Circle Markings on Pz II in (probably not) Poland.

[von Poop]

Sorry Owen was editing my post above, could be one of several.

[Owen]

So could it be a gun tank in a flampanzer unit, unit commander's vehicle perhaps?

[von Poop]

Think I've created a red herring with Flammpanzer mate.
Serve me right for shooting from the hip .

[Capt.Sensible]

Crikey! It says here:
Achtung Panzer! - Limited Production Models !

..that 'Today, fully restored and operational Flammpanzer II can be seen in the "Wehrtechnik Museum" in Koblenz Germany.'. I would pay good money to see that in a firepower demo.

H

[Bodston]

I've spent a fair amount of time looking at tanks today. No change there then.. as far as I can tell the only common feature between those concentric circle marked tanks, are the forward firing smoke launchers. I reckon that the three rings signify smoke. 3 launchers = 3 rings. Maybe painted as a warning for tank riding troops not to use those tanks?
Those particular smoke launchers are pretty rare judging by the lack of photographs, and they only seem to be fitted to PzKpfz II. They might be fitted to PzKpfw 38(t) too but I can't find any evidence other than models. This would indicate a small time period when they were in use, 1941ish, and only on the eastern front. I can't find any in the desert. I also can't find a description or name for them.
Only a theory of course, and now we need a photo of a tank with the circles and no launchers, to scupper it!

[kfz]

Originally Posted by Bodston

I've spent a fair amount of time looking at tanks today. No change there then.. as far as I can tell the only common feature between those concentric circle marked tanks, are the forward firing smoke launchers. I reckon that the three rings signify smoke. 3 launchers = 3 rings. Maybe painted as a warning for tank riding troops not to use those tanks?
Those particular smoke launchers are pretty rare judging by the lack of photographs, and they only seem to be fitted to PzKpfz II. They might be fitted to PzKpfw 38(t) too but I can't find any evidence other than models. This would indicate a small time period when they were in use, 1941ish, and only on the eastern front. I can't find any in the desert. I also can't find a description or name for them.
Only a theory of course, and now we need a photo of a tank with the circles and no launchers, to scupper it!

They are definetly smoke dischargers? They look huge. Ok a Pz1 is a little thing but they look like they knock out a fair amount of smoke? There not HE? Never seen anything like that before?

Kev

[von Poop]

They are reminiscent of the Nahverteidegungswaffe S-mine launchers (Die Nahverteidigungswaffe) fitted to certain other vehicles aren't they.

Concentric circles could indicate 'blast weapons from this vehicle'.

Happy speculation eh... Makes me want to buy some more books .

[Owen]

Could it simply be a unit insignia?


I quite like the ideas you've come up with.
They make sense, as supporting infantry coming up behind their own tanks will see that somehow this one has something special on it that could cause damage to themselves as so making sure they give it a wide berth.

[Bodston]

I don't think that its a unit insignia. Blast warning is my best guess. I reckon those launchers look most like the British 4" rifle grenades that were fitted to tank turrets.

[von Poop]

Found an interesting shot with the circles in Volume 1 of Jentz's Panzertruppen:
panzer circles.jpg
(keep clicking the image for full size)

Normal PzII ausf c-C were issued to the Pz.Abt (Flamm) 100 & 101 for the weapons platoon and command vehicles of each company - - - - - triple mounted smoke candle dischargers have been mounted on both {normal tank & flamm variants}

Caption refers to 2 specific flame units in russia, nothing specific to the markings yet but I'm leaning towards smoke discharger warning now.
It just doesn't fit with normal practices for a unit marking (though again that proves nothing.)

What we know so far based only on photos is it could be this unit and it could be a warning to infantry.
Thing is those dischargers mounted like that are so rare in pictures I think it is one of these units, though of course... pictures can be a poor source.