hi guys,
keen to know as much about this pic/tank/crew as possible…haven’t seen it before
would help lots for the HJ group build that i’m hoping to do…
thanks,
Nicholas
well its tank number 618 of the HJ the commanders GF is called Steffi
The tank is zimmed. The loader eats paint and needs a haircut!
Hope that isn’t lead paint
LOL!!
Thanks wipw, I was in need of a laugh.
Maybe thats Steffi.
the tank’s in belgium, tht much i can get frm the background buildings. in that case this was taken around January- March 1944 when the division was fitting and later training in that area.
my guess since its a Pz. IV H, its probably from II./SS-Panzer-Regiment 12, under the command of SS-Obersturmbahnfurher Max Wunsche, a former HJ member and winner of the Knoght’s Cross. It looks to be a tank from 6 company of the battalion, as its tactical number is in the same style as the other pics ive got, black numbers outlined in white. Ive got a couple other pics of tanks in the same unit with markings like Steffi on them, most notably Tank #615, with WIlma written on the cammanders coupola as here, along with Paula on the visor for the driver. the pics i have also show each of this company’s tanks with zimmerit on the side and turret schurzen. as this is when the division was still training, the tank is fairly new here, not much damage. one other thing to note- in one of the pics, the tank shown has the spare track links camoflage painted like the tank.
the crewman’s wearing a U-Boat black leather uniform ( both the jacket and the pants), as these were fairly popular amongst german tankers for their warmth, and their extra protection in case of fire. i cant see his rank, and i have no idea what he’s eating there. wipw’s guess at paint doesnt look too far off, and concidering what german rations were like back then, its probably jst as good.
no idea on how hes armed. around D-day, he’d probably be wearing a tanker’s camo smock, with either the standard SS or italian style of camo, and a walther or luger in a holster on his left or something. if u want more on tht ask me on the HJ GB post.
i also have another pic with a tanker eating in it. hes got a standard field pail in mine though, and he looks like frankie munez right after realizing he’s eating paint…
hope it helped!!
gringe88s reply is spot on,all i can add is that the turret nos were hand painted, none too neatly and that a lot of italian kit was issued, so this guy`s as likely to be carrying a Berretta as a Walther as his sidearm[:)]