A Modified Adler Standard-6

This modified Adler Standard-6 appears to be a mock-up meant to look like an armored car. The Reichswehr and Wehrmacht had to do a great deal of improvising in the early 1930s before they started receiving purpose-built armored vehicles for their fledgling armored force.

Source :

Book "Scouts Out: A History of German Armored Reconnaissance Units in World War II" by Robert Edwards, Michael H. Pruett and Michael Olive

A Modified Adler Standard-6 Crossing a Watercourse

A civilian car, the Adler Standard-6, was modified with a sheet-metal superstructure in early attempts to create an armored car for the force. This vehicle, apparently outfitted with a frame antenna, crosses a watercourse on an engineer ferry while soldiers look on

Source:

Book "Scouts Out: A History of German Armored Reconnaissance Units in World War II" by Robert Edwards, Michael H. Pruett and Michael Olive

Armored Vehicle on the Road of Pre-War Germany

It was not uncommon to see armored vehicles on the roadways of prewar Germany, either on exercise or simply to test road worthiness after repairs or maintenance, as seems to be the case with this Sd.Kfz. 223 (Fu).

Source :

Book "Scouts Out: A History of German Armored Reconnaissance Units in World War II" by Robert Edwards, Michael H. Pruett and Michael Olive

Panzer II Crossing a River

This trio of Panzerkampfwagen II (Ausf.A, B or C) crosses a river behind a pair of Panzer IIIs. They are fitted with the circular vision-block-equippped commander's cupola as well as the large stowage bins on the fenderd, while the nearest panzer has the additional armor on its gun mantle and a Notek head-lamp next to the standard head-lamp on the fender. All are cluttered with stowage items. Also of note is the pattern of metal-work on the 2cm KwK30 gun tube, which makes it appear as if stripes are painted on it.

Source :
Book "Panzer Vor: German Armor At War 1939-45" by Frank V. De Sisto

Panzers with Artillery Barrage in the Distance

A pair of Panzerkampfwagen IIs (Ausf.A, B or C) shelter in the lee of a ridge as an artillery barrage bursts in the distance. The panzer closest to the camera has a large stowage bin added to the near fender, which was a retro-fitted item. The later circular commander's cupola is also fitted. The Panzer II to the right also has the cupola fitted. The panzer closest to the camera has a white three-digit tactical number on the turret rear (possibly "212") as well as a white outline balkenkreuz national insignia below it; this is a rather unusual arrangement. The crew members of the near vehicle are in shirt-sleeve order, and wear their berets over the padded inner helmet.

Source :
Book "Panzer Vor: German Armor At War 1939-45" by Frank V. De Sisto

Panzer II on Recon Duty in a Tunnel Entrance

This Panzerkampfwagen II (Ausf.A, B or C) straddles railroad tracks while scouting a tunnel entrance. One crewman is boarding the panzer from the side (a dangerous procedure, since the driver cannot see him and may accidentally move the vehicle at the wrong moment!), while the commander observes from his split hatches. The two soldiers on the rear deck are motorcyclists as is apparent by their special M1934 "Kradmantel" rubberized weather-proof overcoats and the goggles on their helmets. As the Panzer II series became obsolete as a battle tank, it was relegated to reconnaissance duties; therefore it would not be unsusual for it to operate alongside motorcyclists.

Source :
Book "Panzer Vor: German Armor At War 1939-45" by Frank V. De Sisto

German Panzers in the Balkan Campaign

These Panzerkampfwagen IIs (Ausf.A, B or C) have all of the designated retro-fitted items. These include a circular commander's cupola with periscope vision blocks; additional armor on the turret front, superstructure front and hull front; and, fender-mounted Notek black-out driving head-lamp. Lengths of spare track links that are stowed liberally on the glacis, superstructure front and sides, indicate that the veteran crew is expecting to encounter enemy action in the near future. It appears that the divisional sign for the 5. Panzer-Division (an inverted "Y" with a single dot) is on the superstructure armor, while no other markings are visible. The vehicle should be painted in the monotone dunkelgrau RAL 7021 scheme, while its configuration and the locale possibly place it in the Balkans or in Greece during April of 1941.

Source :
Book "Panzer Vor: German Armor At War 1939-45" by Frank V. De Sisto

A Column of German Armor Followed by Infantry

This pair of Panzerkampfwagen IIs (Ausf.A, B or C) leads a column of German armor along a road. They are followed by a Panzerkampfwagen I and Panzerkampfwagen III, and are accompanied by infantrymen who are moving along the shoulder of the road. Both Panzer IIs have the modifications introduced due to experience reports from the Polish and French campaigns. These include bolted-on armor on the turret fronts, superstructure fronts and a spaced-armor array covering the originally-rounded bow with angled plates. There was also a new circular commander's cupola with periscope vision blocks that replaced the original split-hatch design; note the head protection pad on the opened hatch lid. The armor addressed the problems encountered by enemy use of anti-tank rifles, while the cupola enhanced the vision of the commander when the panzer was buttoned-up. With the modifications shown, the panzer should also have been fitted with the Notek black-out driving system; in this case it has not . The markings, "6L..." (in yellow) do not conform to normal practice, but were used by the 4. Panzer-Division to designate "leichter" (light) tank companies. However, it appears that the divisional insignia on the superstructure front plate has been obscured. Note how the Balkenkreuz national insignia (with white outline) on the superstructure side, carries over to the radio antenna's protective storage trough.

Source :
Book "Panzer Vor: German Armor At War 1939-45" by Frank V. De Sisto

Panzer II in Front of a Road Block

This Panzerkampfwagen II approaches a railroad track where locomotives and civilian vehicles have been placed as road blocks, 1940. Note the open hatches on the rear deck, which were used to provide access for engine components. The man exposed outside the vehicle would seem to indicate the lack of a direct threat to the panzer. There are no easily-visible markings to be seen from this angle, although there appears to be a rhomboid plate just above the engine exhaust muffler.

Source :
Book "Panzer Vor: German Armor At War 1939-45" by Frank V. De Sisto

Panzer II of 7. Panzer-Division Strode in a French Street

This photograph of a Panzerkampfwagen II (Ausf.A, B or C) was possibly taken surreptitiously by a French citizen, as the panzer passed through his or hes town, 1940. Note the other local citizens standing warily out of the way between the gate-posts of the building across the street. The panzer has the original split hatch as well as the retro-fitted “Nebelkerzenabwerfvorrichtung” (smoke candle deployment rack) fitted over the exhaust muffler. The large Tac numbers on the turret ("242") as well as the Balkenkreuz on the turret rear characterized panzers assigned to the 7. Panzer-Division.

Source :
 Book "Panzer Vor: German Armor At War 1939-45" by Frank V. De Sisto

Panzer II of 7. Panzer-Division in a French Town

A pair of captured "Tommies" of the BEF (British Expeditionary Force) ride a Panzerkampfwagen II (Ausf.A, B or C) through a coastal French town, while a French army medic loiters behind an ambulance, 1940. The panzer has the retro-fitted armor on the turret front, superstructure and bow; note also a welded patch on the lower edge of the turret, beneath the first numeral of the Tac number ("141"). This is painted in white outline form. The superstructure side has a black Balkenkreuz, outlined in white as well as the divisional sign for the 7. Panzer-Division (an inverted "Y" followed by three dots) painted in yellow. Modelers should also note the various shades and patterns of the metal on the 2cm KwK 30 gun tube; they should not be confused with painted on-stripes.

Source :
 Book "Panzer Vor: German Armor At War 1939-45" by Frank V. De Sisto

Ritterkreuzträger Karl-Heinz Worthmann

 

Karl Heinz Worthmann (18 January 1911 – 6 July 1943) was a SS-Untersturmführer (Second Lieutenant), in the Waffen-SS during World War II who was awarded the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes (Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross) for his feat in the Third Battle of Kharkov, spring 1943.

Worthman was born in Hagen, Germany on the 18 January 1911. He volunteered to join the SS and was posted to the SS-Verfügungstruppe (SS-VT). He took part in the Battle of France as an Infantry platoon commander and was awarded the Eisernes Kreuz II.Klasse and I.Klasse.

During the invasion of Russia (Operation Barbarossa) in 1941 he was severely wounded and after recovering from his wounds trained as a Panzer crewman.

He was promoted to SS-Hauptscharführer (Master Sergeant) and made a platoon commander in the 6.Kompanie / II.Abteilung / SS-Panzer-Regiment 2 / SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Das Reich". In the Battle of Kharkov Worthman, was in command of 4 tanks supporting the infantry in an attack near Wossyschtschewo on height 209.3 during which they destroyed 27 anti tank guns and 2 infantry guns without loss. For his actions during this battle, he was awarded the Ritterkreuz in 31 March 1943.

Worthman was promoted to SS-Untersturmführer (Second Lieutenant) and given command of the 6. Kompanie, when he was killed in action during Operation Citadel on the 6 July 1943, in the Belgorod sector.

Source :
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karl-Heinz_Worthmann
http://www.kriegsberichter-archive.com/index.php?/category/58

SS-Obersturmführer Karl Nicolussi-Leck of Wiking Division

SS-Obersturmführer Karl Nicolussi-Leck of the 5. SS-Panzer-Division "Wiking" in the cupola of his Panther after he was awarded the Ritterkreuz (Knight’s Cross) for his leadership and courage during the Battle of Kovel in 1944. Nicolussi-Leck led a group of 9 Panthers from Wiking Division on a drive to reach the besieged city of Kovel on 30 March 1944. Despite being ordered to turn back owing to ferocious resistance, Nicolussi-Leck pressed on and reached his beleaguered comrades after destroying several Soviet positions.

Source :
http://5sswiking.tumblr.com/post/139508111452/ss-obersturmf%C3%BChrer-karl-nicolussi-leck-of-the

SS-Sturmmann Henk Kistemaker

SS-Sturmmann Henk Kistemaker photographed in ealy 1943 during his recovery. Kistemaker, born on 4 October 1922 in the Netherlands, was an infantryman in the ‘Germania’ Regiment of the Wiking Division and later a member of a Panther Tank crew in the SS-Panzer Regiment 5 of the division. Wounded three times and awarded numerous decorations for valor, Kistemaker survived the war and wrote his war memoirs, 'Wiking - Een Nederlandse SS-er aan het Oostfront'.

Source :
http://5sswiking.tumblr.com/post/140053963267/5sswiking-ss-sturmmann-henk-kistemaker

Panther Commander from SS Hitlerjugend Division

An excellent shot of the Panther commander from SS-Panzer-Regiment 12 / 12.SS-Panzer-Division "Hitlerjugend" on the way into action in Normandy in the summer of 1944. His tanker’s tunic has been manufactured to German specifications from Italian camouflage cloth.

Source :
http://5sswiking.tumblr.com/post/140536104912/5sswiking-an-excellent-shot-of-the-commander-of

Reconnaissance Elements of 7. Panzer-Division in French City

Reconnaissance elements of 7. Panzer-Division in a French city in 1940. Given the urban feel of this photograph, it may be that they were taken in Rouen on or about June 10, 1940, for that was the date on which the units under Rommel's command entered that city

Source :
http://www.instahlgewittern.com/first-rounds-fired/rommel-in-france-1940-no-4

Oberst Karl Rothenburg in France 1940

Oberst Karl Rothenburg (Kommandeur Panzer-Regiment 25 / 7.Panzer-Division) in France, 1940. Given the urban feel of these photographs, it may be that they were taken in Rouen on or about June 10, 1940, for that was the date on which the units under Rommel's command entered that city. Rommel was advancing at considerable speed on that day, and it was consequently necessary for him and his staff to have a clear grasp of the surrounding territory and its road net. Hence, the preoccupation of the General and his officers with maps.

Source :
http://www.instahlgewittern.com/first-rounds-fired/rommel-in-france-1940-no-4