German guns/ artillery/ self-prop arty

[Gunner]

I was wondering what that piece was hanging below the gun.
At first I thought it some sort of counter weight or even an extended magazine(?)

Did a search and found out I wasn't even close.

It's a canvas shell catcher.

 

[Rico]

I was wondering what that piece was hanging below the gun.
At first I thought it some sort of counter weight or even an extended magazine(?)

Did a search and found out I wasn't even close.

It's a canvas shell catcher.

Yes, the gun was designed to be used in bombers etc on defensive MG mounts, hence the brass catcher to avoid casings cluttering the cabin.

 

[jobu88]

I thought this was staged but at the end they pull some Russian prisoners out.