(or at least their tactical symbol is). Page A7 of today's Orlando Sentinel (sorry I don't have ability to post photos) shows a tan US Military Police HUMVEE in Kuwait with an Afrikakorps tactical symbol painted on it. The swaz has been replaced by crossed pistols. It just kinda jumped out at me. Sorry if this is old news.
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Hi Steve,
It is kind of cool, those symbols have been around since gulf war I. History buffs of units sort of got a Afrika Korps feeling "just like the germans", "except no one is shooting at us"
I even saw gun tubes with the names of "Rommel", "Desert Fox", & "Blitzkrieg"......no swastikas though.
Don't believe everything you read on the internet, that's how WWI got started. -
Hi Guys,
Not only the Afrika Korps, but I've seen an M1A1 with the Das Reich rune on the turret...
MattComment
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Hi Matt,
Don't know if your a gulf vet, but if my memory is correct (been 12 years) the symbol.. I_I.. was used as a "friendly" vehicle identification. If that's the one your thinking of.Don't believe everything you read on the internet, that's how WWI got started.Comment
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Hi Mike,
No, I wasn't there, but if it is a coincidence, it's a pretty major one. The symbol was on the right front slope of the turret, and was identical to the division symbol of Das Reich- a backwards 'N', with a vertical line in the center the same height as the verticals of the 'N'. I was quite surprised when I saw it, so I looked carefully. At first it was a photograph, then I saw the same marking on one of the Abrams in the movie 'Courage Under Fire'.
MattComment
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Mike is correct. That was the symbol used in the Gulf War for a friendly vehicle.
I too saw several "Afika Corps" symbols during the Gulf War. I even saw one American Tank commader who hung a photo of Rommel inside the turret of his M1a1. He later captured an Iraqi commander, and the Iraqi noticed the photo, and ask him "Why do you put a photo up of your enemy?"
The American G.I. replied, "well, if you knew more about Rommel, then you wouldn't be my prisoner right now!"
I got a good kick out of that story! but true!
Matt
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i think that is kinda funny- i mean- your own guys won that war back than
- why wouldnt one put up one owns countries heros? i bet there would never be a montgomery or patton photo in a german leopard II 
are germans that much cooler or what?
Gruß,
KSMComment
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Rommel was a highly respected opponent
and tactician who wrote the "book" on mechanized (tank) desert warfare. The Afrikakorps, as commanded by Rommel, was a highly respected opponent. Regardless of how Hollywood beats the Afrikakorps up in various movies and television shows, the historians and collectors know the truth
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Steve is correct. Even Churchill publicly praised Rommels' talents during the war!! How often do you see that happen?
No, you definately won't see a photo of Monty in a German tank, but I wouldn't be surprised to see one of Patton. The Germans had almost as much respect for Patton as the allies did for Rommel. The Germans believed tha Patton was the Allies greatest commander.
Matt
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i dont think there will ever be a Patton picture in a Panzer today- those guys already cant decide between Rommel, Guderian and v.Manstein
"Breit fahren, schmal denken" must be the reason
Gruß,
KSMComment
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