german tanks number early 43

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Help ...I'm trying to establish the number of operational tanks on the eastern front in the first months of 43 , prior to the Manstein offensive
would anyone have some reference or numbers please !

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I am currently researching the topic.

 

Have you checked Panzer Truppen Vol. 2?

 

This site might have it.

 

Which one?

 

Very sorry guys. I forgot to put the link . Here it is.
http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/WO ... %20TWO.htm

 

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From axis history forum ,
I'm not aware of the protocol for quoting from an other forum and apologize for any breach thereof , It reinforce" panzer truppen Vol 2" as the reference on the subject , my copy is somewhere in the mail

thread : tank losses in WW2

"Michael Kenny
Member
Joined: 07 May 2002
Location: Teesside
19 May 2004 14:38
spacer
Post Post subject:
Quote:

" would appreciate some further clarification of the German loss figures you offer above for 1943 - they seem impossibly high to me, if they pertain to Totalausfälle. In fact, they are higher than German tank strength in the East July 1943"

Well it seems I have added the total of each type of tank lost each month so Tunisia would be included. However Jentz on page 43 of 'Panzertruppen 2' losses in the East for 1943:

Jan. 456
feb. 1105
mar. 591.

Thats 2100 in 3 months. I gave 3500 in 6 months

Russian losses 1943:

Jan. 1516
feb. 1570
mar. 1937

5023 in 3 months.

I am tired of reading posts lauding German tankers who wipe out ranks of Russian tanks and though no one can seriously advance the 10:1 ratio WITH EVIDENCE TO BACK IT UP it is a widely held belief.
Same for Normandy, lone Tigers hold up entire Divisions in the myth. A bit of simple checking shows this not to be the case but when the myth conflicts with reality, print the myth!.
I have yet to see a completly referenced example of such a high kill rate for a German ace and 2 often quoted Normandy examples can be shown to be bogus. "

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Ah yes, Michael Kenny has had similar discussions on here.

 

Who is Michael Kenny?

 

The person Jeaguer quoted from the Axis History Forum. He is registered in this forum as m.kenny and he is considered an expert on the Tiger and most things to do with tanks in general.

 

I see.

 

Jeaguer,

I have this from "German Tanks of WWII" by Drs. S. & R. Hart

Table XIII: "German Operational Armoured Fighting Vehicle Strenghts Eastern Front: 1941 - 1945"

28.2.43 = 902 (tanks only)
10.4.43 = 953 (tanks only)
10.5.43 = 1536 (tanks) + 547 (PJ/JP) + 365 (SPA)
31.5.43 = 1846 (tanks only)
30.6.43 = 2287 (tanks) + 997 (StuG)

In "The Battle of Kursk", Glantz and House give the German Citadel forces operational AFV strength on 5 July as 997 tanks (including 192 Panthers and 100 Tigers) and 372 assault guns.