Panzer-Lehr-Division SdKfz 251 markings December 15 ... - PALA 130

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This front view is a poor photo but the "bite" taken out of the top edge of the armor to the right of the gun (as viewing it) and the bullet hole through the left front fender (as viewing it) match Clausewitz (there is another frontal view of "Clausewitz" on the Pathe site (http://www.britishpathe.com/still_image.php?id=64980&frame=14&size=sif). The photo is from Pipet's "La Trouée de Normandie":
Of interest is the double application of the Wolfsangel on the front of this vehicle: one, in the "normal location", which is the fender, and the second on the upper glacis, above and to the right of the woman's head. Both the Wespe and the Hummel that were knocked out in the Roncey Pocket show that names (those of prominent German historical figures being most common, but others such as "Kirschke", on the side of the 251/18? behind Hummel 110, are of unknown significance) were painted on the sides of vehicles of SS- Panzer-Artillerie-Regiment 2. This appears to be a common theme in Das Reich as the Stugs, at least the earlier ones on the Eastern Front, had similar names applied to the side. As can be seen in the photo from "La Trouée", the Das Reich divisional insignia is painted on the inside edge of the front right (as viewed) fender and beside it is painted the tactical symbol for a fully-tracked SP battery, to the left of which is the number one. This arrangement is more clearly seen on the same front-right fender of the ammo-carrier below. The tactical number is centrally painted on the rear with the "0" seen on the right-hand rear door and the "11" painted on the left-hand door (not seen, since the door is open). The Sd.Kfz. 251/18 has the "Das Reich" divisional insignia painted to the left of the rear doors with the tactical markings for an SP (fully tracked) Arty Abt. with a "1" to the right. It can be assumed that the Hummel has similar markings that are covered up by the rear door. Notice that the "S" for schwere is absent from the tactical symbol. The name "Clausewitz" is located above the louvers, the Balkankreuz located just a bit above and to the rear of the top, rear-most corner of the air intake louvers. The tactical number is located a bit above and to the rear of the Balkankreuz. Similar marking locations are found on the sides of the Wespe 307 "Scharnhorst" (see below). The camouflage on the Hummel 110 and the Wespe 307 is quite visible and unique and, apparently, somewhat standardized in the Abteilung. It is composed of long, wavy but generally straight bands which are oriented diagonally from front to rear. The Wespe is painted in green bands only as can be verified in the following color photo: The Hummel appears to be painted in green bands outlined with brown (as suggested by Barry Crook and which seems to be the most common opinion in past threads and other discussions of this Hummel) but could be reversed. The Sd.Kfz 251/18 is painted in a similar pattern but the bands appear to be vertical on the rear and almost vertical on the sides.
Page 1 and 2: Panzer-Lehr-Division SdKfz 251 mark
Page 3 and 4: This further example below of a 'Sc
Page 5 and 6: An enlargement of the image shows a
Page 7 and 8: This same Pz-Gren tac sign is proba
Page 10 and 11: As mentioned earlier, the ‘bow pl
Page 12: given the vintage of this Ausf C. O
Page 15 and 16: Note: there has been some recent on
Page 17 and 18: Amongst several other m.SPW with th
Page 19 and 20: One of at least two variations of P
Page 21 and 22: It’s the author’s present impre
Page 23 and 24: Returning finally back to the Pont
Page 25 and 26: As a result, if indeed the Pont Bro
Page 27 and 28: Given this circumstance, it seems p
Page 29 and 30: Factoring all of these pieces of ev
Page 31 and 32: Further reading: Bernage, Georges;
Page 33 and 34: propelled Abteilung in which the 1s
Page 35 and 36: information. A gliederung from June
Page 37 and 38: According to Dugdale (Vol. I, Pg. 2
Page 39: 2. SS-Panzer Division "Das Reich":
Page 43 and 44: interconnecting pattern of green st
Page 45 and 46: A closeup of "Scharnhorst": A close
Page 47 and 48: ===================== Tessin (Vol.
Page 50: It seems possible that the top phot
Page 53 and 54: According to Dugdale (Vol. I, Pg. 6
Page 55 and 56: Next is an early late version Humme
Page 57 and 58: Conclusions: ======== The Seine Hum
Page 59: Author Reply Fred Bayerlein (Login

Panzer-Lehr-Division SdKfz 251 markings December 15 ... - PALA 130

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