Panzerkampfwagen IV-Medium Tank

[PanzerBob]

Originally Posted by cyberia

That probably explains the type of drawing done by the crew. Chances are they were being honest about it and propaganda took over from there.

Yes like I mentioned earlier, if my crew and I had sunk a warship there be a gun painted on that ship.

[cyberia]

Panzer IVs moving in battle formation, Russia 1943



Two Panzer IVJs in firing position, Russia 1943

[Pirate-Drakk]

Originally Posted by cyberia

Panzer IVs moving in battle formation, Russia 1943[/b]

This pic has been my background screen on my laptop for a year now! If you look closely you will notice that there are protective bags over the mussel brake. That and the fact that there are five tanks operating in formation inclines me to believe this is a tank platoon in training. Clearly they are not in a battle area because the crews are all exposed and the guns are not ready to fire.

[cyberia]

Originally Posted by Pirate-Drakk

This pic has been my background screen on my laptop for a year now! If you look closely you will notice that there are protective bags over the mussel brake. That and the fact that there are five tanks operating in formation inclines me to believe this is a tank platoon in training. Clearly they are not in a battle area because the crews are all exposed and the guns are not ready to fire.

Good eye, P-D! The muzzle bags definitely point toward a relaxed posture.

[cyberia]

A unusual photo of a group of Pz. IV H en-route to the front
ferrying fuel drums on the rear decks

[TRDG]

Do you know where taht pic was taken from Paul? I know they did the "drum in the back" quite often in the Eastern front, but I have mostly seen it on Tigers. And a few pics (of Tigers) I beleave in Africa maybe??

Cheers

Tom

[cyberia]

Originally Posted by TRDG

Do you know where taht pic was taken from Paul? I know they did the "drum in the back" quite often in the Eastern front, but I have mostly seen it on Tigers. And a few pics (of Tigers) I beleave in Africa maybe??

Cheers

Tom

No other info but I would guess Eastern front and I suspect part of a redeploy column.

With exposed fuel and crew (and as P-D would point out muzzle bags ) I doubt they were heading into a fight or even in a hostile air area.

[Pirate-Drakk]

Originally Posted by cyberia

No other info but I would guess Eastern front and I suspect part of a redeploy column.

With exposed fuel and crew (and as P-D would point out muzzle bags ) I doubt they were heading into a fight or even in a hostile air area.

I agree, these tanks are (re)deploying to an area that is not readily accessible by railroad. Long hitches over land would wear out the tank tracks and force repairs. (In WWII tracks break all the time, that's the main reason why tanks carry multiple spare pieces, not just as extra armor.) Therefore, rail was the main tank transport. If you take a hit with a barrel of fuel on the back, it will be "bad" for the tank and it's crew. These tankers must feel pretty safe to run with only the driver inside, fuel drums on the back, and "bags on the 'brakes".

[cyberia]

Panzer IVs in Poland, 1944

[cyberia]

I remember seeing this photo on the cover of one of those dollar war magazines in the 60s