Help needed from someone who knows their Panzers

[Andrew Gorman]

I caught a glimpse of an interesting (to me) looking nazi tank in a youtube video onthe French Char 2C "char de rupture":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QigIkhXxMtg
It drives past 18 and 19 seconds in wearing the number 823.  I think it's some Panzer III variant, with the commanders hatch on top of a 55 gallon drum at the rear of the turret.  I just thought it looked kinda cool, but there are so darn many Panzer III mods I'm not sure where to look.  Any ideas would be much appreciated!  Thanks in advance.

[dadlamassu]

Certainly an early Panzer IV before turret bins were fitted.

[zenrat]

Certainly an early Panzer IV before turret bins were fitted.

That's how they looked their best IMO - short barrel and no bin.

[Dizzyfugu]

I'd place my bet on an early Panzer IV (IIRC an Ausf. "A"), the "dustbin" cupola for the commander is quite characteristic and was only used on these early models.



Dragon does an 1:35 kit of this early variant: https://www.amazon.com/Dragon-Models-Pz-Kpfw-IV-Ausf-Plastic/dp/B008LBIYXA

[Old Wombat]

Interesting photo. Definitely Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. A's, of which only 35 were made before construction switched to the Ausf. B (which got rid of the "dustbin" cupola) in 1937, but where are they?

It looks like a desert but the tanks & crew aren't dressed for it. Coastal region, perhaps? Or Greece?

[NARSES2]

Interesting photo. Definitely Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. A's, of which only 35 were made before construction switched to the Ausf. B (which got rid of the "dustbin" cupola) in 1937, but where are they?

It looks like a desert but the tanks & crew aren't dressed for it. Coastal region, perhaps? Or Greece?

Russian steppes ?

[Old Wombat]

Interesting photo. Definitely Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. A's, of which only 35 were made before construction switched to the Ausf. B (which got rid of the "dustbin" cupola) in 1937, but where are they?

It looks like a desert but the tanks & crew aren't dressed for it. Coastal region, perhaps? Or Greece?

Russian steppes ?

Possibly, but I would have thought the Ausf. A would have been either out of service or updated prior to 1941.

[NARSES2]

Interesting photo. Definitely Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. A's, of which only 35 were made before construction switched to the Ausf. B (which got rid of the "dustbin" cupola) in 1937, but where are they?

It looks like a desert but the tanks & crew aren't dressed for it. Coastal region, perhaps? Or Greece?

Russian steppes ?

Possibly, but I would have thought the Ausf. A would have been either out of service or updated prior to 1941.

True, but I can't think of any other European terrain that would fit ? Not Greece, nor Yugoslavia I would have thought ? Parts of Hungary and Romania might fit in dry conditions, but if so they'd be on their way to Russia I would have thought ?

North Africa springs to mind, but I've no idea what the Afrika Korps initially took with them.

[Rheged]

Is it possible that the pic was taken near the Northern French/ Belgian/ Dutch / German/ Danish coast , on a road partially covered by blowing sand?  That would probably give you an early enough date for the  PzKwIV (Ausf A) and possible even a link to the operational area of the French tank mentioned. As I recall, many coastal roads in this area suffer badly from wind-blown drifts .   

[Andrew Gorman]

Thanks for all of the information!  It is sharp looking tank.

[The Wooksta!]

Certainly an early Panzer IV before turret bins were fitted.

That's how they looked their best IMO - short barrel and no bin.

I'd disagree strongly.  This is how they looked best.

[NARSES2]

I've dug out my boys big book of Panzers and it's no use at all I'm afraid.

Is it possible that the pic was taken near the Northern French/ Belgian/ Dutch / German/ Danish coast , on a road partially covered by blowing sand?  That would probably give you an early enough date for the  PzKwIV (Ausf A) and possible even a link to the operational area of the French tank mentioned. As I recall, many coastal roads in this area suffer badly from wind-blown drifts .   

There are certainly parts of the German/Polish Baltic coast which could get like that in dry weather.

[jcf]

The film is probably of pre-war maneuvers. Especially with them all in a line
on the road, a Parade O' Panzers.

[rickshaw]

I'd suggest North Africa just after they landed during the winter.  They arrived in late February 1941. It can get quite cold there, with snow not being unknown at times.  It is definitely a Panzer IVA which the DAK had a handful of when it arrived.