Panzerkampfwagen IV-Medium Tank

[cyberia]

Track repair on a Panzer IV in Russia
Original caption read "while under fire", but the bag over the muzzle break suggests otherwise

[Hagen]

Originally Posted by cyberia

Track repair on a Panzer IV in Russia
Original caption read "while under fire", but the bag over the muzzle break suggests otherwise

Great picture cyberia, have to agree with you on the muzzle bag.

[cyberia]

Originally Posted by Hagen

Great picture cyberia, have to agree with you on the muzzle bag.

Thanks. The muzzle bag was something Pirate taught me. If the caption says battle and the bag is on, the caption is wrong.

[cyberia]

A Pz. IV Ausf. H taking an incline, date and location unknown

What do you think Hagen, any clues as to when and where?

[Hagen]

Originally Posted by cyberia

A Pz. IV Ausf. H taking an incline, date and location unknown

What do you think Hagen, any clues as to when and where?

Well let's see, we have a Panzer IV H wearing the Trident emblem of 2nd Panzer Division. The "H" model entered production in April of 1943 and ended production in July of 1944. 2nd Panzer was on the eastern front until early 1944 when it was sent to France for rest and refitting, it fought in Normandy and at Mortain and was then almost destroyed again at Falaise, again refitted it fought in the Ardennes offensive and ended the war in the west.

It looks to me that the time of year is late fall, no foliage but no snow either. It doesn't look to me like the Ardennes area IMO, also it looks a little to "new" for a tank thats 5 months past the end of it's production run. So I say it's the Dnieper region of Russia where it suffered heavy casualties during the winter battles of 1943-44.

[cyberia]

Outstanding.

Between you, LAH and McCoy there may be no longer such things as "unknown" tanks!

Hagen, you up for others if I find them?

[Hagen]

Originally Posted by cyberia

Hagen, you up for others if I find them?

I'ld always be willing to try, with the above pic of the Panzer IV I had a good starting point with the division insignia of 2nd Panzer. Also being more of a late war reader I'm much more familiar with models H & J. Although a little detective work is always fun.

[Hagen]

Panzer IV-H of 12th SS Hitlerjugend appears that this Panzers commanders girlfriend is named Steffi. Also good clear picture of zimmerit pattern.

[LAH 1 SS]

Hagen do you specifically model Panzer 4's of the 12th SS or just panzer 4's in general. You have some great photo's of 12th SS panzer 4's, some i havent seen before

[cyberia]

Originally Posted by Hagen

Panzer IV-H of 12th SS Hitlerjugend appears that this Panzers commanders girlfriend is named Steffi. Also good clear picture of zimmerit pattern.

Excellent photo. One of the most clear from that era I've seen to date.