Quote:
Originally Posted by Vanir
Hmm...I should read more than just the last post before continuing but too late...
At the beginning of 1943 (Jan 13) the 19th and 27th Panzer Divisions and Hungarian 1st Armoured Division had between them 15 serviceable tanks as an example of Wehrmacht strength at the southern Front at least.
By February 20 Manstein had under his command a total of 800 tanks including the Tigers of the SS I Panzer Corps. Following Kharkov the 1st and 2nd SS Panzergrenadiers also received Panthers for the upcoming Kursk battle. Ferdinands were sent to XXIII Corps and XLVII Panzer Corps. (ref. Battle of Russia 2005 Taj Books, largely reproduced wartime records and a DVD of wartime propaganda footage).
Now from what I've read the SS Panzergrenadiers had the pick of the litter from this array of re-equipment. Let's have a look at the letter given by Adolf Hitler to his commanders regarding Operation Citadel:
"...At the main points of attack the finest units, the finest weapons, the finest commanders will be committed, and plentiful supplies of munitions will be ensured."
-it is my contention that Hitler within context was talking firstly about the SS I Panzer Corps whose commanders he'd only just finished decorating for the Kharkov turnaround and secondly was offering the regular Army access to the same provisions previously given to his favoured troop force (there are several reasons I can extrapolate upon request).
At this time the recently decorated SS Leibstandarte were receiving Panthers (over 700 already built), whilst all armoured divisions were using the StuG III, Marders, SdKfz 231 and various other armoured cars, and of course the 105mm Wespe SPG and 15cm Hummel. In fact to be honest until shortly before Kursk only the SdKfz had good mobility and numbers with the Wehrmacht and were largely being used in the StuG role.
Oh, remember the StuG III was only capable in the anti-tank role when fitted with the L/48 gun (Ausf.G) whilst the L/43 gun (Ausf.F) could kill a tank at close range. The L/24 gun of earlier versions was SPG field artillery only. Only the Ausf.G was equipped to Panzer units in place of tanks.
Examining Leibstandarte as at Feb 43 they had two Panzerjäger companies and Flak companies for the two infantry regiments but the Panzer Regiment is listed as a heavy, which of course means Tigers and indeed according to a wide variety of other sources including wartime records this is indeed the primary striking arm of Leibstandarte in early 1943. I have photographs of Leibstandarte Tigers approaching Kharkov.
Secondly, I have seen photos of SS Panthers on the Kursk battlefield, I'll try to find some. Hey that's interesting, the Soviets used a lot of KV-1 tanks in 1943 (some other photo, nevermind).
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Great information, but what does any of this have to do with this thread?, other then writing many various facts about the differnet tanks invovled throughout the Russian conflict, this has, again concluded nothing to do with the most widely used tank
Quote:
Originally Posted by Vanir
Now I presume the heavy tank regiment of Leibstandarte consisted of 1 company of Tigers (historically specified), 6 companies of Pz.IV Ausf.G/H (L/43 and L/48 Kwk40), 1 Tiger command tank and 2 Pz.IV Ausf.H command tanks (fitted with AA MG-34 mount and Luftwaffe radio operator), a pioneer company of Pz.III Ausf.M (L/24 Kwk40), and two light Panzer columns probably equipped with StuG Ausf.F's.
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And this?
Now the Wehrmacht was getting by largely on Pz.III Ausf.N and Pz.IV Ausf.F2 being supplemented by StuGs. Panzerjägers largely used Marders. And most of this was academic, because in the field only the armoured cars were retaining either mobility or serviceability in majority numbers.[/quote]
Armoured cars and Self Prepelled Guns are technically classed as tanks and and attempt should not be to enclude them into this thread if that is what is happening here.
So do which tank do you think out of the "Pz.III Ausf.N and Pz.IV Ausf.F2" do you think was the most used? Do you think another tank was?
Please in my opinoin, I have noticed your posts althouhg informative, tend to drag on about information and facts that have nothing to do with the orignal thread. The whole top of your post I feel is irrelevant, for you have quoted us facts without any oy your opinions or views on the thread.
And yes you should start al least half way down the page before joing a thread.