Bunkermeister | 23 May 2016 8:54 p.m. PST |
What how many of each model of Panzer IV were used by the Germans in North Africa against the US Army forces? I have Panzer III and Tiger I but some new Panzer IV kits are coming soon and I am interested in buying some for my DAK troops. Mike Bunkermeister Creek Bunker Talk blog |
Martin Rapier | 23 May 2016 10:30 p.m. PST |
By the time of Tunisia, most Pz IV were long barrelled, with a minority of short. There would still be a few old clunkers around, but most would be F or up. No schurzen etc though. I'd have to look in Jentz for the exact breakdown. |
Bunkermeister | 23 May 2016 10:47 p.m. PST |
Thank you Martin Rapier. Bunkermeister |
Martin Rapier | 23 May 2016 11:13 p.m. PST |
Ok, PanzerPanzer Africa strength on 2nd December 1942 at mersa brega. 2 PzIV (short) and 12 (long), a further 22 (long) were shipped later that month. 10th panzer came over with 4 PzIV (short) and 16 (long). All the HG Panzer IVs we're long, and Panzer regiment 190 assigned to 90th light had ten PzIV of unspecified type. So, in Tunisia, the vast majority were long bsrrelled. I have seen the odd photo of short bsrrelled one's but they were very rare. Both types were heavily outnumbered by Pz III (I've not listed those as typing this stuff out on the awful keyboard on this tablet is painful). |
Bunkermeister | 23 May 2016 11:35 p.m. PST |
Thank you Martin Rapier. I have plenty of Panzer III already but a couple companies have announced early to mid war Panzer IV in HO scale, so now it's time for me to get a few of them for Tunisia. Mike Bunkermeister Creek Bunker Talk blog |
Martin Rapier | 24 May 2016 1:59 a.m. PST |
Yes, a few will be plenty. A far as I can tell most of the panzer battalions were still using the light company+medium company organisation with 2-3 light companies (Pz III) per Bn and 1 medium (company Pz IV) so you don't need loads. |
War In 15MM | 24 May 2016 10:35 a.m. PST |
According to Wehrmacht Panzer Divisions 1939-45 (by Rosado and Bishop), the tank strength of the 10 Panzer Division/7th Pz. Reg upon its arrival in North Africa was: 21 Pz Ii 105 Pz III 4 Pz iV (short) 16 Pz. IV (long) The only numbers that book offers for the 15th and 21st Panzer Divisions are Alamein or before. |
Martin Rapier | 24 May 2016 2:19 p.m. PST |
Yes. Annoyingly Jentz mainly has those stupid cumulative column graphs which are really hard to read for tank strengths for Panzer Armee Afrika between Alamein and the fall of Tunis, but buried in the text are extracts from some of the strength returns (which includes the Mersa Brega report from December 1942). Just give me a nice table please! The reinforcement units (10th Panzer, Pz Abt 190, KG HG and the Tiger Bn) are all listed normally. |
Who asked this joker | 25 May 2016 6:48 a.m. PST |
As Martin says above. I believe the German tank battalion has 3 companies of tanks. There were usually 2 light (PZIII with the long barrels by the time of Tunesia) and the PZIV F2 or G with long 75mm guns. There were also the occasional PZIIIN with the 75mm howitzer like the PZIVF1. Those were used in very small numbers. Also note that the PZIV companies were often understrength do to supply problems caused by the RN and RAF as well as things not going so well in Russia. |
wrgmr1 | 25 May 2016 9:41 p.m. PST |
I would surmise that these Pz VI's had the KwK 40 L/43 rather than the KwK 40 L/48. Slightly less penetrating power for the L/43. |