What unit is this? (1 Viewer)

[hsm]

Hi All,\

What version of Panzer III is this? what unit? marrkings? etc-

need to know for a vignette I am dreaming up. (model)

thanks!

 

[jager7080]

Hi All,\

What version of Panzer III is this? what unit? marrkings? etc-

need to know for a vignette I am dreaming up. (model)

thanks!

View attachment 89025

hsm ,

The Panzer 3 in the picture is an Ausf J , it had the 5cm KwK L/42 gun...these entered service in September of 1941...The divisions which received these at the outset were the 2nd Pz Division & the 5th Pz Division...It is marked 221 meaning it was in the 2nd company 2nd platoon 1st individual tank which means it belonged to the platoon leader...Given this time table , this tank is serving on the eastern front in Russia...

Joe

 

[hsm]

Thanks for the info- i thought it was for Afrika Corps for sure....that is supposed to Rommel on there.
i guess i dont know enough of his story.
Grant

 

[jager7080]

Thanks for the info- i thought it was for Afrika Corps for sure....that is supposed to Rommel on there.
i guess i dont know enough of his story.
Grant

Grant ,

Having Rommel as my avatar you think i would have spotted him sitting on the tank...Alas i did not...The arrival of the short 5cm armed Panzer III in the summer of 1941 redressed the balance, as did the arrival of the long 5cm Panzer III in May 1942. This gun was superior to the British 2-pounder, and those Panzers armed with it became known to the British as the Mark III Special. During the fighting on the Gazala Line Rommel had 223 Panzer IIIs armed with the 5cm L/42 and 19 with the L/60, giving him 242 Panzer IIIs...the three digit number on the turrent ring took my mind right off of the Afrika Korps as they were notorious for a one digit system...If nobody else responds before i can figure out to which of Rommel's Pz divisions this tank belongs i will post it...again i apologize for the oversight...

joe

 

[hsm]

thanks - you seem to know what you speak of. there is a plastic model figure set that closely resembles this pic- i will want to ge the tank as close as possible. the box art shows a different tank- but clearly this phot is the inspiration.
Grant

 

[jager7080]

thanks - you seem to know what you speak of. there is a plastic model figure set that closely resembles this pic- i will want to ge the tank as close as possible. the box art shows a different tank- but clearly this phot is the inspiration.
Grant

Just posting an update...the coloring of the turret number will be either Red or Black with a white outline...Hard to say from the black & white photo...Pz Regt 8 of 15th Pz Division used a one number system on their tanks for identification while Pz Regt 5 of 21st Pz Division used a two letter/number system for identification...That being said replacement tanks coming in from Europe were arriving...
Now i just have to figure which of Rommel's Pz Divisions this particular tank was assigned to...I have no source references where i am at now...I will look at my reference material to see if i can provide a clear answer...

Joe

 

[Phantom Warrior]

The picture looks like Afrika Korps with Rommel and the desert background and the uniforms the tankers are wearing. There were only two Panzer Divisions there. The 15th Division used a single digit numbering system often with a playing card symbol like the Ace of Spades. The 21st Panzer Division often used a 3 digit system. The 221 is probably red with a white outline and is probably Tank No. 1, 2nd Zug, 2nd Kompanie, I Battalion, Panzer Regiment 5, 21st Panzer Division. What we can't see is the white palm tree Afrika Korps symbol or the yellow symbol of the 21st which resembles a "B"

Terry

 

[hsm]

Thanks- you guys have been very helpful, and it sounds like your are enjoying the research! much appreciated.
probably important to to get gun right at least- the rest could be put down to fog of war and replacement pools.
Grant

 

[hsm]

Big thanks to Terry- Phantom Warrior for the pm ! wow! thanks again~