Post war use of Axis AFVs and Vehicles.

Thought I might make this a seperate subject so as not to hijack the Best British tank thread .

"As France increased it's sales of equipment to Israel in the 1950's it felt compelled to supply more useful equipment to the Syrians to maintain a balance between the two nations. To this end a number of reconditioned German vehicles were supplied in some numbers. These included PzKpfw IV Ausf H and a limited number of Stug IIIs and JadgPanzer IVs. However, as the Syrian moved to the left the French influence was replaced by that of the Soviets. This "new" Soviet equipment included initially numbers of T-34/85s which along with the PzIVH were involved in the 1964 "Winter War". This in turn resulted in the supply of T-54s to replace the T-34s.

Knocked out Syrian Panzer IVH after fighting in the Golan Heights​

By 1967 the Syrians fielded some 750 tanks and 585 APCs. At least one mechanised Brigade was formed using BTR-152s and two Armoured Brigades which Zaloga describes as "primarily" equipped with T-54 and T-55s. Churchill indicates an additional armoured brigade was transferred to the Golan Front on June 5th 1967. Zaloga provides a summary of the more unusual ex-German vehicles in Syrian service. It would seem that France supplied 40 reconditioned vehicles consisting of PzKpfw IV, Jagdpanzer IV and Stug IIIs. Later more PzKpfw IVs were purchased from Czechoslovakia and Spain. In his book, Tank Battles of the Middle East Wars Part One, are photographs of Syrian Jagdpanzer IVs (stated they had 6), Hummels (5), Stug III G (28) and Panzer IVs from France (28)."

Syrian TO&E - 1967

 

Golan Heights


Syrian Jgdpz

 

"The tank shown here is probably one of those Pz. Kpfw. IV used by Syria during the 1965 Water War with Israel. These tanks were placed in prepared positions on the Golan Heights where they shelled Israeli towns on the plain below. Israel moved Centurions in to counter and a duel broke out. The fighting was stopped by UN intervention before either side could claim victory. Later, on August 12, another exchange occurred. This time the Israelis succeeded in forcing a cease-fire. The surviving Syrian Pz. Kpfw. IV's remained in their positions along the Golan Heights until the 1967 "Six Day War" when they were captured by Israel and placed in storage at the Latrun Museum."

Panzer IV Universe - AAF's Ausf. H/J Inside & Out

"The 1948-current Arab-Israeli Wars have seen an enormous variety of armored vehicles used in combat. Some of the oddest included refurbished Panzer IVH's and Stug III's supplied to Syria circa 1959. Some of the PzKw IV's were still around in 1967, but by then had been relegated to being dug in as pillboxes on the Golan Heights (no spare parts to keep engines and running gear in order, but the gun still worked well e.g. against Israeli Super Shermans.).

The Syrian PzKw IVs were part of a batch delivered in 1943-44 by Germany to Spain. Afaik, there were 24 vehicles delivered, and a couple of STG III s as well. When Spain signed a MDAP with the US in 1953 and began to received newer tanks (M47s) the Pz.KwIVs (or at least some of them) were sold to Syria. The Syrians may have also obtained some (6?) from other sources (France, Czechoslvakia). Crew-training by ex-Wehrmacht personnel.

The ex-French Pz.IVs at least were slightly altered by the addition of a Russian 12.7mm mg to the commander's cupola. They were emplaced in hull-down positions on the Golan Heights above Dikkeh, where during the 1965 'Water War' (info here) they fired on Israeli settlements, then had an inconclusive long-range duel with Israeli Centurians (105mm guns). During the UN-induced lull, the Israelis sharpened up their long-range shooting, and when hostilities resumed they knocked out most of the Pz.IVs on the Heights. The survivors stayed where they were on the Heights until the 6-Day War (1967), when most were captured by Israeli infantry. The last Pz.IV to be destroyed in action was killed by an Israeli Sherman mounting a French 'long 75mm gun' (itself a post-war derivative of the main gun of the wartime PzKw V Panther). "

Pakistani Defence Forum > Syrian Panzer Ivs

"In 1950/60s, number of Panzer IV Ausf H sold to Syria by USSR, France, Czechoslovakia and Spain (17) was still used by Syrian Army during Arab-Israeli conflicts of 1966/1967.

Syrian PzKpfw IV Ausf H at Latrun
Syrians supposedly sold few of their PzKpfw IVs to Cubans before the overthrow of Batista by Castro in 1958, but it is unconfirmed. Few of Syrian PzKpfw IVs were captured by Israelis at the Golan Heights (dug in as bunkers) and one is on display at the Museum of Armored Forces at Latrun, Israel.

Panzerkampfwagen IV

 

Captured Syrian StuG III

 

Captured Syrian PZ IVs

 

Anyone notice something about this "Syrian" PZ IV?

 

Norwegian PzKpfw III tanks at Trandum, 1949. After the war ended, some 32 PzKpfw III were used by Norway along with Stug III Ausf Gs.

Post-WW2 Nazi Panzers [Archive] - Military Photos

 

The "Swedish" PzKpfw. VI Ausf. B Königstiger!​

Did you know that Sweden in fact tested plenty of German WW2 AFVs after the war had ended?
No? I guessed so..well, here is a short story on the "Swedish" SdKfz. 182 "King Tiger"...



A Swedish delegation was sent to France in 1946, with the purpose to investigate and commission German WW2 AFVs. A visit took place in Versailles where a depot with Panther tanks was inspected. Most of them were meant to be scrapped, while others had been sold. The Swedish delegation was offered to choose between three Panther tanks. The French State reported that they were willing to give away the Panther, and so the one in best condition was chosen. (This Pz.Bef.Wg. Panther Ausf. A was then shipped to Sweden and tested until 1961 when it was given to the Panzermuseum Munster in Germany, where it is on display today). In the same time as the inspection of the Panther tank was made, selected Swedish officers followed a group of French officers to Normandy on October 4th 1946, looking for a Tiger. They traveled through Nantes, Evreux and Lisieur to the Vimontiere area. A totally burnt out King Tiger (of sPz.Abt. 503, 1. Kompanie) was found, but since Sweden wanted to perform AT-mine and firing trials upon it, this Tiger was overlooked. The French promised to continue the search for a suitable vehicle, not costing Sweden a dime. By the end of August of 1947, the military attaché in Paris claimed that a Tiger II has been found in good condition (no damage from fire). It was located in Gien, south of Paris.
Scandinavian Express was ordered to have the King Tiger transported to KAFT in Stockholm. On November 27th of 1947, the King Tiger was loaded off in Stockholm harbor. It was then being sent to the P4 regiment in Skövde. According to Inventory reports of P4 in December 1947, the King Tiger was there. As the workshop finally started to restore it a German egg-type handgrenade was found in the engine room. It had never detonated, presumably the tank had been quickly abandoned on the battlefield. The handgrenade was removed and blown up nearby in the workshop area. The engine was replaced, and the King Tiger was prepared for its first driving tests.



The restored King Tiger in the P4 regiments workshop area.

It was soon tested in the workshop area, by the impressed workers. During these early tests, the arm holding the idler wheel was damaged as one in the group steered to roughly in sand outside the workshop. It was quickly fixed, but now people had to be more careful as the program was changed. The transport to PcK in Karlsborg (testing area) was delayed due to this accident. Between September 24th and September 29th 1948, the King Tiger was to be moved from P4 regt. to PcK in Karlsborg, on rail to the village of Finneröja and there from on road to PcK. This was never realized due to the accident with the idler wheel arm that was broken earlier. Then it became a towing/recovery transport instead. A M26 "Dragon Wagon" truck was then needed. On November 11th 1948, it was suggested to remove the 88mm KwK43 L/71 before firing trials were made on the King Tiger. Eventually, there were possibilities in the future to buy 88mm ammo, enabling Sweden to perform tests with this potent weapon as well. The transport took place between November 10th and November 15th 1948. It should be seen as one of the toughest road transports ever made in the country of Sweden, and only the exact planning and performance of the people involved enabled the transport to be realized. Just outside the entrance road to PcK, it was decided to make a shortcut right through the woody area, instead of cornering a 120-degree crossroad, which most probably had totally ruined the road. The damage made to the woods cost them only 30:- SEK, while a 120 degree cornering on paved road would have caused a lot more material damage and expenses. The total cost of the transport was estimated to about 10.000:- SEK. The total weight of the transport was 160 tons, some 1.700hp was involved and 6.000 liters of gasoline were used up. The length of the transport totaled 60km, and the involved vehicles were:
1 x M4 Sherman (w/o turret)
1 x M26 Dragon Wagon (truck only)
1 x Terrängdragbil (Tgb) m/46
1 x 10-ton Recovery vehicle
1 x Fuel truck
2 x Automobiles for personnel
4 x Motorcycles



On the way to PcK in Karlsborg, November 1948.
Photo courtesy of SPHF.



In mid-April of 1949, it was decided that firing trials were to be made on the King Tiger and a Sherman tank with various weapons and mines. During November and December of 1949, various tests were made with rocket and grenade launchers, and the new Swedish Pvkv m/43 tank destroyer tried its 75mm gun on both the King Tiger and Sherman tanks. It is said that after the tests were finalized, the remains of the King Tiger could have been loaded in the back seat of an old VW "Bug". This is partially true, it was really shot up far beyond repair. The hull was scrapped, while the turret was sent to the exercise field at Kråk, where it was shot up during various training missions. The 88mm KwK43 L/71 was kept in a depot at PcK. It was later sent to Bofors in Karlskoga, where it remained until late 1980's. It was scrapped approx. 14 days before staff personnel from the Swedish Armour Historical Society (SPHF) asked about it. Had they have been 3 weeks earlier, this gun could eventually have been on display in the Swedish Armor Museum at Axvall today.




What German unit did the Swedish "King Tiger" belong to originally?

Mr. Christer Baadstöe has put down a lot of work in tracking down what unit "our" King Tiger originally belonged to. The first 5 series produced King Tigers Fgst. # 280001-05 were delivered to PanzerKompanie Funklenk 316 on March 14th of 1944. sPz.Abt. 503, 1. Kompanie received 12 King Tigers Fgst. # 280023-35 on June 12th of 1944. sPz. Abt. 503, 3. Kompanie received a total of 14 King Tigers on July 27th and July 29th of 1944. The "Swedish" King Tiger is an early type with Porsche turret. It had a one piece monobloc gun tube, binocular "Turmzeilfernrohr 9b/1" sighting telescope, armored covers over the wading equipment, odd exhaust pipes (probably field conversion), the "S2" marking remains a mystery. My personal guess is that it was built in February 1944. Mr. Christer Baadstöe were helped by Mr. Wolfgang Schneider, and is now 99% sure that the "Swedish" King Tiger was vehicle #12 of PanzerKompanie Funklenk 316.

Achtung Panzer ! - The "Swedish" PzKpfw. VI Ausf. B Königstiger!​

 

Pic from 1957

Finnish PZ4's, used until 1962
When other countries had H-bombs, Jets, etc. finns had panzers from the 40´s

Finnish Stu-40

Pic form 1955
And a Finnish StuG III



Pic from 1958, from a parade in Helsinki.

I don't know if this is what you awnted, or info on countries that used the Axis-tanks in a war, but thought i'd post em anyway.

 

The Subject line says it all . "Post war use of Axis AFVs and Vehicles. " Looking for Axis vehicles in use after the war.

 

So i posted in the right place, good

BTW. Awesome info about the swedish King-Tiger, never knew that the swedish army had such awesome machinery.

 

Thanks. I do find the darndest stuff.

After May of 1945, production of Hetzer (also abandomed and damaged vehicles were repaired) now designated ST(Stihac Tanku)-I continued at Skoda and Praga Works in Czechoslovakia until early 1960s. Along with ST-I, 50 unarmed training versions (some were fitted with superstructures) designated as ST-III/CVP were produced.
In 1949, modified hull of ST-I (with removed armament and opening enclosed) was mounted with modified PzKpfw 38(t) turret. The turret was armed with 7.92mm ZPB-A or 7.62mm DT-28 machine gun (left side) and German Flammenwerfer 41 flamethrower (right side). This flamethrowing tank was designated PM-I and prototype was completed in 1951. It was tested in 1953, but in 1955 Czechoslovak army was not interested in such vehicle anymore and PM-I was cancelled.
In 1950, CKD produced prototype of tractor/recovery vehicle based on ST-I, designated Praga VT-III.
Czechoslovakian Army was equipped with some 249 ST-1 in 1949 and used them until mid/late 1950s.
Hetzers were probably used after the war by Swedish until early 1960s. Swiss army purchased some 158 Hetzers by 1947 and retained them designated as G-13, until early 1970s. G-13 were armed with 75mm Stuk 40 gun as planned by German designers during the war. G-13s were a subject of various modifications which were made by Swiss Army in order to keep them up-to-date (eg. some were fitted with 6-cylinder, 150hp diesel engines and were designated G-13D). In addition, Swiss army ordered tractor/recovery vehicle based on G-13, designated by CKD as Praga DT-III.
Also, Israel was interested in purchasing 65 ST-Is, but because of their high price (twice higher than that of a Sherman) transaction was never completed.
Around 1947, Sweden purchased single Hetzer, probably from France, and used it for test purposes till early 1950s.
Jagdpanzer 38(t) Hetzer was cheap, fast, low and hard hitting and is considered to be one of the most successful tank destroyers of World War II. It was not popular with crews but proved to be a dangerous opponent on the defensive and is considered as one of the best German tank-hunters of the late war period. Hetzer’s design is still considered to be a base for some modern tank destroyers, the most notably including Swedish Stridsvagn 103 (S-Tank).

Jagdpanzer 38(t) Hetzer

 

Here's the Swiss Army G-13


Hetzer G13 (CH)

Zer Artikle says (Allah and Babelfish be praised!) (and me for my limited patience in trying to polish it!):

Shortly after 2nd world war Switzerland in the course of the reforming of Swiss army set up for the first time tank destroyer units, which were equipped with the German tank destroyer 38 (t) . The tank destroyer 38 built by Skoda and BMM was still in production after 2nd world war for the Czechoslovakian army, Switzerland in 1946 ordered altogether 158 vehicles. The tank destroyers 38 were supplied between October 1946 and February 1950 to Switzerland for the tank hunter battalions 21, 22 and 23 Swiss army.

The tank destroyers 38 used from Switzerland were designated as Panzerjäger G 13 and differed in the following points from the vehicles of the German armed forces:

• Armament with 7,5cm L/48 Stuk 40 of the StuG III Ausf.F/8 and G instead of the 7,5cm L/48 Pak 39 of the Pzjg 38. All Swiss Hetzer were therefore fitted with muzzle brakes.
• Crew positions were exchanged opposite the German vehicles, direction and loader sat left in the vehicle, the commander right. (Thank goodness!).The mg operated by remote control on the structure roof was removed and was replaced by an observation periscope.
• Usually wheels with welded rim ring were used, some vehicles had however also the wheels with 16 bolts, used with the last German Hetzern, which were additionally welded.
• Most Swiss Hetzer had idlers with in each case four drillings, some vehicles had however idlers with eight drillings. Idlers of these types were not used at Hetzern of the German armed forces.
• All Swiss Hetzer were equipped with two antenna bases in the back on the bevels of the upper tub, in order to be able to use each vehicle if necessary as armored command vehicles. Command vehicles had two antennas because of the more extensive radio equipment. The normal Hetzer G 13 had on the engine cover a 7,5mm mg in Fla carriage, the armored command vehicles was equipped not with a Fla mg.
• The lighting system changed, in front left was a normal ticket thrower (driver's headlight ), that was swivelling attached and was to the rear turned with cruise speed or employment at day. In front right the G 13 ordered over a small camouflage headlight, at the tub rear wall were appropriate on the left of above a civilian brake/taillight.
• At the rear wall was an external infantry phone socket with cable drum, so that telephone use was possible in lying in wait position between vehicle and observer up to a certain distance.
• Swiss Hetzer carried numerous items of equipment on the tub sides. At the left side panel three chain segments were to seven track links each, which were fastened with support rails. The interpretation and mounting of the rails were not uniform with all vehicles. Additionally was attached on the left of a large toolbox. At the right tub side were a further chain segment from seven track links as well as a spare wheel.

For the lack of spare parts with the 1950 production run, between 1950 and 1954 of the 158 86 Hetzer G13 were converted for Saurer-Arbon 12Cyl Diesel engines with Allison transmission. These modified vehicles in some sources are called „Hetzer G 14 “, whether it concerns an officially led device designation here, is not well-known.


The tank destroyer Hetzer was by its mobility and mobility, its small dimensions, the mature design with good firepower and sufficient armor protection a suitable vehicle for Swiss army in the two decades after the 2.Wk. The last Hetzer G 13 was deactivated at Swiss army 1972.

 

The French employed the PZ V in the post years after the war.

 

Yup. The Panther was used by the French Army's 503°RCC until 1947.
and this I posted in my http://www.ww2f.com/weapons-wwii/22220-allied-use-captured-axis-afvs-tanks.html Thread .

"After the war, many French Army tank units were equipped with Panthers (eg. 503rd Tank Battalion in Mourmelon had 50 Panthers in 1947 and 501rd Tank Battalion used Panthers from 1946 to 1950). Other post-war users included Bulgaria (Bulgarian Panthers), Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Romania and Yugoslavia.
After the war, modified Panther's 75mm KwK 42 L/70 gun was produced by French as 75mm DEFA and CN75-50 gun. "

Achtung Panzer! - Panther


"After 1945, fifty Panther tanks were used by French 503e Régiment de Chars de Combat stationed in Mourmelon le Grand. Before the end of 1950, the Panther tanks had been replaced by French-built ARL 44 heavy tanks. The Panther influenced the design of the French AMX 50, which was never produced. After the war, a modified 75mm KwK 42 L/70 gun was produced by the French as the 75mm DEFA and CN75-50 gun. This gun equipped the AMX 13 light tank and EBR armored car. The Israelis used the gun to upgrade their M50 Super Sherman."

Panther tank - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

I found this interesting. Possible Hetzers vs PZ IVs.

"Also, Israel was interested in purchasing 65 ST-Is, but because of their high price (twice higher than that of a Sherman) transaction was never completed."

 

Kingtigers in the 'Battle of the Bulge' film.

 

LOL