Panzer Identification

[christof]

Please I need help for identification of this Panzer III (is it a Ausf E ?) destroyed during battle of France in 1940. Thanks per advance.



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[christof]

Is it a Panzer III a Ausf E ?

[Simon O.]

looks like it to me

[christof]

Thanks a lot Simon

[christof]

Somze other opinion ?

[MarioL]

Location is Hestrud.

[christof]

Merci beaucoup !

[tigre]

Panzer Identification - Hestrud.

Hello to all ; as it was shown in the map below, the 5 Pz went through Hestrud in May 1940.

17 May 1940. At 05:00 hours Army Corps’ order: “Advance thru Hestrud against Semousies and cover the Army Corps’ northern flank against enemy attacks to Maubeuge; for this task the MG Btl 8 was to be attached to the division”. As Division’s advanced guard marched the PR 15 plus the II./ SR14 led by Oberst Streich; at 09:00 hours the infantry battalion pressed on thru Grandrieux and at 10:00 hours crossed the French international border at Hestrud. At 11:00 hours the spearhead attacked the Maginot Line east of Solre Le Chateau; the fortifications were quickly destroyed by the panzers, the direct fire of the II./ AR 48 and the engineers of the 1./ Pi Btl 89. At 14:00 hours the vanguard broke through. At 16:00 hours was taken Semousies and at 19:00 hours the regiment reached Berlaimont.



At that time the 5 Pz had: 75 Pz Kw I (MG); 116 Pz Kw II (20 mm); 35 Pz Kw III (37 mm) and 32 Pz Kw IV (75 mm short barrel).

Source: the divisional history written by Anton Detlev v. Plato.

So as the query it could be Pz Kw III Auf E or the earlier model of Auf F. Cheers. Raúl M .

[christof]

Muchas gracias Tigre.

[tigre]

Panzer Identification - Hestrud.

De nada christof . Cheers. Raúl M .