What octane fuel did panzers use?

[jmark]

Hi guys,

Does anybody know what octane fuel the panzers used? I'm specifically talking about Panzers II thru IV in 1942. I've just come across a reference to a German panzer leader refusing to use captured Russian fuel because of its lower octane rating, and this was during a fuel crisis during the 1942 campaign. I'd really like to know the actual octane numbers.

Thanks in advance
Jason

[peeved]

According to http://www.google.fi/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=& ... c88RjH7DXA the Maybach HL 120 TRM ; A typical Pz. III & IV engine; used 74 octane fuel. OTOH according to http://www.vffwts.de/de/artikel/57-arti ... -1945.html e.g. the Panther suffered no ill effects from 70 octane "Standard Wehrmacht Transport-Kraftstoff".

Markus

[Dann Falk]

Years ago, I read an account of German panzer/motorized troops needing to blend Russian gasoline with their own to get a satisfactory octane level.

[spannermann]

Hi,

OZ74 is the most common octane, and the characters OZ74 are often cast into the block of an engine, so there is no mistake.


cheers leonard paul

[jmark]

Hi guys,

Thanks for the helpful replies. Any idea of the octane rating of Russian petrol?

Dann, do you remember the name of the book in which you read that account?

Jason

[Dann Falk]

Hi Jason,

Sorry I don't remember the book, but let me look for it. It's in my library somewhere.

[Dann Falk]

After reviewing 20+ books, I was unable to find the reference for the blending together Russian and German fuels. I will keep my eyes open about this topic. Maybe someone else will find it.

From what I remember, it was in AG South, 1941 or 1942. It was a German account of how they could use captured Russian gasoline if they blended it with their own. The reason was the low octane level of Russian fuel.

Hope this helps,

Dann

[GregSingh]

I am not sure exactly when octane system was introduced in Soviet Union, but it was non-existent before WWII and most probably also during WWII.
During 30's and 40's there were four types of "benzine": "Baku" 1st grade and 2nd grade; "Grozny" 1st grade and 2nd grade.
There were differences in opinion which petrol was better: Baku or Grozny.
As per octane number, 2nd grade was probably 45-60, 1st grade obviously higher, but still below 70.
Zis-5 trucks engines were built to handle 55-60, for example.

According to this source: Mobilizatsionnaya podgotovka narodnogo khozyaystva SSSR in 1941 motor gasoline had 59.

[jmark]

Thanks for looking, Dann. If you ever find, please let me know.

Greg, that's interesting info, thank you. The captured fuel in my account was from an airfield, so perhaps it was 1st grade because it was to be used in planes.

Jason

[GregSingh]

The captured fuel in my account was from an airfield, so perhaps it was 1st grade because it was to be used in planes.

That is most likely correct. The same source has aviation fuel as 70 octane and that it was also used in tanks.

[Dann Falk]

Greetings,

I did not find the reference I remember but I did find another one.

This is from Supplying War by Martin Van Creveld, page 167.

June 1941 AG Center

"Fuel consumption by both armored groups was very high, but could be met because that of ammunition was correspondingly low, and because Panzergruppe 2 made a timely discovery of a large Russian reservoir near Baranovichi."