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Captured Allied tanks used by the Wehrmacht


Greg

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This page just really hurts my head.... great photos but really is like 'wait that isn't right'

http://www.warhistoryonline.com/war-articles/27-images-captured-sherman-tanks-german-hands.html

 

On the other hand, so glad to see doesn't matter what tank a German Tank Commander has, he is always hanging out the top hatch!

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yea looks like a 1960's B movie but totally correct, the German captured T34's were pretty smart looking too :)

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  • 4 years later...

It was not uncommon for the Germans to use other countries vehicles and equipment. They suffered from shortages, so it made sense to use the resources available. It probably played hell with logistics though. 

First picture is a captured US Stuart Light tank, most likely in North Africa. The second is a British Churchill tank, location unknown. Third is the Soviet T-34. 

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That is quite well known. Also captured uniforms were re-issued. They were either re-tailored, such as Dutch uniforms, as they were a greygreen colour, British battledress suits were popular with U-Boat crews, some of these uniforms were also reproduced for that purpose. French uniforms were issued to RAD and Organisation Todt, etc. Likewise with various steel helmets being issued to auxiliary forces.

A lot of French light assault tanks were issued to second line units, such as occupation forces, but their potential was limited, as they were already out of date by 1940.   The Sherman was not too popular, even with US forces, as the frontal armour could be easily pierced by the right calibres, and they were notorious for going up in flames almost right away. The Russian T-34s had a good reputation, only their turrets had to be manually turned - too slow, and the Russians did not fit them with a radio system, so therefore, they needed some alterations and adaptation.

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U-Boot crew were often issued with the British style uniform, jacket and trousers, more likely the denim type.
Photo example. Usually fitted with shoulder insignia for the officers and NCOs

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Another example, centre. The man to the right is wearing the so-called "Lederpäckchen" of German production,
as protection against cold and heavy weather.

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"Beutepanzer", Place de la Concorde. Musicians in the foreground

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Parade of Panzer troops in Paris using captured French light tanks. Hotchkis or Renault?

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Paris, after 25. August 1944

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Schick à la parisiènne

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The second photo of the troops in Paris, those look like the Souma S35 tanks. The last two appear to be the Renault F35. Nice looking Parisian as well!

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I think the Churchill was captured from Dieppe 

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After the failure of Canadian landing in Dieppe  on 22 August 1942, Germans captured 29 Churchills. 
Only two Churchill with 57mm gun were repaired and used by Pz.Kp.81 and were later incorporated into the II.Abt./Pz.Rgt.100.

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Well I understand, why throw away something you can use. If the tank is serviceable or slightly damaged, it could be an asset, or be used to find out its weaknesses. 

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Here is a captured US M10 tank Destroyer.

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  • 3 weeks later...

Here is a Stug III captured being used by the Americans, not typically something encountered, most likely for testing.

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Here is a British Bren light carrier in German use. First photo you can see at least two of these vehicles, and one towing a light AA gun.

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Captured US M3 Lee tank, most likely was from the North African campaign, as that is where most of these were used. 

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Captured Russian T26, Eastern front. 

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Captured US M3 halftrack. 

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Captured Russian IS-2 heavy tank, eastern front. 

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  • 4 weeks later...

Here is a captured British Crusader tank in North Africa.

 

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Captured British Matilda II tank in North Africa.

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Captured Polish 7TP Tank from the 1939 campaign. 

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Captured Soviet self-propelled tank destroyer SPG SU-85 

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A group of captured T-70s in German service

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Russian KV-1 tanks. 

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Captured French Char 2C FCM Heavy Tanks.

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Captured Cruiser Mk. II A10

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Captured US M8 Greyhound Armored car

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Captured French Renault D2

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