In this new video series, we want to show you and introduce you to several originals in detail, one after the other, because there is nothing better than references for model builders.
Today we show you interior and exterior views of the Panzer IV Ausf.G
The following information is based on original documents and was mostly made available by Thomas L.Jentz. At this point, many thanks.
- This Panzer IV Ausf.G was completed in late September 1942 with chassis number 83072 at Vomag in Plauen.
- After the tank passed the Army Equipment Office for final equipment, it was transported by rail to Italy and loaded onto the ship "Ankara".
- On October 17, 1942, the "Ankara" was loaded with 7 Pz.III and 3 Pz.IV in Taranto and reports that it is ready to sail.
- On October 19, 1942, the Ankara arrives in Tobruk
- On October 21, 1942, the Panzer IV Fgst.Nr.83072 is unloaded.
- On November 2nd, 1942, the Panzer IV was still in Tobruk because no pick-up command had arrived.
This is where the records of the original documents end. The further history of the Panzer IV is incomplete, e.g. it cannot be determined whether a crew of the Pz.Rgt.5 or Pz.Rgt.8 ever took possession of this tank.
The further course:
- The British captured the Pz.Kpfw.IV Ausf.G Fgst.Nr.83072 in November 1942 and sent it to England where it was studied at the School of Tank Technology in Chobham.
- At the time of the British conquest, there were no tactical markings or numbers on the tank, as can be seen on pictures.
- At the time, there was no visible damage from combat operations, the speedometer showed 482 kilometers driven.
- In 1960 the Panzer IV Ausf.G was returned by the British and transferred to Munster.
Unfortunately, there is no documentation of what the British did after capturing the tank until it was handed over to the armored troops' teaching collection (Panzertruppenschule/KTS 2).
On November 18, 1960, British General Sir Richard L. McCreery handed over the Panzerkampfwagen IV Ausf. G (Sd. Kfz 161), which had been in the British Tank Museum in Bovington, to Herr von Herwarth, who was the ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany in Great Britain at the time is.
Before that, the tank was transported from Bovington to Portland on a low-loader, where it was shipped the same day. The tank was unloaded from the German Navy landing craft "Crocodile" in Bremerhaven.
On December 14, 1960, the ceremonial handover took place in Munster, together with another gift, namely the PzKpfWg VI Ausf. B (TigerII), which was a gift from the US Army, to the Panzer Troops School.
Unfortunately, the tank, which was in very good condition at the time, was presented outside on the barracks premises, which unfortunately constantly worsened the condition.
Therefore, the tank was restored from 1980-1983 by Panzerwerkstatt 1 of Kampftruppenschule 2 in Munster.
We are delighted that the Munster Tank Museum made this shoot possible for us.
If you would like to see this vehicle (and of course many others) in the original (because no video or photo can replace a personal impression), you should plan a visit to Munster:
Museum website: daspanzermuseum.de/
Address: Hans-Krüger-Str. 33, 29633 Munster (Oertze), Germany
18 май 2023
