Panzer IV w/ Zimmerit in Viborg Denmark

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panzerman1984
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Panzer IV w/ Zimmerit in Viborg Denmark

#1

Post by panzerman1984 » 29 Oct 2014, 03:19

Hey guys,
Looking for some input here. I have a nice photo of a Panzer IV with Zimmerit applied to it. On the back is written "My Panzer in Viborg, 1944 at Railroad Station".

Now, I admit, I don't know how many Panzer units were actually stationed in Viborg, Denmark area later-war, but I know that Panzer Abteilung 55 / 233. Panzer Division was heavily involved in anti-partisan/etc operations around Viborg during that time. It just so happens this unit was equipped with a lot of Panzer IV Ausf. H's, G's, and even N's w/ zimmerit in 1944. Was this the only Panzer related unit in the Viborg vicinity at this time, and is it probable that this tank is part of this unit??

Any Help would be greatly appreciated, and I know it is pure speculation....but figured it would be an interesting topic/photo/unit to discuss anyway. Any info on the situation in Viborg in 1944 would be great as well! Trying to learn as much as possible about this photo and the units that used zimmerit in Denmark later-war. Thanks
-Bill
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pz iv zim wr.jpg
Last edited by panzerman1984 on 29 Oct 2014, 08:30, edited 1 time in total.

panzerman1984
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Re: Panzer IV w/ Zimmerit in Viborg Denmark

#2

Post by panzerman1984 » 29 Oct 2014, 03:24

Here are some photos of other Panzers from Panzer Abteilung 55 w/ Zimmerit and Schurzen in the Viborg area in 1944....which made me wonder if I made a possible unit connection to my photo.

others here:

Source: http://www.panzerphotos.com/pz-kpfw-iv
Attachments
vibrog 5.jpg
vibrog 5.jpg (34.24 KiB) Viewed 2720 times
vibrog 4.jpg
viborg 3.jpg
viborg 3.jpg (66.82 KiB) Viewed 2720 times
viborg 2.jpg
viborg 2.jpg (60.33 KiB) Viewed 2720 times
viborg 1.jpg
viborg 1.jpg (56.72 KiB) Viewed 2720 times


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kstdk
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Re: Panzer IV w/ Zimmerit in Viborg Denmark

#3

Post by kstdk » 29 Oct 2014, 10:14

Hello

Talking of "heavily involved in anti-partisan/etc. operations around Viborg " is a statement that I would like to know the source of??

Here some other pictures of 233 panzers in 1944 in and around Viborg. (Source: Expired E-Bay auctions and Danish Archives).

Regards
Kurt
kstdk
Attachments
Sturmgeschütz Langrohr in Dänemark, 3 orig. Fotos,1944.4.jpg
Sturmgeschütz Langrohr in Dänemark, 3 orig. Fotos,1944.1.jpg
Sturmgeschütz 4 Seitenschürze Zimmerit +Saukopfblende Viborg 1944 Panzer.jpg

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kstdk
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Re: Panzer IV w/ Zimmerit in Viborg Denmark

#4

Post by kstdk » 29 Oct 2014, 10:15

Hello

A "then and now" Photo from Viborg.

Regards
Kurt
kstdk
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Viborg, Trekronervej 2011.JPG
Viborg, Trekronervej 1944.jpg

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kstdk
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Re: Panzer IV w/ Zimmerit in Viborg Denmark

#5

Post by kstdk » 29 Oct 2014, 10:16

Hello

The Gliederung of 233 in 1944.

It was the only Panzer unit in Denmark.

Regards
Kurt
kstdk
Attachments
k14_[1] - 233. Res.Pz.Div.JPG
k15_[1] - 233. Res.Pz.Div.JPG
k16_[1] - 233. Res.Pz.Div.JPG

panzerman1984
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Re: Panzer IV w/ Zimmerit in Viborg Denmark

#6

Post by panzerman1984 » 29 Oct 2014, 12:40

excellent info!! Exactly what I was looking for. Thank you! I can certainly look for the source of where I was reading that this Abteilung was suffering from Partisan attacks. I hate to say that I may have read it on the infamous wiki and another website. But that wasn't the main objective of my research, but I understand your interest/concern and will try to retrack my basic research. Like I said in my opening statement, I am still learning of the battle/s around Viborg....so I am very grateful for any knowledge provided. Thank you for the extra photos.....the "then and now" is outstanding, still has most of the same houses standing. The photos are more proof that zimmerit was being used on the Panzer IV variations in the area. Many thanks for your time

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Re: Panzer IV w/ Zimmerit in Viborg Denmark

#7

Post by kstdk » 29 Oct 2014, 17:02

Hello

There was no "battles" between German Panzer´s and the "partisans" in Denmark during the occupation.

The Danish resistance had no heavy weapons, and the attacks of the resistance were on the Railway system and other sabotage actions. They never took up deliberate battle with german forces, but off course they fought back if they were caught "in the act", so to say :)

Also sabotage of german vehicles, Buildings, Factories who worked for the Germans etc. etc - but never deliberate attacks on heavy armed german forces!!

Regards
Kurt
kstdk

panzerman1984
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Re: Panzer IV w/ Zimmerit in Viborg Denmark

#8

Post by panzerman1984 » 29 Oct 2014, 20:46

Thank you Kurt, I understand this now after reading more about it. You've been very helpful in my search of understanding the situation in later war Denmark, a part of ww2 that I admit I have studied too briefly. This is exactly what I was reading and mistook it for Resistance attacks on Germans themselves. I assumed that the zimmerit was needed to prevent mine/shaped charge attacks on tanks, but I guess this was not the case. I am still very interested why the Germans needed to have Zimmerit applied to their vehicles when they could have used these much needed tanks on other fronts. Please excuse my naivety on this particular subject, but why wouldn't they have moved those valuable tanks more South of Denmark if anything? thanks again for your time

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Christian Ankerstjerne
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Re: Panzer IV w/ Zimmerit in Viborg Denmark

#9

Post by Christian Ankerstjerne » 29 Oct 2014, 20:53

The Sturmgeschütz III's are first or second company of Ersatz- und Ausbildungsabteilung 400, not 233. Reserve-Panzer-Division.

I'm working on putting more information about the 233. Reserve-Panzer-Division online. For the purpose of this thread, I though I'd put a list of the turret numbers I've identified so far up: http://www.panzerworld.com/233-panzer-division

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Re: Panzer IV w/ Zimmerit in Viborg Denmark

#10

Post by kstdk » 29 Oct 2014, 21:05

Hello

@Christian - nice info :)

Looking foreward to see more on your pages in future :thumbsup:

PS: Thanks for the info on the StuG´s

Regards
Kurt
kstdk

panzerman1984
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Re: Panzer IV w/ Zimmerit in Viborg Denmark

#11

Post by panzerman1984 » 30 Oct 2014, 20:45

Nice Christian, thanks for the info. And hope it was alright that I used your photos and page as a source for the thread. I would have asked you first if I knew you were a member here. (slightly new here, but not on the other forums). As I said, I'm not ashamed to admit that I have a lot of catching up to do concerning Denmark specifically in the later war period. I wish there was a visible turret # on mine to help in your research.

Anyway, concerning your "Panzerphotos" page, I'm not sure if it is for your photos only...... But I would be happy to add some of my Unit ID'ed Panzer and StuG/SPG photos from my collection if it would help your page. I think it's excellent that your creating an online source for Panzer and panzer unit referencing.

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Re: Panzer IV w/ Zimmerit in Viborg Denmark

#12

Post by kstdk » 30 Oct 2014, 22:54

Hello

A couple mere pictures (must be the ones that you bought) - panzerman1984:

It is the same garage Building that is on my "Before & After" picture here above.

Source: Exp. E-Bay auction.

Regards
Kurt
kstdk
Attachments
Viborg Panzer IV - 1944.02.jpg
Viborg Panzer IV - 1944.01.jpg

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Re: Panzer IV w/ Zimmerit in Viborg Denmark

#13

Post by kstdk » 30 Oct 2014, 22:58

Hello

One more "Then & Now" picture - in front of one of the Buildings at the Barracks in Viborg.

Regards
Kurt
kstdk
Attachments
Viborg Kaserne 1944.jpg
Viborg Kaserne 2013.jpg

panzerman1984
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Re: Panzer IV w/ Zimmerit in Viborg Denmark

#14

Post by panzerman1984 » 30 Oct 2014, 23:08

Yup! It sure is the one I bought from that seller (a good source of period originals too). Unfortunately I lost the bid on the barracks one with the same man, which is a shame they got split up. And that is just awesome to see the "Then and Now".....im a huge fan of that. Wonderful images as well. I wish I could figure out what turmnummer mine is from that barracks photo, but owell. Excellent work digging up those images Kurt, I lost that other image of him in my files, so many thanks. You've been a great help. The unit sure presented themselves well, sharp.

panzerman1984
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Re: Panzer IV w/ Zimmerit in Viborg Denmark

#15

Post by panzerman1984 » 30 Oct 2014, 23:18

You know what......it very well could be the "314" (or 214) that is pictured in the garage photo. Look at the Beam on the top of the Garage.....it lines up with the beam in my photo. It is a possibility!? This is a turmnummer that Christian does not have on his list either.

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