Scribd Logo
Загрузить

Добро пожаловать в Scribd!

  • Firefly Collection 5

    Загружено:

    Vali Vali
    1K просмотров36 страниц
    war

    Авторское право

    © © All Rights Reserved

    Доступные форматы

    PDF или читайте онлайн в Scribd

    Этот документ был вам полезен?

    Это неприемлемый материал?

    Пожаловаться на этот документ
    war

    Авторское право:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Скачайте в формате PDF или читайте онлайн в Scribd
    Отметить как неприемлемый контент
    1K просмотров36 страниц

    Firefly Collection 5

    Загружено:

    Vali Vali
    war

    Авторское право:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Скачайте в формате PDF или читайте онлайн в Scribd
    Отметить как неприемлемый контент
    из 36
    OCNNIS OLIVER AuATEes er LAURONT LE COR, ae OENNES OLIVER, FIREFLY COLLECTION CASE YELLOW GERMAN ARMOUR IN THE INVASION OF FRANCE, 1940 Written by Dennis Oliver Illustrated by Laurent Lecoeq and Dennis Oliver ISBN 978-0-9876013-2-2 Acknowledgments. The author and publisher would like to thank the staff ofthe Notional Library of Australia and the State Library of Queensland for their involuable assistance and advice. We would eso like to thank ol those who contribute to the Avs History Forum, particularly Mortin Block and the late Ron ‘Klages, the Feldgrau Forum, Panzer Archiv Forur, Die Deutsche Wehrmacht website and Mr Brett Green at Missing Lynx. We would also like to extend a special thank you to Mr Crag Elis who very generously sharedhis knowledge of early war German ormoured vehicles, and the zkwI in particular. We also wich to thank Mr Freddie Leung, President and CEO of Dragon Models Ld, for his kind permission to reproduce the photograph of their scale model Panzer Il ausf E which appears on the back cover. Further models ofthe vehicles which are depicted inthis book can be found at www.dragor-models com. In addition to the websites mentioned above, the folowing printed works were also consulted: France 1940. Blitzkrieg In The West. Sheppard, A. France. Summer 1940, Wiliams J. Yon Lemberg Bis Bordeaux. Leizner L. The litzkrieg Myth. Moser, | Early Panzer Victories. De Sisto, F. Guderian Perce A Sedan. Buffetau, ¥. Blitzkrieg A VOuest. Buffetau,Y. Blitzkrieg. Zoioga, 5. Panzertruppen 1933-42. Jentz, T.L. (Editor). Panzerwaffe. Volume 2. Healy, M. Die Truppenkennzeicen der Verbande und Einhelten der deutschen Wehrmacht und Woffen-SS und ihre Einsdtze im 2weiten Weltkrieg 1939-1945. Schmitz, Pand Theis KJ. Biltzkrieg. 1936-40. Ledwoch, | Fall Gelb, Solar, | Die Uniformen Der Panzertruppe. Horn, 1 Auszelchnungen Des 3.Reiches. Hortnung, L. German ‘Sturmartileie At War. De Sisto, F Sturmgeschiitze land it's Variants. Speilberger W.LesSemi-chenilles Mittlererkraftwagen Sdkfz251. Charpentier, Que VolaitLe 88 En Antichar.Battalles& Blindes No 19. Mavournel, 1? Buf! 8,8em Flok 18 (sfl)auf Zugkraftwagen 12t. Batalles& Blindes No a. Mavournel,-P ‘Schwerer Panzerspaehwagen. Jentz, T. Panzer IV and its Variants. Spelberger, W J. Panzerjéger und Sturmgeschatze. Schiebert, H. Achtung Panzer No. 2.Panzerkampfwagen Il. Ichimura, H (editor). Achtung Panzer No. 5. Sturmgeschit Il, Stug. IV & SIG.33. Bitoh, M and Kitomura, H. Sturmartilerie. Spielberger, Ws and Feist, U. Stug Ill Assault Gun 1940-42. Doyle, H and Jentz, T.Sdkfe 251. Ledwech, J. Sturmgeschite Il. Culver, 8. 1.Panzer Division. Rlebenstan) H, Die2.Panzer-Diision. Steinzer, F-4 Panzer Division 1939-1943. Vol1. Kinski, Theilustrations inthis book were all created using contemporary photographs as a reference and we have attempted to present as faithful a reproduction as ‘possible including the shape and position of any camouflage pattern, markings and the style of lettering used. nthe few cases where we have been forced to ‘Speculate we have tried to make this clear Where possible, we have reproduced the photograph or photographs so used, however copyright and budgetary restrltions anddo not always allow this Published by ADH Publishing, Doolittle Mill Doolittle Lane Totternhoe Bedfordshire LU610X United Kingdom Produced inco-operation with The Oliver Publishing Group Copyright © ADH Publishing, Al rights reserve. Apart from for doling forthe purpose of private study researc, crtizmor review as permitted under the Copyright, Design and Patent Act 188, no porto} this publication may be reproduced, toredinaretrievolsjstemortronsmitedin any formorby any means, electron electrical, chemical Mechanical, ‘optical photocopying recoding oratherwise without prior mnten permision of ADM Publishing. Allenquires shouldbe adaresedt the publisher Picture Cres. Allphotograph from the authors collection except: Bundesarciv3 bottom, 2 bottom.29 bottom). Howard orker2,10bockaround:K Bere: 7op,10bottom, 2abottom, 260 Below, left: The commander of 7.Panzer-Divsion during the 1940 compaign - and possibly the most famous German soldier of the Second World War - Generalmojor Erwin Rommel confers with officers of his division during the invasion of France. Below: A Pzkw Il ausf E of 2 Kompanie, Panzer-Regiment 2, ‘LPanzer-Division. Unt quite recently it wos assumed that all German military vehicles during the early war period were painted in an overall shade of very dork arey. It's almost certain that tis supposition was based an information contained in an English translation of Der Anstrich des Heeresgerdites 1939-1945 complied in 1957 by Frits Wiener. Although Wiener mentioned the use of a colour he called grey-brown being employed after 1935, his research uncovered no official orderspriorto the uly 1940 directive thatellmiltary vehicles wouldhenceforth be painted n {single colour ond indeed the English version Incorrectly transcribed the dote os uly 1933. Coupled With the fact that any contrast between the two colours is almost non-existent in monochrome photographs, itis hardy surprising that the single colour theory was accepted as fact. Recent research has however uncovered an order of 3937 stipulating the use of Dunteloraun 45 painted ‘ver a base coat of Dunkelgrau 46, the former to cover approximately one-third ofthe surface area lnith the edges to be feathered. We cannot however accept the assertion thot all German Army vehicles without exception were painted in this scheme during the 1940compaign and indeed there ore a number of coloured photographs showing that this was not so. Further, our beliefs that the “uly 1940 order regarding the use ofa single colour was merely sanctioning apractice which was ‘alteady common nthe field. The white dot following the turret number in ‘our profile indicates aL Abteilung vehicle, the regiment’ I-Abtelung “identified bya thick white underline tothe turret number. Somewhat confusingly Panzer-Regiment 36 also used a small dottoidentfyit's tanks as shown on page 15 ofthe ilustration section. CASE YELLOW - INVASION IN THE WEST | au 4 “apo, ree . ¢ [HEERSEGRUPPE 8] : + Roermond 6.Armee d G\E-R\M AN Y Aachen ae e : HEERSEGRUPPE Al : 12.Armee * a s Se Armeskorns . rum © SPS Toner on f ~ . oBitburg, » Eee SSS ieee ’ ieee ee Larmee : . HEERSEGRUPPE C] 3 _Soarbrucken T.Armee The map above shows the intial German dlspositions immediately prior to the attack 0h 16 May 1940. The main weight of armour, as can be seen here, was concentrated in General von Rundstedt’s Heeresgruppe A opposite Luxembourg and the French-Belgion border. The army sized battle group commanded by General vor Kiiest, under the command of 16Armee, contoined the Ist, 2nd and 10th Panzer Divisions, with the fully motorised infanterie-Regiment Grossdeutschland temporarily ettached in XIX Armeekorps, commanded by General Guderian and 6th and &th Ponzer Divisions as part of General Reinhardt's XXXL Armeekorps Inaddition, Heeresgruppe A could callupon 7th and Sth Panzer divisions with XV Armeekorps Planning for an invasion inthe west Began almost as soon os Britain and France declored war on Germany in September 1939 with the clef of the German General Staff, General Franz Holder, presenting Hitler with his plan in October. Classified as Aufmarschanwelsung Ne, I¢coled foro thrust through Belglumin@ largely infantry operation reminiscent of the Schleffen Plan of 1914 and the similarity alone may have been enough for Hitler to demand that Halder's plan be ‘completely revised. Further, although the terran through central Belgium was idea! for tanks, the general stff hod almost completely ignored Germany's armoured force which had not only proven itself in Poland but was one of Hitlers favourite propaganda weapons. Over the next six months the original plan underwent several changes being almost completely re-written by General Eric von Manstein, chef of stoff of Heeresgruppe A, using a proposal originally submitted by General Heinz Guderian - which Manstein had initially rejected. The fina version was approved by Hitler and code named Aufmarschanweisung Ned Fal Gel, or Cose Yellow, Regarding Halder’ plan as too obvious, Manstein shifted the moinattock othe Ardennes which was almost universally regarded ‘as unsuitable for armoured operations. In Belgium and Holland, Heeresgruppe 8 - made up of largely infantry units - would pin the Ales, allowing the German ‘mobile units of Heeresgruppe A toattack through the Ardennes, force acrossing ofthe River Meuse and strike deep into the enemy'srear area. Thisplon was nt without risks large, dangerous gaps were left on both the northern and southern flanks ofthe Schwerpunkt-itealy spear point -or main axs of attack. till worse, ifthe Anglo-French army fled to take the bait offered by the advance of Heeresgruppe B andinstead confronted Heeresgruppe A -or even maintained their positions - disaster was almost sure ta follow and many senior officers counselled @ return fo the less imaginative but safer course offered by Halder’: ‘original plan. Hitler however was prepared to gamble that the Panzers would penetrate deep nto the enemy's territory, disrupting supply and communications ‘and sowing the same kind of panic and confusion that had defeated Poland the previous year. The invasion began In the early hours of May 10, 1940 when parachute and glider infantry landed in Holland and Belgium. Although of mited tactical value - the ndings in Holland coming dangerously close to failure ‘more than once -they helped o convince the ales thatthe main attack would come in the north. Meanwhile the infantry diisions of Heeresgruppe B odvanced into Holland and Belgium andjust as Mansteln had predicted, the Allies moved to meet the immediate threat. Infact the British and French commands behaved ‘almost as though they were following the German plan to the letter and in their hast to protect Brussels had left the exits from the Ardennes around Sedan virtually undefended believing, as the Germans had hoped, that an attack here was highly unlikely. Lote inthe day on May 12 lead elements of three Panzer ‘visions reached the Meuse neor Sedan all three days ahed of the Allies most pessimistic predictions. Within 24 hours, three German corps were across the "ver the single most important natural barrier between them and the English Channel. In central Belgium, anticipating a replay ofthe 1914-18 Wor, the Allies were powerless tomount any kind ofcounter thrust andcutofffrom their supplies, began the etreat tothe Channelports, 1 Inset: A Pekw IV ausf D from 4.Kompanie, Ponzer-Regiment 1 of 41 Panzer-Divsion photographed in ate lune. TORT cue een Meee Carer Ml ala Re aa RE ace Peo eg ab eri near eae ee [renee crores aoa ea a Eerie a Re eR i ; oar artic ered aati aa eae eee to iid Gemma ta ar se ero arto Eee ee aa cea ee Feet a ghee non ice a [Eire ia ‘A coptured French Peugeot 42 open-topped sedan seen here with men of L.Gebirgs Division. Although this vehicle has ‘received a Wehrmacht registration number and plate there {re no ather markings visible and tisinterestng to speculate ‘sto whether this carhas been repainted by its new owners or hhas retained a coot of French vert armée a dark olive green. Thisdvision was one ofthe premier formations ofthe German ‘Army and in the 1940 campaign distinguished itseff at the crostingsof the Maas ond Loire vers Aan Sdkfe 10 ne ton half trackand its 3.7em Pak ant-tankgun being {ferried cross river. Although nearing obsolescence when the war ‘began and incapable of penetrating the heavier French and British tanks, these guns were stil effective against lightly armoured vehicles, which in fact made up the bulk of the Allied force. One pce! unit, 1.Panzer-Divsion, hod approximately thirty of these ind in May 1940 with twelve of those equipping the anzerjager Abteilung (mot) 37 THE PANZER DIVISIONS, 1940 1LPanzer-Division 4. xompanie, Panzerager-Abtelung 8 Panzer-Regiment 1} repair company) (Labtellone iLAbtellune (Tabtellune Panzer-Regiment 2 {ivAbtellung 2.Panzer Brigade hwereanteri |e fee) AM) (Tek Bex mG [B] (eX) leno mfeA] (lke eo Emus] Panzer-Regiment 3) repair ompany) (Tabteiung Abteilung (Labtetang WAbtellung| schwere infanterie= Geschate Kompanie 703 (ep Tek mf 3.Panzer-Division Teo eo alto] Panie Regine 5} paren) (1abtetng UAbeiurg) s : (dex To I) mito) (Abtetane : Panzer-Regiment 6 (leo Ta [miko] itastelng) : (eX [exo I mo | Abteilung Panzer-Regiment 35 "ep eo a mB) liAbteilune repair company (dex Tan I min [Abteilung [feo Tl ['e Ko [i Ko 4.Panzer-Division S.Pancer-Brigade Panzer Regiment 36 Abii (ex exo J) mt 5.Panzer-Division feo IB) lex J mx) Panzer Brigade (ie) fen fa rk Panzer Regiment 31 (lek [eo J) mR) repair company GeschutzKompante 708 LAbtellung [Abteilung ‘eke [ex [Bj [mx] schwere:infanterie Geschute Kompanie 705 8.Panzer-Division [Abtellung Panzer Regiment 25, PanzerRegiment 10, TiAbteilune ‘eke B) exp [6] m0) UAbtellung 6.Panzer-Division Panzer Regiment 12 Panzer Abteilung 65) Panzer Abtelung 66) Abteilung Abteilung Abteilung Abteilung x z z (exe Bree mk (Teo Ul lex El mikB] [eR Beko mk] [lex Pl leno Emiko] Although all tonk battlions ‘were by this tine each made up of three companies, the companies were not olways numbered sequentially ‘throughout he regimentoreven Dattafon. The reason for ths is unclear and the allocation of company numbers would seem fon the’ information presently vailable = to be somewhat ‘random. Where we have been ‘ble to confirm the company ‘number using photographic ‘ekp[m eka imo [E] evidence its noted. Numbers ee 7 a rendered in white are probable Snnybut hight Panzer Abteilung 67| Jeo exe Lmao] (lek JB) lex [mi |) 9.Panzer-Division Panzer-Regiment 33 iabellung Tee UM lex mito) (TeX ex J] mito] 110.Panzer-Division “eT eto imino) BRD the Panaerdusons were undergaipa a wi te ormoure orga en rence | eee Ae eee eee soins nen ime se ier ese are ee ee eee Sous’ the number of tntons arable wit ee pee ee oe ee ere Severus moment by 0 odor se ‘cach divsion’ ormoured structure Is presented Panzer-Regiment 7 “chwwereinfantevie= [Abtellung TAbtellung Panzer-Regiment 8} repaircompany TiAbtellun Gesehute Kompanie 705, (eke tex BB) (tek Beko 4 mis) (tek PB lek [2] mit JB] (Tek [ko Il miko J) esas ener nes uns nal an ner oPaet nee eee es ee See fae Se — Sere eee eee ae ee aes — [Ponzer-Regiment i) 2 6) e I t ! es =e 2 t a) resin iB _psangine22—| a sol a3 a — a — en ee ee ae ee ae aes a ee ee ele aes — ee a { { \7.Panzer-Division [Panzer-Regiment 25 T pare elle a ‘ ee = ab [os ees er — -—t |20.Ponzer-Division |Panzer-Brigade.4 |Panzer-Regiment 7 2 58 2 16 | 2 r ee — r esas a oy 3|— | — sa — | — a! al et —st —o oemans = —— = ‘Although at enst one authoritative source omits the Panzer battalions attached to 6th, 7th and th Panzer Divisions from the order of battle for May 1940 they {are all mentioned inthe accounts of officers of those divisions who took part in the campaign. Indeed, the rst company of Panzer-Abteilung 65 -commanded bby Franz Boke-led the division into Belgiumin the early hours of 19 May. Although exact numbers of vehicles are not avoilabe tisknown that during the Polish campaign of the previous September, Panzer-Abtellung 65 had been equipped with Pzkw I, Pzkw IV and Pzkw 35(t) tanks, Panzer-Abteilung 66 had P2kw land P kw il tanks only while Panzer-Abtellung 67 hada number of Pzkw I, PzkwIV and Pzkw 38() vehicles on hand, Given the figures shown above itis highly likely that Panzer-Abteilung 66 had received atleast a few Pzkw 38{t) tanks by May 1940, Unfortunately individual totals for Panzer-Regiment 5 and Panzer Regiment 6 of 3.Panzer-Division are not avolable. Not included here are the tanks of the Panzer-Lehr Abteilung which wos attached to XIX.Armeekorps and wos at various times under the command of the divisions ofthat corps. The battalion was nt, as some sources state, attached to3.Panzer-Divisin asit had been during the fighting in Poland. 5 Above: A Pekw IV aus{Cfram 8 Kompanie, Ponzer-Regiment 20f ‘LPanzer-Division photographed between Sedan and Reims. The practice of underlining the turret. number was an identifying feature of thisregiment’s Abteilung and the use of ‘a single number would suggest a company headquarters. At left: A Pzkw IV ausf C of 8Xompanie, Panzer-Reg ‘LPanzer-Division. In the original print ofthis photograph division’ Ook Leaf unit insignia is visible below the ni The small dot to the right ofthe turret number identifies t regiment’ Labtellung. Below: An Sdkfe 221 armoured cor jehiclesanda Pokw 38) a Wolts behind two Sdkfe 7 Panzer Division ‘A Pekw IV ousf C of 7.Ponzer-Division, Note that the turret numb 4322, is also displayed on a metal plate attached to the hull rear, probably in white on a block background. Large red, outlined white ‘numbers were a distinguishing feature of this divsion and although, {the large number painted onto the commander's cupola appears hhave a decidedly light centre ths is almost certainly due to Panzer-Abteilung 66 employed a system of different c bbeen suggested. The position of the Bolkenkreuz aj ‘number may ide Panzer Abteilung 66 were reversed os can be ‘men nthe foreground are fromthe SS-Totenkoph ine two-colour camoufia rophic exampl ta.most German Army vehicles from its introduc ffcaly discontinued. Although difficult to di Camoufloge con be detected on either side ofthe Balkenkreuz on the hullfront and on the hull side ust ter patches of Dunk bbehind the vision port and under the gun mantiet. Cl thatthe centre of each se inspection of the Balk Atright: Three turmgeschitzINusf ssp ‘uns halted by a roadside in France. Although this photogreph is somewhat unclear, in the original print itis possible to detect what ‘appear tobe items of Woffen-SSinsigniowagn bby members of the crew of the Kod behicle Inset: Sturmgeschite li ausfA being cleoned courtesy of @ French water hydrant. The Unteroffsier atthe centre ofthe photograph is Wearing the field-grey version of the Panzer uniform with the distinctive NCO Tresse ‘attached tothe collar and what appears to be lack Totenkopf collar tab, Below: Although itgmarkings are visible on this ‘ndtz MM ausf A, other than the fkenkreuz national insignia on the hull side, “a tactical sign isvisible on the damaged, near Nate the French helmets carried on the ts as souvenirs, a common practice the 1940 campaign. Below, centre: Pekw | ausf . .Panzer-Division. The markings of this division's tanks, including the yellow rhomboid symbol and the use ofa two-digit turret ‘umber had changed tte sine the Posh campaign. Of note the oficial unit the hollow Bolkenkreve. Large turret numbers were {frequently seen on these light tanks n 1940 onda further example is depleted ‘on the unidentified Pekw I ousf A, shown below right. and the Prkw I aust 8 of IiAbteilung, Panzer Regiment 36, 4 Panzer Division in the photograph a left Above left is shown an example of ane ofthe coloured oir recognition panels Which were intended to replace the pointed white rectangles previously Inuse. Of note i the use of the Solid white Baltenkreuz of 1939 lwhich could stil be seen on the lupper surfaces of vehicles fighting in rance. Prior tothe invasion of France and the Low Countries divisional formation sins, based on runic symbols, were allocated for each Panzer division, These signs were tobe displayed, in yellow, on an appropriate surface - usualy the hull font, rear or side or the turret. Vorations existed however and the offical versions Were sometimes ignored altogether. Shown above are several examples all based on contemporary photographs: A) This 2 Panzer Division PekwIlV features the rhomboid tactical marking denoting a fully racked armoured unit, which incorporates the company number above the divisions offical insignia of two large dots. This combination style of marking may have been restricted to the diision’s Panzer-Regiment 3; B) 5.Panzer Division. les probable t giments ofthe division were identified by the yellow ond black rhambold shape seen here and the solid yellow version seen on the Pek aber a panzer Iwas used by Panzer-Regiment 15 of S.Panzer-DWision. Although this ation is far from conclusive we have been able to examine a cantemporary photograph of aPekw licarrying the circle marking on the turet side anda 3 identicalin style and sae to that shown Inthe previous panel. showing that some lin /sat least possible: D) This Pzkw Varies the Official unit insignia of 6 Panzer-Diviston E) Although the official unit insignia allocated to 8 Panzer Division was made up ofaletter¥ followed by one large {do photographic evidence shows that this crass symbol wos used in France. Confusingly, this marking was adopted by S.Panze-Divsion inate 1940 or early 41941; F) Ths Pekw IV provides an example ofthe use ofan official unit marking, this time denoting 9.Panzer-Division, which was previously thought to have come intouse after the French campaign. The two crosses were carcied either at the front of the hull as shown here, or onthe side behind the vsion part. Less {frequently this marking can sometimes be seen painted onto the turret side. G) and H) The tanks of Panzer Regime’ "-Division were identified by this white Wolfsange! marking in addition to the divisions offical symbol ofa etter followed by three dots. Note that the Wolfsangel rune reversed on these twovehicles which may, ormay not, be significant. The coloured bars may identify individual companies but theirexact meaning snot clear a this time; 1), The lorge letter G shown here on this Prkw ill was used to identify the divsions of Panzergruppe Guderian, formed on 5 June from XiX-Armeekorps. The ‘rhomboid marking, which could be yellow, is similar to that used by 2 Ponzer Division which ws indeed part of Guderian's command: J) The large leter K ‘Shown onthe fender ofthis Pekw lV identifies aunitofPanzergruppe Kies. u Prkw Il ausf € 3.Kompanie, Panzer-Regiment 25, 7-Panzer-Division. These large, red outlined white turret ‘numbers were an identifying feature of the tanks ofthis division. The unit Insignia, shown ot right, wos usually placedatthefrontorrear ofthe hullond ‘sometimes bath. Pzkw 1! ausf €. 3.Panzer-Division. The use of a large Roman 1 to signify a Ist battalion headquarters was 2 ‘common practice throughout the war. The division's unit Insignia, marked here on the turret front, was based on thesihouette ofthe Brandenburg Gate, the division being recruited from the Berlinarea. Pkw I! ausfC. Stab, Panzer-Regiment 2,2.Panzer-Divsion. The significance of the colourful turret marking is unknown at this time and may be o personal ‘affectation of the commander or crew: front view of this vehicle Is shown in pponelB, below. In May 1940 the German Army inthe West had over nine hundred of these ight tanks on hand distributed among the sixteen Panzer regiments and three sem independent bottalions available to Oberbefehishaber West. Fast ond mechanically reliable they were however no match forthe heavier French and British tanks ond their usefulness was limited to reconnaissance. Shown here are examples of typical unit markings and insignia all based on contemporary photographs:A) The official unit nsigniaof 7.Panzer Division. The German flag incorporating the National Socialist Hokenkreuz emblem was increasingly {as 0 means of aerial recognition asthe compolgn progressed; 6) The official unit insignia used by at least one of the tank regiments of 2.Panzer-Divsion, the letter R denoting a regimental headquarters. The marking was carried by the tank depicted in the profile above; ) 4.Panzer-Divsion. The large dot following the turret number identifies Panzer Regiment 36;0}n example ofthe large yellow rhomboid marking used by Panzer Division and discussed onthe previous This example has been squared off tofit the ovolable space; E)1.Panzer-Division. Although the runic symbol ofan inverted letter ¥ was allocated to this ionitis seldom seen on tanks, the Oak Leaf motifshown here being preferred. 2 “Above and at right: Exomples of the system of marking seen on @ number of, tanks of Panzer-Regiment 1 Although the meaning ofthese geometric shapes Isat known, they may have been @ quick means fo klentfy platoons within o company ereven ranks At top: Panzerbefehlswagen ill ausfE. ILAbteilung, Panzer-Regiment 2, 4LPonzer-Division. The personal mount of Hauptmann Gitterman, the ‘commander of lAbtelung, this tank was disabled near Cherhery, east of ‘Reims, and photographed from severalangles allowing us tobe precise about the markings. Note the eorly style aerial recognition marking of a white rectangle and solid white Bakkenkreuz At left and below: Panzerbefehiswagen Il) ausf . 1.Panzer-Division. ‘Although we connot be certain, this tank’s number may indicate that it was ‘attached to the headquarters of one of the Panzer regiments of 1.Panzer- Division - possibly Panzer-Regiment 2. Note the unit insignia on the gun mane ante Boenkeuzpante ont te eto armour pate tthe ulifront. Pekw Il ausf E. Panzer-Regiment 1, 1.Panzer- Division. A common feature of this regiment's tanks were the solid white turret numbers that seem to have been applied - for the most part-n {fairly consistent size ond style. Note however thot the three samples shown here - from the second, third and fifth companies ~ do exhibit small differences suggesting that the numbers were applied by hand. The divsion’s white Oak Leaf unit insignia on the other hand seems to hhave been placed ot the whim ofeach individual crew although available photographs seem to Indicote thot a stondardsiedstenci. kw Il ausfF. 5 Kompante, Panzer-Regiment 1, L Panzer Division. Note the placement of the division's unit insignia. As mentioned above this Oak Leaf symbol remains largely consistent in shape and size in photographs of ths division's vehicles taken during the 1940 campaign although itsplacement varies considerably. Pekw Ill ausf & or F. 7-Kompanie, Panzer- ‘Regiment 2, 1.Panzer-Division. The tanks of the regiment's iAbteflung were easly identified by the thick underline tothe turet number as can be see here on the turret of the company ‘commander's tank, Although many tanks were ‘marked with a white rectangle or supplied with a brightly coloured panel as an aerial recognition device’ many nits in the field come to rely ‘increasingly on the use of the national flag as shown atfarleft,as did ths tank kw Ill ausf E. 3.Panzer-Divsion. Although it has been suggested that the tanks ofthis division were marked with large red numbers outlined in white ia ‘analmastidenticalmanner to Panzer-Regiment 25, weare certain that the numbers were rendered asa ‘white outline only. Below: Pekw Il ausf E or F Panzer-Regiment 36, 4.Panzer- Division. The small cot following the turret number wos an identifying feature of this regiment's tanks. At right: The ‘photograph on which our illustration is based, Note the unit insignia-shownin an enlarged version atleft-justta the right of the Balkenkreue on the hull rear plate, Available photographs show that this runic sign - the so called Man symbol-was usually applied by stencil as her. Below: Pzkw Ill ous E, Panzer-Regiment 35, 4.Panzer-Division. This tank was alsabled and severely damaged during an engagement witha number of French rd Division Legere Mechanique andi’ identification z ‘basedon aFrench report Iearries no identifying marking other thon the largered numbersonthe turret side which fore unusual for thisperiod Pekw Il ousf E. Panzer-Regiment 7, 10.PanzerDivision. The regiment's colourful unit insignia of a standing Bison was sometimes applied as 0 white ‘outline only and sometimes with a black centre ax shown here. Of note isthe large stowage box on the ull side -« common feature on P2kw Il tanks of this ‘regiment -which accommodates both the tank's number and the. Balkenkrevznationalmarking Pzkw Il ausf E, Panzer-Regiment 31, S.Panzer-Division. The regiment's unit ‘marking of a red devils face with white details was usually, fnot always, cariedon| the turret side towerds the front sometimes ona dork, probably black, background and! Sometimes as shown here. A variation of} thismarkingisshown on page 20. kw ill ausf E. Ponzer-Regiment 8, 10.Panzer-Divison. The tanks ofthis regiment are easily identified by the white Wolfsanglelrune carvied- usually ‘on the turret rear. The system of vertical and horizontal coloured barsis not fully understood at this time but may indicate a particular compary within ‘one of the regiment’ two battalions. The photograph at left shows another variation ofthe system. The markings ofthis regiment are discussed further in theillustrationsectionn page 11 and page 20. ‘Pekw ill ausf Unit unknown. Although it'simpossible to identify the unt to which his vehicle belongs, the syle, sizeandcolour ofthis tank’s number 733, ‘are similar to those used by other tanks believed tobe from Panzer Division Phw Il ausf G. Unknown unit. This ilutration i actually o composite based on images of two early model ousf G tonks photographed in 1940. The fist was ‘photographedin traning immediately prior tothe invasion of France and the Low Countries andthe secand was photographed Daimler-Benz assembly plant in Germany Both show clearly the use ofthe two-colour camouflage scheme of Dunkelbraun on a base of Dunkelgrau. Inthe latter image the edges f the brown ppatches have been feathered to such an extent that they appear os asiightylghter outline, Both photographs show thatthe brown comoufage wos extended tothe owerhulland someoftheroadwheels. Pw il ausfE or F. Unit unknown, Photographed ato repair depot after the conclusion of the French campaign this tank has the large red turret numbers outined in white that are usually indicative ofthe tanks of 7 Panzer Division ‘while their position and size would suggest Ponzer-ABteilung 66. The tanks ofthe divsion’s Panzer-Regiment 25 ‘nvoriably wed numbers which covered the greater part of the turret sides andindeed photograph of tank 333,0P2kw IV, of ‘theregiment’sabtellungis Known to ens Right: Pkw IV ausf C. Panzer-Regiment 31, S.Panzer-Division. This regiment's distinctive unit sign of a red devils face fist made its appearance in the 194 ig {nd was used with only sight variations up ‘until the war's end. It wos also applied without the black background, Below: Pakw IV ausf C. 6.Kompanie, Ponzer-Regiment 31, 5.Panzer- Division. The use of small vehicle numbers wos common within this division as wos the metal rhomboid shaped plates used to display the ‘number. In the original print ofthe photograph at left arnt traces of the ‘wo-colour camouflage depicted in ourilustration are visible. Nota this regiment's tanks caried the devil's foce motif shown above and itis ppossible thot it wor 0 late addition to the campaign perhaps only ‘ppearing during Flo, the folow up operation to Fall Gelb. tea, The Pkw IV was the most powerful tank fielded by the Panzer divisions in 1940, although just 280 were available for the campaign in the west. The panel: ‘above, all based on contemporary photographs, show some ofthe variation in markings employed by these tanks: An example ofthe system of white bar Used by Panzer Regiment & of 10,Panzer-Division. The significance is not full understood at this time, 8) Avery elaborate marking applied to commemorate the sinking of an Aled destroyer off the French coast near Boulogne by tanks of 3.Komponie, Panzer-Regiment 3, 2.Panzer-Diision on 25 May 1940. More than one tankcarried this marking with very slight variations in each andiit fs possible that its use was extended to allthe tanks ofthe company’s fst platoon. C) The Oak Leaf insignia of 1.Panzer-Division was often applied to the turret front or rear on all types of tanks. From the vailable photographic evidence be that only Panzer Regiment 1 used this sign foritsPzkw IV medium tanks. Note| ame isn stencil form; D) Photographs suggest the fla hull frontofthe usfCmodel between the driver's visorand the machine gun mount; E) The combination insignia of 2.Panzer-Divsion incorporating the yellow rhomboid symbol denoting {2 tank formation and the division’ official unit insignia of two large dots. This combination unit insignia may have been used by Panzer-Regiment 3 only with the division’ Panzer-Regiment & tanks being identfied by the two dot symbol alane. Note that here only the marking on the lower hull features the company 20 Pekw 38(t). 1.kompanie, Panzer-Regiment 25, ‘7PanzerDivision. These large red numbers, ‘outlined white and toking up much ofthe turret | ‘sides, were an identifying feature of| this regiment. at left isthe division’ ‘official unit insignia which on these fanks was usually applied at both the {front and back ofthe vehicle either on theturet, the hullorsometimes both Pekw 38{t). 2.Kompanie, Panzer Regiment 25, 7.Panzer-Diviston. ‘This regiment and Ponzer Abteilung 66, which wos temporarily attached to the division, had ninety-one of these tanks on hand in May 1940, At for leis ‘anexample ofthe application ofthe Bolkenkreuzandunit Insigniatotheturretrear. Befehlspanzer 38|t). 2-Kompanie, Panzer-Regiment 25, ‘Although evident on al the vehicles shown here, the_ forge white rectang Panzer Division From photographic evidence it would fated oot eral deck x on ctl eon ud wos ig ou of ‘appear that these vehicles were allocated tothe stff of Favour by the ime 0: expenence n Poland had shown that they eachofthe regiment's companies while the battalion and Deore coloured covers tani regimentatheodquarters were equippedvwith ‘command tanks based on the Pzkw 88cm Flak 18 L46 (Sf) auf Zugkraftwagen 12¢ Sdkfe 8 Bufla. 1.Kompanie, schwere Panzerjiger-Abtellung 8 ust ten of these vehicles had been manufactured by Moy 1940 {and six served with this company during the campaign in the West, for the mast part Supporting 1-Panzer-Divsion. Despite the reputation that this gun would subsequently earn as an anti-tank weapon, these halftracks were designed as bunker-busters~ a task ‘they performed with devastating effect on numerous occasions -hence the name Bula, @ Contraction of Bunker Flak. A single vehicle was lost in France - probably destroyed by a ‘Stuka~ ond the company, renamed Ponzerjéger Kompanie 601, had four of ts six orginal hhalftrocks on hand in June 1942 while fighting in Russo. The two-colour camouflage Scheme common at this time con be discerned ino number of photographs but may not hhave been applied to all the company's half-tracks. Our photograph at eft shows the large white etter Kpainted on the right fender signifying Panzergruppe Kleist. The Balkenkreuz national insignia, painted asa white outline ont, is apparent in ‘mony of the available photographs of these vehicles but certainly not al. The {fencing wire depicted here also seems to have been @ common feature of the ‘company’shaiftracks. Also of note ae the specialy modified gun shields andthe wicker ammunition cases Pee eg Cre ve a photographs ofthe 1940 MRE i Pere a renee tt ao eM a eh Shy: aes Ea, peewee ese fe nee Tikes ar Poa) fia Re ry Peer eed Two photographs taken from the some sequence show tanks of Panzer Regiment 8, 10.Panzer-Division passing through a French town. The Pek IausfD depicted here that leads the column has the white diago) marking on the nearest fender that was used to identify tanks of division. tis possible that the use of this morking was discontinued wh Mic Armeckorps became Pancergruppe Guderion. On the hull side, j behind the spare wheel, con be seen the, number This Pekw Ill ausf E caries no visible markings other than the 5.xompanie number on the hull side justin front of the open vision prt. Theabscence ofthe wellknown Bison symbol and the 3.Kompanie number carried by the Pzkw IV above confirms th these vehicles are from Pancer-Regiment 8 whose Wolfsangel would have been carried.on the turret ear. Further ‘Above and lft: These two photographs of Pzkw 28(t) tanks of Panzer-Regiment. 25, 7 Panzer-Division ilustrate very well the typical appearance of the regiment’ light tanks. Just visible on the vehicle ‘shown above is a 2.Kompanie number applied in Jarge red, outlined white numbers onthe turet sie. The Balkenkreuz national insignia in both cases has a black centre and thin, white arms. The tonk depicted in the photograph ot left somewhat unusual i having ne turret number but does corry the vsion’s Unitinsigniaat the turret front In the riginal print fs possible to discern the tw

    Вам также может понравиться