So, what did the Germans call their tanks?

[BlackSheepTwoOneFour]

I heard that the terms “Tiger,” “Panther,” etc. were names the Allies, especially the British, gave to German tanks to be able to talk about the different German tanks in easy to use language. Then I came across this in Wikipedia.

“Tiger I heavy tank originally received the designation of Panzerkampfwagen VI H (8.8 cm) Ausf H1 - Sd.Kfz.182, but then in March 1943, was redesignated to Panzerkampfwagen Tiger (8.8 cm L/56) Ausf E - Sd.Kfz.181. It was commonly referred to as Tiger, Tiger I and PzKpfw VI. Officially there was only type of Tiger tank produced, but during the duration of production improvements were carried on.” Wikipedia

Did the Germans use the names Tiger, Panther, etc? If not, how did they differentiate their tanks when they were giving verbal orders? Surely, there was some kind of shorthand designation they prefered over the mouthful “Panzerkampfwagen VI H (8.8 cm) Ausf H1 - Sd.Kfz.182” when a commander wanted to tell his tank drivers which tanks to use in an operation. For example, if he wanted to deploy the PzKpfw IV’s rather than the PzKpfw VI’s for an operation, how would he have referrred to them in giving quick verbal orders? Thanks for any insight you can give me.

Tanks. Sorry, I just couldn’t resist…LOL!

[BarrettDuke]

So, BS214, what’s your point?

[the_Baron]

…I believe also, that the various “hawk” names of the P-40 series were originally British designations.

The Brits may have originated the specific variations, “Warhawk” and “Kittyhawk”, but Curtiss used “Hawk” as a nickname for its fighters, going back to its early biplanes. The British may have just built on that nickname.

[the_Baron]

I came across this on Quora by Hu Jinqin. It seems the Germans were the ones who gave cat names to their tanks…

…which custom they revived post-war, with the Leopard and Gepard.

[BlackSheepTwoOneFour]

So, BS214, what’s your point?

Wow… grumpy much? Just making a joke here. Geez…

[Archangel_Shooter]

[BlackSheepTwoOneFour]

ROFLMAO!!!

[BarrettDuke]

OK, BS214. That’s progress. So, what’s the joke?

[BlackSheepTwoOneFour]

OK, BS214. That’s progress. So, what’s the joke?

Really? Do you always take things too seriously?

[stikpusher]

OK, BS214. That’s progress. So, what’s the joke?

Original question- what did the Germans call their tanks?

facetious answer- Tanks…

isn’t the joke obvious?

[BarrettDuke]

It is now. Thanks, Stik. I thought his word “Tanks” was slang for “Thanks” and he had requoted me to embarrass me in some way. Yes, that’s the world I live in. And I do tend to be too literal at times, especially when I don’t know someone’s sense of humor. I got a little too intense there. My apologies, BS214. That’s actually a good one!

[armornut]

Don’t be embarassed for being you Barrettduke, some folks “seem” abrasive when actually they are very polite and helpful. Had I not been so wrapped up in your original post I might have answered the same way…it is funny. Thank you for stepping up, explaining how you felt, and not turning this thread into a flame war. I found your question interesting and original. Enjoy our hobby, keep asking for knowledge as your not just helping yourself and relax, most of us don’t bite…much LOL. HAPPY MODELLING!!

[Daddyman]

I’m willing to bet that at the smaller unit level commanders and crews, especially in the pre name days referred to specific types as “Mark IIIs” or Mark “IVs” or “Panzer II“, etc.

Stik is right. If you read the writings of Cruwell and Von Luck, they refer to Mark III’s and Mark IV’s and the light tanks as Panzer I and Panzer II. They also use the word panzer for the III’s and IV’s. The long barreled IV were called “specials”. They also used the terms Tiger and Panther but also mediums and heavies. Since I’ve not read their writings in the original german I don’t know how much of that is translaters and editors

[stikpusher]

Today I met a man with a wooden leg, named Smith.

Whats the name of his other leg?

pure literal humor.

Some things come across far better spoken, compared to being read. The timing and vocal inflection are missing.

So getting back to the original subject question, at the lowest tactical level, the platoon. The commander would refer to the section, or at lowest level individual tanks by bumper or turret number in taskings.