols, clubs and trench-knifes. Assault equipment was reduced to the absolute minimum required and grenades, ammunition, water and entrenching tools were increased. A rational change in uniform took place, with lighter, ankle-length footwear, loose and simplified tunics being issued, allowing the officers and NCO to become undistinguishable from other troops.

As from December 1915, the battalion started training troops from other units and in February 1916 was transferred to the 5^th Army and participated in the initial attacks in the Verdun offensive, leading other assault formations in the first wave. In April 1916, the detachment was increased from 2 to 4 pioneer companies and received the official name Sturm-Bataillon.

Attacks by these Stormtroopers were generally carried out by small units, rarely larger than battalion size. Meticulous planning after local reconnaissance, incl. the aid and reconstruction of life-size enemy defences behind the front, were characteristic of how these units worked.

Overlooked by many historians, is the objection against these Stormtrooper-Detachments amongst their own regular infantry regiments holding the front line. The Stormtroopers would show up for an attack and then move out of the area quickly again afterwards, at latest the next day, leaving behind an agitated enemy desiring revenge.

German Sapper Stormtrooper Bust 1/10th

About this Bust

The bust depicts a young sapper of a German Pioneer unit, in this case the famous Storm Battalion No. 5 (Rohr). This experimental training unit, founded by Major Calsow in the spring of 1915 and later commanded by Hauptman Willy Rohr, formed the nucleus of the new infiltration assault tactics. Equipped with infantry support guns and large body shields, the originally named Sturmabteilung Calsow or SA Calsow was ordered to the front in June 1915 to counter an Allied attack, losing half its members by the time the unit was withdrawn from the front. Calsow was relieved of his command and Hauptmann Rohr took over the detachment from September, adding an MG and flame thrower platoon to the unit strength.

Now promoted, Major Rohr refined the unit’s tactics, discarding the heavy body shields in favour of speed and movement and replacing the cumbersome infantry support guns with new developed models, converted from captured Russian 76.2 fortress guns. The new assault tactics now employed, involved much smaller, independent squads, or Stoßtruppen, supported by heavier weapons, infiltrating the weaker areas within the enemy defences and bypassing strongpoints, to be cleared later by regular trooper. Enemy trench system would now be cleared (or rolled up) by Stormtroopers armed with stick grenades, protected by their own riflemen.

The new tactics called for a different approach to weapons and equipment. Shorter, more practical weapons were employed, such as carbines, pistols, clubs and trench-knifes. Assault equipment was reduced to the absolute minimum required and grenades, ammunition, water and entrenching tools were increased. A rational change in uniform took place, with lighter, ankle-length footwear, loose and simplified tunics being issued, allowing the officers and NCO to become undistinguishable from other troops.

As from December 1915, the battalion started training troops from other units and in February 1916 was transferred to the 5^th Army and participated in the initial attacks in the Verdun offensive, leading other assault formations in the first wave. In April 1916, the detachment was increased from 2 to 4 pioneer companies and received the official name Sturm-Bataillon.

Attacks by these Stormtroopers were generally carried out by small units, rarely larger than battalion size. Meticulous planning after local reconnaissance, incl. the aid and reconstruction of life-size enemy defences behind the front, were characteristic of how these units worked.

Overlooked by many historians, is the objection against these Stormtrooper-Detachments amongst their own regular infantry regiments holding the front line. The Stormtroopers would show up for an attack and then move out of the area quickly again afterwards, at latest the next day, leaving behind an agitated enemy desiring revenge.