Vehicle identity requests

[Maxschnauzer]

Hi Max,

that´s an interesting pic. Thanks for posting: Like You I´m thinking, that it is the type VI GL.
To the wheelbase: there were eight different wheelbases, but the latest version of this type from 1930 (on Your pic) had two: 4300 mm and 5550 mm. So it must be the short one with 4300 mm. (source of the information: "Das Lastwagen-Album Büssing" by Bernd Regenberg).

Regards

Bert

Hello Bert,
Thanks for the confirmation and additional information.

[john_g_kearney]

Would anybody like to ID the nearest car please, and comment more widely on the vehicles on the train.

Only one of the vehicles appears to be a military Kübelwagen, the rest look like impressed civilian cars.

What is the exact meaning of the tac mark? Does it indicate Communications Platoon 2 of an infantry regiment?

Date is July 1940, so I presume the unit is returning to Germany after the end of the Battle of France.

John.

[spannermann]

Hi John,

Cannot tell your the civilian car, but the Kubel in front is an lEpkw (Stoewer, BMW or Hanomag), the tactical marking is for the 2nd Kompanie of a Nachrichttung Abteilung (Signal battalion).

However you could almost say that this tactical sign is incomplete, as it tells you only that its a "signals" company, but not whether it is a Radio signals company or Telephone signals company. However the 2nd Kp of a typical two company Nacht Abt is usually a radio company.

cheers leonard paul

[Maxschnauzer]

Hi John,
I think the cabriolet in the foreground is a Horch 853 or 853A. I don't see any directional lights on the front fenders so I will go with the latter. Source of Pics: http://www.kfzderwehrmacht.de/

Horch_853_Generalsbesuch_24_12_42.jpg (73.14 KiB) Viewed 1434 times

Horch_853_A_Roadster_WH-1282918-_Hoppe.jpg (78.07 KiB) Viewed 1433 times

[john_g_kearney]

Many thanks, Leonard and Max.

About the tac sign, I was surprised to note that although the unit has at least two motor vehicles, this is not reflected in the tac sign. That is why I thought the unit might be a communications platoon attached to an infantry regiment.

John.

[spannermann]

Hi John,

I presume you are wondering why there are not little wheels attached under the tact sign, to indicate motorisation, yes ?

For sure almost all signal units had a vehicle a two or three, but if they are officially classed a non-motorised unit, then it really matters not at all how many vehicles they have, that is it. It probably means that this photo is of an Infantry Division signals unit.

cheers leonard paul

[john_g_kearney]

Yes, it was the lack of little wheels that puzzled me.

Many thanks,

John.

[Maxschnauzer]

Any ID on this one?

[Alanmccoubrey]

Whenever I see a German truck with the rear "tailgate" opening sideways like that and six wheels I always guess Einheitsdiesel and sometimes I'm even correct.

[kerryboo]

Here is a photo of two Kriegsmarine officers with a British-looking car. Perhaps something from the Rootes group? I do not know if the radiator mascot is a factory fitting or after-market.
Thanks,
Kerry.

[Bill Murray]

Hi Kerry:

This is not really in my field of research, but see if these photos might be correct.
1936 Humber.

[kerryboo]

Thank you Bill, I would say that you have nailed it.
All the best,
Kerry.

[Maxschnauzer]

Whenever I see a German truck with the rear "tailgate" opening sideways like that and six wheels I always guess Einheitsdiesel and sometimes I'm even correct.

Thank you, Alan.

[Alanmccoubrey]

Max, I'd wait for a soft skin expert to answer before I thanked me, I was just going with my default answer

[Maxschnauzer]

Well, Alan I haven't come up with any better explanation although there is something a bit strange looking about it.