Monday, December 13, 2010

PANZERS OF THE DEUTSCHES AFRIKAKORPS


Panzer is a loanword from the German Panzer (German pronunciation: [ˈpantsɐ]  ( listen)), meaning "armour". It is also used in the compounds Panzerdivision, ‘panzer division’ and dated Panzerkampfwagen, ‘tank’ or literally ‘armoured combat vehicle’ (the modern synonym is Kampfpanzer, or just Panzer).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panzer

LT=Light Tank, MT=Medium Tank, HT=Heavy Tank, SPAA=Self Propelled Anti-aircraft, SPG=Self-Propelled Gun/Howitzer, SPAG=Self-Propelled Assault Gun, TD=Tank Destroyer, AC=Armoured/Scout Car. Other abbreviations are Sd.Kfz=Special Motor Vehicle (German Word), MG=Machine Gun, and Ausf.=Mark/Type (German Word). They are:

    • Panzerkampfwagon I (Sd.Kfz. 101) Ausf. A, LT, 2-7.62mm MG13s
    • Panzerkampfwagen I (Sd.Kfz. 101) Ausf. B, LT, 2-7.92mm MG13s (Add in: Kleiner Panzerbefehlswagen (Sd. Kfz. 265) Light Armored Command Vehicle) (Add in: Panzerjager I, Ausf. B, TD, 4.7cm PaK(t) Gun) L/43.4)
    • Panzerkampfwagen II (Sd.Kfz 121) Ausf. A, LT, 1-2cm KwK 30 L/55 Gun
    • Panzerkampfwagen II (Sd.Kfz. 121) Ausf. B, LT, 1-2cm KwK 30 L/55 Gun
    • Panzerkampfwagen II (Sd.Kfz. 121) Ausf. C, LT, 1-2cm KwK 30 L/55 Gun
    • Panzerkampfwagen II (Sd.Kfz. 121) Ausf. D, LT, 1-2cm KwK 30 L/55 Gun (Ausf. D did not see service in Africa) (Add PzKpfw.II Ausf. E, with Ausf. F cupola)
    • Panzerkampfwagen II (Sd.Kfz. 121) Ausf. F, LT, 1-2cm KwK 30 L/55 Gun (Ausf. F did not see service in Africa)
    • Panzerkampfwagen 35(t)* Ausf. A, MT, 1-MG13 1-3.7cm KwK 34(t) L/40 Gun (PzKpfw.35(t) did not see service in Africa)
    • Panzerkampfwagen 38(t) (Sd.Kfz. 140) Ausf. A, MT, 1-MG13 1- 3.7cm KwK 38(t) L/47.8 Gun *(PzKpfw.38(t) did not see service in Africa)
    • Panzerkampfwagen 38(t) (Sd.Kfz. 140) Ausf. A, MT, 1-MG13 1- 3.7cm KwK 38(t) L/47.8 Gun *(This is a repeat of above)
    • Panzerbefehlswagen III Ausf E & H (Sd.Kfz.266, 267, 268) Command Vehicle should appear.
    • Panzerkampfwagen III(Sd. Kfz 141) Ausf. D, MT, 2-MG34s 1-3.7cm KwK L/45 Gun (Ausf. D did not see service in Africa)
    • Panzerkampfwagen III(Sd. Kfz.141) Ausf. E, MT, 2-MG34s 1-3.7cm KwK L/45 Gun (Ausf. E did not see service in Africa)
    • Panzerkampfwagen III(Sd. Kfz. 141) Ausf. F, MT, 2-MG34s 1-3.7cm KwK L/45 Gun
    • Panzerkampfwagen III(Sd. Kfz. 141) Ausf. F, MT, 2-MG34s 1-5cm KwK 39 L/42 Gun
    • Panzerkampfwagen III(Sd. Kfz. 141) Ausf. G, MT, 2-MG34s 1-5cm KwK 39 L/42 Gun
    • Panzerkampfwagen III(Sd. Kfz. 141) Ausf. H, MT, 2-MG34s 1-5cm KwK 39 L/42 Gun
    • Panzerkampfwagen III(Sd. Kfz. 141) Ausf. J, MT, 2-MG34s 1-5cm KwK 39 L/42 later L/60 Gun
    • Panzerkampfwagen III(Sd. Kfz. 141/1) Ausf. L, MT, 2-MG34s 1-5cm KwK 39 L/60 Gun
    • Panzerkampfwagen III(Sd.Kfz. 141/1) Ausf. M, MT, 2-MG34s 1-5cm KwK 39 L/60 Gun
    • Panzerkampfwagen III(Sd. Kfz. 141/1) Ausf. M, MT, 2-MG34s 1-7.5cm KwK L/24 Gun (Also PzKpfw.III Ausf. N served with the Tigers of sPzAbt.501 and 504 in Tunisia.)
    • Panzerkampfwagen IV(Sd. Kfz. 161) Ausf. D, MT, 2-MG34s 1-7.5cm KwK L/24 Tank Gun
    • Panzerkampfwagen IV(Sd. Kfz. 161) Ausf. E, MT, 2-MGs 1-7.5cm L/24 Gun
    • Panzerkampfwagen IV(Sd. Kfz. 161) Ausf. F1, MT,2-MGs 1-7.5cm L/24 Gun
    • Panzerkampfwagen IV(Sd. Kfz. 161/1) Ausf. F2, MT, 2-MGs 1-7.5cm L/43 Gun
    • Panzerkampfwagen IV(Sd.Kfz. 161/1) Ausf. G, MT, 2-MGs 1-7.5cm L/43 Gun
    • Panzerkampfwagen IV(Sd.kfz. 161/2) Ausf. H, MT, 2-MGs 1-7.5cm L/48 Gun
    • Panzerkampfwagen VI "Tiger I" (Sd. Kfz. 181) Ausf. E, HT, 2-MGs 1-8.8cm KwK 36 L/56 Gun
    Thanks to George Bradford from the AFV NEWS website

    4 comments:

    1. I was under the impression that some Stug III (C or D) models were sent to the Afrika Korps. I saw a pic of one a few years ago and it had some type of filter over the engine air intake. Sorry I did not save the image.

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      Replies
      1. Yes you are right. I dont have Stugs in this list because this article was writen in 2000 and I forgot to update...

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    2. I read in new vanguard 37, that stug III ausf f/8 of batterie 90 served with the 10th panzer division in tunisia

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    3. Hey, Paulo!
      I won't be to harsh since this is a private/fun/hobby site and not some historical valid source for studies and research. Even after a quick read I found numerous issues and things that aren't correct. With more time I might try to write down a few.
      But regarding the Panzers on your list: why do you implement the czech origin Pz 35(t) and 38(t) on your list when you note yourself, that they never were used in Africa anyways? Cheers

      ReplyDelete