An excellent close-up of a Panzerkampfwagen IV Ausf.H (turmnummer 615) from 6.Kompanie / II.Abteilung / SS-Panzer Regiment 12 / 12.SS-Panzer-Division "Hitlerjugend" with schürzen (side skirt) and zimmerit (anti-magnetic mine paste), on exercises under the supervision of army officers in Belgium in the end of 1943. Several vehicles from 6./SS-PzRgt. 12 feature the names of the crew's sweethearts painted on the tanks: here we have 'Wilma' painted on the commander's Cupola and 'Paula' painted on the driver's visor (along with a heart?). The commander and loader are wearing Kriegsmarine U-Boat leather jackets, which were an item particular to the Hitlerjugend and LSSAH Divisions. These uniforms were initially given to the Italian Navy, but were reclaimed by the LSSAH when they went to Italy to disarm part of the Italian Army in 1943. Alongside these leather uniforms were found large stocks of Italian camouflage material, which were soon made into clothing for the two divisions. Note, the radio operator appears to be wearing a feldgrau M40 side cap rather than the standard black Panzer cap (as worn by the loader). The commander wears an M43 camouflage field cap affixed with a non-regulation metal totenkopf. The picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Kurth from PK (Propaganda-Kompanie) 698.
Source :
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bundesarchiv_Bild_101I-297-1722-27,_Im_Westen,_Panzer_IV.jpg
http://ww2incolour.blogspot.com/2011/07/panzer-iv-of-hitlerjugend-division.html
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