Front Without Mercy (Front ohne Gnade) - Part 3

Front Without Mercy (Front ohne Gnade) DVD Cover Country East Germany Language German Channel DDR1 Creator DEFA Broadcast 1984 No. of Seasons 1 No. of Episodes 13 Main Cast Character Actor Hermann Anders Jürgen Zartmann Albert Günter Naumann Lydia Messmer Renate Blume Fjodor Semjonovich Vladimir Smirnov Pablo Calvo Gojko Mitic SS-Standartenführer / SS-Brigadeführer Maas Alfred Struwe SS-Obersturmführer Menge Klaus-Peter Thiele Cyrus Rosenfeld Hans Teuscher Martin Bruno Carstens

Front Without Mercy (Front ohne Gnade) is a 1984 East German TV series directed by Rudi Kurz. The story depicts the activities of a group of Communist anti-Nazi resistance in Germany in 1930s-1940s, lead by Hermann Anders (Jürgen Zartmann). The third part (Eps. 8-11) is set in 1942, in Germany and on Nazi-occupied territory of Soviet Union. Anders and his comrades-in-arms assist Soviet counterintelligence service to prevent the activities of a well-prepared saboteurs group during the Battle of the Caucasus on Soviet-German front.

The following weapons were used in the film Front ohne Gnade:

Pistols

CZ 27

In the scene in train in "Unternehmen Feuerball" (Ep.8) Hermann Anders (Jürgen Zartmann), disguised as Wehrmacht officer, is armed with a CZ 27 pistol (German designation P.27(t)).

CZ 27 - 7.65x17mm (.32 ACP)

Anders in the uniform of Ober Lt. holds a CZ 27 pistol.

Walther PP

In "Unternehmen Feuerball" (Ep.8) Walther PP pistols are used by various German officers. Hildegard Wille (Heidemarie Wenzel), a member of saboteur group, carries a Walther PP in "In den Felsen des Kaukasus" (Ep.11).

Note: see additional images on talk page.

Walther PP - 7.65x17mm (.32 ACP)

A German Maj. (Helmut Schreiber) readies his pistol in the scene in train in Ep.8.

A German Hauptmann (Capt.) (Jörg Knochée) holds his Walther PP during the attack of Soviet partisans.

Abovementioned Maj. in same scene.

Sonderführer (non-military specialist, drafted to service) engineer Dr. Gäbler (Thomas Gumpert) holds a Walther PP (at the left).

Hildegard Wille carries a Walther PP (Ep.11).

She draws the pistol.

Hildegard tries to kill Pablo...

...but to her great surprise, finds out that her pistol is unloaded.

Walther P38

A saboteur (Stoyan Gudev) uses a Walther P38 during the training in "Gefahr fur Pablo" (Ep.10). Gestapo operative Helmut Leif (Willi Schrade) uses a P38 in "In den Felsen des Kaukasus" (Ep.11).

Walther P38 WWII dated with black grips - 9x19mm

The saboteur draws his P38 during the training (Ep.10). The holster is a P08 pattern.

He shoots in Pablo's direction, testing him.

Helmut Leif holds Communist Martin (Bruno Carstens) at gunpoint with his P38 (Ep.11).

A P38 is seen in a pile of weapons, surrendered by saboteurs in the final scene in Ep.11.

Luger P08

In "In den Felsen des Kaukasus" (Ep.11) Luger P08 pistols are used by Cyrus Rosenfeld (Hans Teuscher), the butler in SS-Brigadeführer Maas' estate and deep-cover British agent, and Gestapo guards.

Luger P08 - 9x19mm

Plainclothes Gestapo guard (Detlef Bierstedt) in Maas' estate holds a P08.

A closeup of Cyrus Rosenfeld's Luger.

A Luger is seen in a pile of weapons, surrendered by saboteurs in the final scene in Ep.11.

Mauser M1914

A Mauser M1914 pistol is used by Anni (Petra Blossey), the maid in SS-Brigadeführer Maas' estate in "Gefahr fur Pablo" (Ep.10).

M1914 Mauser Pocket Pistol - 7.65x17mm (.32 ACP)

Anni's pistol.

Anni confronts Cyrus Rosenfeld (Hans Teuscher).

Anni aims.

A Mauser M1914 in hands of crying Anni.

TT-33

Soviet intellegence officer Boris (Petr Skarke) carries a TT-33 in "In den Felsen des Kaukasus" (Ep.11). A TT is also used by a Soviet officer in the final scene of Ep.11. TT holsters are seen in several scenes in Eps.8-11 but it's impossible to say if there are pistols inside.

Tokarev TT-33 - 7.62x25mm Tokarev. Post-1947 version

Boris draws his TT during the ambush on German saboteurs.

A Soviet officer with a TT.

Browning Hi-Power

A pistol that appears to be a Browning Hi-Power without hammer and sight, that was seen in Eps.5 and 6, is seen in a pile of weapons, surrendered by saboteurs in the final scene in Ep.11.

FN P-35 - 9x19mm

Supposed Hi-Power is seen at the right.

Submachine Guns

MP40

MP40 submachine guns are widely used by German troops in Eps. "Unternehmen Feuerball" (Ep.8) and "In den Felsen des Kaukasus" (Ep.11).

Note: see additional images on talk page.

MP40 - 9x19mm

A German Lt. (Ulrich Teschner) loads an MP40 in the scene in train in Ep.8.

A soldier with MP40 in same scene.

Soviet intellegence officer Boris (Petr Skarke), disguised as a German officer, holds an MP40 (Ep.11).

The MP40 of the commander of saboteur group SS-Standartenführer Eisleben (Wolfram Handel) is seen in center.

SS-Scharführer Gustav (Ulrich Voß) appears from the plane with MP40 in hand.

Eisleben and his men surrender to Soviet troops.

A pile of weapons, surrendered by saboteurs: MP40s, Model 24 Stielhandgranate hand grenads, a Luger P08, a Walther P38 and a Browning Hi-Power (Ep.11).

Custom MP40

An MP40 with sawed-off barrel is used by Hermann Anders (Jürgen Zartmann) in "Todliche Falle" (Ep.9), "Gefahr fur Pablo" (Ep.10) and "In den Felsen des Kaukasus" (Ep.11).

Albert (Günter Naumann) (currently an officer of Soviet counterintellegence service) holds Anders' custom MP40 (Ep.9).

Sawed-off barrel is seen better.

Albert hands the short MP40 back to Anders.

A good view of Anders' short MP40 in Ep.10. Note that the magazine is shorter than standard one.

Another view of Anders' short MP40 in Ep.10.

Anders with sawed-off MP40 during the ambush on German saboteurs in the Caucasus mountains (Ep.11).

Anders reloads his gun in same scene.

MP38

In "Gefahr fur Pablo" (Ep.10) a Wehrmacht Lt. (Joachim Schönitz) is armed with an MP38.

MP38 - 9x19mm

The Lt. with MP38.

The Lt. carries his MP38 while preparing to fire a flare pistol.

PPSh-41

Soviet soldiers and partisans are armed with PPSh-41 submachine guns in Eps.8-11. Hermann Anders (Jürgen Zartmann) holds a PPSh in "Unternehmen Feuerball" (Ep.8).

PPSh-41 - 7.62x25mm Tokarev

A Soviet partisan (Lubomír Kostelka) with a PPSh-41 in Ep.8.

Anders with a PPSh.

A Soviet soldier with a PPSh on guard (Ep.8).

A Soviet soldier carries a PPSh (Ep.9).

A Soviet soldier with PPSh guards captured Dr.Gäbler (Thomas Gumpert) (Ep.10).

A Soviet soldier with PPSh on motorcycle (Ep.10).

PPSh-41s of Soviet soldiers (Ep.10).

A Soviet soldier at the background carries a PPSh (Ep.11).

A Soviet soldier aims his PPSh at German saboteurs (Ep.11).

Rifles

Karabiner 98k

German soldiers of Wehrmacht and SS and personnel of saboteur group use Karabiner 98k rifles in "Todliche Falle" (Ep.9), "Gefahr fur Pablo" (Ep.10) and "In den Felsen des Kaukasus" (Ep.11).

Karabiner 98k - 7.92x57mm Mauser

A Karabiner 98k is seen during the training of saboteur group (Ep.9).

Medical orderly Gefreiter Kutscher (Fred Delmare) carries a Karabiner 98k (Ep.10).

Heinrich Bartels (Jörg Kleinau), a member of anti-Nazi resistance, holds a Karabiner 98k during his mission as Wehrmacht soldier on Eastern Front.

Another view of Bartel's rifle.

Karabiner 98k Sniper

An SS sniper uses a Karabiner 98k with sniper scope in "Todliche Falle" (Ep.9). At least two different rifles are used in this scene; one rifle has hooded front sight and another one lacks the hood. In "In den Felsen des Kaukasus" (Ep.11) Gestapo operatives (Alexander Wikarski and Klaus-Jürgen Steinmann) use sniper 98k rifles.

Karabiner 98k with Zeiss ZF39 scope - 7.92x57mm Mauser

A closeup of the barrel of sniper Karabiner 98k in Ep.9. This rifle has hooded front sight.

Next moment is it replaced with another rifle, with unhooded front sight.

The rifle switches back to the first model. The hooded front sight can be seen at the bottom left.

Gestapo operative (Alexander Wikarski) hunts for escaping Cirus Rosenfeld.

Another view of the sniper Mauser rifle in hands of same character.

Gestapo operative (Klaus-Jürgen Steinmann) holds a sniper rifle.

The barrel of the rifle is seen when the Gestapo operative arrests Anni.

Mauser Rifles

Mauser rifles of a different model are seen in "Unternehmen Feuerball" (Ep.8). They combine features of Karabiner 98k and Vz.24 Czech Mauser (typical front sight). Same looking rifles are seen in Part 1 of the series.

For comparison: Czech Mauser vz. 24 - 7.92x57mm Mauser

SS guards in the residence of SS-Obergruppenführer Reinhard Heydrich carry Mauser rifles.

Note the Vz.24 style front sight.

Mosin Nagant M1944 Carbine

Several Soviet soldiers are seen with Mosin Nagant M1944 Carbines in "Gefahr fur Pablo" (Ep.10) (of course, these rifles are anachronistic for 1942).

Mosin Nagant M44 Carbine with attached side-folding bayonet - 7.62x54mm R

A soldier carries an M44 Carbine (the side-folding bayonet can be seen).

A soldier at the left carries a supposed M44 Carbine.

Mosin Nagant M1938 Carbine

In "Gefahr fur Pablo" (Ep.10) a Soviet soldier is armed with a Mosin Nagant M1938 Carbine.

Mosin Nagant M1938 Carbine - 7.62x54mm R

A soldier in center carries an M38 Carbine.

Shotguns

Double Barrel Shotgun

Martin (Bruno Carstens) holds a Double Barrel Shotgun with short barrels in "Todliche Falle" (Ep.9).

Martin with short-barreled shotgun.

Machine Guns

DP-27

A Soviet DP-27 is seen in "Todliche Falle" (Ep.9).

Degtyaryov DP-27 machine gun - 7.62x54mm R

MG 34

German soldiers use an MG 34 in "Gefahr fur Pablo" (Ep.10).

MG 34 - 7.92x57mm Mauser

An MG 34 fires after Heinrich Bartels who runs to Soviet positions.

Another view of the MG 34.

A closeup of the barrel.

Other Weapons

SPSh Flare Pistol

In "Gefahr fur Pablo" (Ep.10) a German Lt. (Joachim Schönitz) holds an SPSh flare pistol.

SPSh Flare Pistol - 26.5mm

The Lt. readies his flare pistol.

He fires.

Model 24 Stielhandgranate

Several saboteurs carry Model 24 Stielhandgranates in "In den Felsen des Kaukasus" (Ep.11).

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

SS-Scharführer Gustav (Ulrich Voß) and SS-Hauptsturmführer (Hans-Peter Reinecke) carry Model 24 grenades.

SS-Standartenführer Eisleben (Wolfram Handel) carries a grenade (in center).

Gustav's grenades are seen when he surrenders to Soviet troops.

A pile of weapons, surrendered by saboteurs: MP40s, Model 24 Stielhandgranate hand grenads, a Luger P08, a Walther P38 and a Browning Hi-Power (Ep.11).

BM-37 Mortar

Soviet BM-37 mortars, standing for German Granatwerfer 34 Mortar, are used by German troops in "Gefahr fur Pablo" (Ep.10). Mortars are of late version, with the muzzle device, preventing double loading.

Soviet 82mm BM-37 Mortar, late model

Concealed explosive device

A concealed explosive device, disguised as a thermos bottle, is used by Hildegard Wille (Heidemarie Wenzel) during the saboteur operation in "In den Felsen des Kaukasus" (Ep.11) (it's not a weapon in full sence of the word but it is listed here for the sake of completeness).

Trivia

Holsters

Fjodor carries a TT holster (Ep.8).

Godfried von Lindeck (Gerd Blahuschek) carries a holster that appears to be a post-war East German pattern for Makarov PM.

Albert carries a TT holster.

Sagib (Anton Gorchev), an instructor in sabotage school and Soviet agent, carries a universal holster for P08 and P38.

An SS officer carries a holster for compact Mauser and Walther pistols.

76 mm divisional gun M1942 (ZiS-3)

A Soviet 76 mm divisional gun M1942 (ZiS-3) is seen in Ep.10.

ZiS-3 divisional gun - 76.2x385mm R

Airplane

A Junkers F.13 transport plane (a modern replica, as it seems to be fitted with out of time engine) is seen in the scene when the saboteur group is transported on Soviet territory in the Caucasus mountains.