Panzer 38(t) by Steven Zaloga

Author:Steven Zaloga
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Panzer 38(t)
ISBN: 9781782003977
Publisher: Osprey Publishing

PzKpfw 38(t) AUSF. F, II./PANZER-REGIMENT.204, 22.PANZER-DIVISION, CRIMEA, SUMMER 1942

In June 1940, a general order was issued to stop applying the dark-brown color to armored-vehicle camouflage, leaving the tanks in a uniform dark-gray color, eventually redesignated as RAL 7017. The 22.Panzer-Division was the last division to be fully equipped with the PzKpfw 38(t), so its vehicles were delivered in overall dark gray. The conditions in the Crimea were far more arid than most of Russia, and the dark-gray color was not ideal camouflage. As a result, many of the division’s tanks were given a hasty camouflage scheme prior to the summer fighting in the Crimea. Since German tank units were not regularly issued camouflage paint at this stage of the war, the scheme was either improvised using local resources, or applied using mud. The latter seems more likely here, given the sloppy finish.

By this stage of World War II, the use of three-digit tactical numbers had become commonplace, though the particular style varied from division to division. In the case of some companies in II./PzAbt.204, notably 5./Pz.Rgt.204, a white line was painted under the number. The significance of this marking is not clear.

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