Armored police vehicle

[Alexander Zöller]

Here's an Agfa postcard (hence the grainy quality) that has me puzzled: did the German police use this kind of armored vehicle, and if yes what may have been its purpose?

Does it have a SdKfz number? Unfortunately I don't know the first thing about these , so any help is very welcome.

[Frank Heukemes]

Hi Alexander,

I have seen a picture of this vehicle used in a Police-Panzer unit in Russia fighting against partisans. More I do not know.

[Michael Kuligowski]

Dear Alexander !!!!
It is a Polizei-Panzerkampfwagen ADGZ... or so called M35 mittlere Panzerwagen.....Initially produced by austrian steyer for bundesheer... all 27 vehicles were adopted by german police after Anschluss ....
later 25 more vehicles were produced on speciall order frm Himmler... they serwed in ss and police units in balkans area... russia... poland... etc

cheers
PS nice photo !!!!!

[Alexander Zöller]

Frank and Mike, thanks very much for your information!

I have seen the Heimwehr Danzig image with an ADGZ so many times but didn't make the connection!

It seems the vehicle shown in my image is from the initial production run of 27 ADGZ obtained from the Austrian army. Note that no weaponry is installed.

Thank you again!

[mietek]

First time used in combat 1 of september 1939 during attack of Polish Post Office in Free City Danzig (Gdansk). 3 wehicels support SS-Heimwehr Danzig.

http://www.odkrywca-online.com/galer...k/gdansk15.jpg
http://www.odkrywca-online.com/galer...k/gdansk16.jpg

in Gdynia http://www.odkrywca-online.com/picsforum3/picture8.jpg

[Akira Takiguchi]

Hi Alexander!

thank you for sharing the photo - I love these bulky and weird ADGZ thing!

You really have to buy Dr. Regenberg's magnificient book on police armored vehicles if you want to know better! This is an absolute must book for panzer lovers, whether or not he's interested in Polizei.

Original german book: http://www.amazon.de/exec/obidos/ASI...818094-4231218
English translation: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...glance&s=books

An ADGZ still in austrian service
<img src="http://www.history.jp/images/ADGZ-pic01.jpg">

1./Panzersp&auml;hkompanie Wien - in rare Reichsheer three color scheme
<img src="http://www.history.jp/images/ADGZ-pic02.jpg">

white camouflaged late-war ADGZ from a Polizei unit.
<img src="http://www.history.jp/images/ADGZ-pic03.jpg">

[Tommy]

here a photo from my best collector friend.(one of his Police Tank Units Photos) More see our website...

[Alexander Zöller]

Akira and Tommy,

thanks for adding these great photos to the thread! Once more I am truly stunned about how quickly information and photos are provided on this forum no matter how obscure the subject may be

Akira, I'll make sure to get hold of a copy of Regenberg's book

[Dez H]

They would make a very nice RV!

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