Tuesday, April 19, 2016

Panzer III from 5. Panzer-Division with Its Crew

This Panzerkampfwagen III Ausf.E belonging to the 5. Panzer-Division is seen during training. It belongs to the 1.Kompanie / I.Abteilung / Panzer-Regiment 31. Note the small tactical numbers ("101") painted in yellow next to the divisional insignia (an inverted "Y" with one dot). The national insignia is in the white outline form, while the regimental insignia, a "Teufelskopf" (Devil's Head), is just visible on the front edge of the turret side. No machine guns are fitted, while the only extra stowage other than the standard vehicle items is a length of spare track across the glacis plate. The crewman wears M1933 denim work clothes (in the later and more practical "reed-green" color) along with his black M1935 Feldmütze (field cap).


A close-up of the same panzer reveals more details of the "Teufelskopf" regimental insignia, which has been depicted as being red, with white eyes and teeth. Note also the weld beads on the turret and mantle, the vision block and its splash guard, the lifting hook, the split turret side access doors and their hold-open lock.


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

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