Scribd Logo
Upload

Welcome to Scribd!

  • German Self-Propelled Guns PDF

    Uploaded by

    Chris
    22 views70 pages

    Original Title

    German Self-Propelled Guns.pdf

    Copyright

    © © All Rights Reserved

    Available Formats

    PDF or read online from Scribd

    Did you find this document useful?

    Is this content inappropriate?

    Report this Document

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF or read online from Scribd
    Flag for inappropriate content
    22 views70 pages

    German Self-Propelled Guns PDF

    Uploaded by

    Chris

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF or read online from Scribd
    Flag for inappropriate content
    of 70
    aaa DF AT WAR SBA GERMAN SELF-PROPELLED GUNS Self-propelled abi anti-tank and anti- Self-propelled Artillery (Selbstfahrlafette-Artillerie, Panzer-Artillerie) ‘One of the earlest saltpropelied artiley pieces was the 15cm $16.88/1(St) auf Pz Kplv| Ausf Bor Bison'|(Sd.KF2 101) The boxy 10mm thick superstructure was extremely high (3.5 meters) and gun added 6,000 pounds (2,700 kilograms) resuting in a top-heavy vehicle with poor orose couriry mobility It had a fvesman crew, two of whom rode in. an accompanying Sd. Ktz.10 halsrack carrying extra ammunition. Ammunition nas carried in the support vehicle as only thre ready rounds could be Caried aboard the Bison. The 1Sem s.1.G.23/1 infantry gun was mounted ‘ona PzKpiw.l Aus. tank chassis on is normal cariage. Only 38 o these vehicles were converted in early 1940 and employed with infantry gun companies (Infanterie-Geschitz-Kompanie) in France, Russia, and the akans unbl withdrawn in lato 1043. These companies were normally sitache to Panzer divisions. This ison’ | displays four insignia on its dark {727 Sde (tom top to bottom);-narrow white outline Balkenkreu (no Black) te 'S"for the gun numbor, dark yellow 1.Panzer Division insignia (inverted Y), and a white tacteal unit symbol, Sovet Union, August 1941 ‘Bison | evaits order to move further into a French town, 1940, This 706 Infanterie-Geschotz-Kompanio ‘Bison is painted dark gray. The white identifies it as belonging to Panzergruppe von Kleist (ater rodosgnated Panzorgruppe 1). The white” indfcates tis the fth gun within the batey ‘The guns were identified A through F. Note the tunna-ike recessed opening beneath the gun, Ths provided Pe civer witha field of vision and allowed for an overhang ofthe gun compartment to provide much needed room fo the crew and gun. Unarmored Sa.Ktz 10 personnel carer haltacks are lined up behind the Bison’ wih another ‘Bison bringing up the rea. ‘A Beon | of 70 nlantere-Geschitz-Kompanie passes an assorment of headquarters vehicles. The crew has fabcated tarp to hep keep dt out ofthe gun port and the muzzle plug is inplace. Most sol-propoled guns used canvas muzzle covers rather than plugs. Even through travel withthe muzzle protect standard procedure required the cw to visualy inspecting the bore to ensure thera ware no obstructions before ting, em S.FH.19/1(St) auf Geschitzwagen ) sel-propeled howitzers (SdKt2 135/1) i and were fist used in North Afi, mainly by 15. and fe-Dvision. ts urusual design, necessary because of the engine, resulted in a distin a retractable spade, fing. The howitzer hac avery ime fied howitzers. The eamoutlage patter tover-painted on dark gray. The white D-ike symbol with a fal bar, the divisional emblem of 21-Panze below and othe let ofthe rear Bs ul carry only eight rounds, ‘The divers compartment of ts Sd.K12.135/1 is open wih is spit ters opening upward and downward, Note the 7.92mm MG-34 machine gun wih an antarera From the front his vehicle 84 Kf 101 mounting 15. ht mounted on the righ ont of ts superstructure n be coofused wih the aore commen Bison | infantry gun in its high, boxier superstructure ‘The interior of the 15em sFH.181(St) neavy field howtzer in North Africa is being Ins Tho tSem s.FH.13 L/17 was adopted in 1917 and continued to se secondary rte into Wo idored an obs010% iL as of good design and provided effective service with a range of 8.780 yards (6,200 meter). ‘Asral Loraine tractor chassis. ily, Hey wore assigr rded and ther guns dstrbuted among te infantry and ‘yellow, An American infantyman poses before this example in France, 1984 This 150m 91.633 aut Fahrgsot Pz Kptail (St), oF ty, ‘Bison is veyed by a Britsh offcor in Nor Atrica, where all 12 ‘examples bu served withthe 707. and 708.schwere Iriamteriogeschotze Kompanien. A 15cm $16.53, Ui2 heavy infanty gun was n a siightly widened thened _ Pz:Kptvll ting in the action oad wheel. This gun had a 75-dogree elevation Only 10, uid be cared on-board and it had @ crew of Four. Unlike most other German salt-propetied artlery pieces, the ‘Bison Il had @ low profie, but ts crew pro Was Inadequate. ts cross: country mobily was poor, ‘mainly because the orginal engine was retained resulting in ‘underpowered. 8 learned from. the "Il and earber 15cm seit The 15m s1.6.39(St) aut Pz.Kptw.38() ‘Gril’ AustH (Cricket) (Sd.ktz 138/1) was bult on the Pz Kpfi.38() chassis, It mounted a 15cm S1.6.39 L12 infantry gun. Also inconecty called a ‘Bison, they were produced in limited numbers, but saw sorvice mall theaters assigned to regiments. had a crew of ve and was provided an MG: un compartment. Tis gun moves forward in support of In Rusela. This vehicle Is a solid dark yellow without ary ‘A heaully camouflaged ‘Gil’ Aust rushe mounted a7 62cm gun. The Sd Kiz 1381 Aus! Aust, though both used the Czechoslovak Pz Kpw:38() chassis 8 ‘A‘Grile’ Aust H trom 4 Panzer- Division in Russia is followed by one of scores of types of ight tucks employed by the Germans, So long at 150 vehicles of given type of vehicle were aval Useful for miltary service unted a 15cm $ FH 33/1 heavy infant’y gun and was ofan entirely diferent design than the Sc Kt? 1381 ‘A-Wespe'cracks out rounds at Soviet postions. The 10.50m le FH 182 Fahrgostll aut Geschitenagon Pz Katwl or ‘Wespe' (Wasp) was also known as the lsichte Felcnaubitze 182 aut Fahrgestell P2ikptwll (St) (Gdkte 128). The ‘Wespe’ mounted a le.FH.182, the same es used as toned arillary in dvsional arilery regiments. The ‘Wespe’ was bull on a PrKptwil Aust chassis modified by relocating the engine in a central Peston to allow space forthe gun compariment. A total of 676 wore built in 1943-44. This vohicie has been ‘eiry well camouflaged with bundles of viheat. The oval abject behind the ack ofthe foreground officer tothe ight isa leather binocular eyepiece cover used when the binoculars were slung 1 the neek and were not protected by is case. it was commonly sid on the step out ofthe way behind the neck A -wespe’ barrels down the road passing Pussian peasants, who quickly learned that roads ‘were for miltary traffic and ans were to keep to the sides, Even weighing over 12 tone and considered ‘overloaded for is Mayeacn 6 cylinder gasoline engine. ‘Wespe’ could hit 25. miles per hour (40 kilometer_per hour. Such high speeds were only undertaken when absolutely necessary though because of the Tepid transmissions, tracks and running gear Be ee ‘A Walfen-SS ‘Wespe' takes up poston in a Russian cori, November 1943. Note the formfting carvas gun compartment cover The ‘Wespe' had a craw of five. protected by 10mm armor on the gun ‘compartments superstructure. The howitzer had a 17-degree left and right traverse and a 42-degree elevation. While the craw was armed with Kar 98k carbines, they were also provided an MG-34 machine gun, which was ‘occasionally mounted atop the gun compartment on the ight sie, and ‘9mm MP-38 or MP-40 machine pistl(submactane gun). G3 Though @ is winter, the Wespe! has retained Is normal camouflage ‘A Wiespe’ battery in a close fring postion. While six guns were Judging by the relatively ight clothing the crew is wearing, this may be authorized per battery. t was not uncommon for fewer tobe avaiable. These ‘dsennere in 9 mider climate than deep in Russia. The armored Wespe’ guns have bean whitewashed. Sit trenches for the crews have been dug prototed the craw from some degree of counterbatery fe, but ts mebilty immediately behind each gun. There appears tobe litle concem for Soviet was ore advantageous tots survival. The ful-racked chassis allowed ito _counterbatey fia since tho guns are postioned so closely together and in ep better pace with the parzers they supported and allowed them oa neat formation, The tight formation also allows the guns to deliver a close cceupy fring postions that may have been uneachable by even hal-rack- concentration cn a small target without having to adjust the angle of each ‘owed artery. Ammunition Inclided high explosive, high explosive- guns fe in a more dleporsed rend, and smoke, Adtional ammunition was catod in the Munitons. S* aul Fgst.Pz Kptwil, or Munitionsschlepper 'Wespe’ ul-tracked carr, wo per battery. Only 159 of these were bul and mast WWespe’ batteries: nate supported by S:tonne Sd.Xtz6 halsracks or simply cargo trucks, 598 crew prepares a poston on a barren Ru were no natural terrain features ot vegetation to provide cover and onoaaiment. The frazen ground made i Impossibo o dg the gun in. Even Stal sit trenches for craw protection often had tobe blasted ty demolition harges. Note that sit trenches were not dug immediately beside the gun in order to achieve dispersal. all hat could ba done for concealment was to nhowash the vehicles and for troops to wear snox camouflage. This crew weer the insulated reversible winter uniform issu0d for the winter of 1942483 The crewman in the foreground wears a padded skullcap issued vith he unform in adtion to is integral hood ‘Wespe’ as wall a all ther vehicles crews became adept at securing ter vehicles for ral transport, the most common means of long distant movement. The crews of this unit have fastened two open-topped shoot meta boxee on tho forward sides of their Wespe’ superstructures for quent storage ‘AiViesp’, ts MG-24 mounted, chums is way up a ravine side. The crew has sung thei bread bags (containing rations and small personal iems) ona wire attached tothe supersiructu’s sige. The crewman at the let wears radio neadphones, This particular vehicle is gun "A" ofa battery. Its sometimes cifcultto iferentate between the 10:5em Wespe' and the {Sem "Hummel" # the muzzle brake cannot be seen, which the ‘Hummel lacked. The 10.5em howitzer has a curved support bracket just betnd the Darel recoil cylinder the 1Scm lacks this brecket. The muzzle take ofthe 10.5cm le. FH.4812 L28 is evidont hore. The use of the muzzle brake, also found on tho towed 10.5cm leFH.18 (M) (M = Mendingoremse—muzzle brake) field howitzer, alowed a more powerful propelant change extending the range by almost 2,000 meters. Soviet Union, July 1944 ‘While camoutlaging vegetation obscure these two Wespe’, the lowered talgate provides a view ofthe gun compartment with the howitzer in recl. Note tho ed and write sped aiming stake poles stoned beneath the drop-talgate. These are positioned forward o the gun to provide an azimth reference pint forindvec fe. Ac aiming stake can be seen between the two guns. Soviet Union, August 1964, 13 -R-Weepe' crew prepare fra fie mission urpacking ammunition, Eastern Front October 1944. One ofthe canoneers sets, 10.5em projecties on the tailgate to make them easly available fr loading. Thiry-Awo rounds could be stowed inside the vehicle In the treground canonee's adjust the number of propellant increments in the cartridge cases that alloned for mejor range changes. Tho cartridges were issued in boxes and the projectiles in weod-frame crates as seen tothe lat. On the left rear ofthe "wespe: are t via of ,Panger Division and the write un tactical symbol These are on a dark gray rectangle, the vehice’s ‘over which a matted camouflage pattern has been painted. 14 scrully uniformed American soidir stands beside fan abandoned Wespe in France, 1944. The spray-painied ‘appears to be olve ‘green on dark yelow. A Diack "=" is seen on the forwars Nowmally letters, A-D. identified guns wih four batteries x woagon sesigna peces. Prior to 1943, manzer dision arillery regiments wore motorized, that I, the howitzers were towed by. halltracks. From arly 1943 Wespes' began to equip two si gun batteries of the amteiing’ of Panzer Arillorie-Regimenter of Panzer divisions. ts 3 Batterie had six 1m ‘Humme!’s Habtellung had two sixgun batteries of haltrack-towed ToSem howitzers and uAbtelung two batterice of | 150m omitzers and one with ‘em guns, all with four pioces Panzergrenace dvisions made do wit haltrack-towed 10.50% howitzers. Avtelung Banaton wih es han oe companes) wat Utes This 10.5em le.FH.18(St) aut Geschitzwagen 39H{") had been rrodited by the unit with steol ‘ragmentation guards fited to protect ‘he 10.5em howitzers recoil cyinders 2 well as addtional shieiding on the barrel and over the sie shielding. The oulage pattern is dar green and Sark yellow All 24 vehicles that were bai served with 21 Panzer Division in Nomandy. : The crew of tis Hummel had fited @ wire frame quard on the upper giacs in front of the vers porto aid the ceiver in postioning the vehcie Inthe dretion of re, The radio operator ode inthe fight bow compartment. The fado though could be operated trom elsewhere in the vehicle. With only tne battary of 15em howitzer-armed Hummels’ na Panzer division, it was a valuable weapon for backing the two 10.5em howitzer-armedWespe! halteries. While hey were faw in number, there wore also two fourtube batteries of hal-vack towed 10m howitzers in @ vision; tere were sb Hummels’ par Battery rather than tha usual four as in towed he Schwere Panzerhaubitze aul Geschitzwagen WIV (St), or SdiKl.165, was commonly known as the "Hummel (Bumblebee), This vehicle was bult on 2 hybrid chassis employing features ‘and components of the Pz Kpfwll AustJ (driving and steering mechanism) and P2.KotwlV Aust hal, suspension, engine, and cooling system), The engine was reposoned in the center to alow space for tho gun ‘compartment. This Hummer crosses a simple, hastily erected bridge. The Stream ie not too wide, but whe ful tracked vehicles are often thought of as able to cross minor abstaces, a stream buch a5 this can easly hal such Vehicle, The below water stream banks may be too stoop and even if shalow the saturated bottom too deep with mid and sit to allow the vehicie passage. It evident that the pioneers. are fident oftheir work as some remain fn the timber pontoon bridge as the 25.2410n (22,860-kidgram) vehicle fses over the rain-swolen stream es sb Ce weer ein ood 'A-Humnmel battery in fring postion. The near vehicle has a tarp draped over the side to nelp break up is profi, The next gun further back has pianks laid against ts side forthe same purpose. In the foroground are ‘nick shiping containers for tho 98.6-pound (82.9-klogram) high explosive projectiles. Atllorymen refered o the containers as a Kotler (suitcase). The Gsciike object in the ght foreground is the bottom side of a Tellrmine. Artilery units would plant anitank mines on aemor approaches into thei ‘area if hey intended to occupy the position for sometime. ‘The guns ofthis Hummet battery have been hasty spray-painied with Inegular olve green jagged stripes over the dark yelow base. The logs fastened to the sie, which wore also camouflage pained, are to aid n Undtching, Note the radio anienna mounting on the right front ofthe track {uards, A'Humme! carted a Fu.Spr Gert. radio, also used in the Wespe This’ Hummef is postoned beside a Russian windmill. The crow is wearing tho rversble winter uniform. The vehicle appears i ‘ora green, The Balkenkrouz was typically st ito make It loss conspicuous. During the Polsh campaign a white Balkenkreuz was used on tanks and other fes being conspicuously white, they were comparatively larger an offered the enemy an aiming point 'Abatery of Hummels’ move eastward deeper into the Soviet Union. Frits day, even though twas considered a eubetiute weapon, itwas an impressive and modern appesring se-propelled arilary place, Plans were underway to davalop bol purpose-dasigned 10.Scm and 15cm sel-popelieg howitzers, Out this ect nas never completed ‘A battery of Hummels’ prepares to bed down forthe night. agune ate sill travellock positon, It does not appear they expect to be fring from this sie. The guns have been whitewashed, Out t appears the Shouts have melted. Efforts ar@ made to breakup the vehices’ sihouettes fang max them lass conspicuous on the brown landscape. This 1S Sceomplshed by cut seplings (scare on the Russian steppes), draped farps, and camouflage nets. The crews have unloaded their bedrals and personal gear and are digging sit trenches forthe right. {battery of Hummel’ take up a fring position onthe broad Russian steppe. I appears that they have just begun to establish the postion, Normally sore ammunition and teuipment would be ofleaded benins the guns to provide the ero with more room to wotk. Aiming stakes nave not been setup yet as well The ‘Hummel to the right is ‘whitewashed with jagged bands lf of is dark yellow base Colo The others are painted Solid white, Note thatthe lower portion ofthe hull and road wheols are let unpainted as the fwater-base whitewash would be quickly worn off by splashing slush and mud ’A-Hummef fires a 15cm round diretly into @ Sovet bunker certain of dovastating eflect. This was a last resort option. Being mounted on a ful tracked tank chases with an armored wellsloped hull and superstructure Coupled with a long barrel gun gives the ‘Hummel’ ané ‘Wespe’ the sppearance of an eseault gun oF tank destroyer. Their thin armot. high Prt, and limited traverse made them extremely poor dct re combat Uohicles They were intended for indirect fo suppor. ‘A ‘Hume! crow, preparing ora long mave, rls 2 200-Her gasoline drum up & Tong ramp. Thoy wil carry ths wn them for an route refueling, for which a hand pump was provided, out would discard Beore entering combat. An ‘apple cider ote, a popular Beverage, sion the ground beside the tracks, The crew wears fithy winter uniforms fatter along. winter, Often ‘bearing a camouflage pattorn fon one sige, these norms are fan aternative light gray Russian spring of 1944, A ‘Hummel and a Saki2251/1 halttrack of SS: Panzer-Atileie-Rlegiment 2 288. Panzor-Divsion “Das Feicn’ are inspected by American ineligence personne! howitzer. The vehicle fumbers are black outined In white. The division's wolf's hook symbol on the rear of the hall track is dark yellow and the symbol fora” selt-propelled artilery battery (1.Battre) is in white Beneath i This Humme, Haubits seen in Pussia in January 1 has been whitewashed, Besides the driver, the rade operator shared the bow ‘compartment. The ‘Hummel had @ sixeman crew. Note the travel leek bars are folded do fing postion and are not securing the bareel even though the vehicle ig im motion. I has algo baen ted wih the wiser Winterkete’ tracks France, October 1944. Hummels’ fie on American troops fre camouflaged postions. Th far gun is better camouflaged boing positioned ina small grove of trees, The near gun is siting in the open and He "pled fon” vegetation gives an unnatural appearance. Only 18 rounds of ‘ammunition could be carise aboard the Hume’. Fortis reason a ex gun battery was supported by a Muntonstrager ‘Hummel hauing addtional (Over 700 ‘Hummels’ wore but, and even though there were only six assigned to a Panzer dision, they were lost ata higher rate than they could be replaced. This’ late production “Hummel with the wider dveriradio operator's Compartment, took a direct hit in the side’ roar, Brulange, France, October 1944. An MG: 34 machine gun was cariog ingie the gun compartment Vike SH Jo US. Nth A Foon pls spe! @trocked ou ura Hom A Fe enc Raitt rarer codiapsies ieee oan ee aro aa ci An abandoned ‘Hume! ‘Austria, 1945, This gun is spray-painted in regular splotches of ove groan. and Ted brown on dark yellow. Dabs Of the two darker colors. are Ssoatered over the patton for ‘more natural effect. The Yehicle’s name, “Siegirit” is painted in white on the Superstrucures side. A shell fragment hole can be seen in the over-barel recoil ynder. This ‘Hummer, gun 0, es suffered catastrophic Gamage when its ammunition Ceonated ater anit The white insignia below te white “D’ ‘appears to be tho sword bearing ghost emblem of TPanzerDivision, the Gespenster-Dvision ("Ghost ison’. The 1S0m s.FK.18/1 LOO heavy field howitzer of the Hummel’ was the same woapon as usod on the towed version, Ammunition included: high explosive, larmorpiercing, conerete-piercing, and smoke. Elevation was 42 degrees and traverse was. 15 ddegrens right and lft. louvered cover ventlated the engine, but many were addtonally fied with an angled shield opening upward. This can be seen in the lower right of the photograph. Czechoslovakia May 1945, ‘An American technician Sth grade stands on a captured Hume at Pilsen, Czechoslovakia, May 1945. The camoutlage pattern is olive green and red brown on the dark yellow base. As opposed othe crop-aigate on the rear of a ‘Wespe’, the ‘Hummel had a pair of small double doors, one of which can be seen Inthe open positon here. Like the Wespe, three aiming stake poles wore Carried in brackets beneath the rear doors. n the foreground isthe ear portion of a Sdkiz2 light halF-tracked motoroyle, or Keines Kettenkrad. Those wore prized as war booty by the Alles and continued to be manufactured afer the war for use by the postwar German Forest Service. ‘American soldiers wander through a. collection point for captured coguipment, Germany, traveling postion. On 27 January 1944 Hier ordered the Hummel tile suspended as he for a combat veh The _ Kar-Gerst (040 was fied with an fenormous 60cm honitzer making It the largest calber gun mounted ona fully tracked chassis, Sic of these huge guns were bulk from November 1940 to August 1941 Here we soo gun umber IV, named Thor, having a 2.17 Betongranate 40 (concrete piercing) shall being swung over tonto its leading tray by mpanying oppor based onthe chassis of a PekpfwlV Aust Thor was later ited with a longer but Smaller diameter Som barrel as. were (wo other guns. In this Configuration, it was known a Karl-Gorat 'No doubt it remained int feven though # may have not been used in official 5 The travel locks for the Hummel are in the 2 of the "Bumblebee wae an inappropriate term ‘artileryman's voeabulary correspondence ‘A number of the French ‘Canon de 194 mle GPF sur CCheniles’ were captured by the Gormans in 1940 and used by them as the 19.4em Kanone 485(f) GPF. this one in operation on the Easter Front. It cansisted of a World War | French 194mm ‘gun ona sat-propelled mounting. The earlest attempt at a sell-proe original concept was fort to mount the The Panzerjager | chassis, Pep! Aust. In 1940 and France, North Airca, and Russia wih sof flaws included a init 'A Panzerjager | passes through a Russian city. Owing tits many fa most were withdrawn rom in 1943, provide much needed mobile antitank guns nine Soviet a late production vehiclo identi over-sided 76.2 jounted on 5-on Sd Kiz6 halfracks in 1941, The fons were but by lk bold-D andlitie else, A crew acces The rear drop-hatch allowed empty 03 was mostly open, but the guns orginal shield was retained. It had a 30 ‘degree traverse left and ight. ro be carried. Six were bul and all served with Pz.Jq Abt 605 in North SSR) In France, 1944, The turet was removed from a French Renault 5 Eght i per-topped and ided @ large slerage compartment fo the rear with space between the overhanging compartment and the engine venting. Besides the unusual os, one of whichis open in he photograph. A 7.5em Pak 40/1(St) aut Geschitewagen (GW) Loraine Sehlepper () Marcer | (Sd.Ktz. 138). Bult on & French Tracteur Bindé 371, 170 were converted in July and August 1942. was armed withthe 7.5em Pak 4011 Las gun plus an internally carried MG-34, which could be mounted top the superstructure or employed dsmounted. Armor thickness varod from 5-12mm. This Marder | (Se.Kfz.135) aboard a ferry is nudged to shore. The ferry crea rush to poston the debarkation ramps. The Gormans mede wide use of fries constructed trom pre-fabricated tmber bridge sections and ifatable ruber boat pontoons by a 7.5em Pak 40(St) aut Goscnutzwagen 39H(f), Bult on a iss H-29 tank chass ferentiated trom the version bult on Lorraine tractor ty the three angled road whee! supports. The Lontane's hae a ingle vertical support between each pair of road wheels, The camoufiage is dark green splotches and narrow dark brown bands on dark “The camoulage of his PaK 40(S.) auf Geschotewagen 39H() appears tobe dark green over a dark yellow base, On 23 May 1943 the tacteal map Symbols for most types of units were changed, The white rhomboid symbol vith an artow identified this unit as 1st Batery of an assaukt gun battalion (Surmgescnitz-Abteilng) in France. The lourman crew wears locally fabricated sleeveless camoulaga smacks The 7.5em Pak 40/2 aut Fahrgestell Pz Kptl (St) Marder Il (SaXK"z.131) mage effective use of the large numbers of cbsolete Pz. Kil Aust light tank chasse. 37 main gun rounds wore cartod. An MG-34 iment. The gun was carried inside the gun compartment had an open top and @ party open back. ‘There was sufficient cover provided by the high engine deck to allow the crew to duck dow insise. A canvas. cover provided the gun compartment with weather protecton, This was removed in combat. 5-30"m armor protected the three-man crew. The brackets on the Superattucture’s side held picks and shovels. The ‘crewman cleaning the headlight s wearing the of-white ‘riluriform worn when conducting vehicle ‘AMarde (Sd K'z.131) has pulled on to the Russian roadsido Pept IV to pass. Tis apo spring of 1949 and the oops are wearing the ingulated inter uniform with the camouflage side out and the white sce in This Marder il (Sd.Ki2.131) sprayed lightly overs dark yellow probably ed. The wlle outline onthe black Balkenkreuz has been ise trimmed with a thin black border, aless than comman practice unt lator in the war. Note the tarp-covored 7 Scr ammunition Boxes on the rear eck. asses @ resting motoroycle cre, who are ignoring the dust. Note the tarp party covering the gun eomparmont 26 rer (Se.Kt2131) (lf) and a Marder ll Aust M 38) rll dawn a Russian dirt road. The types of Marders were occasionaly mixedin units, as more common for battalion to be equipped with a single type. The German soldier was astonished atthe limited numberof roads in Russia tremely poor quay. Most were dit and deteriorated quickly under the masses of German wheels and tracks. (Sd Kl 131) passes the crew o n Pak 97/98 anttank gun, This was a French 75mm M897 field qun barrel mounted on a German Sem Pak 98 cariage for emergency use alter the widespread appearance of the 34 tank. They used Fronch and Polish armorplercing ammunition as wall {8 German produced holow-cnarge rounds. Anitankc fore expected to Keop thelr carbines slung because ofthe necessary for extremely rapid gun ment. The Marder is painted with large regula ‘ark green on its dark yellow base, far too cont ledges to be fly effective, Ths view of the Marder demonstrates just how exposed the crow was tothe rea to This Marder (Sd.kl2.13 whitewash, Ammunstion boxes aro carried on the ack to augment the 37 rounds carrid internal. Marder Iie passing an infantry poston, The erew wears that winter_unitor infantryman wear ty : somatimes wore the jacket withthe camouflage side out and tr wit the white out. This allowod thoi Upper bodies to blend in the trees they were passing through and their legs to blend into the snow-covered ground. vod a winter FH (SA.KF2 131) i backed into ealment, Track sections and fastened tothe Mul. The Falledozen white bands on the barrl are kil rings (Abschussrnge) indicating the numberof fenomy vehicies this gun had destroyed. The ‘cudely painted white tactical number is 100 ‘obscured to make out. An MG-34 can be seen ‘atthe top right ofthe superstructure. The crew ‘wears the insulated winter uniform with the ‘camouflage side out in winter, Il was common pracice fo secure spare right ron ofthe gun compartment indicating thei value as ant-persorine! ost of these appear to bo iowash nas not been applied. The camouflage paint scheme may be ofthe dark ye whe ‘A Marder Il ofa Falschirmtruppen (paratroopers) unit in italy. The 1,2. and 4.Falischirmiiger-Dvsionen fought in tly. Note they are wearing the rimless M38 paratrooper stee! helmet and sand.colored tropical uniforms. Nane of these men are parachute-qualied. By 1943 few members ol the Fallschirmuppen were, They have mounted an MG-34 atop the superstructure visible below the center crewman, ‘This Marder I! of Panzer-Atilrie-Flegiment Hermann Géring passing ‘rough an ttalan vilage i camoutlaged with olve green paints over the dark yellow base. Note the tropical pth helmet hung on the front of the superstructure, common Lufwatfe‘ssue in southern Europe. Fo 's a 2om Flakvioring 38 aut schwerer Gelandegangiger Lastirahwagen 4 Sionne—a quad Flak 38 mounted on a Mercedes-Benz L500 4:50n truck with an armored cab ane hood. Is painted with distinct dark green bands on dark yelow “This 7Sem Pak 4012 auf Fahrgestell Pz Kpfw l(t) Marder Il, captured in Germany in 1945, has ie gun traversed let to the maximum 32 degrees ‘most boeking the gun sight port i traversed only 25 degrees tothe ght, The "212" vehicle number is probably red outined in while, but might be back The Balkerkrauzis lacking the outer narrow black edging, Another view of the same Marder il (S4Ki2.132). Rather than integrating the gun mounting into. the tupestructure, ae on mast olher Marder, the gun was sot ‘tap the supersttucture giving Ita wider 80 dagrees let and fight traverse, Armor was S-30mm, Thirty rounds of ‘umunion were stowed and an MG-36 was carried inside the gun compartment. While ne machine gun mounting as provided onthe vehicle as on most other set repelled Anank guns, they could be fred handhelé or dismounted for close-in defense such as when in a night lager. The Panzor Selbstatvatene 1 for 7.62om Pak 36() aut Fahrgestel Koll Ausl.03 und D2 (Sd Kt. 132), whi stil designated the Mare was of a much aiferent design than the SdKfz-131, For all practical purposes it was an ently difeent vehicle being bul on Pz.Ketal Aust ‘chassis and mounting former Soviot 76.2mm F-22 (M-1936) divisional fils ‘gun and designated the 7.620m Pak 36(/) U51.5 by the Germans, While Brimarly a field qun in Soviet service, it was designed to be an effecve nitank gun as well. Some were rechamborad for German 7 Sem Pak 40 ammunition and the muizzia brake remeved. The vehicie had a rather high protic and the four man erew was expesed even though the gun shield was fied with side extensions, The AusD1 were converted fom Pz Kot Ausland E chassis while the AusfD2 was built on a Flammoanzer PexkphwlNF) (SaKtz.122) flamethrower tank chase. The crow of his Marder lin Russia, September 1942, wear the black panzer uniform, 20: cans nang onthe front superstructure, Not exactly a safe practice, but they may be filed with water, trough water cans normally had large white crosses on the sides, A battery of Marder is (Saktz132) armed with 762mm — guns oss a typically crude Russian riage. The muzzle brakes on these vehicles were Inexplicably chscured German pioneers would sometimes enforce the pilings ‘and abutments to support the constant Vohicles. They would also spend a great deal of time and effort ‘maintaining » existing bridges as time usually id not permit. the luxury of replacing ther with mare robust structures. On tho Center of the uppar lacis is a hooded Notektaricht (blackout ight), which cast a dim tluminaton ante the ground inthe immediate front ofthe vehicle With the sun soting low a Marder I (Sdikiz 132) passes a haltrack, | Marder back panzer uniorms, fas Panzeriager units Wwere also part of the Panzer Troops. Both ‘anttank and tani units wore pink arm. of service piping on their tnitorme. ‘This crow though is clothed in field gray uniforms. They may have been converted from a toned Panzeriager unit and have not yet" been Ssued Black uniforms. ‘This Marder it (Sd Kfz.132) is camouflaged with subtle splotches of light green over its dark yellow base coat. The camoutaging foliage is almost ‘worthless although much of it ay have fallen of while traveling through vegetated aroas. The vehicle's tactical number, a white “421” is almost foo smal to be of much use for Geniy purposes st all but he closest distances. The crew appears to be wearing a unit cuff band, which would incicate this vehicle is assigned io the Grofideutsohiand Division. 15cm 8..G.33/1(St) auf Pz.Kpfw.l Aust.B (Sd.kiz.101), 702.Infanterie-Geschiitz-Kompanie, 1.Panzer-Division, Besancon, France, June 1940 7 ~sgria is symbol Isentifes the with the ban 4.7em Pak 36(H) (St) auf Pz.Kpfwl Ausf. (Sd.Kfz.101) or Panzerjéiger |, Panzerjaiger-Abteilung 643, France, 1940 The white Maltese 2 ond wos painted on both sides of the superstucture and. on the hinged let rear fender ‘Aschatfenburg’ is the nan ehicle were pointed dark gror (AL tec in From 1940 to eaxly 1943 most arms units home gatison wos k 33 12.80m Selbstfahriatette L/61 (Panzerselbstfahriafette V), schwere Panzerjéger-Abteilung 521, Eastem Front, summer 1942) Ly two vehicles were buit on protohype VK-30010) © solid cork gray (RAL 7021) The battoion’s insgrve i Beside the s mounting the 12.8¢m K /61 gy jakeniteuz Ts wos the only unit to Bearing lil rings on the: ‘QuippEG wth ths ry rh itis painted Panzerjéiger 38(t) flr 7.62cm Pak 36(N) (Sd.Kfz.139), or Marder Ill, Panzerjéiger-Abteilung 33, 15.Panzer-Division, Deutsches Afrikakorps, El Alamein, October 1942 The Europ gray (RAL 7021) has been oversorayed with sand yellow (RAL 8000). The sand yellow was sprayed around the otiginal white Outline Bakenkreu and tactical number making unusual use of @ Roman numeral Panzeriéiger mit 7.5cm Pak 40/3 auf Pz.Kpfw.38(1) AustH (Sd.kfz.138), or Marder Ill, 2./Panzerjéger-Abteilung 39, 21.Panzer-Division, Tunisia, March 1943 The European dark gray (RAL 7021) was oversprayed with sand yellow (RAL 8000) leaving ineguier gray spots of the base coat The interior was lft groy The vericle’s tactical number identifies it as 2nd Company, 3 Platoon, Number 3 Gun Panzerjager mit 7.5cm PaK 40/2 auf Fahrgestell Pz.Kpfwall (Sf.) (Sd.Kfz.131), or Marder II, Panzerjéger-Abteilung 49, 4Panzer-Division, Easter Front, 1944 The unit insignic and Balkenkreue cre painted in @ white outine. The dark yelow (RAL 7028) base coat has had «light keg (RAL 9002) sprayec 35, 8.8cm Pak 43 auf Fahrgestell Pz.Kpfwelll und IV (Sd.Kfz.164), or Nashorn, schwere Heeres-Panzerjager-Abteilung 525, Htaly, 1944) Small splotches of olve green (RAL 6008) and red brown (RAL 8017) have been sprayed over the dk yellow (RAL 7028) base coat. The ‘black tactical number of the sides and left shield identifies this vehicle os Ist Cornpony, 2nd Platoon, Number 1 gun. Panzer Selbstfahriafette 1 fur 7.62cm Pak 36(f) auf Fahrgestell Pz.Kpfw.ll Ausf.D (Sd.Kfz.132), or Marder Il, 5.8$-Panzer- Division “Wiking,” Poland, 1944) From eorly 1943, armored fighting vehicles were factory-painted @ dak yellow (RAL 7028) base color aver which one or two other colors could be applied by the unit approprote for the vegetation and terain they were cperating in a suttable comouttoge pattern. Ine most Commonly applied colors were ark olve green (RAL 6003) and red Bxown (RAL 8017). A common atlernate color was ove green (RAL 8002), [A standard white outlines black Bakerkreur is pointed on each side of the superstructure. 36 Panzerjager mit 7.5cm Pak 40/3 auf Pz.Kpfw.38(1) Ausf.M ($d.kfz.138), or Marder Ill, Panzerjéger-Abteilung 113, Eastern Front, winter 1944 ‘he vehicle has been ight wevtewashed over ts dork yellow (RAL. 7028) base leaving the Bokanireuz and tactical symbol expored. The facticalsymibol indicates Its asigned fo o Panzerjoger Abrel Sd.Kfz.10/4 halftrack mounting a 2cm Flak 30, Fliegerabwehr-Bataillon 46, 29.Infanterie-Division (mot), France, 1940 The hatfrack ond its ammunition fraler are dark gray (RAL 7021). The white edging on the front fenders was a commen peacetime and early wartime means of making the vehicles mare vsile at night for safely reasons. The aicraf sihouette on the headlights blackout cover inckcates the numberof kis. national flag has been secured fo the hood as an air recognition means for acrat 37 Sd.Kfz.251/17 Aust.C, Flak-Regiment “Hermann Géring,” 1942 In 1942, 10 of these experimental halt-tracks were bull fo the Luftwatle on a modified Sd.kte. 251 Aus chassis and a 2cm Flak 38 installed on @ raised platform isd the vehicie. The ses Could be lowered for more working space, but the weapon Could be operated with the sides raised, Howeve it was foo complex and expensive and no further vehicles w The fat roof above the ctiver contains spare bares, Its painted dark gray (RAL 7021) with o write-outlined Bakenkrevz 8.8cm Flak auf Sonderfahrgestell (Pz.Sfl.Vc), Germany, spring 1944 This was an experimental effort fst proposedin June 1942 of mounting @» 8 Bom Flak 41 ontarcraft gun on afuly hacked chasss to provide Foneer divsions with set-propelled heavy fok. The sides and reor could be lowered fo provide c large platform for the crew. This vehicle & Painted soi cork yellow (AL 7028). The 8.8cm FIOK 4 was reploced by on B.Bcm Fok 37 In March 1944 and the vehicle sent fo Hay for Hicks with 26 Panzer Division 38 Flakpanzer 38(1) auf Selbstfahriatette 38(1) (2m) ($d.Ktz. 140), 21.Panzer-Division, Normandy, 1944 From Noveriber 1943 to February 1944, the firm BIMIM. manufactured 141 of these diminutive Flakoarzers and all were isued 10

    You might also like