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.




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

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For the first time I have seen "History" at close quarters,and I know that its actual process is very different from what is presented to Posterity. - WWI General Max Hoffman.

Golan Heights


Syrian Jgdpz

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For the first time I have seen "History" at close quarters,and I know that its actual process is very different from what is presented to Posterity. - WWI General Max Hoffman.

"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

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For the first time I have seen "History" at close quarters,and I know that its actual process is very different from what is presented to Posterity. - WWI General Max Hoffman.

Captured Syrian StuG III

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For the first time I have seen "History" at close quarters,and I know that its actual process is very different from what is presented to Posterity. - WWI General Max Hoffman.

Captured Syrian PZ IVs

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For the first time I have seen "History" at close quarters,and I know that its actual process is very different from what is presented to Posterity. - WWI General Max Hoffman.

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For the first time I have seen "History" at close quarters,and I know that its actual process is very different from what is presented to Posterity. - WWI General Max Hoffman.

Anyone notice something about this "Syrian" PZ IV?

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For the first time I have seen "History" at close quarters,and I know that its actual process is very different from what is presented to Posterity. - WWI General Max Hoffman.

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

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For the first time I have seen "History" at close quarters,and I know that its actual process is very different from what is presented to Posterity. - WWI General Max Hoffman.

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For the first time I have seen "History" at close quarters,and I know that its actual process is very different from what is presented to Posterity. - WWI General Max Hoffman.

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.

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“It is well that war is so terrible, or we should get too fond of it.”

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

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For the first time I have seen "History" at close quarters,and I know that its actual process is very different from what is presented to Posterity. - WWI General Max Hoffman.

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.

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“It is well that war is so terrible, or we should get too fond of it.”

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

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For the first time I have seen "History" at close quarters,and I know that its actual process is very different from what is presented to Posterity. - WWI General Max Hoffman.

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.

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

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They shall grow not old as we that are left grow old Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We shall remember them. Lest We Forget