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Tank identification help

Discussion in 'The Tanks of World War 2' started by Heinkel, Dec 11, 2017.

  1. Heinkel

    Heinkel New Member

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    I'm brand new on these forums and for the past month or so I've been trying to identify which crew this panzer 3 ausf m belongs too. The image is at such an angle that it's nearly impossible to find out which tank this is since the three digits are covered by one of the crew members. Any information on this tank would be much appreciated.
    [​IMG]
    All the information I could find on this image is below:
    Panzer III Ausf M of 2nd SS Panzer Division Das Reich – Kursk 1943
     
  2. JJWilson

    JJWilson Well-Known Member

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    Welcome to the Forums Heinkel! I assume your a Luftwaffe fan with a name like that? I wouldn't doubt the label Panzer III, to me though it looks similar to the Luchs, I might be crazy, but it looks that way too me.
     
  3. Takao

    Takao Ace

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    The Luchs had larger roadwheels.
     
  4. Takao

    Takao Ace

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    No. But, you can narrow it down.

    For instance, your not going to find three digits...Look closer at What is being covered up by the crew member on the far right. What you can see are not digits at all, but the II of a battalion HQ platoon tank.
     
  5. Jaap Vermeer MDE

    Jaap Vermeer MDE Active Member

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    Attached Files:

    Last edited by a moderator: Dec 12, 2017
  6. belasar

    belasar Court Jester

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    I would say a Panzer III 800px-Panzerkampfwagen_III_(2).JPG variant. The 5 men pictured would correspond to a 5 man crew of a Pzkw III Ausfs L or later. Five road wheels can be clearly seen, but part of a sixth appears below and behind the forward sprocket wheel. Most compelling is the drivers vision port.
     
    Last edited: Dec 12, 2017
  7. OpanaPointer

    OpanaPointer I Point at Opana Staff Member WW2|ORG Editor

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    It's one of them with the tracks, I believe.
     
  8. Jaap Vermeer MDE

    Jaap Vermeer MDE Active Member

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  9. Takao

    Takao Ace

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    The caption is in error...This tank is not from Das Reich, but from SS-Panzergrenadier-Division "Totenkopf". Das Reich never used two vertical stripes as their tactical symbol at Kursk. They used two vertical lines and one horizontal one.
    [​IMG]
    The crewman's leg is covering up the first stripe - so only the last two are visible...as with this photo
    [​IMG]
     
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  10. belasar

    belasar Court Jester

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    Good catch.
     
  11. Heinkel

    Heinkel New Member

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    I never realised how many active users there are on this website. Thank you all for the warm welcomes, information and help. I do believe we're onto something with that last post Takao. Do we know where to find a website with maybe a list of all possible tanks or armoured vehicles from that division.
     
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  12. JJWilson

    JJWilson Well-Known Member

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    I would first try Wikipedia, it isn't always the greatest source of info, but it has improved. If you can't find anything there, I would suggest looking into WW2 database.
     
  13. George Patton

    George Patton Canadian Refugee

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    Are you looking for a listing of all AFV types used by Totenkopf, or a listing of all AFVs by tactical number/hull number/crew lists/etc that were assigned to Totenkopf? You will not find the latter without extensive research in German archives and even then it won't be even remotely complete.
     
  14. Heinkel

    Heinkel New Member

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    Well then, this will be more difficult than I had originally thought. The main reason I want to find the crew for panzer 3 is for the kill rings painted onto the barrel. Very hard find for a tank like the panzer 3 that has disabled more then 9 enemy fortifications, armoured vehicles, artillery pieces and or anti tank emplacements.
     
  15. wisdome

    wisdome recruit

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    This tank is from 3 SS Pz. Gren. Div. Totenkopf - Kursk 1943. Pz III M with "Schurzen" ( shields). The main shields are removed(5) Divisional marking three vertical stripes, (4) marking for the second battalion ( II Abt. stab.), from point (1) to point (2) the stripes are thicker and black and white ( thicker stripes are for 10 tank kills) , thin stripes are for single tank kill ,point (2) to point (3), sooo probably this tank crew has 44 kills. ...... Also take a look how the tracks are mounted. I've read somewhere that if they are mounted that way the traction is better and there is less wear on the track links .


    Panzer_III_Ausf_M_of_waffen_ss_Totenkopf_Kursk_1943.jpg
     
    Last edited: Mar 5, 2021
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