German Firefly - Captured Vehicles in Enemy Service

Discussion in 'Weapons, Technology & Equipment' started by Kyt, Jan 28, 2007.

  1. razin

    razin Member

    Smudger Jnr

    Czech tanks Pz35(t) and Pz38(t) were used in regular tank regiments into 1942.

    Pz35(t) served with 1st light Divison during Fall Weiss.

    and in the 6th Panzer Division -11th Panzer regiment and 65th Panzerabteilung.
    by 1941 the Divison was no longer a cohesive unit. German forces had a total of 219 tanks.

    The Pz38(t) served in Poland with 67th Pz Ab. 3rd light divison and some went to Norway. Later or refurbished models served in Russia 7th 8th 12th 19th & 20th Panzer Divisons in Russia until the end of 1942.

    There after with anti patisan duties and conversion to SPGs and of course export to unfortunate axis client states.

    ~Steve
     
    von Poop likes this.
  2. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

  3. Ruimteaapje

    Ruimteaapje Member

    Just remembered this favourite shot of some Poles and their shiny Panzer III's:
    [​IMG]

    It is quite odd that the Poles apparently put a crew of four in a Panzer III (originally it has a crew of five).
     
  4. Capt.Sensible

    Capt.Sensible Well-Known Member

    It is quite odd that the Poles apparently put a crew of four in a Panzer III (originally it has a crew of five).

    Perhaps the radios had been removed, hence just four crew. I imagine the radios would have been of some use in an intelligence context.

    Cs
     
  5. Gunpowder

    Gunpowder Junior Member

    Great Villers-Bocage photos - I thought someone had found some evidence (I'll have to try to find it) that this particular Firefly was repainted and used in the well-known German propaganda photos.
     
  6. m kenny

    m kenny Senior Member

    It is not the one seen with German markings. They are two different vehicles-besides which the Villers one was penetrated.
     
  7. Gerard

    Gerard Seelow/Prora

  8. Smudger Jnr

    Smudger Jnr Our Man in Berlin

    Ger,

    Some good photographs.

    I like this one in particular.

    [​IMG]

    Regards
    Tom
     
  9. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

    Another chance to flag up the excellent Beutepanzer site:
    Beutepanzer

    (Not dissimilar to the vehicle Tom liked, I believe I glimpsed this Kegresse being loaded onto a truck by Jaques Littlefield on my first visit to Beltring).
    IMGP1048 )
     
  10. Oldman

    Oldman Very Senior Member

    The Western Desert both sides used each others vehicles and aircraft, I also remember reading in one publication that the Australian soilders captured 3.7 Anti Aircraft Guns on Twenty Five Pounder trunions, the guns had been sent to Russia they had changed them and the Germans had captured them and sent them to Rommel's army.
     
  11. Tom Canning

    Tom Canning WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Oldman -
    I beleive that those were actually the 3inch AA guns which were sold to Russia as the 3.7's were introduced to the British AAof Gen. Pile in the late 30's - some say that these were indeed captured by the Germans and sent to Rommel for his first forey from El Agheila in early 41 and later replaced by the infamous 88mm - which was used in Spain in the mid 30's
    Cheers
     
  12. Oldman

    Oldman Very Senior Member

    Tom
    Thanks for your input, I cannot find the article I orginally read, but one thought did strike me was why didn't we use them? The germans used the 88 and there are excuses out there about retraining Etc.
     
  13. Smudger Jnr

    Smudger Jnr Our Man in Berlin

    Tom
    Thanks for your input, I cannot find the article I orginally read, but one thought did strike me was why didn't we use them? The germans used the 88 and there are excuses out there about retraining Etc.

    If you search on this forum I am sure that there has been discussions on this subject and Tom was one of the principal repliers.

    Just found this link.

    http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/weapons-technology-equipment/7132-3-7in-aa-gun-not-used-gun.html

    Regards
    Tom
     
  14. Steve Petersen

    Steve Petersen Junior Member

  15. Tom Canning

    Tom Canning WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Oldman - Smudgers link gives the whole story on the 3.7 A.T gun.....however to stay on topic - about using the enemy's goods to fight them - the day after "Smoky" Ernest Alvia Smith of the Canadian Seaforths - whom we were supporting at the river Savio near Cesena - won his V.C.- one of the Panther Pz5 which he forced into a ditch was recovered - cleaned up and checked all over.

    This was presented to my Squadron with due ceremony - it was given to 3rd Troop of which my pal Walter Pollard was gunner of the Troop Leaders Tank - he used it a great deal against it's makers with great effect.

    One day - 11th Nov 1944 - he was refueling this Panther when he trod on a shue mine and died in agony some two hours later. The powers that be thought it was against the Geneva convention and thus the Panther disappeared.

    Cheers
     
  16. Rob Dickers

    Rob Dickers 10th MEDIUM REGT RA

    Oldman -
    I beleive that those were actually the 3inch AA guns which were sold to Russia as the 3.7's were introduced to the British AAof Gen. Pile in the late 30's - some say that these were indeed captured by the Germans and sent to Rommel for his first forey from El Agheila in early 41 and later replaced by the infamous 88mm - which was used in Spain in the mid 30's
    Cheers

    Early 3inch AA Gun.
    Rob

    [​IMG]
     
  17. Kieron Hill

    Kieron Hill Senior Member

    Just finished watching a documentary on
    the Battle of Crete and the German paratroopers
    were using a captured 40mm bofos against
    British positions :huh:
     
  18. K X One

    K X One Junior Member

    Ger,

    Some good photographs.

    I like this one in particular.

    [​IMG]

    Regards
    Tom

    (Not dissimilar to the vehicle Tom liked, I believe I glimpsed this Kegresse being loaded onto a truck by Jaques Littlefield on my first visit to Beltring).
    IMGP1048 )

    The Littlefield collection does indeed have a Kegresse halftrack very similar to the above one (albeit lacking the skis). At least they did a couple of years ago. Although in excellent condition it was relegated to one of the outbuildings. It is a very deep blue in color.
     
  19. Trpr Hughes

    Trpr Hughes Member

    I know my old fella drove about doing his recce thing with his mates in a captured white German Red Cross Kubelwagon.
    There was one instance where they had stopped in an abandoned village for the night only for the inconsiderate Germans to return in the small hours. They had to leave whilst still dark along the only road out, surrounded by Jerries driving slowly enough not to attract attention. Trooper Iuan Morgan sat on the back seat with a sten gun at the ready. They got out without a shot being fired. Success!
     

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