Question about light and medium Panzer Companies in 1942-1943

Hey guys!
A guy asked a question in another forum that got me wondering. I am wondering, when the new Panzer IV's with the long 75 became available in 1942, how did they allocate them to the Panzer companies? Did they mix them with the Panzer III's in the light companies, or with the Panzer IV short 75's in the medium companies?

And later, in 1943, as more long Panzer IV became available, did they mix Panzer III and Panzer IV in the same company? I know I would put the short 75 Panzer III and short 75 Panzer IV together and then Panzer IV long 75 with the other Panzer III.

It would make sense, to me anyway, to put them with the Panzer III's. Because the Panzer III's and long 75 Panzer IV are meant for the same purpose, tank vs tank, while the short 75 Panzer IV is meant as a support tank.

Can anyone help answer this? Thanks in advance guys!

Jon

 

From what I was told by RKT Prof Dr Bodo Spranz, he said usually when switching to another type of Panzer, they would do so usually on a Company level--one Comapny to a Battalion, or in fewer cases, a Battalion to a Regiment.

In case you never heard of the Prof Dr. He was a Stug III unit commander who was on the Eastern Front. AS it is, he so far is the only Armored UNit Commander I have had any dealings with. Unfortunately--he is now not very approachable due to a mishap between him and a person who used to post here. Thats what happens when you dont respect the veterans rights--we ALL lose out.

 

Yeah, its a shame when people are disrespectful to veterans of either side. I remember my Dad telling me about his doctor when he was young, his cheak was totally destroyed when he flew SE5's during WW1 and kids would make fun of him, I hear he exploded at one of these kids (who was about my age, 16) and told him how he got it, think he shocked him somewhat.

 

Stefan, I agree. I bet the good Doctor DID "smarten up" that 16 yr old a bit.

AS is known, I am very involved with veterans from Britain, Germany and the USA, as much as I possibly can be so. Its wellknown how I feel about them. Many of my best friends are vets--German and American.

I know I sound like a Preacher when it comes to talking about vets--especially ww2 vets. I have to do so, in order to try and get more people to understand, and to interact with these fine people before they all (sadly) pass away.

This Friday is December 7th, which is Pearl Harbor Day. I will be skipping work for the day (calling in sick) just so I can attend a ceremony held in the morning for our vets. I missed my chance on Veterans Day(WW1 Armistace Day)and im resolved never to work on either of these days again.

Lets all remember these guys and spend some time with them as we can.

 

Thanks Carl!
So, chances are they would probably not put a PzKpfw IV F2 in the same company as a PzKpfw IIIJ?

Hey I agree with you and Stefan about the veterans! Everyone should respect all veterans of all Countries!
Jon

 

Hello Jon, you are correctamundo (The Fonz's way of saying your correct). Most of the time, they werent mixed--unless say a few Panzer kompanies were so descimated in fighting and that these other types were repaired and hurried back to the front to replace other losses, which did happen at times.

Imagine a kompanie of Panzer IV's so descimated that the replacements were of Panzer II's and III's. Im sure these kind of things happened at Kursk and Kharkov, and on the Westernfront more than a few times--to bring up the strength of an armored unit until new replacements arrived from home.

 

Two things:

The first Pz.IV F2's were mostly send in too small quantities to form a complete Kompanie.

Also, the switch to Panthers was made on a Battalion level, this is: the first Abteilung of the Panzer-Regiment was completely outfitted with Panthers.

Just my 2 cents

Timo

 

Dear Timo, I was just using that as an example of what could happen, not what actually happened.

Besides, your much more knowledgable than I am on German Armor--and gladly so--I would never have the time for that and what I am involved in to give a decent answer.

By the way--your last written piece was most excellent my friend--im looking forward to more.

 

Thanks Carl and Timo!
Question for ya, Timo, when the PzIVf2's first became available did they put them in a company with Pz IV short or would they sometimes put them in a company with PzIII's?
Sorry if this question has already been answered...been working overtime and can't focus too well right now!

Thanks again!
Jon

 

Quite Welcome