After last week's #TankTuesday photo, the topic of cannibalism came up. Not the eating of other humans, but the use of parts from disabled or knocked-out tanks, usually due to supply constraints.
In WW2, this was something most armies practised.
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In WW2, this was something most armies practised.
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For Germany, their spare parts supply wasn't great in the first place.
Maintenance/repair crews would therefore show initiative by taking spare parts from damaged/disabled tanks that couldn't be repaired.
Anything to keep as many tanks running as possible.
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Maintenance/repair crews would therefore show initiative by taking spare parts from damaged/disabled tanks that couldn't be repaired.
Anything to keep as many tanks running as possible.
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Then yesterday, @Birdsof79875803 posted this wonderful shot of a battle-worn Panther Ausf. A in 1944, location unknown.
It's been repaired but is still missing its right mudguard & rear-view mirror.
However, it is the obvious beneficiary of some cannibalised parts.
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It's been repaired but is still missing its right mudguard & rear-view mirror.
However, it is the obvious beneficiary of some cannibalised parts.
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The side skirts are not uniform in colour/wear, as you'd expect if they were original.
The gun barrel with its 3-colour camouflage contrasts with the simple Dunkelgelb finish of the tank. Usually, the barrel would have the same paint scheme as the rest of the tank.
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The gun barrel with its 3-colour camouflage contrasts with the simple Dunkelgelb finish of the tank. Usually, the barrel would have the same paint scheme as the rest of the tank.
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Also, tanks from a certain unit would generally all be painted in a similar way.
Given the disparity between the simple Dunkelgelb finish of the tank & the intricate gun barrel, it's very likely the barrel was taken from an abandoned tank of a totally different unit.
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Given the disparity between the simple Dunkelgelb finish of the tank & the intricate gun barrel, it's very likely the barrel was taken from an abandoned tank of a totally different unit.
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A couple more examples where Schürzen panels from other vehicles have been fitted to running vehicles.
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The Germans cannibalised their vehicles due to poor spares supply which got worse as the war progressed.
For the Allies, the problem tended to be one of over-extended supply lines.
But it seems, the Panther was still a solution to some of their problems too...
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For the Allies, the problem tended to be one of over-extended supply lines.
But it seems, the Panther was still a solution to some of their problems too...
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The Soviets discovered that roadwheels from abandoned Panthers could be made to fit T-34s, taking about 30 minutes per wheel to convert.
This enabled Red Army T-34s to keep rolling even if their supply lines couldn't keep up!
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This enabled Red Army T-34s to keep rolling even if their supply lines couldn't keep up!
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The US 3rd Army discovered that Panther turret side armour could be cut out & welded to the front of their M4 Shermans to increase protection, though ideally they preferred US armour plate.
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Sources:
- Panzer Colors (Culver/Murphy)
- Panzerwrecks 6 (Auerbach/Archer)
Many thanks to @emchisti for the T-34 photo & info and to @Birdsof79875803
for posting the photo that kicked this thread off!
- Panzer Colors (Culver/Murphy)
- Panzerwrecks 6 (Auerbach/Archer)
Many thanks to @emchisti for the T-34 photo & info and to @Birdsof79875803
for posting the photo that kicked this thread off!
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