Photos of vehicles in the Falaise gap

[nacho]

I found another Panther wreck in the Normandy area (unlocate for me) as the caption says 11 July 1944, I think it has to be in France. The presence of US airmen sugest to me St-Lo Coutances area, but also can be taken after the battle on the "Gap" area.

[Bayerlein spirit]

Hi Nacho,

The last Panther wreck is not a Falaise gap picture but it was taken northern Saint-Lo ( 11-15 july 1944 ) and belongs to 3.K /Pz.Rgt 6 - Panzer Lehr Division.

[nacho]

Thankyou Bayerlein, I was suspecting this location; look for this one: I got it credited as shows a Panther A wreck in Aug 44 (obviously in Normandy) by the date matchs with subject of the topic. I can't identify the figure as being british or american (it seems an american tanker, not sure enough).

[Bayerlein spirit]

This Panther belongs to Panzer Lehr and the location is " Pont-Hébert" (northern Saint-Lo), same Kampfgruppe as the first - 11 july 1944
The soldier seems to be U.S wrangler.

[nacho]

Another Panther A in Normandy area, I ignore unit & location.

[bryson109]

Looks like an Ausf. D with a late Ausf. D turret.

[nacho]

You're right Bryson, not an 'A' a 'D' or a refited hull with new turret.

[Bayerlein spirit]

Panther Marking in Normandy

[M.Bressanges]

Hello Nacho, and all,
about your pics with waffen'ss prisoners, the first one had been taken by the famous Robert Capa...

[nacho]

Do you know the location?

[cbo]

You're right Bryson, not an 'A' a 'D' or a refited hull with new turret.

I'd say it is an Ausf. A produced between August and December 1943.

It seems to have the rounded, cast commanders cupola with 7 periscopes introduced with the Ausf. A in August 1943 but retains the binocular gun sight which was replaced by the monocular sight starting November 1943. That fits well with the fact that the ballmount for the hull MG, which this vehicle is lacking, was introduced in November 1943.

Claus B

[bryson109]

rounded, cast commanders cupola with 7 periscopes introduced with the Ausf. A

Yes it does have the cast cupola, but the late Ausf. D introducted the cast cupola. Also note that the Ausf. D had a binocular gun sight, while the Ausf. A had a monocular sight.

[brano]

Serious identification this Panther is a possibly in conform with (only)serial number.No visual.

Late "D" <=> early "A".

[bryson109]

I agree 100%, could be a remanufactured machine as well.

[nacho]

See this beauty! A Puma on a scrap depot anywhere in France (I guess in tha 'Gap' Area) Maybe anybody can tell us which unit from number in the license plate?