Late war German armour (IN GERMANY) (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter daruss
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binder001
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If I read the listing correctly, WS073 is the German 105mm howitzer on the French tank chassis. Most of these were with the 21st Panzer Division and other armor units based in France during the occupation. The bulk of these were likely lost in the combat around Caen and during the huge losses in material that happened when the Allies broke free from Normandy. The German army and SS didn't have the material resources that the Allies did so equipment was used until it fell apart, but there is only a small chance that one of these machines would still be operational in Germany in 1945. The gun was German so ammo wouldn't be a problem but being driven from Fance means the Germans lost their main source of spare parts to keep it running.
But then again, one never quite knows with the German armed forces during the disintegration of the Reich.
Gary B.
But then again, one never quite knows with the German armed forces during the disintegration of the Reich.
Gary B.
These vehicles weren't even issued to the Panzer Lehr Division.
Phantom Warrior
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Panzer Lehr 130 was one of the most elite units in the Wehrmacht. It was formed in 1943 from units of elite training and demonstration troops. It also got the best equipment and my reference books make no mention of them ever having Grille SPG (WS73) in their formation, even in Normandy in June 1944. In June 1944, they had 9 StuG, 101 Panzer IV, 89 Panthers, 8 Tigers and 12 FlakPanzer 38t. Its armour was virtually all destroyed in Normandy and it was re-equipped for the Batlle of the Bulge with 27 Panzer IV, 30 Panthers, 3 FlakPanzer 20 and 4 FlakPanzer 37. So the BBG001 Grille SPG at the Bulge is most unlikely on it's own, let alone with the Panzer Lehr, but the K&C model WS080 Gepard Flakpanzer 38(T) was there with the Panzer Lehr.
Terry
The Panzer Lehr's flak 38t weren't there in the Battle of the Bulge as they had been lost in Normandy.It had recieved 4 x Mobelagen flakpanzers as replacements for the Ardennes.
Phantom Warrior
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Would they be the Mobelagen flakpanzers with 37 mm guns? The book "The Essential Tank Identification Guide - Wehrmacht Panzer Divisions 1939 - 1945 also lists 3 FlakPanzer 20 which I would suspect were on a 38(t) chasis?
Terry
I have the Orbat Chart in front of me which clearly shows 4 x 37mm Mobelwagens.The only other flak guns in the Panzer Regt.were 3 x sdkfz 7/1 serving with the HQ Coy of the 2nd Bn.
Jeff
Phantom Warrior
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Well, that could mean the K&C flakpanzer was not with the Panzer Lehr division. Were there any of that model with any of the units including Luftwaffe anti-aircraft units in the Ardennes?
Terry
Luftwaffe Flak units were never issued flakpanzers.They were only ever allocated to the HQ Coys of Panzer units(Along with flakwagens).Luftwaffe units recieved towed pieces and flakwagens (7/1s 7/2s etc).Sorry got to go now.It's 23.35 in England.
Jeff
Jeff