Shock Troop

Shock Troop Stoßtrupp 1917 Movie Poster Country Germany Directed by Ludwig Schmid-Wildy Hans Zöberlein Release Date February 20, 1934 Language English French German Studio Arya Film GmbH Distributor Union-Tonfilm-Produktion GmbH Deitz & Co. GmbH Main Cast Character Actor Hans Steinbauer Ludwig Schmid-Wildy Girgl Beppo Brem Heiner Max Zankl Anderl Hans Pössenbacher Martl Karl Hanft

Shock Troop is a 1934 German war movie that became a big box-office hit at the time and also hit the screens in the U.S. a year later. This movie depicts the wartime experiences of a Bavarian Stoßtrupp who volunteer to go into the murderous battles of northern France and Flanders. The literary model is the war novel "Der Glaube an Deutschland" by the Nazi writer Hans Zöberlein, who was also responsible for the screenplay and - together with Ludwig Schmidt-Wildy - the direction.

This movie was to overshadow the two previously released anti-war films such as All Quiet on the Western Front and Westfront 1918, which were considered too pacifist at the time of national socialism. Nevertheless, there are some sources that say that Adolf Hitler himself also considered this movie to be too pacifist. Like the 1932 French movie Wooden Crosses, many fighting scenes were often reused by many movies, countless documentations, and some video game cutscenes.

The following weapons were used in the film Shock Troop:

Handguns

Unknown Pistol

During a briefing, an unknown pistol is lying on a map table. According to the size, it could be a Mauser Pocket Pistol.

The pistol lies on a map in front of the general (Matthias Olschinsky).

Rifles

Mauser Karabiner 98AZ

All Stoßtrupp squad members are seen with Mauser 98AZ Carbines which is accurate since it was the primary rifle for the German Shock Troops in World War One. Some English soldiers can be also seen with this rifle. Notable users are Girgl (Beppo Brem), Heiner (Max Zankl), Anderl (Hans Pössenbacher), Martl (Karl Hanft), Max (Heinz Evelt), Gustl (Georg Emmerling), and Toni (Toni Eggert).

Mauser Karabiner 98AZ - 7.92x57mm.

The leader of the squad (Ludwig Ten Cloot) with the rifle on his back before going over the top. The striking stacking hook is perfectly seen.

A Sturmmann fires his Kar98AZ in No Man's Land.

An English soldier following a tank carries the German rifle.

Mauser Gewehr 1898

Regular German infantry is armed with Gewehr 98 rifles. Some Post WWI Reichswehr G98M with tangent-leaf rear sights are also used by British soldiers.

Mauser Gewehr 1898 - 7.92x57mm Mauser

Several Gewehr 1898 rifles haning from a bunker's ceiling.

A German soldier on the left aims his Mauser.

Lebel Mle. 1886

The majority of French soldiers use Lebel 1886 rifles during the trench raid.

Fusil modèle 1886 dit Lebel - 8x50Rmm

Berthier Mle. 1902

A French soldier is briefly seen with a Berthier Model 1902 rifle.

Fusil modèle 1902 de tirailleur indochinois - 8x50mm R

The soldier uses his Berthier as a mace

A view of the rifle's top.

Lee-Enfield No.1 Mk. III

In the second half of the movie, the squad was transferred to Flanders and Cambrai to fight against British forces. The majority of these British forces are armed with Lee-Enfield No.1 Mk.III* rifles but some British soldiers are also armed with Mauser 98AZ Carbines.

Lee-Enfield No. 1 Mk III - .303 British. This was the main battle rifle of British and Commonwealth forces during the First World War.

British troops advancing through No Man's Land.

Two dropped SMLEs on the right.

Machine Guns

Maxim MG 08

A Maxim MG08 is briefly seen in a German trench.

Maxim MG08 on 'sledge' mount - 7.92x57mm Mauser

Bottom left

Maxim MG 08/15

One of the Shock Troop members is equipped with a Maxim MG08/15.

Maxim MG08/15 - 7.92x57mm Mauser

St. Étienne Mle. 1907

Two French soldiers can be seen trying to put up a St. Étienne Mle 1907 in a crater.

Mitrailleuse Saint Étienne Modèle 1907 - 8x50mmR Lebel

Vickers Mk. I

Several Vickers machine guns are used by British forces.

Vickers Mk. I - .303 British

Two English soldiers transport the Vickers during a charge which allows a view of the tripod. Note on the left the Gewehr 98M with tangent-leaf rear sights.

A Vickers fired from a bunker.

Lewis Gun

At least one English soldier is very briefly seen with a Lewis Gun.

Lewis Gun - .303 British

Hand Grenades

Model 24 Stielhandgranate

German soldiers are equipped with anachronistic Model 24 Stielhandgranates standing in for accurate Model 15, Model 16 or a Model 17 Stielhandgranates which were used in this time period.

Model 24 Stielhandgranate "Potato Masher" high-explosive fragmentation hand grenade

A German soldier unscrews the cap of his stick grenade.

A Stielhandgranate lies next to its dead user.

F1 Mle. 1916

French soldiers appear to be using correct F1 hand grenades.

Grenade F1 with Mle. 1916 Billant fuse.

Two grenades lying above the entrance of the shelter.

Mills Bomb

The Mills Bomb is used by British soldiers and the German Shock Troop. Some members of the Shock Troop build a provisional Geballte Ladung with several to take out a British Mark IV Tank.

No. 36M Mk. I "Mills Bomb"

The German soldiers discover a box full of Mills Bombs.

The soldiers build a Geballte Ladung.

Other

Hebel Model 1894 Flare Pistol

A Hebel Flare Gun is used by a German officer.

Leuchtpistole Modell Hebel (M. 1894) - 26.5mm

The officer hastily grabs the flare pistol.

The same officer brandishes the flare pistol as a sign to charge.

10.5 cm leFH 16

The Shock Troop is supported by various Krupp 10.5 cm leFH 16 Howitzers.

Krupp 10.5 cm leichte Feldhaubitze 16

A Feldhaubitze drawn by horses to the front.

7.7 cm Feldkanone 96 n. A.

An abandoned 7.7 cm Feldkanone 96 n. A. Field Gun is seen as British troops advance to German lines

7.7 cm Feldkanone 96 n. A.

The Feldkanone in the background.

Mark IV Tank

In the famous Battle of Cambrai, British troops are supported by various Mark IV "Male" and Mark IV "Female" Tanks.