German Panzer Crew Work to Free Their Panzer

German panzer crew work to free their Panzer III from frozen mud, Ukraine, late 1941. Photographer: Artur Grimm. During the invasion of Russia, the Wehrmacht lacked necessary supplies, such as winter uniforms, due to the many delays in the German army's movements. At the same time, Hitler's plans for Operation Barbarossa actually miscarried before the onset of severe winter weather. Neither Hitler nor the General Staff anticipated a long campaign lasting into the winter. Thus, they failed to make adequate preparations for a possible winter campaign, such as the distribution of warm clothing and winterization of vehicles and lubricants. In fact his eastern army suffered more than 734,000 casualties (about 23% of its average strength of 3,200,000) during the first five months of the invasion before the winter started. On 27 November 1941, Eduard Wagner, the Quartermaster General of the German Army, reported that "We are at the end of our resources in both personnel and material. We are about to be confronted with the dangers of deep winter." Also of note is the fact that the unusually early winter of 1941 cut short the rasputitsa season, improving logistics in early November, with the weather still being only mildly cold.

Source :
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_Winter
https://www.reddit.com/r/TankPorn/comments/t0pg16/german_panzer_crew_work_to_free_their_panzer_iii/
https://www.warcolorphotos.com/eastern-front

Panzer IV of Panzer-Abteilung 8

 

 

This slide is from the estate of Siegfried Keller, which belonged to Panzer-Abteilung 8. The Panzer-Abteilung 8 was formed in October 1943 as replacement for the destroyed Panzer-Regiment 8 and was assigned to 20. Panzergrenadier-Division. The detachment was established in late 1943, and there is no information about Keller's previous career. This tank, Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.G, chassis number 82849, was sent to the unit in May 1942. The entire surface is factory painted in Tropen 2 scheme, but inside of the hatches remain gray as seen, and it suggests that gray painted parts was assembled at the factory and painted in Tropen 2 before shipment. The gun tube was later installed, therefore the gray primer color is retained. The spare wheel at the front is in red primer but when you look at it closely the center hub is painted in Tropen 2. Other interesting features like red cross painted on the superstructure front, light gray fire extinguisher, etc.

Source :
Akira Takiguchi photo collection
https://www.axishistory.com/about-ahf/153-germany-heer/heer-other-units/9181-panzer-abteilung-8
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10222991026797609&set=gm.1662913953894021

StuG Driven Through a Shallow Ditch

A Sturmgeschütz Ausf.B of Sturmgeschütz-Abteilung 184 (StuGAbt 184) is driven through a shallow ditch during a training exercise. A careful reconnoitre of the terrain was essential, as even such a small obstacle could affect an assault.

Source :
Book "Sturmartillerie: Spearhead of the Infantry" by Thomas Anderson

Panzer III Loaded with Infantry in the Rzhev Salient

This Panzerkampfwagen III Ausf.J moves towards the front loaded down with almost 20 infantrymen. Note the new-style drive sprocket (introduced on the Ausf.H) and idler wheel as well as the hull extensions, which are drilled to accept tow hooks. There is a Notek head-lamp beneath the soldier perched on the near fender; note that both fenders lack their mud flaps. The picture was taken in the Soviet Union in 21 March 1942 during Battles of Rzhev by Kriegsberichter Böhmer from Propaganda-Kompanie (PK) 697

Source :
Book "Panzer Vor: German Armor At War 1939-45" by Frank V. De Sisto
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Bundesarchiv_Bild_101I-269-0240-11A,_Russland,_Panzer_mit_aufgesesssener_Infanterie.jpg

Panzer IIIs in a Muddy Village Street

This Panzerkampfwagen III Ausf.E or F follows behind similar panzers through a mud-bound village street. There is a small tactical number (“201”) in white on a plate attached to the storage rack, and a white panzer rhomboid with a small “2”, designating this as a panzer of 2nd company’s command element. Note the configuration of the rear fender’s support for the flipped-up mud flap, and the Nazi flag on top of the stowage, used as an aerial recognition device.

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

A Column of Leibstandarte Vehicles Stuck in Mud

 A column of German Tiger I heavy tanks and a MAN ML 4500 truck of the 1. SS-Panzer-Division "Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler" become bogged down during the fight for Western Ukraine. Throughout October and November 1943, temperatures were hovering just above freezing, which meant sudden thaws and rain turned most roads and fields into thick, muddy quagmires that sucked in even tracked vehicles. Vinnytsia Oblast, Ukraine, Soviet Union. November 1943.

Source :
http://bag-of-dirt.tumblr.com/post/141221122000/a-column-of-german-tiger-i-heavy-tanks-and-a-man

A Bogged-Down Panzer I Prepared for Extrication

A thoroughly bogged-down Panzer I Ausf.B stands idle while it is prepared for extrication. Note the man in the far background who is running a tow cable out to another vehicle. The panzer is devoid of markings and should be finished in the two-color scheme of dunkelgrau Nr.46 base with dunkelbraun Nr.45 oversprayed. It is recognizable as an Ausf.B by the longer engine compartment which housed a Maybach NL38TR gasoline engine, as well as the lack of exhaust mufflers on the rear of the fenders. Note the black panzer crew uniforms and the quite oversized appearance of the berets, which covered a paddled inner helmet.

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

T-34 Knocked Out by Tiger from POV Footage

POV footage captured with a camera mounted on a Tiger Tank from unidentified Heer unit on the Eastern Front, 1944. The footage shows a T-34 knocked out in the foreground and 4 Tigers in positions. It also shows the tank firing.

Source :
http://5sswiking.tumblr.com/post/122110616917/pov-footage-captured-with-a-camera-mounted-on-a

The men and vehicles of Leibstandarte Division during one of the numerous road marches from one crisis area to another in late 1943, west of Kiev. Temperatures were hovering just above freezing, which meant sudden thaws and rain turned most roads and fields into thick mud quagmires that sucked in even tracked vehicles. This proved a major hurdle to German operations.

Source :
http://5sswiking.tumblr.com/post/132832308532/the-men-and-vehicles-of-leibstandarte-division

Königstiger Passes Captured American Soldiers

During the Ardennes Offensive, Kampfgruppe Peiper was boosted by the King Tiger tanks of the schwere SS-Panzer-Abteilung 501 for its drive westwards in an attempt to reach the Meuse River. Here, one of its tank, passes a column of captured soldiers from the US 99th Infantry Division on 17 December 1944. The village of Merlscheid lies in the background and the King Tiger is on its way towards Lanzerath.

Source :
http://5sswiking.tumblr.com/post/135413146222/during-the-ardennes-offensive-kampfgruppe-peiper