Panther Panzerkampfwagen V

Panzerkampfwagen V Panther Horst Scheibert

A Panther Ausf. A. It stands today in the outdoor museum of the Bundeswehr's Kampftruppenschule 2.

SCHIFFER MILITARY HISTORY West Chester, PA

Sources: Bundesarchiv Koblenz Podzun-Pallas-Verlag Archives Scheibert Archives Generalmajor ( R t d . ) D r . F. B a k e Kampftruppenschule 2 of t h e B u n d e s w e h r A r m s a n d A r m o u r Press

T r a n s l a t e d from the G e r m a n by David J o h n s t o n . C o p y r i g h t © 1991 by Schiffer P u b l i s h i n g Ltd. Library of Congress Catalog N u m b e r : 91-60861. All r i g h t s reserved. No p a r t of this work may be reproduced or used in any forms or by any m e a n s — g r a p h i c , electronic or m e c h a n i c a l , i n c l u d i n g p h o t o c o p y i n g or i n f o r m a t i o n storage a n d retrieval systems— w i t h o u t written permission from the c o p y r i g h t holder. Printed in the United States of America. ISBN: 0-88740-314-X T h i s title was originally p u b l i s h e d u n d e r the title, Panther - Panzerkampfwagen V, by Podzun-Pallas-Verlag G m b H , 6360 Friedberg 3 (Dorheim). ISBN: 307909-0062-1. We are interested in h e a r i n g from a u t h o r s with book ideas on related topics.

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A P a n t h e r A o r G i n f r o n t o f t h e A r c d e T r i o m p h e i n P a r i s i n 1944. Even w i t h o u t the French l a n d m a r k in the b a c k g r o u n d it w o u l d have been o b v i o u s from the anti-aircraft m a c h i n e - g u n on the turret that this p h o t o g r a p h was taken in the West. R i g h t : A P a n t h e r D (recognizable by the cylindrical c u p o l a a n d the l o a d i n g h a t c h o n t h e left s i d e o f t h e t u r r e t ) .

Panzer V - P a n t h e r Sd.-Kfz.171

FOREWORD The Panther was, in terms of design and technology, probably the best medium tank of the Second World War, though it lacked only the maturity later brought about by long development and testing. Therefore it was not until 1945, when it was already too late, that the Panther began to show its true combat potential. Spurred by the requests of our readers, we believe that we are responding to their wishes in producing this volume on one of the most famous German tanks.

P a n t h e r s assembled in a village b e h i n d the i n v a s i o n f r o n t ( N o r m a n d y ) i n 1944. T h i s p h o t o i s i n t e r e s t i n g for several r e a s o n s , first, b e c a u s e i t i l l u s t r a t e s an Ausf. D ( f o r e g r o u n d ) a n d , s e c o n d , because the tanks carry individual n a m e s (on the f o l d e d - d o w n g u n t r a v e l l o c k s ) . T h e Ausfuhrung D c o u l d be d i s t i n g u i s h e d from the A a n d G m o d e l s b y its l a c k o f a b o w m a c h i n e - g u n . T h i s t a n k h a s t h e c a s t c o m m a n d e r ' s c u p o l a w i t h its s e v e n periscopes, w h i c h was rarely seen on the D.

THE PANTHER N e w information has come to light, however on the 204 Panthers sent for the new tank's first — and from a technical standpoint premature — first action in July 1943 (Citadel), where one-fourth broke down during the drive from the railheads (Orel and Kharkov) to the operational areas (mostly engine fires and running gear damage). Part of the problem was also caused by the fact that constantly changing requirements had resulted in the Panther weighing 10 tons more than originally planned. The first series, production of which began in December 1942, was designated Ausführung (Model) D. The second series, production of which began in July 1943, was designated Ausführung A. Through assimilating features of the Tiger and as a result of further experience, the Ausfuhrung G appeared in 1944. In contrast to the D Model, the last two versions acquitted themselves well. Naturally, their success was aided by the better familiarity of the crews with their weapon. The Panther was intended as the standard tank for regular Panzer Divisions. However, on production grounds only one battalion of each regiment was so equipped. T h e other battalions were equipped with the Panzer IV or Sturmgeschiitze (assault guns). In the course of efforts to simplify production, even greater commonality with the Tiger II (Konigstiger) was planned from 1944. T h e new version was to be called the Panther II. The project got no further than the drawing board, however. Looking back, one can draw the conclusion that instead of producing four types of tank (Panther I and II, Tiger I and II), the production of a single medium tank, the Panther, would have sufficed. This was all that the units needed — despite the rather legendary reputation of the Tiger. So it is in the armies of today, which have only one type of main battle tank. As was the case with the Tiger, examples of the Panther were produced as command tanks with increased radio equipment, a tank-destroyer version with a fixed superstructure was built and, finally, a Bergepanther (Recovery Panther). In total barely 7,000 Panthers were built (somewhat more than 6,000 as battle tanks).

Sd.Kfz. 171

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171

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171

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173 179

Typ PzKampfwagen "Panther" (7,5 cm) Ausfiihr.D PzBefehlswagen "Panther" (7,5 cm) Ausf.D. PzBeobachtungswagen "Panther" Ausf.D PzKampfwagen "Panther" (7,5 cm) Ausf.A PzBefehlswagen "Panther" (7,5 cm) Ausf.A PzKampfwagen "Panther" (7,5 cm) Ausf.G PzBefehlswagen "Panther" (7,5 cm) Ausf.G 8,8 cm Panzerjager "Jagdpanther Panzer-Bergewagen "Bergepanther"

Hersteller MAN

Baujahr 1942-1943

MAN

1943

Stiickzahl ca. 50

Umbau (wenige) MAN (ca. 1950)

1943-1944

Henschel (200)1943

1943-1944

MNH(1750)

1944-1945

Daimler Benz (ca. 1600)

1944-1945

Miag (270), MNH(112)

1944-1945

382

Demag (Benrath)

1944-1945

297

ca. 6.000

Left a n d o n t h e f a c i n g p a g e a r e Ausf. D P a n t h e r s w i t h t h e later (cast) c u p o l a . A l l m o d e l s o f t h e Panther had the same 7 5 m m g u n (KwK 42 L/70). In the u p p e r right corner of the facing p a g e is the division i n s i g n i a of the Panzergrenadier-Division Grossdeutschland. This division was m a d e up entirely of volunteers a n d was o n e of t h e first t o receive t h e P a n t h e r .

Facing page: A Panther A leaving or m o v i n g o n t o a f l a t c a r over a n i m p r o v i s e d ramp. T h e 1st P a n z e r D i v i s i o n (division insignia in upper, right corner of the photo) r e c e i v e d its first 115 P a n t h e r s in mid-1943.

A b o v e : A P a n t h e r Ausf. A on a s p e c i a l r a i l car of t h e Reichsbahn (State r a i l w a y ) . T h i s p h o t o i s i n t e r e s t i n g a s i t s h o w s t h r e e P a n t h e r s a b o u t to leave their rail cars at the s a m e t i m e over a w i d e e n d r a m p . Right: Panthers (probably also A Models) aboard a train. T h e tanks wear a m u l t i - c o l o r c a m o u f l a g e finish. I n t e r e s t i n g are the different e x h a u s t a r r a n g e m e n t s on the two P a n t h e r s in the foreground. A b o v e r i g h t : T h e u n o f f i c i a l i n s i g n i a o f t h e 1st P a n z e r D i v i s i o n . I t w a s o f t e n w o r n n e x t t o t h e official i n s i g n i a (see f a c i n g p a g e ) .

Left a b o v e : A P a n t h e r t r a n s p o r t t r a i n . I t i s n o t e w o r t h y t h a t t h e tank's crew travelled w i t h their P a n t h e r , p i t c h i n g their tents on t h e flatcar b e s i d e t h e t a n k , a n d t h a t t h e u n i t ' s w h e e l e d v e h i c l e s were loaded aboard the same train. B e l o w left: A P a n t h e r i n w i n t e r c a m o u f l a g e f i n i s h . A s o n m o s t o t h e r t y p e s o f A r m y t a n k , t h e size, s h a p e a n d c o l o r o f t h e P a n t h e r ' s i d e n t i f y i n g n u m e r a l s a n d l e t t e r s w e r e far f r o m u n i f o r m . T h e r e were black, w h i t e a n d red figures, large a n d small, w i t h a n d w i t h o u t w h i t e borders. T h e codes always followed the same p a t t e r n , h o w e v e r . T h e t a n k i l l u s t r a t e d b e l o w , for e x a m p l e , N u m b e r 232, b e l o n g e d t o t h e 2 n d C o m p a n y , 3rd P l a t o o n , a n d was the 2nd vehicle of the platoon.

F a c i n g page, right: A m m u n i t i o n is loaded t h r o u g h the rear l o a d i n g h a t c h (on the D Model there was also a l o a d i n g h a t c h l o c a t e d o n t h e left s i d e o f t h e t u r r e t ) . T h e c o m p o s i t i o n o f t h e a m m u n i t i o n l o a d ( a r m o u r - p i e r c i n g a n d h i g h - e x p l o s i v e shells) corresponded to the type of o p p o s i t i o n expected, w i t h a r m o u r piercing always predominating. 10

P a n t h e r s (left, a n Ausf. D ; b e l o w , a n Ausf. A ) o n t h e m a r c h . All versions of the P a n t h e r h a d a m a x i m u m s p e e d of 46 k p h a n d a fuel c a p a c i t y of 730 l i t e r s in five t a n k s . C o n s u m p t i o n w a s 450 liters p e r 100 k m o n - r o a d , a n d 670 liters p e r 100 k m off-road, g i v i n g i t a r a n g e o f a b o u t 160 k m o v e r r o a d s a n d 100 k m crosscountry. By the standards of today's tanks the P a n t h e r ' s r a n g e w a s very l i m i t e d .

Of these p h o t o g r a p h s of P a n t h e r s on the m a r c h , the o n e on the r i g h t is especially interesting. At the h e a d of the c o l u m n is a Funklenkpanzer ( R a d i o - C o n t r o l l e d T a n k ) B IV (Sd.Kfz 301) w h i c h carried an explosive c h a r g e on the front of the vehicle. T h e 450-kg, p r i s m - s h a p e d explosive c h a r g e c o u l d be released by radio c o m m a n d . Visible on the P a n t h e r b e h i n d are two " l o g c a r p e t s " (sections of logs s t r u n g together, w h i c h could be p l a c e d b e n e a t h t h e t a n k ' s t r a c k s t o i m p r o v e t r a c t i o n ) for u s e i n difficult terrain. It carries o n e on the glacis a n d a n o t h e r on the t u r r e t roof.

A n Ausfuhrung G P a n t h e r w i t h t h e c a m o u f l a g e s c h e m e c o m m o n l y u s e d i n 1 9 4 4 / 4 5 . O n a d a r k y e l l o w b a s e are patches of r e d - b r o w n a n d green w h i c h are b r o k e n up by spots of the d a r k yellow base color. R i g h t : T h e d i v i s i o n i n s i g n i a o f t h e 2 n d P a n z e r D i v i s i o n w h i c h w a s i n u s e f r o m 1941. F r o m 1943 t h e A r m y ' s regular Panzer Divisions were issued Panthers; p r o d u c t i o n allowed only one battalion per division, however, o r a b o u t 100 t a n k s . T h e d i v i s i o n ' s F i r s t B a t t a l i o n w a s u s u a l l y t h e o n e e q u i p p e d w i t h P a n t h e r s .

T h e f r o n t o f a P a n t h e r A . T h e s m a l l o p e n i n g for t h e t e l e s c o p i c s i g h t i s v i s i b l e i n t h e b a l l m o u n t for t h e b o w m a c h i n e - g u n . T o t h e r i g h t o f t h e closed d r i v e r ' s v i s i o n h a t c h i s t h e i n s i g n i a o f t h e 2 3 r d P a n z e r D i v i s i o n . 15

T h e P a n t h e r o f t h e c o m m a n d e r o f a r e g i m e n t , r e c o g n i z a b l e b y t h e c o d e 0 1 . H e i s Oberst L a n g k e i t ( w e a r i n g t h e p e a k e d c a p ) , c o m m a n d i n g officer o f t h e Grossdeutschland P a n z e r R e g i m e n t . T h i s t a n k p r o v i d e s a g o o d i l l u s t r a t i o n o f t h e e x t e r n a l s t o w a g e o f v a r i o u s p i e c e s o f e q u i p m e n t ( t o w c a b l e , c a b l e c u t t e r s , c r a n k , trackc o n n e c t i n g t o o l , etc.). 16

Panthers in readiness. Above: A crew member scans the sky for enemy aircraft from his well-camouflaged Panther. Above right: On guard in a village; in the foreground are fresh graves of the fallen. Panthers in Italy leave their readiness positions.

PANTHERS IN ACTION T h e p h o t o g r a p h s o n this p a g e s h o w the P a n t h e r i n action w i t h other w e a p o n s , specifically i n c o o p e r a t i o n w i t h G r e n a d i e r s , a style o f f i g h t i n g m o r e c o m m o n f r o m 1943.

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These pages again show P a n t h e r s — mostly A Models — in action, above p r o b a b l y at the driving school in Cottbus, where the replacement units of the Grossdeutschland Division w e r e s t a t i o n e d . P a n t h e r s very r a r e l y c a r r i e d t h e Balkankreuz as a r e c o g n i t i o n m a r k i n g , e s p e c i a l l y after 1943, w h e n t h e emblem was usually omitted for r e a s o n s o f s i m p l i c i t y .

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Facing page: Shot d a m a g e to a P a n t h e r G: a d e m o n s t r a t i o n of the effectiveness o f its a r m o r . O n t h e s a m e p a g e i s t h e later d i v i s i o n i n s i g n i a of the 3rd Panzer Division. B e l o w : A P a n t h e r G — w i t h o u t a b o w m a c h i n e g u n (a r a r i t y ! ) — in I t a l y c a r r y i n g a " l o g c a r p e t " o n its t u r r e t a n d , r i g h t , P a n t h e r s o f t h e s a m e model in Hungary.

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A n Ausf. A P a n t h e r . T h e i n s i g n i a o n t h e left u p p e r sleeves o f t h e s o l d i e r s s u g g e s t t h a t i t b e l o n g e d t o a n SS Panzer Regiment. An interesting note is the diversity of u n i f o r m s w o r n by the c r e w m e n . Below: T w o Panthers in action, supported by infantry.

An Ausführung A P a n t h e r . It s t a n d s t o d a y in t h e o u t d o o r m u s e u m of Kampftruppenschule of t h e Bundeswehr in Munster. 24

A P a n t h e r i n a c t i o n i n L i t h u a n i a , s u m m e r 1944.

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Left: A P a n t h e r — p r o b a b l y an Ausf. A — r o l l s a r o u n d t h e site o f t h e A r c d e T r i o m p h e i n 1944. In the p e r i o d j u s t before the expected i n v a s i o n G e r m a n tank u n i t s often drove t h r o u g h Paris as a deterrent to local u p r i s i n g s . T h e loading/escape h a t c h on the back of the turret is o p e n a n d the AA m a c h i n e - g u n is in the ready position. A l t h o u g h the a r m of the m a c h i n e - g u n m o u n t proved to be rather weak, the installation, w h i c h was m o u n t e d on the circular r i n g o n t h e c o m m a n d e r ' s c u p o l a , w a s effective. T h e c o m m a n d e r has his headset on so that he can contact his p l a t o o n leader at o n c e or, by t u r n i n g the switch on his chest to " i n t e r c o m , " speak with any m e m b e r of his crew (usually only w i t h the g u n n e r or driver). Below is the division insignia of the 4th Panzer Division. All Panzer Division u n i t i n s i g n i a were yellow on a dark b a c k g r o u n d . T h e p h o t o g r a p h o n the facing p a g e s h o w s well the w i d t h of a track a n d the close s p a c i n g of the individual links. T h i s a r r a n g e m e n t was adopted to reduce g r o u n d pressure a n d minimize the a m o u n t of dirt passing t h r o u g h the track to the r u n n i n g gear. F a c i n g p a g e , far r i g h t : D e t a i l v i e w s o f t h e P a n t h e r ' s r u n n i n g gear.

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PANTHERS IN WINTER Left: T h i s c r e w i s w e a r i n g t h e p a d d e d , r e v e r s i b l e w i n t e r u n i f o r m , w h i c h was w h i t e o n o n e side a n d field-gray o n the other. B e l o w left: P a n t h e r s t a k e o n s u p p l i e s . S u p p l y t r u c k s h a v e b r o u g h t t h e n e c e s s a r y g o o d s . Before t h e c o m m a n d e r lies a folding m a p - m o u n t i n g board; two clips hold the m a p , while n e x t t o i t a r e a flare p i s t o l a n d t h e c o m m a n d e r ' s b i n o c u l a r s . Below: T h e g u n barrel is cleaned of powder residue. F a c i n g p a g e : V i c t o r a n d v a n q u i s h e d after a b a t t l e o n t h e w i n t r y steppe of southern Russia.

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Left: T h e t a n k s a s s e m b l e after the battle a n d await supplies. B e l o w left: I n t h e m u d o f t h e e a r l y year. Below: A Panther wearing makeshift winter camouflage.

P h o t o g r a p h s f r o m t h e A r d e n n e Offensive o f D e c e m b e r 1944. A t t h i s t i m e n e a r l y every P a n z e r D i v i s i o n h a d a b a t t a l i o n o f Panthers. Below r i g h t : A t e m p o r a r y b r i d g e has failed to bear the w e i g h t of t h i s P a n t h e r .

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Left a n d a b o v e : T w o f u r t h e r p h o t o s o f P a n t h e r s b e i n g t r a n s p o r t e d b y rail. A n a c t i o n p h o t o f r o m L i t h u a n i a . T h e sheet m e t a l p a n e l s h u n g o n t h e t a n k ' s sides, c a l l e d Schürzen ( a p r o n s ) , w e r e a p r o t e c t i o n a g a i n s t h o l l o w - c h a r g e shells, w h i c h e x p l o d e d a g a i n s t the p a n e l s a n d expended their energy in the space between them a n d the tank's hull.

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A n Ausfuhrung D P a n t h e r w i t h t h e c y l i n d r i c a l c o m m a n d e r ' s c u p o l a o f t h e i n i t i a l p r o d u c t i o n b a t c h .

Facing page: Panthers driving onto t h e b a t t l e f i e l d i n s i n g l e file. O n t h e h o r i z o n c a n b e seen a p l a t o o n w h i c h has already deployed into wedge formation. T h e loading/escape hatch o n t h e b a c k o f t h e t u r r e t i s o p e n for better v e n t i l a t i o n . On the rear of all of t h e t a n k s a r e t h e i n e v i t a b l e p a i l s for the e n g i n e a n d crew. As the c o m m a n d e r s are s t a n d i n g in their t u r r e t s , i t a p p e a r s t h a t e n e m y fire i s not too heavy. In the u p p e r right corner of the p a g e is t h e d i v i s i o n i n s i g n i a of t h e PanzerLehrdivision. T h i s d i v i s i o n w a s f o r m e d i n 1943 f r o m i n s t r u c t i o n a l units of t h e Panzertruppenschule.

Above: A Panther camouflaged beneath trees. I n a d d i t i o n t o t r a c k l i n k s , i t c a r r i e s a spare r o a d w h e e l , p o i n t i n g to o n e of the weaknesses of the Panther, n a m e l y the r i m bolts on the wheel disks — they b r o k e easily.

R i g h t : A P a n t h e r i n I t a l y . Its f r o n t a l a r m o u r was 8 centimeters thick, the r e m a i n d e r 4 5 m m . Average speed over g o o d r o a d s w a s 35-40 k p h .

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Left: A P a n t h e r d r i v e s t h r o u g h a v i l l a g e i n E a s t P r u s s i a . T h e t u r r e t n u m b e r i n d i c a t e s t h e 4 t h C o m p a n y , 1st P l a t o o n , 4 t h V e h i c l e (of t h e p l a t o o n ) . Above: C h a n g i n g track links a n d the toothed r i m of a drive sprocket. B o t h were subject to great wear as they h a d to stand u p t o t r e m e n d o u s forces. 38

Above: P a n t h e r s pass by Grenadiers. A P a n t h e r w i t h m o u n t e d i n f a n t r y . T h i s w a s r a t h e r d a n g e r o u s for t h e i n f a n t r y a s t h e t a n k s t e n d e d t o d r a w fire. A b o v e r i g h t : Oberst S t a h l (6. P z . D i v . ) i n d i s c u s s i o n w i t h Major P ö s s l ( C o m m a n d e r o f t h e Grossdeutschland P a n z e r B a t t a l i o n ) . T h e P a n t h e r s h o w s t h e s c a r s o f a r e c e n t battle. 39

PANTHER Ausführung A

The Ausf. A turret was modified during production, the side vision ports and the loading hatch on the left side of the turret being deleted, leaving only the rear loading/escape hatch and the cupola hatch. The Panther Ausfuhrung A was in production from mid-1943 until the beginning of 1944. 40

Panthers: above on the south R u s s i a n s t e p p e , a b o v e r i g h t i n a city in C o u r l a n d a n d below on the invasion front in n o r t h e r n France. T h e latter t a n k i s very w e l l camouflaged on account of the massive Allied air superiority.

Both pages show Panthers in action — the p h o t o g r a p h s s p e a k for t h e m s e l v e s : a n efficient external shape combined with powerful a r m o u r , 700 h . p . a n d a f i v e - m a n c r e w b e h i n d an outstanding 75mm g u n (KwK 42 L/70) a n d two or three m a c h i n e guns. If the war h a d l a s t e d l o n g e n o u g h for t h e P a n t h e r t o r e a c h maturity it would undoubtedly have become the best m a s s - p r o d u c e d t a n k of the Second World War.

Left: A P a n t h e r of a W a f f e n - S S d i v i s i o n on t h e steppe. A p l a t o o n leader m a r s h a l s his tanks. B e l o w left i s t h e e m b l e m o f t h e 5 t h P a n z e r D i v i s i o n , w h i c h w a s a d o p t e d i n 1941. T h i s s y m b o l a p p e a r e d o n all o f t h e d i v i s i o n ' s v e h i c l e s , c o m m a n d e r s ' p e n n a n t s a n d divisional road signs. Below: A P a n t h e r watches over a n d s u p p o r t s an attack by dismounted Grenadiers.

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Above: Discussion before a n o p e r a t i o n . A b o v e r i g h t : I n s i g n i a of t h e Hermann Goring Panzer Division. T h e division was formed from g u a r d b a t t a l i o n s of the Luftwaffe. P a n t h e r s utilize a railway e m b a n k m e n t d u r i n g t h e a d v a n c e o n W i l n a (1944).

T h e end: k n o c k e d out, b l o w n u p , d u g i n (following irreparable e n g i n e d a m a g e ) , b u r n i n g a n d finally a s booty for t h e o t h e r s i d e ( f a c i n g p a g e ) . O f t h e 7,000 P a n t h e r s b u i l t o n l y a few e x a m p l e s r e m a i n i n t a n k m u s e u m s . 47

• Schiffer Military History • Specializing in the German Military of World War II Also Available:

• The 1st SS Panzer Division - Leibstandarte • The 12th SS Panzer Division - HJ • The Panzerkorps Grossdeutschland • • The Heavy Flak Guns 1933-1945 • German Motorcycles in World War II • Hetzer • V2 • Me 163 "Komet" • • Me 262 • German Aircraft Carrier Graf Zeppelin • The Waffen-SS - A Pictorial History • Maus • Arado Ar 234 • • The Tiger Family • The Panther Family • German Airships • Do 335 • • German Uniforms of the 20th Century - Vol.1 The Panzer Uniforms, Vol. 2 The Uniforms of the Infantry •

T h e e n g i n e deck of a P a n t h e r A.

P a n t h e r turret w i t h the cast c u p o l a .

C o m m a n d e r ' s c u p o l a seen from b e h i n d .

View of the front e n d of a P a n t h e r from the tank c o m m a n d e r ' s position