Panzer

Employment

Panzer is the component main thing of the Blitzkrieg. Imagined during the years 1930 by theorists the such general French Estienne, followed by the general Welsh and consolidated by the writings of the colonel De Gaulle, it is German refused by the French political power of the time, but is effectively used by the general Guderian who had included/understood the validity of it. This tactic of blitzkrieg is founded on the violent shock in a precise point of the face ( schwerpunkt ), then the exploitation by the speed of movement and operation. Only the tank can conclude these missions in their terrestrial component. Also, to obtain a full effectiveness of the armor-plated weapon, the tanks are not any more dispersed (as in the other armies) in small units of support at the infantry, but are gathered within powerful mobile units, spearhead of the offensive: the Panzerdivision in (abrév. Pz-Div.).

Panzerdivision, in addition to its two armor-plated regiments (only one starting from 1941), has a mobile support of artillery and infantry carried ( Panzergrenadiere ). Other units are equipped with armoured tanks: brigades of guns of attack ( Sturmgeschutzbrigade ) and especially divisions Panzer-pomegranate ( Panzergrenadierdivisionen ), where the infantry assembled on half-tracked truck and receives the support of an armor-plated battalion.

10 only in May 1940, the Panzerdivision, coupled with the planes of attack Stuka and with the motorized troops, obtain the decision in 1939 - 1941 vis-a-vis more than one hundred allied divisions, in particular at the time of the revolving movement of the Ardennes to the English Channel, during the Bataille of France. In Russia still, in 1941 - 42, Blitzkrieg brings the Wehrmacht to the doors of Moscow then to Stalingrad. These years see the apogee of the use of Panzer. Russian steppes or desert of Libya are ideal places for the fast operation and the combat of tanks. But they show of them also the limits: lengthening of the lines of communication and thus difficulties logistic, impossibility for the supply and troops to follow the armoured tanks…

The difficulties accumulate for Panzer: defeats with El Alamein; with Stalingrad, where it becomes obvious that they are not the ideal urban combat weapon. Panzer, which never has the numerical superiority on the whole of the face, must always fight a number crescent of powerful enemy armoured tanks, and the mobility of operation cannot be their essential asset any more. Also, Panzer increases it its armament and its shielding. The heavy tanks, not very mobile but ready to engage an enemy higher of number, appear and are gathered within autonomous units, the battalions of heavy tanks ( schwerepanzerabteilungen ), attached to Panzerkorps or Panzerarmee (11 in the Heer and 6 in the Waffen-SS in 1944).

In this second part of the war, the armor-plated weapon German cheek the chart of quality vis-a-vis the enemy quantity. But, as of the Battle of Koursk to the mid- 1943, it is clear that Panzer does not have any more the offensive superiority and must be employed defensively, of coordination with the others weapons. In the same way, appears its vulnerability with the air raids, become more and more fréquentes.
The ultimate attempts at “blitzkrieg” with massive attack of armoured tanks (counter-attack in Mortain, the Ardennes, Lake Balaton) are dedicated to the failure. The use of the armoured tanks is done essentially at the tactical level, but divisions Panzer and Panzergrenadier remain until the end of the war the most powerful units of the army (Heer) and of the Waffen-SS.

The production, which was of 3 800 tanks in 1941 (23 Pz-Div. in the end of 41), reached its apogee in 1944 with 19 000 various armoured tanks (of which 8 300 tanks). Insufficient figure vis-a-vis the allied production (in 1944,51 200 armoured tanks for the USSR, the United States and Great Britain), but which makes it possible to create new units (30 Pz-Div. /SS Pz-Div in 1944; creation of Panzerbrigaden), a value numerical and combative lower than old Pz-Div., and the detriment of their reinforcement.

The armoured tank was the principal instrument of the German victories before becoming a weapon, essential but nondecisive, of defense vis-a-vis the potential combined in material. This success of the German armor-plated weapon was due for a major share to its employment on the levels tactical and strategic, like with the quality of the crews, more than by technical quality of the machines: apart from the Panther, the tanks of standard battle were only little (Pz IV) or not (Pz II and III) higher than their allied counterparts.

Models

See the list of the most common tanks in the List of the armored vehicles.

Panzer

The first German armoured tank appears tardily in 1918: the Sturmpanzerwagen A7V was built in very small number. The Treated of Versailles prohibiting with Germany the use (and the construction) of armoured tanks, the Reichswehr uses factitious tanks, in fabric and wood, and the engineers continue clandestine work and tests in Soviet Russia. Also, with the advent of Hitler and of IIIe Reich, the first panzer it is quickly carried out in 1934. The Panzerkampfwagen I (combat 1 armored vehicle) standard (“ausf”) has (with 4 wheels) then B (with 5 wheels) is a light tank: its fine shielding (13 mm maximum.) and its 2 machine-guns MG 34 prohibit to him to measure with any armoured vehicle. It is little by little withdrawn from the face until 1941, and is reserved for the school of the armoured tanks. Armoured slightly better, the Pz II ausf has, B, C (15 mm of blind. max.) then D, E, F (30 mm max. with front, 10 tons) constitute until 1941 the tank more represented in the panzerdivisionen . Its automatic gun of 20 mm however cannot destroy another tank. Withdrawn of the regiments armor-plated into 41-42, it finds the one second youth in the units of recognition, in particular its version L, said Luchs ( lynx ), of which speed culminates to 60 km/h (at the beginning of 1944,104 specimens).

The PzKfw III (22 tons) constitutes the standard tank of the Wehrmacht news (as from 1937). The ausf has with G are armed with the gun KwK 35/36 of 37 mm, gauges standard anti-tank guns of the beginning of the war. At the beginning of 41 (ausf F, G, H, J ), it is rearmed with a gun of 50 mm court of 42 gauges (50L42), while waiting for one 50 mm long (50L60) in 1942 (ausf J, L, M ). The shielding before max., 37 mm passes to 57 Misters Inadéquat vis-a-vis the new enemy average tanks, it is built until 1943 and is withdrawn from the face. A version of support ( ausf NR ) is equipped into 1942 with a gun with 75L24.

The Pz IV , armoured better (50 mm opposite before), is intended for the support of Pz III. Its gun (deprived of capacity anti-tank device) of 75 mm short (75L24) provides an anti-personnel fire support.

Beside these four models, the invasion of Czechoslovakia makes it possible the German army to acquire the production of Czech armoured tanks: Pz 35 (T) and especially Pz 38 (T) with the characteristics similar to Pz III and which is in great number (1824 e.g. from 37 to 42) in armor-plated divisions of the years 1939-1941.

These six models ensure the success of the panzerdivisionen until 1941. With the invasion of the USSR, the panzer have the bad surprise to measure with the T 34, much higher than the German armoured tanks by its inclined shielding, its speed and its gun of 76,2 Misters Seul the long gun of Pz III L is likely beginning 42 to destroy the Soviet tank. One then equips the Panzer IV (in addition to a shielding increased to 80 mm for G and H) with new KwK 40 adapted of the PaK 40 (anti-tank gun) of 75 mm long. The Pz IV F2 and G receive a 75L43 thus, then the ausf G, H and J (J: mid 44) a 75L48. Of tank of support, PzKpfw IV becomes tank. Although lower than the last combined tanks, its facility of production and its reliability maintain it in the panzerdivisionen where it equips half of the regiment armor-plated (2nd battalion) until the end with the war.

Nevertheless, the existing average tanks not being more perfectible, it is initially planned to copy T 34 simply, before launching the production of a new tank (at the beginning of 1943): The Panzer V Panther (ausf D, has, G . 45 tons. 6000 e.g.) are regarded with T 34 as the best tank of the war. Strong shielding (80 then 100 mm out of front turret), good speed, long gun of 75L70 able to destroy at long distance the enemy average tanks. It composes until the end of the war half of the armor-plated regiments (1st battalion), and is higher fights of it in T-34 first models and M4 Sherman (a US report/ratio indicates that 5 Sherman are destroyed for 1 Panther)

Before the Panther, the engineers took again a project of heavy tank of pre-war period and put in production the Pz VI ''' Tiger ''' in at the end of 1942 (56 tons). Very powerful, it is equipped with a strong shielding (100 mm with before) and with the excellent gun of 88L56 (KwK 36) from the famous anti-aircraft gun. Its offensive and defensive capacities are quite higher than those of the other armoured tanks. Nevertheless, its defects are a lack of handiness, and a too strong fuel consumption for the time (cf the loss of the refineries of Ploesti in Romania which decreases the provisioning). More still than the Panther, its construction is slow (1354 e.g.) and its delicate maintenance. It is built until the semione, date on which it is replaced by its successor.

The Pz VI B Königstiger ( Bengal tiger ), or Tiger II , is an imposing machine (68 tons). Of a silhouette closer to the Panther, it has qualities and defects of Tiger, in more exacerbated: gun KwK 43 of 88L71, imposing shielding (180 mm opposite before turret), handiness and difficult maintenance, this tank has more the characteristics of a mobile bunker.

At the end of the war, the German engineers envisaged the construction of several tanks, in particular the Panther II armed with the 88L71, the E-50 (weight of the vehicle), E-75 and E-100 , and the Pz VIII Maus ( mouse ), incredible tank of 188 tons, armed with a 128L55 and a 75L36.5, true tank-bunker with the maximum shielding of 240 mm and which was built in two prototypes.

Guns of attack and hunters of tank

Appeared in 1940, the tank-casemates without turret are built more and more during the war, until constituting in 1944-45 half of the production of armoured tanks. They are divided into two categories: guns of attack (Sturmgeschutz) and hunters of tank (Jagdpanzer). Their advantages are a faster production, a squat silhouette favorable to the ambush and defense, a reduction of the weight by the absence of turret which allows an increase in shielding and/or weight of the gun. Some (inter alia JgdPzr VI Elefant ) will suffer at the beginning from a lack from defenses with short range, but their principal disadvantage is especially the difficulty of pointing (by the absence of swivelling turret) which requires the complete displacement of the tank: slowness of the pointing/reactive shooting, presentation of a armor-plated face.

The Sturmgeschütz III (Stug) on frame of PzKfw III appears in 1940 and is armed with a gun of support of 75L24. It acquires a capacity anti-tank device in 1942 with the gun 75L48 on the ausf F and G (1942. 80 mm of shielding to the front one. 8000 e.g. built. For lack of tanks available, StuG III will replace sometimes of PzKfw IV in the 2nd battalion of certain armor-plated regiments. The frame of PzKfw IV will accommodate a similar case on the Stug IV (1944). The StuH 42 , identical to StuG III, carries a gun of 105 Misters.

The frame of PzKfw IV is used with creation of another armoured tank as attack (300 e.g.): Sturmpanzer IV Brummbär ( grizzly ), with 100 mm of maximum shielding, is equipped with an howitzer with 150 short (150L12).

Lastly, imposing it Sturmtiger on frame Tiger (1944. 18 specimens) employs a mortar of 380 mm (150 mm of shielding with before).

Always on frame Pz IV (H), the Jagdpanzer IV /48 (1944. 25 tons) carries a 75L48. It is developed in JgPz IV/70 with the powerful gun of 75L70 and its shielding of 60 mm front passes to 80 mm, involving a notable loss of handiness because of a too advanced center of gravity.

A very successful conversion of an old frame was JgPz 38 (T) Hetzer , built in 2.600 specimens (1944-45), equipped with a shaped shielding of 60 mm with before and with a 75L48.

The best tank destroyer of the war was Jagdpanzer V Jagdpanther (at the end of 1943 to 1945), associating qualities of the Panther frame with a good tilted shielding (100 mm front) and with the frightening gun of 88L71 (392 specimens).

Less succeeded Jagdpanzer VI Elefant (or Ferdinand ) were the on a frame not selected of the prototype of Tiger (conceived by Ferdinand Porsche): too much heavy, 90 e.g. uses the 88L71 as of the semione. Idem for gigantic the Jagdtiger , on frame Tiger II, which supports a very strong shielding with difficulty (250 mm in front cockpit) and the powerful one but imposing gun of 128mm 128L58 (85 e.g. in at the end of 1944). The end of the war put an end to other projects of Jagdpanzer: E-25 (75L70), HetzerStarr (75L48), and Jagdpanther II , frame of accessible Panther II a gun of 128 Misters.

Self-propelled guns

By facility of construction, and availability of captured frames, were built many self-propelled guns. Accommodating in a cockpit slightly armor-plated and opened (roof and back) a gun of artillery or anti-tank device, they allowed artillery and the anti-tank devices divisions armor-plated to acquire an undeniable mobility, but their employment remained impossible in close combat.

The artillery self-propelled guns were primarily represented by the Wespe (676 semi-43 e.g.) on frame PzKfw II (gun of 105 mm) and Hummel on frame PzKfw IV (700 ex.fin 42-44), with an howitzer of 150 mm L30.

The Panzerjäger I on frame PzKfw I (202 e.g.) accommodated in 1940 the anti-tank gun Czech PaK 36 (T) of 47L43.3.

The Marder (I) employed again the French frames captured (into 42-43) to carry PaK 40 (approx. 300 e.g.).

The Marder II , on frame PzKfw II, used the Russian gun of 76,2 mm or Pak 40 (75L46).

Lastly, the Marder III (ausf H and Mr. 43-44) used this last anti-tank gun on frame of Pz 38 (T). 1390 specimens were produced on the whole. Another Marder III ( Panzerjäger 38 ) used the Russian anti-tank device of 76,2 mm (1942. 344 e.g.).

The Nashorn , or Hornisse, on frame Pzkfw IV, had a strong destroying capacity with its Pak 43/2 of 88L71 (mid 43).

Special armoured tanks

The German army developed relatively few special armoured tanks, because primarily of the urgency in the construction of traditional armoured tanks. Also, the amphibious armoured tanks ( Tauchpanzer and L.W.S ) were not built in series, just as PzKfw IV anti-mines. Some tanks layers of bridge were put at the test. More were the armoured tanks of breakdown service ( Bergepanzer collecting the damaged armoured tanks; not armed), on the majority of the existing frames, and the conveyers of ammunition ( Munitionsschlepper Hummel: 157 e.g. and Wespe: 159 e.g.). Some panzer were dedicated to the observation brought closer for artillery, and were often equipped with factitious guns not to betray their employment ( Panzerbeobachtung III : 262 e.g. in 43-44). Others (tanks of command or Befehlspanzer ) were identical to the original model but using antenna-tallies or parasol for the additional radio operator equipment.

Some panzer ( PzKfw II Flamingo - 155 e.g.; PzKfw III M (Flam) - 100 e.g.; Hetzer - 20 e.g.) used a lance-flame in the place of the principal armament.

Finally and especially, the German army developed several models of anti-aircraft tanks (Flakpanzer) equipped with automatic guns AA for the defense of the units armor-plated. The Flakpanzer 38 (T) Gepard (162 e.g. at the end of 43-44) accommodated in its cockpit postpones a gun Mauser monotube Flak 38 of 20 Misters. The Flakpanzer IV, derived into four version, was a simple frame of PzKfw IV on which was assembled a gun Flak 43 of 37 mm or one 20 mm quadruples Flakvierling .

Considered “armoured tanks”, but of size modest and remote-controlled were the three models of Ladungsträger (conveying of explosive loads) : the Borgward B IV ausf has, B, C depositing a load of 500 kg (56 e.g. were converted into hunters of tanks carrying 6 RPzB 54 panzerschreck), Zündapp B1 Goliath , and the N.S.U Springer (330 kg of explosive).

Half-tracked armoured tanks

Conceived to allow the troops to follow the armoured tanks all in their offering the protection of a light shielding, the schützenpanzerwagen (back nose gear wheels, caterpillars) decline themselves quasi exclusively in two models: SdKfz 250 and, version increased, SdKfz 251. Their roles of transport diversified as a conveyer of weapons varied, increasing the potential of fire of the panzergrenadieren regiment.

The le.SPW 250 is armed with one machine-gun in front of the cockpit (sometimes a second machine-gun AA). 5 wheels (including 2 external) support the back caterpillars. Two types were manufactured: an “old” construction: Alte (walls raised in triangle with the top of the train of bearing) and a “news” (1943 to 45): neue (low of the cockpit is full, with two openings of arrangement.

SdKfz 250 was declined in 12 models, of which the 250/7 carry-mortar, the 250/8 equipped with StuK 37 of 75L24, the 250/9 with turret of SdKfz 222 (20 mm), or the 250/10 equipped with PaK of 37 Misters.

Alte was built in 4250 e.g., the neue in 2378 e.g.

The m.SPW 251 Hanomag was built according to 4 types: ausf has, B, C and D. 6 wheels of caterpillars (including three external), max. speed 50 km/h, length 5,8 m; a machine-gun with shield with before (+ 1 machine-gun AA). Going shielding of 14.5 mm to 8 Misters. Visual differentiation of different the ausf:

has (1939) and B (1939-40): bar/front bumper; before with two slopes reversed; back with two slopes reversed (doors idem); 3 cases on with dimensions ones of the front cockpit; relate side to the engine cowling. The ausf B accommodates a shield of machine-gun.

C (1940-42): before tilted (not of bumper); 3 cases on sides of the cockpit medium; “bump” on with dimensions ones of the driving compartment. D (1942-45): 3 cases on sides of the cockpit now covered (before-medium-back), back with slope reversed downwards; rectangular backdoors, punts; more opening of side vision on the sides of the driving cabin.

23 models of SdKfz 251 were developed, of which of course the 251/1 transport of troops; the 251/2 carry-mortar (66 shells of 80mm); the 251/9 Stummel , carrying the 75L24; the 251/10 with Pak of 37 mm; the 251/16 with lance-flames side; the 251/17 with Flak 30/38 of 20 mm; the 251/20 Uhu carrying a large infra-red projector; the 251/21 with gun tritube of 15 or 20 mm anti-aircraft; the 251/22 with Pak 40 of 75 mm long.

The ausf has, B, C were built in 4600 e.g.; the ausf D in 10.600 e.g.

Armored cars

Teams of armor-plated wheels but (slightly), the armored cars (panzerspähwagen) equip the units with recognition. Their wheels confer speed and mobility, but limit their actions to the flat and solid grounds.

After the first cars equipped with machine-guns ( Kfz 13 and 14 , SdKfz 221 ), the SdKfz 222 (4,5 tons) armed with one 20 mm and with 4 wheels (4 rad) team largely the units aufklarung until 1943.

Even thing for Pz.Spw 231 Magirus with 6 wheels (2 backs), also armoured to him to 8 mm (70 km/h maximum. 6 tons). The models 232 and 263 are identical, with antenna-tallies in height.

Pz.Spw 231 8 rad (8 wheels coupled by two with mudguard) with its shielding before increased to 15 mm, a maximum speed of 80 km/h, and always a pom-pom of 20L55. The versions 232 have antenna-tallies and 233 a gun 75L24 without turret.

These models are replaced in 1944 by the versions of the SdKfz 234 with 8 wheels (half-hexagon between the two nose gear wheels and between the two aft wheels) and with the maximum shielding of 30 mm (12 tons). The 234/1 has a 20L55. The 234/2 Puma with an anti-tank long gun of 50L60 (101 e.g.). The 234/3 a 75L24 without turret (50 shells. 88 e.g.) and the 234/4 Pak 40 of 75 mm long without turret (12 shells. 89 e.g. at the end of 44).

Camouflages and markings

This definition of markings and camouflages of the panzer during the Second world war remains theoretical: the largest variety governs the “decoration” of the German armoured tanks, due often to clean made troops on the face.

The panzer of years 1939-1941 are uniformly painted in “gray panzer”, gray sinks chechmate. As from 1942, the whole of the armoured tanks covers with a beige color clear constant-chestnut; clear beige/sand in Africa (Africakorps). Some keep the panzergrau, raised beige reasons. The two-tone colors appear primarily in 1943, the clear chestnut melts of it with dark chestnut energy of the large point to the 50%, while passing by the undulatory lines. The complex camouflage with three colors appears rather massively in 1944: beige - ocher or dark chestnut - green olive, sometimes limited to the beige + green-olive. Its ultimate version (camouflage “ambush”), not usually appears in second half of 1944 and is reserved rather for the heavy tanks (tiger II), means sometimes (Panther) and with the hunters jagdpanzer type. It takes again the camouflage with three tons to which is added clear points (on dark) and dark (on clear bottom), to perfect an ideal camouflage for the static positions.
The panzer were by far (in front of the French Army of 1940 and the British tanks in Africa) the tanks best camouflaged, or at least those which had the most colors and drawings différents.
During wintry times and snow-covered, the panzer are covered following the example other armoured tanks of white colors or blanchâtres badigeonnées.
Moreover, their shieldings are rather generally covered during the semi-43/mi-44 period of a paste magnetic anti-mines (the Zimmerit) which covers scratches (they same painted) the surface of the tanks.

The national rosette with cross ( Balkenkreuz ) is general and white (sometimes yellow clearly) on the “gray” tanks of the beginning of the war. It becomes black with the colors chestnuts, sometimes simply outlined by its gray, white, or black contours (cf markings of Luftwaffe), and tends to disappear more and more after 1943 (in particular on the camouflage “ambush”), leaving only the identification numbers.

The tactical, divisional badges or of units (yellow or white stylized “logos”), small and laid out on the case before or side, tend to disappear with Zimmerit.

Lastly, the identification numbers of the tank are nearly generals throughout the war, even if their employment decrease in 1944 (re-employment of tank, recamouflage, urgency of the sending to the face) or disappears on the camouflage “ambush”. Of color white, black, and/or red, more or less large on the sides of the turret (rare on the self-propelled guns, the cars and the half-tracked ones), these numbers (and letters) specific to each tank in the units obey a nomenclature specifies founded on three digits:
1st figure: number of company; 2nd figure: number of the section in this company; 3rd figure: number of the tank in this section.

Panzer regiment: R 01 with R 04 : stabskompanie Panzer-regiment (company Staff of command) I 01 with 05 Staff of the 1st armor-plated battalion ( I/Abteilung )

4 companies with 4 zug (section) of 4 tanks

example: 1st kompanie : 101 (+ 102 ): befehlpanzer + 111 - 114 ; 121 - 124 ; 131 - 134 ; 141 - 144

2nd kompanie : 201 (+ 202 ) + 4 sections: 211 - 214 ; 221 - 224 ; 231 - 234 ; 241 - 244

I 06 - 09 , or II 01 - 05 : Staff of the 2nd armor-plated battalion ( II/Abteilung ) idem: 4 companies with 4 zug (of 5 tanks)

example: 5th company of the regiment: 501 (and 502 ) or 101 (+ 102 ) + 4 zug: 111 - 115 ; 121 - 125 ; 131 - 135 ; 141 - 145 (or 511 - 515 ; 521 - 525 ; 531 - 535 ; 541 - 545 ).

example: the tank number 312 is the 2nd tank of the 1st zug of the kompanie 3 (or 7), of one of both abteilung of the regiment.

See too

Internal bonds

Second world war
Wehrmacht | Heer
manufacturers: Complex German militaro-industrialist

External bonds

Bio of the general Estienne
Panzer of the second world war
http://mythicpanzers.jexiste.fr/Files/Infos/01-Sizes/WWII-GermanMilitaryVehicles.htm
http://perso.wanadoo.fr/did.panzer very complete Site on the history, the composition of the panzers and the units of panzers of the Heer and the Waffen-SS.

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