Panzerstellungs/Pantherturms

[cyberia]

If you like tanks and fortified gun positions, then panzerstellungs or Pantherturms might be just the mix to interest you.

Panzerstellungs were usually below ground level bunkers of either steel, concrete or both and topped with a tank turret.

Panzer II panzerstellung used as coastal defense in a French port

The Germans used both their own turrets and those of captured tanks as either stand alone panzerstellungs, or as part of permanent defensive lines known as "Tobruks".

What appears to be a French S-35 turret used in a Tobruk at La Ciotat, France


A R-35 turret panzerstellung "in" the street of a French coastal town


Turret of a Panzer 38(t) used as a panzerstellung, possibly in the Western Desert

Pantherturms were similar emplacements that were exclusively Panther; either salvaged turrets from battle damaged vehicles, or specially designed copies with increased 40 mm roof armor to withstand heavy artillery shells, and heavier 70mm side armor.

Captured Pantherturm being inspected by a British soldier in Italy


An American GI chats with children paling on an abandoned Pantherturm in Germany

Although there are some who scoff at the concept of fixed positions for tank turrets, they were however no laughing matter to advancing Allied troops. Hard to spot and even tougher to destroy, panzerstellungs were a tough nut for infantry and the bigger gunned, heavier armored Pantherturms an often deadly obstacle to armor.

[cyberia]

Flatbed rail cars loaded with pre-fab Pantherturm "boxes" heading to the front

Actual blueprints for the proper placement of a Pantherturm

Font view of a Pantherturm box



Rear view



Engineers finishing the reinforced concrete base of a Pantherturm

[cyberia]

The following photos are of a restored Pantherturm on display at the Westwall-Museum in Germany...

[cyberia]

The following photos are of the excavation of a Pantherturm discovered in 2005 during a road project near Szczecinek, Poland...

[cyberia]

Panzerstellungs could be compared to icebergs. The bulk of them were hidden from sight.

Close up of a panzerstellung with an R35 turret along the French coast
As a rule, this was all that could be seen of the fortification



Cut-a-way of coastal a R35 panzerstellung showing the true scope of the "Tobruk" bunker

[cyberia]

Panzerstellung with a Panzer 38(t) turret in North Africa




Diagram detailing these smaller, more compact positions compared to the "Tobruk" bunker

[Tom Houlihan]

NICE photos, Paul!!

Wish I had more time for modelling. Lots of good ideas there!

[cyberia]

Originally Posted by Tom Houlihan

NICE photos, Paul!!

Wish I had more time for modelling. Lots of good ideas there!

Thanks Tom. Yeah, imagine a nice 1/35 cutaway like above with figs and all the extras!!!

[cyberia]

Two views of knocked out pantherturms in Berlin...

[cyberia]

American troops looking over a knocked out Panzer II panzerstellung on the Southwest coast of France