Chapter Two
For the invasion of Russia, code-named Barbarossa, the German army assembled some 3 million men, divided into a total of 105 infantry divisions and 32 Panzer divisions. There were 3,332 tanks, over 7,000 artillery pieces, 60,000 motor vehicles and 625,000 horses. This force was distributed among three German army groups: Army Group North, Army Group Centre and Army Group South. The main armoured punch comprised 410 Pz.Kpfw Is, 746 Pz.Kpfw IIs, 149 Pz.Kpfw 35(t)s, 623 Pz.Kpfw 38(t)s, 965 Pz.Kpfw IIIs and 439 Pz.Kpfw IVs.
Almost immediately the Panzer divisions exploited the terrain and concerted such a series of hammer blows against the Red Army that it was deemed only a matter of time before the campaign would be over. Yet, in spite of these successes, the Panzer divisions were thinly spread out.
For the first four months of the war in Russia the Pz.Kpfw III with its 5cm L/42 gun still proved its worth on the battlefield, but with the combination of the vast expanse of terrain and being too few dispersed along an ever-increasing front, constant breakdowns became common. The weather too took a significant toll on its effectiveness, and as a direct result many tanks became frozen in the deep plains, unable to make any further headway. Another major setback for the Panzer III was that as the war in Russia progressed, its role changed drastically from a main battle tank to an infantry supporting tank due to the fact that its gun was not strong enough to destroy heavier enemy tanks.
By the end of 1941 the battle-weary divisions of the Panzerwaffe that had taken part in Operation Barbarossa were no longer fit to fight. Mobile operations had consequently ground to a halt. Fortunately for the exhausted Panzer crews and supporting units, no mobile operations had been planned during the winter of 1941, let alone for 1942. In the freezing arctic temperatures the majority of the Panzer divisions were pulled out of their stagnant defensive positions and transferred to France to rest, reorganize and retrain. Many Panzer crews had fought desperately to maintain cohesion and hold their meagre positions which often saw thousands perish.
By early 1942 the German forces were holding a battle line more than 1,400 miles in overall length, which had been severely weakened by the overwhelming strength of the Red Army. To make matters worse, during the last weeks of 1941 armoured units had not been refitted properly with replacements to compensate for the large losses sustained. Supplies of equipment and ammunition were so insufficient in some areas of the front that commanders were compelled to issue their men with rations. In spite of the adverse situation in which the Panzerwaffe was placed during the latter half of 1941, the armoured units were still strong and determined to fight with courage and skill. While they had expended considerable combat efforts lacking sufficient reconnaissance and the necessary support of tanks and heavy weapons to ensure any type of success, they were still strong enough to influence the situation decisively.
Over the next few months as the weather changed the war in Russia once again became more fluid and to the Germans’ advantage. Many of the worn-out and depleted divisions were restored back to strength, while others too weak for combat were relegated to Army Group North or Army Group Centre where they were hastily deployed for a series of defensive actions instead. The best-equipped Panzer divisions were shifted south to Army Group South for operations through the Caucasus. It was entrusted to the two Panzer Armies – 1st and 4th – to spearhead the drive. By May 1942 most of the Panzer divisions involved were up to nearly 85 per cent of their original fighting strength and been equipped with Pz.Kpfw IIIs and Pz.Kpfw IVs.
A Pz.Kpfw III near Roslavl drives along a dusty road at speed during summer operations on the Eastern Front. Note the letter ‘G’ painted either in yellow or white on the front of the tank, indicating that it belongs to Guderian’s Panzergruppe. The Russians tried desperately to hold on to the town of Roslavl, but under direct attack by seven fresh German infantry divisions, the defence soon crumbled away. Around the town a pocket soon began to form with Germans bringing up greater artillery concentration, while Red Army troops feebly tried to break out. Roslavl finally fell to the Germans on 3 August 1941. Guderian ordered a Panzer striking force of three divisions immediately away from the main battle to probe southwards and clear up stragglers from both Smolensk and Roslavl. The battles of Smolensk and Roslavl were one of the swiftest as well as one of the most complete German army victories in the East. Altogether some 300,000 Soviet soldiers had been captured in the Smolensk pocket. However, 200,000 had managed to break out and fight in Roslavl and surrounding areas further east.
A crewman poses for the camera on board his Pz.Kpfw III during the transportation of its unit by train from one part of the battle front to another during the initial stages of Barbarossa, the code word for the German invasion of Russia. Note the track links attached to the front of the vehicle for additional armoured protection. Panzer divisions were often withdrawn from the front and moved from one area to another. This was frequently the quickest and most effective way of moving the units, so much so that the enemy was not even aware that a division had been moved.
Two photographs showing typical pontoon bridges erected across a river somewhere on the Eastern Front in 1941. These heavy pontoon bridges were known by the Germans as Bruckengerat B. The pontoon boats have been lashed together and the bridging deck sections secured over them in order to allow traffic and soldiers on foot to cross. These bridges were more than capable of supporting various types of armoured vehicles, including the Pz.Kpfw III and IV. Construction of pontoon bridges remained a vital activity, especially to assist heavy armour, and a well-trained Pioneer Bridging Column could put one together in a matter of hours.
A Pz.Kpfw III during operations in the opening phase of the German invasion of Russia. Note logs have been attached along the rear of the tank. For the invasion of Russia, the German army assembled some 3 million men, divided into a total of 105 infantry divisions and 32 Panzer divisions. There were 3,332 tanks, over 7,000 artillery pieces, 60,000 motor vehicles and 625,000 horses.
A Pz.Kpfw III halted on a road somewhere in Russia during the summer of 1941. In the Soviet Union the sudden speed and depth of the German attack was an impressive display of all-arms co-ordination. The Soviets were quite unprepared for the might of the German onslaught. In some areas the mighty Panzers crushed all resistance and enemy units were simply brushed aside and totally destroyed.
A Pz.Kpfw III during operations on the Eastern Front in the summer of 1941. Although the Pz.Kpfw III was very successful in terms of armour, armament and mobility, the eventual distances which had to be covered limited its tactics as well as causing breakdowns and immense supply problems.
A Pz.kpfw III Ausf. E bound for the front lines waits for traffic to pass along a congested road. Note the support vehicles in column with the tank. Out in the field support vehicles made a vital contribution to the Panzerwaffe’s drive, especially when leading units were far ahead of their column.
A long column of Pz.Kpfw IIIs on a road in Russia. Note the trailers they are towing consisting of logs. In central and especially in northern areas of Russia where the terrain comprised vast lakes, swamps and forested areas tanks and other vehicles found the advance hindered by soft marshy ground. As a result crews took to using logs to lie over the ground so that the tank tracks would not become bogged down.
A playful Panzer crew are photographed on board their Pz.Kpfw III Ausf. F. This vehicle belongs to the 2nd Panzer Division and has been rearmed with the 5cm KwK L/42 gun. Note the earlier cupola, which has been retained on this particular variant.
Two photographs showing the Sturmgeschütz or StuG III built on the chassis of a Pz.Kpfw III and used effectively in an infantry support role as a self-propelled gun. During the early phase of the invasion of the Soviet Union the StuG proved its worth, especially in clearing out enemy infantry from urbanized areas. However, it was limited by its fixed turret. During the early part of the war in the East the StuG vehicle always kept pace with the infantry and supported them in almost all roles of engagement.
An Ausf. B variant StuG III on the road with infantrymen on board hitching a lift. Often to maintain the speed of an advance the accompanying infantry were carried into battle on the tanks and other armoured vehicles. When they ran into stiff opposition, they immediately dismounted to avoid taking heavy casualties.
Fuel was the most important commodity required by Panzer crews to move their armoured units from one part of the front to another. Here in this photograph Panzer men are seen at a mobile fuel stop with 200-litre fuel drums preparing to fill their Pz.Kpfw III. Overhead a German aircraft can be seen approaching an airstrip.
A stationary Pz.Kpfw III on the road. Note the 20-litre jerry cans on board the vehicle, necessary to support the vast distances over which they had to advance on a daily basis.
A modified Pz.Kpfw III Ausf. F out in the field. The crew poses for their photograph before resuming operations. Note the Notek headlamp has been relocated to the left mudguard and the vehicle still retains its early model cupola.
Troops rest at the side of a road during the summer of 1941. A stationary infantry supply vehicle can be seen parked on the road. Behind them is an advancing Pz.Kpfw III towing what are probably logs in a two-wheeled trailer. Moving along another road near the tank is a further infantry supply truck with a full complement of troops on board being hastily transferred to the front.
A column of armoured vehicles comprising a leading Pz.Kpfw III and an Sd.Kfz.10 halftrack advances along a road. Note the unit markings on the halftrack painted in yellow indicating that it belongs to the 2nd Panzer Division. In October 1941 the 2nd Panzer Division was transferred to the Russian Front in Army Group Centre for its advance on Moscow. The division became an active component of the XL Panzer Corps of the 4th Panzer Army. During the Battle of Moscow, vanguard elements of the Division reached the outskirts of the city.
A column of Pz.Kpfw III Ausf. E or F from the 2nd Panzer Division on a congested road somewhere on the Eastern Front. Note the national flag attached to the engine deck of the tanks for aerial recognition purposes. By mid-1942 this idea was eventually phased out by crews as they found that the Red Army air force could easily target the vehicles.
A photograph showing the StuG III operating somewhere on the Eastern Front in 1941. As German forces advanced ever deeper into the Soviet Union they encountered stiffer resistance where StuGs and other armoured vehicles became increasingly embroiled in fighting for each village, town and city. During the first years on the Eastern Front the assault gun proved indispensible to infantrymen and the elite Waffen-SS alike.
Panzer IIIs advance through a newly-captured Russian town during Operation Barbarossa. For the invasion of Russia, the strongest army group, Army Group Centre, made a series of heavy penetrating drives through the Russian heartlands, bulldozing through the marshy ground to the main Russian defences. Within days of its first attacks across the frontier both the Infanterie and Panzer divisions had pulverized bewildered Russian formations, which led to a string of victories along the entire front.
A Pz.Kpfw III Ausf. J from Panzer Regiment 15 of the 11th Panzer Division moves towards a village in Russia. Note the letter ‘K’ painted on the stowage bin, indicating that this belongs to Panzergruppe Kleist.
A Pz.Kpfw III Ausf. G moves along a muddy road bound for the front. Positioned to its left is a battery of 10.5cm le.FH18 light field howitzers. The 10.5cm field howitzer provided the division with a relatively effective mobile base of fire. It was primarily the artillery regiments that were given the task of destroying enemy positions and fortified defences and conducting counter-battery fire prior to an armoured assault.
A knocked-out Pz.Kpfw III obviously waiting for a salvage unit to collect and take it to the rear either for repair or to cannibalize the parts for other tanks. This was common practice in the Panzer divisions, and became a matter of life and death for the armoured divisions fighting on the front by 1944.
A Pz.Kpfw III with members of the crew riding on board along a dusty road somewhere in Russia in 1941. The situation for the Russians looked grim. The ferocity of the German attack was immense and without respite. Stalin’s insistence that his troops must fight from fixed positions without any tactical retreat had consequently caused many units to become encircled, leaving Panzer units to speed past unhindered and achieve even deeper penetrations.
A StuG III Ausf. B hurtles along a dusty road on the Eastern Front during the summer of 1941. For the invasion of Russia German factories were able to complete 548 StuG III vehicles. The StuG had a crew of four and came equipped with a 7.5cm StuK 37 L/24 gun capable of traversing from 12.5 degrees left to 12.5 degrees right. Even with the high losses of the Sturmgeschütz on the Eastern Front, the crews still had a high regard for their selfpropelled assault gun as a decisive weapon of war.
Wehrmacht forces of the 11th Panzer Division advance through a village, but not before burning it down as it passed through. The division was then sent to the Eastern Front in Army Group South where it was part of XXXXVIII Corps (mot.) under the command of General Kempf. The division fought brilliantly in the battle of Kiev, and then in October 1941 took part in the march toward Moscow as part of XXXXVI Panzer Corps in Army Group Centre.
Inside a town in the region of Kiev a Pz.Kpfw III can be seen advancing along a road among crude roadside barriers erected by the civilian population. When the battle of Kiev finally ended on 21 September 1941 almost 665,000 Russian troops had been captured in the encirclement. Exhilarated by the fall of Kiev, the German 6th Army mercilessly pushed forward leaving a trail of devastation in its wake. Across the whole of the German front Panzer IIIs and IVs leading the drive hammered deeper and the guns of the infantry divisions lengthened their range. For the men of the Panzerwaffe Blitzkrieg had once again been imprinted on the battlefield and there was an aura of invincibility among the men at this time.
A very interesting photograph taken in the early phase of action on the Eastern Front showing an early Pz.Kpfw III Ausf. G which has been converted into the rare Tauchpanzer for the proposed invasion of England, code-named Operation Sealion. These vehicles had hinged watertight doors over the air intake on the side of the engine deck. The tactical number ‘1100’ painted in yellow indicates that it is a command vehicle.
A common scene during the early days of Operation Barbarossa. Here a Pz.Kpfw III advances along a dusty road with foot soldiers and horses following in its wake. By July 1941 the Soviet army was so overwhelmed by the German onslaught, it now seemed that Hitler’s grand strategy on the Eastern Front had yielded such astonishing results that the Soviet army would soon be conquered.
A Pz.Kpfw III advances along a road passing stationary vehicles and foot soldiers. During the summer weeks of 1941 the Soviets were quite unprepared for the might of the German attack. In some areas along the front units were simply brushed aside and totally destroyed. Red Army survivors recalled that they had been caught off guard, lulled into a false sense of security after escaping a number of isolated pockets. Now they were being attacked by highly mobile armour and blasted by heavy artillery. In many places the force of attack was so heavy that they were unable to organize any type of defence. In total confusion hundreds of troops, disheartened and frightened, retreated to avoid the slaughter, while other more fanatical units remained ruthlessly defending their positions to the death. This was the scene on almost every part of the Russian front between June and September 1941.
A Pz.Kpfw III Ausf. G from the 2nd Panzer Division has run into some serious trouble while attempting to cross a wooden bridge over a river.
Out in the field a column of Pz.Kpfw IIIs can be seen advancing across a field during the summer of 1941. During the summer period the Panzer divisions exploited the terrain and concerted such a series of hammer blows to the Red Army that it was only a matter of time before the campaign would be over. Yet, in spite of these successes the Panzer divisions were thinly spread out. Although the armoured spearheads were still achieving rapid victories on all fronts, supporting units were not keeping pace with them.
A group of Wehrmacht troops pose for the camera with a well-concealed Pz.Kpfw III somewhere on the Eastern Front in 1941. Between June and late September 1941 the Panzer and motorized divisions were more or less unhindered by lack of supply, difficult terrain or bad weather conditions and the campaign in Russia during this period seemed to be going extremely well.
A Pz.Kpfw III Ausf. J crossing a temporary bridge over a small river during operations in Russia. This photograph was more than likely taken in southern Russia, judging by the contrast of uniforms which look tropical.
A Panzer unit halted in a field prior to its movement to another part of the front. Following the surge of success by the Panzerwaffe, the armoured spearheads were losing momentum. Not only were their supply lines being overstretched, but enemy resistance began to stiffen in a number of places.
A rather blurry image of two stationary Pz.Kpfw IIIs. The crew can be seen with both vehicles. All are wearing their special black Panzer uniforms, which were very distinctive from the German soldier’s field-grey service uniform. The uniform was first issued to crews in 1934 and was the same design and colouring for all ranks of the Panzer arm, except for some of the rank insignia and national emblems worn by officers and generals, and was specifically dyed in black purely to hide oil and other stains acquired from the environment of working with the armoured vehicles. Across Europe and into Russia these black uniforms would symbolize a band of elite troops that spearheaded their armoured vehicles and gained the greatest fame, or notoriety, of being part of the once-powerful Panzerwaffe.
A number of Pz.Kpfw IIIs, a Pz.Kpfw II and a column of Sd.Kfz.251 halftracks advancing into battle in September 1941. It was during this month that the Germans unleashed Operation Typhoon, the advance on Moscow. However, in front of Moscow the Russians had constructed formidable defences in preparation for the German assault on their capital. Thousands of tanks and artillery were emplaced in the ground up to their gun barrels. Many thousands of mines were laid in the path of the German armoured spearhead. Nearly a million anti-personnel mines and booby traps were set up to explode and kill or maim unsuspecting German infantry. In towns and cities along the road leading to Moscow the Russians erected thousands of crude defence barriers.
A common scene out on the battlefield showing armoured vehicles spread out across a field in order to minimize enemy aerial attack against their advancing column. While at this stage of the campaign the Germans dominated the skies, there were growing concerns by September 1941 that the Soviet air force was amassing a large amount of aircraft for its defence of the Motherland.
A Pz.Kpfw III has pulled up to a river during summer operations on the Eastern Front.
Here in this photograph a Pz.Kpfw III Ausf. E makes its way across a prefabricated bridge. In the foreground are two soldiers taking full advantage of the very hot weather during the summer of 1941.
An excellent photograph showing stationary Pz.Kpfw IIIs inside a deserted village in Russia in the late summer of 1941. The emblem painted on the side of the Horch cross-country vehicle indicates that the unit belongs to Panzer Regiment 18 of the 18th Panzer Division. The emblem comprised a shield with a white skull and lines of water in white. This division was disbanded in late 1943.
A Pz.Kpfw III moves forward along a road. Track links have been bolted to the front of the vehicle in order to help defend it against possible anti-tank shells.
A Pz.Kpfw III negotiates a stream during operations on the Eastern Front in the summer of 1941. In the distance along a road is a column of horse-drawn supplies being moved towards the front. While the Panzerwaffe boasted of having the most powerful armoured force in the world, the majority of the German force in Russia was still moved by animal draught.
Two photographs taken in sequence showing a column of Pz.Kpfw III Ausf. J. Note painted on the rear of the turret the markings of Panzer Regiment 18 of the 18th Panzer Division which saw extensive action in Russia during 1941 and 1942. During the opening phase of the attack the division crossed the River Bug underwater, with submersible tanks. This was the first time ever that tanks had been used in combat like this. The division fought as part of LXVII Panzer Corps, and over the next six months was involved in capturing Smolensk, Bryansk and the assault on Tula.
A Pz.Kpfw III negotiates a road along a mountain range, probably in southern Russia. For the invasion of Russia, Army Group South was commanded by General Gerd von Rundstedt who deployed his forces down the longest stretch of border with Russia. The front, reaching from central Poland to the Black Sea, was held by one Panzergruppe, three German and two Rumanian armies, plus a Hungarian motorized corps under German command.
A Pz.Kpfw III moving along a road probably in southern Russia during summer operations in 1941. Note the leading Panzer carrying 200-litre fuel drums secured on the engine deck. This tank mounts a short-barrelled 5cm KwK gun.
A Pz.Kpfw III rumbles along a road during Operation Typhoon in September 1941. The crew has applied foliage to the engine deck of the vehicle in order to try to break up its distinctive shape and protect it from aerial detection.
A column of Pz.Kpfw IIIs advances through a newly-captured town watched by some of the local inhabitants during the early autumn of 1941.
Armoured vehicles advance along a road through a village in the early autumn of 1941. Note the national flags draped over the engine decks of two of the vehicles for aerial recognition.
A Pz.Kpfw III advances along a road during the early autumn of 1941. Attached to the engine deck are the tank’s provisions including logs for boggy terrain. The distances these tanks had to cover were immense and it was therefore paramount for the crews to carry as many supplies for the journey as possible.
Two photographs showing muddy conditions on the Eastern Front during operations in the autumn of 1941. By this time the weather had begun to change. Cold driving rain fell on the Army Group’s front and within hours the Russian countryside had been turned into a quagmire with roads and fields becoming virtually impassable. Many of the roads leading to the front had become boggy swamps.
Another photograph illustrating the muddy conditions on the Eastern Front during operations in the autumn of 1941. Although tanks and other tracked vehicles managed to push through the mire at a slow pace, animal draught, trucks and other wheeled vehicles became hopelessly stuck in deep mud. To make matters worse, during November the German supply lines became increasingly overstretched, their vehicles were breaking down and casualty returns were mounting. Stiff resistance also began to hinder progress.
Two photographs showing Pz.Kpfw IIIs in the snow during operations in the winter of 1941 on the Eastern Front. Elsewhere both Panzer and infantry divisions were experiencing terrible conditions as the temperature along the front lines plummeted. Along the German front conditions had considerably deteriorated for the Germans. During the last two weeks of October weather conditions became much worse. Heavy rain, snow showers and enveloping mists made movement almost impossible, even for the Panzers. In front of these exhausted troops stood Soviet forces who were determined to defend their land to the last. Even when the Germans managed to break through their lines, the Russian rear guards never left their position until they were literally blown off it. Slowly the movement of the Panzers halted through fatigue, shortages and the freezing climate. In a number of places the Soviets then exploited the situation and attacked them without respite, pulverizing their positions with their Katyusha rocket-launchers.
During winter operations on the Eastern Front a Pz.Kpfw III can be seen halted in a village. This Panzer mounts a short-barrelled 5cm KwK gun with an external gun shield. Note that in spite of the extreme cold weather conditions the lid of the escape hatch is open, obviously to allow fresh air to pass through the often smelly and stuffy confines of the tank.
Three photographs taken during winter operations in Russia. By early December the situation for the Germans had become much worse as the temperature dropped. Many soldiers were now reluctant to emerge from their shelter during the blizzards to fight. Hundreds of tanks were abandoned in the drifting snow. By mid-December with the situation worse than ever the temperatures reached 40 degrees below zero. On the central front, for instance, where Army Group Centre had been fighting for Moscow, despair gripped the lines. On Christmas Eve General Heinz Guderian, 2nd Panzer Group reported it had less than forty Panzers in its entire command; General Hoppner had only fifteen tanks, and still they were told not to withdraw. Hitler’s policy of holding his battered frostbitten forces in front of Moscow had in fact saved ground, but at an alarming cost in men and matériel. The Russians, as predicted, finally ran out of power because of the harsh weather and were unable to achieve any deep penetration into the German lines. This consequently saved Army Group Centre from complete destruction. Although Hitler was later to say that the battle for Moscow was his finest hour, his army had in fact failed to capture the city, being crucified by the Russian winter and by fanatical Soviet resistance. Much of the failure of Operation Typhoon was essentially due to the remarkable Russian recovery and their winter offensive.
The crew of a Pz.Kpfw III Ausf. J point skyward and wave their national flag for aerial recognition. Note the tank’s whitewash which looks either quite worn or less than liberally applied. It was common practice, especially during 1941 and 1942, for Panzer crews to drape the national flag across their vehicle in order to prevent being attacked. This crew is certainly taking no chances.
Here a Pz.Kpfw III Ausf. J has halted in the snow during late winter operations either in 1941 or 1942. This photograph illustrates just to what lengths Panzer crews went in trying to blend their vehicle into the local surroundings. This crew has actually used what appears to be chalk and applied it to the tank’s armoured body. While this type of application of camouflage never lasted long, it was nonetheless effective in snowy terrain.
A crewman can be seen handing a 5cm shell to his comrade through the side turret door of a Pz.Kpfw III. This is probably an Ausf. F variant, armed with the short-barrelled 5cm KwK38 L/42 gun. The Panzer has received quite a good coating of whitewash camouflage paint.
Two photographs showing the reality of the Russian winter of 1941. All across the front both troops and tanks had ground to a halt in the arctic conditions. The extreme winter of late 1941 had caused the German army serious delays. As a result, much of the front stagnated until the spring thaw of 1942, delaying the conquest of Russia by months.
Operation Barbarossa had been a success in terms of the vast distances over which the Wehrmacht had travelled, but coupled with growing enemy resistance and the Russian winter, it had failed to achieve its objective. Consequently, the winter battle on the Eastern Front had completely altered both the Wehrmacht and Panzerwaffe from their glory days in June and July 1941. From now on, both would carry the scars of that first winter to their grave.