UBB.threads Forums General Militaria Flags, Field Gear, and Miscellaneous Militaria and Regalia Forum Pz III Ausf N discovered in Norway

sweet . Trigger are there still stocks of spares in the army warehouses ie road wheels idlers engines etc

PAUL

incredible stuff, and great pictures.
cheers

Here comes the most incredible:

Both these PzIII's had the Chassis number plates intact inside.
74352, and 76219.
Tank with a visible number 1 on turret is an Ausf M. The other Ausf L. Both vehicle serial-numbers have been checked by Henry Blanck, and found to have been participating at the battle of Kursk July 43.
gep.kfz. bestandsmeldung dated 30.june 1943 of PzGrenDiv "GD" confirms these s/n with Grossdeutschland.

The "1" on turret is post-war norwegian markings. This tank was delivered to PzGrenDiv Grossdeutschland.

The other, Ausf L, was delivered to SS-division "Das Reich", who lost it in the soviet offensive at Kharkov in the winter of '43 and later it was recovered during the spring-offensive at Kharkov, repaired and taken in use also by PzGrenDiv GD during battle of Kursk.



Best regards,

Hi

I can only confirm Tor Helge`s information.

Super pictures Tor Helge

What's more, is that these 2 also appear on the PzGrenDiv Grossdeutschland list of chassis-numbers dated 31.august 43. One as operational, the other on repair at this date!!

Looking inside, the 7,5 cm guns are also from the same manufacturer, just a few numbers apart in their serial-numbers.
To me this indicates that these 2 have spent almost their entire "lives" together.
Kharkov, Kursk, modified to Ausf N most likely at the same plant, sent off to a new unit together (Norway/Finland), post war in use together in the same platoon, dug down together, recovered together, and finally now - Side by side together at our museum!!!!

Amazing history indeed!!

Cheers,

Fantastic work Guys!!!

Keep it up..This is LIVING History! Dave/dblmed

This is an absolutely unique thread and an absolutely amazing story. It would be hard to believe unless one doesn´t see the pictures. I bow in utmost respect before your accomplishments. Keep on going!

Just a quick update

The central army museum archive actually held the norwegian vehicle "title" (so to speak) for these, and I got copies of them
These papers include details like how many gallons of anti-freeze, engine changes, engine serial numbers and also service-history (mechanical).
But more important, they duly noted at the end of service that they were "dug down", and only 3 of the former norwegian PzIII's titles were annotated as such, so now we know the chassis number of the former unknown PzIII.

Cheers,

Some of the paperwork we have managed to find.

- Grossdeutschland PzRgt report on serviceable vehicles 30.june 1943 (just days before the battle of Kursk)

Same report, but from after the battle of Kursk 31.august 1943.
These are the operational vehicles... Quite a few less than just a couple of months earlier

Norwegian army "title". Detailed description of gun serial number, breech-number, engine numbers etc etc.

Trigger,

This has been a very intriguing read to write the very least.

A great deal of thanks to you for not only the images you have shared but also for taking the time to reveal all, step by step.

Please give my warmest regards to all those that have assisted you in this historical venture. A venture brought back to life.

It makes you wonder how many more are out there. All those that hit the bogs, no doubt they remain perfectly preserved being this their fete.

Kind regards,

Davey

PS - Stay safe and keep up the excellent work.

That is a wonderful thread, Trigger, and the final revelation of the early history of these Pzs is fabulous. Great research, and thanks for sharing it!

Frederick J. Stephens

Thank you for your kind replies

There are no news from the central army museum, they have reorganized a bit and some key-personnell who were involved with this are no longer working there.
Also the local museum is about to change management, so for now nothing much is happening with the tanks.

We have had no luck so far, neither from NARA or the Freiburg Archives in finding the reports detailing the chassis numbers of Pz.Abt.211 in the autumn of 1944.
So the route from Kharkov to Norway is still a bit uncertain.

Best regards,