3

The Second World War

Part 1 – Typology

During the campaign in France and the Low Countries and later during the invasion of the Soviet Union the Germans encountered tank turrets used as fixed fortifications. Few in number and often outflanked, these defences did little to stem the German blitzkrieg and were largely ignored by troops in the vanguard. Later the structures were examined in more detail and their potential assessed, but at that time, despite the undoubted merits of using turrets in this way, the idea had no practical application and was simply noted and filed for future reference. At much the same time the German military, motivated by the experiences gained in the early campaigns, instituted a much more general review of the effectiveness of fortifications. One of the findings of the study concerned the shortcomings of steel observation and weapons cloches, which had been used extensively in the West Wall. Engagements with positions of the Maginot Line, albeit limited, and subsequent tests on these fortifications, demonstrated that these cloches were vulnerable to direct fire. Moreover experience had shown that they were expensive to produce and consumed valuable raw materials that might be better used in the production of other weapons.

The upshot of this review was the development of the ringstand or open observation position. This had many similarities to the Italian tobruk that had first been encountered by the British and Commonwealth forces in Libya at Bardia and Tobruk (hence its name) and although it is not clear whether the ringstand was based on the Italian model, it was given the same name by the Allies. These observation posts were integrated into larger shelters, but were also constructed as individual positions. One of the most widely produced was the Ringstand 58c. This was essentially an eight-sided construction with circular opening in the centre that was level with the ground. The opening could accommodate a light mortar or could be fitted with a ring to mount a machine gun. Alternatively, the position could be used without alteration. An entrance at the rear led to a revetted trench which provided safe access to the shelter.

A later model, the Bauform 67, which was based on the Ringstand 58c and whose layout it adopted, was designed to mount tank turrets.¹ The development of this shelter, although not the direct result of Hitler’s decision to invade the Soviet Union, was undoubtedly heavily influenced by this resolution, and not simply because the Red Army made extensive use of this expedient in the Molotov and Stalin Lines, although these turrets did enjoy some success. More significantly, the fighting on the Eastern Front forced Germany to begin fortifying the coast of occupied Europe and, importantly, led to a major rethink about tank design. This resulted in the development of a new generation of fighting vehicles and at the same time the creation of a large stockpile of obsolete German models.

The decision to invade the Soviet Union gave Britain a valuable respite and although in no position to embark upon a full-scale invasion of Continental Europe it could launch small-scale commando raids. To counter this threat work began in December 1941 to fortify key installations on the coast and in September 1942, following the abortive landing at Dieppe the previous month, Hitler ordered an extensive construction programme to turn Europe into an impregnable fortress. The greatest effort was concentrated on those sections of the coastline most vulnerable to attack and these permanent defences were supplemented by smaller works including tank turrets mounted on concrete shelters. In more remote areas the defences were less numerous and emplaced tank turrets, because they were largely self-contained and because they offered all-round fire were widely used.²

The turrets that were to be used on these shelters initially came from captured tanks, principally from France, but following the invasion of the Soviet Union, a new source of turrets became available and these were not simply taken from captured Red Army tanks. Soon after Operation Barbarossa was launched the Germans encountered the first T34 tank, arguably the best medium tank of the Second World War. Almost overnight, the T34 rendered obsolete the mainstay of the Panzer divisions (Panzer I and II and Czech 35(t) and 38(t) tanks) that had swept all before them in the campaigns of 1939 and 1940. Steps were now taken to design and build a new tank that it was hoped would restore German superiority. This ultimately led to the development of the Panther medium tank that first appeared at the battle of Kursk in 1943.³ The introduction of the Panther, together with the Panzer VI Tiger, saw the gradual phasing out of the older models which soon joined those that had been captured in the opening campaigns of the war. These tanks were now either relegated to second line duties, or had their turrets removed and their chassis used as an improvised anti-tank or self-propelled gun platform.

The huge array of tank turrets now available for use as fixed fortifications prompted a review of the of the numbering system and the single Bauform 67 model was split into twenty or so Bauformen numbered from 231 to 251, although the original designation was still used right until the end of the war as a generic descriptor. The first twelve designs,⁴ from 231 to 241, covered obsolete German turrets.⁵ The remainder, Bauformen 242–251, broadly dealt with captured turrets, although included within the series were designs for both Panzer III and IV turrets and for two prototype turrets which had been developed for the VK3001 and 3601. Bookending these series were Bauformen 226–227 and 259–260, which dealt with specially designed armoured hoods and armoured car turrets respectively.

Steps leading from the entrance to the main fighting compartment of a panzerstellung at Aalborg airfield, Denmark. (A. Johansen)

Another view of the tank turret position at Aalborg airfield, Denmark. This shows the opening into which the tank turret would be mounted. Just to the right it is possible to see one of the ammunition niches. (A. Johansen)

Despite the large number of turret types utilized, generally speaking each shelter had the same layout, although the precise dimensions varied according to the type of turret mounted. The shelters were to have walls and ceilings constructed from reinforced concrete 40cm (15in) thick and a floor 20cm (7½in) thick, although this varied according to the weapon mounted and geological conditions.⁽⁶⁾ The shelters were thus proof against light anti-tank and antiaircraft weapons and machine gun fire. The internal dimensions of the position were formulated so that, as a bear minimum, an average man could stand upright, but, save for a stove, this was the only concession to the crew’s comfort. It was not possible to fit gas proof doors or a ventilation system because there simply were not the resources to supply such huge quantities. Nevertheless, units were encouraged to make improvisations to ensure that the shelters were proof against such attacks.

Regardless of the fact that standardized designs had been developed and the structures were to be built from reinforced concrete, they were designated as field works rather than as permanent fortifications. As such, the designs were to be used as a simple template and the actual structure was to be built according to local conditions, hence the wide variety of structures that can be found. Moreover, along the Atlantic Wall, in addition to the standard designs, a number of local designs were used. A note from Der Chef der Heeresrüstung und Befehlshaber des Ersatzheeres (the Chief of Military Armaments and Commander of the Reserve Army) to the General der Pioniere und Festung (General in Charge of Engineering Works and Fortifications) in October 1943 made clear that no formal documentation existed for the construction of shelters to mount the Renault FT17, the Renault R35 and the Somua S35 turret. These were to be installed, it explained, according to local instructions issued by the Inspekteur für die Landesbefestigung West (Inspector of Fortifications West).¹ The designs were often inspired by Bauform 67, or reinforced versions thereof, or were commonly constructed in a simple U-shape.

As well as the specially designed Bauformen and the local variants, turrets were also integrated into larger permanent fortifications like the Doppelschartenstände. These bunkers were fitted with a single 5cm KwK but had a double embrasure that enabled the crew to enfilade both flanks. The tank turrets were fitted at the front of the emplacement to cover the beach or at the back to provide protection at the rear.⁽⁷⁾ Plans were also drawn up to mount turrets on pre-prepared wooden shelters and temporary wooden pedestals.⁽⁸⁾ Initially, these wooden structures were only suitable for mounting the smaller (and lighter) turrets. So in October 1944 there were only plans to mount the following: F Pz DT 4803, 4804, 4806 and 4808; Panzer I, Panzer II, Panzer 35(t) and Panzer 38(t) turrets. Later, more substantial shelters were developed and ultimately a wooden shelter for a Panther turret was designed and used.²

A Doppelschartenstand mounting a 5cm KwK at Vasterville plage. The gun could enfilade both flanks and the tank turret, just visible at the front, could sweep the beach to the front. (Service Historique Marine)

The turrets for the different shelters were supplied by Oberkommando des Heeres (OKH) and were, insofar as was possible, ready for installation. The turrets were mounted on their base plates and were supplied with all the necessary accessories and internal fittings, which were packed in cases and dispatched separately. The turrets and cases of accessories were given unique identification marks and numbers so that there was no danger of a mix up. All the necessary documents, including construction drawings, templates (to ensure that the anchor bolts were correctly positioned on the shelters) and anchor bolts, were supplied by OKH Inspektion der Festungen (Fortress Inspectorate). When finished with these documents were to be returned to the respective Heimat Festungspionierpark (Home Fortifications Engineering Depot) together with any fittings that had not been used. Finally, operating instructions for the turrets were also supplied in the form of D Regulations (D1600, D1601 and so on).³

The turrets that were to be mounted on shelters were either taken from the tank largely unaltered or were modified so that they were better suited for their new role. Often foreign turrets had their weapons removed and replaced with a German model to simplify the provision of ammunition. Exceptionally, where the turrets were to be employed using machine guns (MG34 or MG42) rather than their original weaponry, these were to be supplied by the local unit. These modified turrets were referred to as Festungspanzerdrehturm (F Pz DT).

The turrets were mounted on the various bunkers by means of a simple turret race affixed to the bunker or by an armoured plate fitted with a turret race. Sometimes this was simply the top section of the tank from which the turret had been taken. The turrets were rotated manually and the targeting system (as with a lot of bunkers) utilized a simple ‘dial’ system or images of key landmarks (lighthouse, churches, houses, and so on) with their approximate ranges usually painted on the inside of the bunker.

Because the tank turrets were static, camouflage was essential, especially from the air. Indeed, the design authority stipulated that the same amount of effort should be expended on camouflage as was invested in protection. A suitable camouflage paint scheme was to be applied and an attempt made to disguise the position by changing the silhouette. Mounts were welded to the turret sides into which metal rods were to be inserted. These were cut to different lengths, to avoid giving the impression of symmetry, and were to have wire stretched from each and a camouflage net or matting attached. Care had to be taken to ensure that the camouflage did not impair the operation of the weapons or the observation from the turret. Moreover, it was stressed in the guidance that when camouflaging the structure against observation from the air that the turret was not made more conspicuous at ground level. As such, any covers were to be kept as low as possible and certainly not greater than 30 degrees.

In order to make the turrets less conspicuous and to provide further protection, the shelters were, where possible, to be buried in the ground. The resulting spoil was to be piled irregularly around the turret so as not to look too uniform and draw attention to the position. If all round operation was not required it was also suggested that the spoil be heaped to the rear to break up the turret outline. Alternatively the turret could be installed below the skyline so that it did not stand out against the horizon. The installation instructions also stressed that the turrets were not to be built on or near prominent landmarks that would draw attention to the position, although it was recognized that this might mean compromising the turret’s all round operation.

Where possible the ground immediately surrounding the turret was to be strengthened to counteract the suction caused by the gas pressure when the weapon was fired. This sogplatte, or suction plate, could be made from concrete, bricks or in some instances by simply using a wire mesh. If concrete was used it had to be roughed up to ensure that it was not too conspicuous.

Because the tank turrets were static it was important that they were heavily camouflaged like this Panzer 38(t), which was installed on the island of Corsica. (Imperial War Museum)

In all, some twenty-four different tank turrets were used or were considered suitable for use as fixed fortifications, as were two armoured car turrets together with a further three armoured hoods specially designed for the role. The turrets were taken from German tanks and from captured armoured fighting vehicles (thirteen in total) from four different nations. The specifications of each of the different turret types is given below, together with commentary where possible.⁴

CAPTURED TANK TURRETS

British

After the British withdrawal from the Continent at Dunkirk in May 1940, the Germans captured nearly 200 British Cruiser tanks and a number of A12 Matildas.⁵ However, despite the widespread use of captured French tank turrets, none of these appear to have been used to strengthen the Atlantic Wall. Later the turrets from a number of tanks captured by the Afrika Korps in the desert campaign and after the abortive Dieppe landings of August 1942 were used as improvised fixed fortifications, but the practice was not widespread. The reason for this is unclear, but one possibility is the difficulty in sourcing ammunition.

Churchill Mk III

The first action that the Churchill tank took part in was Operation Jubilee, the amphibious assault on the French port of Dieppe. On 19 August 1942 thirty tanks of the 14th Canadian Armoured Regiment (the Calgarys) with their supporting infantry were sent ashore in a rehearsal for a later full-scale invasion of occupied Europe. The operation was a disaster. One of the tanks of the regimental headquarters did not leave its landing craft and two others sank in deep water. The remaining twenty-seven struggled ashore and a number managed to clear the sea wall and reach the promenade, but with the exit routes blocked they went no further. After some fierce fighting and with no prospect of relief or evacuation the crews of the tanks fought an heroic rear guard action before surrendering.

Only a few of the tanks were disabled by enemy fire, most had lost tracks or became bogged down in the shingle and were captured intact, providing valuable intelligence for the Germans. One Mk III (Blondie) was restored to full running order and was tested by the Germans (and was not found to be particularly impressive when compared to the modern German and Russian models). Other tanks were used for target practice to assess the effectiveness of German anti-tank weapons.

At least one of the Mk III turrets mounting the larger 6-pounder was used by the Germans as an improvised pillbox, which was located at Stützpunkt 2, plateau d’Epremesnil, Montivilliers la Rive near Le Havre. It is not believed that any other turrets were used in this way, probably because of the lack of ammunition. Relatively few tanks were involved in the attack and those that were sent ashore were a mixture of Churchill Mark Is and Mark IIIs (as well as three special flamethrowers), which mounted 2-pounder and 6-pounder guns respectively. But most significantly during the landing, the Calgary Regiment expended much, if not all, of its ammunition.

In an interesting twist, ‘Cougar’, one of the first Churchills ashore at Dieppe, was engaged by a dug-in French tank used as a pillbox. Recognizing the danger,the crew of the Churchill reacted immediately. ‘At once the turret swung round, and a two-pounder round smashed its way into the enemy machine. There was an explosion, and the French tank disintegrated, fragments of torn metal flying high into the air.’⁶ If this is correct, Cougar can be credited with destroying the first German panzerstellung. But it was not the regiment’s last engagement with this type of fortification, because a little under two years later the Calgarys came up against emplaced Panther turrets in the Hitler Line in Italy. These were an altogether different proposition (see Chapter 3, Part 3 below).

A number of Churchill tanks were captured after the ill-fated Dieppe raid of 1942. One of the Mark III turrets with its 6-pounder gun was installed as part of the defences of Stützpunkt 2, Plateau d’Epremesnil, Montivilliers la Rive, France. (Unknown)

Matilda

During the course of 1941 the British and Commonwealth forces in the Western Desert launched a series of attacks against the German Afrika Korps. These were unsuccessful and the enemy captured a large number of Matilda tanks. Some of these were used against their previous owner in later engagements but others were seemingly dug in and used as improvised strong points in the defensive line around the Halfaya Pass and Capuzzo. This expedient might have been adopted because the Matildas had been damaged beyond repair, but equally it might have been because the Germans had insufficient diesel to keep the tanks running – their own vehicles ran on petrol. The fluid nature of the fighting and the harsh desert environment also undoubtedly influenced the decision to use the tanks in the hull down position rather than constructing a concrete shelter. To dig the tanks in was relatively quick and only required men and shovels.

A British Matilda tank turret. which was captured by the Germans in the fighting in North Africa and emplaced at the Halfaya Pass. Two British soldiers are removing the unused ammunition. (Imperial War Museum)

⁽¹⁰⁾

French

In May 1940 when Hitler launched his attack in the west, France was able to field over 3,000 tanks of varying designs (excluding instructional or experimental vehicles and vehicles that had been mothballed). A number of these tanks were destroyed in the month long campaign before France finally surrendered, but many others were captured intact. These were evaluated and in spite of the precipitate collapse of the French forces, it was recognized that a number of the tanks were as good as, if not better than, their German counterparts.⁽⁹⁾ These tanks were, with a few alterations (for example, the replacement of the semi-spherical commanders hatch with a split hatch in common with other German models) absorbed into second line units and used for internal security tasks. This ensured that the mainstay of the Panzer divisions was not diverted to secondary tasks but was available for the next operation – the invasion of Britain.

The failure of Göring’s Luftwaffe to defeat the RAF in the Battle of Britain led to the postponement and ultimately the cancellation of Operation Seelöwe (Sealion) and instead Hitler turned his attention east. Notwithstanding the successes in Poland and the west this decision caused a certain amount of trepidation amongst the German High Command not least because Napoleon’s all-conquering Grande Armée had come unstuck in Russia a little over a hundred years earlier. Hitler was not swayed by these concerns and contended that ‘you only had to kick the door in and the whole rotten edifice [of Communist rule] would come crashing down’. Persauded but not convinced, the High Command pressed ahead with plans for Operation Barbarossa, but it was clear that if the Wehrmacht was to prevail every available resource, including captured materiel, would need to be employed. Already the best of the captured French tanks had been assimilated, but the remainder were considered heavy and slow, designed as they had been for infantry support rather than blitzkrieg, or were, like the First World War vintage FT17, largely obsolete. As such many had their turrets removed and were transformed into munitions tractors or driver training vehicles or were modified to mount larger anti-tank guns or light field howitzers. This freed up a large number of turrets that were placed in store, but which were soon to enjoy a new lease of life as improvised strong points.

It is unclear exactly how many French turrets were used in this way, but nearly 300 are quoted as being available for use.⁽¹¹⁾ The majority of these were taken from the Renault FT17, the Renault R35 and the Hotchkiss H35, both of which were fitted with the APX R turret. A limited number of turrets were also taken from the Somua S35 and the Char B1 bis tanks and a further forty-one turrets from various other models were available for installation as fixed fortifications, although official sources stated that none of them were released for use.⁷

The turrets that were released were employed exclusively along the Atlantic Wall and were used largely unaltered. Certainly they generally retained their original weaponry, although the designation was changed to more closely align with German nomenclature (see Table 1 below). The turrets were sometimes mounted on shelters derived from the Bauform 67 and indeed a standard design (Bauform 235) was developed for the Renault R35, although it is unclear whether any drawings were completed or structures built. Usually French turrets were mounted on non-standard positions which were constructed according to local instructions issued by the Inspekteur für die Landesbefestigung West.⁸ There was a basic U-shaped design and variations thereon, (see above) or, on occasions, the whole tank was simply buried in its entirety so that just the turret was visible. A compromise between this and a complete concrete shelter was also developed and in many respects was similar to the expedient adopted by the French in the Maginot Line. The hull of an FT17, minus its running gear, was buried in the ground and encased in concrete. The French turrets were also integrated into larger bunker designs such as the Doppelschartenstand mounting a 5cm KwK.⁽¹²⁾ Finally, in a last desperate attempt to deter a possible invasion, tanks were simply stationed on the coast.

U-Shaped Shelter – French APXR turret mounted on a reinforced concrete shelter.

Char B1 bis

Approximately 365 Char B1 bis had been built by Renault before the outbreak of war. A number of these were captured intact by the Germans following the defeat of France and their potential usefulness was appraised. It was concluded that although the Char B1 bis was a very sophisticated tank, its poor performance (it had a top speed of just 28km/h) and the limitations of the one-man turret meant that it was only suitable for second line duties.⁽¹³⁾ A number of tanks had their turrets removed to become driver training vehicles (Panzerkampfwagen B-2 (f) Fahrschulefahrzeug),⁹ while a further sixteen tanks were fitted with 10.5cm field howitzers as a self-propelled gun (10.5cm leFH18/3 (Sf) auf Geschützwagen B-2(f).

Table 1 Turret armament and German designation

Note: All the turrets were fitted with the 7.5mm Reibel Model 1931 machine gun, which was given various designations: 7.5mm MAC31(f), 7.5mm MG Modell 31 or MG 311(f)⁽¹⁴⁾.

A view of one of the U-shaped shelters used to mount captured French tank turrets. These were exclusively employed along the Atlantikwall. The imprint for the base plate is just visible around the opening at the top. (Maciej Sledzinski)

It is difficult to say with any certainty how many turrets were available for use as fixed fortifications since German records make no explicit reference to them but it is assumed that the number is well into double figures.⁽¹⁵⁾ In addition to these, a number of tanks were simply positioned at key locations on the coast as improvised strong points.

FT17

Other Designation: F.Pz.DT4807

The Renault FT light tank was developed in the First World War and uniquely mounted a fully traversable turret. Its innovative design and diminutive size meant it was produced in large numbers and exported around the world and was widely copied. During the interwar period the FT17 was gradually phased out of service with the French Army and as has been seen a number of turrets were used to strengthen the defences of the Maginot Line.⁽¹⁶⁾ Yet even at the outbreak of the Second World War 536 were still being used to equip French armoured units and some saw action in the fighting of May 1940.⁽¹⁷⁾ A further 1,168 tanks in various states of repair were either in store or in use for airfield protection and were captured by the Germans when France capitulated. Those that were serviceable were used for second line duties in occupied France and the Channel Islands with the remainder available for use to strengthen the Atlantic Wall.¹⁰

A French Char B1 bis tank used as a strong point to defend a beach on the France-Belgium border. The installation was undoubtedly rushed since no effort has been made to bury the body of the tank. It was captured by Canadian forces in September 1944. (Canadian National Archives)

As early as April 1941 a decision was taken to use 100 FT17 37mm turrets for defence of the French coast.¹¹ The number finally installed undoubtedly exceeded this figure because as many as 80 turrets were installed in the Channel Islands alone. Just prior to the Allied invasion in May 1944, a further sixty turrets were still detailed as being available (although confusingly, in light of the significant numbers already used, none were quoted as having been released).¹²

The turrets were mounted on purpose-built shelters, or sometimes a stripped-down hull with turret was buried in the ground and encased in concrete. Exceptionally, the whole tank was simply buried in the ground so that only the turret was visible, or, on occasion, the tanks were simply positioned at key locations and acted as improvised strong points. Both types of turret were used on the different shelters – the cast turret and the riveted octagonal design – which were fitted with either the 37mm SA 18 gun or the 7.5mm Reibel Model 1931 machine gun. Unusually, some turrets were fitted with new front plates so that the German MG34 or MG42 could be mounted.¹³

An FT17 turret installed to protect the Brittany coast. It is an octagonal riveted design with the main armament seemingly removed. The shelter is unusual with the concrete poured in a series of sections. German soldiers are busily spreading earth and laying turfs to camouflage the structure. (ECPA)

French FT17 with running gear removed buried in the ground.

Non-standard bunker on Atlantic Wall fitted with a French FT17 turret.

Renault R35 and Hotchkiss H35 (H38 or H39)⁽¹⁸⁾

Both the Renault R35 and the Hotchkiss H35 were fitted with the APX R turret and as such in the context of emplaced tank turrets they can be grouped together. The APX R turret had initially been developed by Atelier de Puteaux in 1935 for use by Renault on its infantry support tank, hence the APX-R designation, but it was also later adopted by Hotchkiss for use on the H35, which had been selected as the French cavalry tank.

The Renault and Hotchkiss models were built in far greater numbers than any other French tanks, although estimates of the number of tanks available to the French Army in May 1940 vary. It is believed that there were somewhere in the region of 870 to 945 Renault R35s and around 800 Hotchkiss tanks in service. In spite of losses it is estimated that around 800 R35s and a significant proportion of H35s were captured by the Germans when France surrendered in June of that year.¹⁴ Many of these, especially the Renault and Hotchkiss tanks armed with the long-barrelled 37mm S.A. 38, were issued to second line units and even at the end of May 1943 official sources still quoted 355 Hotchkiss and 58 Renault tanks as being employed in this role.

A significant proportion of the remainder had their turrets removed and were converted into artillery tractors or munitions carriers – the Artillerie Schlepper 35R(f) and 38H(f) or Munitionsschlepper 35R(f) and 38H(f). Other tanks were similarly altered, but were fitted with anti-tank guns. In the period from May to October 1941 some 174 of the 4.7cm PaK(t) auf Panzerkampfwagen 35R(f) ohne Turm were produced with a further twenty-six converted as command vehicles.¹⁵ The larger 7.5cm PaK40 was fitted to the Hotchkiss chassis and twenty-four examples of the 7.5cm PaK40(Sf) auf Geschutzwagen 39H(f) were produced. A further forty-eight chassis were converted to mount light field guns in what became known as the 10.5cm leFH18(Sf) auf Geschutzwagen 39H(f).¹⁶

A German soldier stands guard near a Renault R35 turret. The position was located in front of the Blue Waves Café in Marseilles. (ECPA)

These conversions generated a large stockpile of surplus turrets that were made available for use along the Atlantic Wall, although seemingly not all of them were used or indeed issued. Those that were issued were mounted on various shelters and, in common with other French models, a number of tanks were simply used as static pillboxes.¹⁷

An interesting postscript to this section is that a number of APX R turrets were mounted on bunkers in Indo-China after the war (see Chapter 4 – Post War).

Another view of the R35 turret in Marseilles clearly showing the original commander’s cupola, main and coaxial armament and lifting hooks. (ECPA)

²¹

The turret of a Hotchkiss H38 located near Le Havre, Normandy. The turret baseplate bolted to the concrete shelter is clearly visible. (ECPA)

Bauform 235 Renault R35

Other Designation: F.P.DT4808

In addition to the widespread use of the APX R turret with its original 37mm main armament, plans were formulated to adapt these turrets to mount twin MG 42 (or possibly twin MG37(t)) machine guns. It is unclear what, if any, progress was made in the development and installation of this design.

Somua S35

Some 416 Somua S35 medium tanks were available to the French Army in 1940. Of these 297 were captured by the Germans¹⁸ following the fall of France. This was arguably the best French tank of the period and after some minor modifications they were issued to German units. Most were used for training or were deployed in the rear to counter partisans, often being loaded onto armoured trains. A number had their turrets removed and were issued as Farschulefahrzeug (driver training vehicles),¹⁹ but, unlike other French tanks, no other major conversions were undertaken. This would suggest that relatively few turrets were free for use as fixed fortifications and it may be that the number quoted as being available included turrets taken from the Char B1 bis. The Char B1 bis was fitted with the APX4 turret, which externally was very similar to the APX1 CE turret. To confuse the situation still further a number of Char B1 bis tanks (circa 100) were fitted with APX 1 CE turrets because of a shortage of the original.

A Somua S35 turret sited at a road intersection near Marseilles, France. The commander’s cupola has received a direct hit and sits upside down next to the turret. (US National Archives courtesy of S. Zaloga)

^*

Panhard Armoured Car²⁰

Other Designation: F.Pz.DT4811

At the outbreak of the war France had somewhere in the region of 360 Panhard Armoured cars in service. These were armed with a 25mm gun and 7.5mm Reibel Model 1931 machine gun. A significant proportion of these were captured by the Germans and were either used in their original role or were altered to run on railway lines to protect them against attack by partisans. In 1943 a number of armoured cars had their turrets removed and were replaced with the German 5cm KwK L/42 gun set in a rigid superstructure. The surplus turrets were made available for use as fixed fortifications, although it is unclear how much further than the allocation of an official serial number this work progressed.²²

Italian

At the outbreak of the Second World War in Europe, Italy did not declare war on the Western democracies, despite signing the Pact of Steel military alliance with Germany in May 1939. However, the Wehrmacht’s stunning victories in the spring of 1940 prompted Mussolini to ally himself with Hitler. Thereafter the Italian army went on the offensive with campaigns in France, North Africa and the Balkans. However, the Italian armed forces, despite the propaganda, were not prepared for war and after a number of embarrassing reverses Mussolini was forced to seek the help of his larger ally. Initially, Italy’s fortunes improved; Greece was defeated and the Afrika Korps advanced to Egypt, but gradually the tide of the war turned; Axis forces were forced to retreat on the Eastern Front and were defeated in North Africa.

In July 1943 the Allies invaded Sicily and soon after, Mussolini was deposed and placed under arrest. In September the Allies landed on the Italian mainland and Italy formally surrendered. That same month Hitler, realizing the enormity of the situation, ordered his forces south to protect the Third Reich’s ‘soft underbelly’. In so doing Germany also captured a significant number of tanks and the main tank production facilities based in the north of the country. These tanks were hopelessly outdated by the standards of the day, but at that stage in the war they offered a useful addition to the German arsenal. Some were used to equip German armoured divisions or in the case of the L3 tankette were simply dug in and used as improvised strong points. Not surprisingly in the light of the low esteem in which these tanks were held, a significant number of turrets were set aside to be mounted on bunkers. These were to be constructed exclusively in Italy and the turrets were to be adapted to accommodate German ordnance.

Bauform 242 M42(i)

Other Designation: F.Pz.DT4815

Around 100 of the Carro Armato M15/42 were captured by the Germans and a number of these tanks were released for use by German Panzer units and by the end of 1944 a few were still in service. The remainder were earmarked for use as fixed fortifications. The turrets were to have their original 47/40 gun removed and replaced with the German 3.7cm KwK L/45, perhaps to simplify the supply of ammunition or, possibly, the German 3.7cm gun was considered more effective. There were plans to install 100 turrets in the Voralpenstellung, but it is unclear whether this work was completed.²³ Certainly no plans appear to have been drawn up, nor does the work to replace the main gun seem to have started and a status report of 26 March 1945 makes no mention of them.

²⁴³⁰

An Italian P40 turret fitted with a German 7.5cm KwK L/24 gun. The turret was captured by the Americans at the Rheinmetall proving ground, Hillersleben. The photograph was taken by the late Col G. B. Jarrett in the summer of 1945. (G. B. Jarrett collection, US Army MHI courtesy of S. Zaloga)

Bauform 249 P40(i)

Other Designation: F.Pz.DT4814

Following Hitler’s decision to occupy Italy in 1943, the German army captured not only a significant number of P40 tanks but also the FIAT-Ansaldo works where the tank was produced. The armour on the P40 was considered to be extremely effective and there were plans to equip a number of German armoured regiments with them. This proposition was not without its difficulties, the main one being the unreliable diesel engine, which it was hoped to replace with a petrol model. However, the work to adapt the P40 was less than successful and a number of tanks without engines were used as improvised strong points as part of the Gustav line defences and at Anzio.²⁵

Later the idea of using the turret as a fixed fortification was considered. Already in April 1944 plans had been drawn up for the base plate to mount the P40 turret,²⁶ and in the following August detailed plans for the shelter were completed.²⁷ However, as with the desire to absorb the P40 into the ranks of the Panzer divisions, this idea was problematical. The original Italian 75/34 gun was only considered to have moderate performance and so it was planned to replace the main and coaxial armament (8mm Breda Model 38 MG) with the German 7.5cm KwK L/24 and an MG42. By 27 February 1945 46 turrets had been finished and one completed turret was sent to the Hillersleben test facility for trials. This was mounted on a specially designed concrete shelter. The entrance at the rear led to an anteroom that housed the hand operated ventilation system. A flight of steps led from here to the main fighting compartment below the turret. The floor here was raised on wooden decking that not only served to improve the crew’s footing but also served as a repository for spent machine gun shells. Spent cases from the main armament could be jettisoned through a small opening in the 40cm- (15in) thick wall to a chamber at the rear. A small wooden box was provided that could be moved under the turret to aid observation for the crew.

Just before Christmas 1944, with none of the concrete shelters finished, plans were drafted for a wooden framework or schnelleinbau (rapid installation) to mount the P40.²⁸ The wooden structure was built in two sections. At the bottom was the fundament, or base. On top of this was the holzsockel, or wooden body, onto which the fundamentring was secured with eight bolts, which in turn accommodated the turret race and turret. The holzsockel was built from machined timber into which an opening on the right was made below the turret, which led to the hülsengrube, an open pit, where spent shells could be safely jettisoned. The base was constructed from roughly hewn logs. Piles were driven into the ground and were braced with horizontal beams. Access to the shelter was via a revetted trench that led to an opening in the base.

One hundred of the turrets were to be installed in the Voralpenstellung,²⁹ but, as with the M15/42, it is unclear whether this work was completed and again the status report of 26 March 1945 makes no mention of them.

³¹

Soviet

On 22 June 1941 Hitler launched Operation Barbarossa, the invasion of the Soviet Union. On that momentous day some 3.6 million soldiers supported by 3,600 tanks and 2,700 aircraft crossed into Soviet occupied Poland. This force, the largest in European military history, was split into three army groups each directed against a specific target – Moscow, Leningrad and Kiev – with the aim of destroying the Red Army. The formations facing Hitler’s Wehrmacht were, on paper at least, as impressive with 2.9 million men, 10–15,000 tanks and 8,000 aircraft. However, much of the equipment was obsolete and Stalin’s purges in the 1930s had decimated the officer corps. In spite of these handicaps, the Red Army bravely resisted the onslaught but initially at least, proved no match for the German blitzkrieg and in a series of huge encirclements the Germans crushed the Soviet forces of the western military districts and in so doing captured huge quantities of men and materiel.

As they had in earlier campaigns, the Germans were keen to utilize the spoils of war, but found that many of the tanks had either been so badly damaged that they were unusable or had been rendered useless with the removal of essential parts by both Soviet and German forces. Moreover, such was the strain on German repair facilities that they could barely maintain German tanks, let alone refit captured Soviet models, and so thousands of tanks were simply left on the battlefield as the Germans advanced.

The expeditious advance also meant that, as in the west, there was little time to study the enemy’s defences, like the use of emplaced tank turrets, which were employed in both the Molotov and Stalin Lines. However, as the tide of the war began to turn, consideration was given to the hitherto unthinkable prospect of retreat, the value of such positions was reappraised and as early as 1942 a timber construction designed to mount the Soviet T34 turret appeared in a German manual of field fortifications.⁽²⁰⁾ Later concrete shelters were developed to mount Soviet tank turrets taken from the BT7, KV1, T34 and T70 tanks.⁽²¹⁾ These all seem to have been mounted on larger concrete shelters that incorporated not only a fighting compartment and entranceway but also an ammunition store. This might have been motivated by the increased size and weight of these turrets or might have been prompted by the demands of the Eastern Front where the vast open spaces meant that such positions needed to be capable of independent operation.

In common with the majority of the German panzerstellungen, the shelters for the T34 and the T70 had walls 40cm (15in) thick. By contrast the structures mounting the KV 1 and T34 (improvised) turrets had thicker walls at 60cm (23in). The reason for this is unclear although it might be that, as elsewhere, it was an attempt to compensate for the lack of steel reinforcing rods. Aside from this, the layout of these structures was fairly typical with a revetted communication trench leading to the main entrance, which in turn led to the ammunition store and fighting compartment that was reached via four steps. The positions were also fitted with a recess for spent shell cases. The shells were jettisoned into this cavity via a small opening in the wall below the turret; two wooden hatches, one at the top and one at the front provided access from the outside.

Somewhat surprisingly, in light of the numbers of tanks captured, less than 200 captured turrets appear to have been made available for use in this way and even fewer were seemingly released for installation. This might have been partly due to the fact that wherever possible the superior Soviet tanks were used by front line units (see Table 2 below).

A captured Soviet KV I turret fitted with a 76.2mm gun at the Rheinmetall proving ground, Hillersleben. The turret does not appear to be mounted on a bunker and was clearly previously used by German forces as evinced by the German cross on the side. It retains its original white camouflage. (G. B. Jarrett collection, US Army MHI courtesy of S. Zaloga)

BT 7

Table 2 – Captured Soviet tank in German service

Note: It is eminently possible that these figures do not represent the true picture since some tanks were undoubtedly used but did not feature in official reports because the situation at the front was so confused.

The BT 7 tank was one of a series of ‘fast’ tanks developed to support the Soviet cavalry. By the time of the German invasion this tank was already obsolete and the Soviets had mounted turrets from older versions on concrete shelters. Nevertheless, significant numbers were still used to equip front line units and many were captured in the early part of the campaign. Two of these were released for use in a static role (probably on the Eastern Front), although no formal plans appear to have been drawn up for a shelter to mount the turret. Other BT7s, whose running gear or engine had been damaged beyond repair, were simply dug into the ground to protect strategically important installations.³²

³³

Bauform 251 KV1 (Normalserie)

The Soviets had begun to develop heavy tanks in the early 1930s and at the outbreak of the war the Red Army was equipped with the KV series of tanks, named after Marshal Klimenti Voroshilov, the People’s Defence Commissar. The existence of the KV 1 and other Soviet heavy tanks came as a real shock to the Germans because at this stage in the war they had nothing comparable. Fortunately for the Germans the KV1 suffered from a number of teething troubles and were poorly deployed being thinly dispersed among armoured units and as such lost some of their potency. These factors combined meant that in spite of their undoubted superiority a number of tanks fell into enemy hands. With their thick armour and powerful 7.62cm gun they were quickly pressed into service against their previous owner.

Later, with the advent of much larger and much more powerful tanks, a number of KV1 turrets were made available for use as fixed fortifications. As far as it is possible to establish they were all mounted on a standard concrete shelter and all of them were installed along the eastern front.

^*KV 1 Model 42.

Bauform 244 T34 (Behelfsmäßig)

Other Designation: F.Pz.DT 4805

The T34 was the new medium tank of the Soviet army. Like the KV1 its appearance on the battlefield came as a shock to the German High Command not least because of its advanced features including sloping armour. However, like the KV1, it too suffered from teething problems and was poorly deployed. Consequently, a significant number of them were captured and many were integrated into the Panzer divisions, albeit often in second line duties so as to avoid confusion in battle.

Later in the war, as the German forces on the Eastern Front were forced onto the retreat, a large number of turrets were made available for use as fixed fortifications. The vast majority of these were to be modified to take the German 5cm KwK L/42. The logic behind this decision is not entirely clear. It is certainly true that the Soviet 7.62cm L11 gun that was originally fitted to the T34 was less than satisfactory, but this does not seem reason enough to dispense with it and fit a smaller calibre weapon. More likely, it was replaced because it would have been difficult to source enough ammunition for these turrets as well as for those tanks serving with front line units.⁽²²⁾ Moreover, because the 5cm KwK L/42 had only recently been phased out of service there were plenty of spare guns available and the provision of ammunition would not have been a problem.

Plans were drafted for a shelter to mount the modified turret and these were broadly the same as those used to mount other Soviet turrets, although the main entrance and the access hatch to the spent cartridge bin were in parallel rather than adjacent to each other. However, there is little evidence to suggest that any of these turrets were actually installed save for vague plans to use the F Pz DT 4805 in the West Wall.³⁵

Bauform 248 T34 (Normalserie)

In addition to the plans to use T34 turrets fitted with the 5cm KwK L/42 a limited number of unaltered turrets were released for use and were all seemingly employed on the Eastern Front. As early as 1942 the manual of German field works³⁶ included a design for a timber shelter surmounted by a T34 turret. Later, plans were developed for a concrete structure, but this proved problematic. A note from Der Chef der Heeresrüstung und Befehlshaber des Ersatzheeres to General der Pioniere und Festungs in October 1943 noted that a number of defects had come to light during firing tests and that the shelter would have to be redesigned.³⁷ This may go some way towards explaining why only four of these turrets were seemingly released and installed by the end of the war.

A technical drawing depicting a concrete shelter mounting a T34 (Normalserie) turret. (Bundesarchiv)

A drawing of the concrete shelter that mounted the T34 turret (Baufrom 248). The shelter included an ammuntion store, fighting compartment, spent shell bin and entrance way with oven. (Bundesarchiv)

Bauform 243 T70 (Normalserie)

The Soviet T70 was a light scout tank that was developed to replace the slower T60. However, by the standards of the day even as a reconnaissance vehicle its gun was considered too small and the single man turret was recognized as being a major handicap. A number of these tanks were captured by the Germans and some were used by German units, indeed two were still quoted as being in use at the end of 1944. Others had their turrets removed and were used as artillery tractors.^38 (23) The surplus turrets were released for use as fixed fortifications that were to be constructed on the Eastern Front. The structure that the turret was to be mounted on was broadly the same as the examples used to mount other Soviet turrets, but rather than a bespoke base plate the turret was mounted on a base section taken from the tank and affixed to the concrete structure with six bolts.

A technical drawing depicting a concrete shelter mounting a T70 (Normalserie) turret. (Bundesarchiv)

GERMAN TANK TURRETS

In June 1941 Hitler launched Operation Barbarossa. The Führer’s battle-hardened troops swept across that portion of Poland that had been ceded to Stalin in 1939, and on deep into the Soviet Union. But the stunning victories in the first months of the campaign were tarnished by the fact that it was clear that the German armed forces were not superior to the Soviets in all fields, and certainly not in terms of tanks. The appearance of the T34 and KV heavy tanks was a tremendous shock to the Germans and almost overnight rendered obsolete many of the tanks that had formed the backbone of the campaigns in France and the Low Countries. Technical problems with these ground-breaking tanks as well as tactical naivety meant that the inferior German models enjoyed further success, but it was clear that urgent steps would need to be taken if Hitler’s forces were to prevail in this battle of ideologies. This wake-up call led to the development of the Tiger I and Panther tanks and gradually many of the older models were relegated to second line duties. Others had their turrets removed and were fitted with anti-tank or light field guns and used as self-propelled guns or were used as command vehicles or artillery and ammunition tractors. The surplus turrets, just as had been the case with many of the captured tanks earlier in the war, were released for used as improvised fixed fortifications.

Production Models

Bauform 233 Panzer I (Normalserie)

From the second half of 1940 until early 1941 the Panzer I Ausf A and Ausf B were phased out of service. A number had their turrets removed and were converted into self-propelled guns with the addition of a 4.7cm PaK anti-tank gun. Later, in the spring of 1942, a further batch of obsolete Panzer Is were remodelled for use as load carriers by fitting a large steel box in place of the turret. Finally, in early 1943, an order was issued stipulating that all remaining Panzer Is were to be converted to ‘Munition-sschlepper ohne Aufbau’ (ammunition tractors without superstructure).³⁹ The turrets removed from these vehicles and from the earlier conversions were freed for use as fixed fortifications.

A significant proportion of these turrets were used largely without alteration; the only external change of note was the addition of four lugs so that camouflage nets could be applied. This, and any other modification work, was undertaken at the Heeres-Zeugamt (Army Stores Depot) in Magdeburg and the 250 turrets completed were classified as the TI (MA). A further thirty-one turrets were to be modified by Artillerie Werkstatt die Kommandantur Hill (Garrison HQ workshop) but only eleven of these TI (H) turrets were completed.⁴⁰

Detailed plans for a standard concrete shelter to mount the Panzer I turret were drawn up in March 1943. The bunker was typical of its type with access from the side leading to an anteroom and then up a flight of steps to the fighting compartment below the turret which sat on an octagonal steel plate affixed with eight bolts. The floor of the fighting compartment was fitted with wooden duck boards and a drain under this ensured any water drained away without affecting the workings of the structure. Drainage channels on the top of the shelter directed water away from the turret to the rear, which was slopped at an angle of 10 degrees.⁴¹

⁽²⁴⁾

Bauform 231 Panzer I (Behelfsmäßig)

Other Designation: F Pz DT 4803

In addition to the standard Panzer I turrets that were used, an even greater number were modified so that they were better suited to their new role. The original mantlet was removed and replaced with a 20mm (¾in) thick plate with openings for the main weapon (either an MG34 or MG42) and the sight. The two vision slits in the turret side were dispensed with and were covered by 20mm (¾in) steel plates which were welded over the openings as ventilation ports, or luftschächte. The turret roof access hatch, with its various rest positions, also served to ventilate the turret, but while this expedient saved the crew from asphyxiation it exposed them to the potential danger of enemy fire. As with the standard model four small pipes were welded onto the lower edge of the turret, which housed the rods to which the camouflage screens were affixed.

A Panzer I turret located near Nafplio on the Greek coast. The twin machine guns and commander’s hatch have been removed. Since this photograph was taken the turret has been removed. (K. Faros, courtesy of T. Tsiplakos)

The modifications to the mantlet meant that the internal set-up of the turret had to be radically re-engineered with a complete reworking of the way the weapons were arranged. The machine gun – whether it be MG34 or MG42 – was positioned to the right of the turret and was mounted on a weapon support. This consisted of a pedestal, gun cradle and sliding carriage. The pedestal, which was fixed to the turret with screws, mounted the gun cradle, which was secured with two bolts. A sliding carriage, onto which the machine gun was secured, was spring mounted in the gun cradle. After the machine gun had been inserted a Bowden cable was attached to the trigger (to allow remote firing). Separate supports for both the MG34 and MG42 were provided; the unused one being stored in a holder attached to the roof.⁴² The machine gun to be used had to be supplied by the crew, as did the optics for the periscope that was located in the access hatch.

An F.Pz.DT 4803 (Panzer I) turret installed in the West Wall. The machine gun mounting and turning mechanism are clearly visible inside the turret. The original side vision slits have been removed and replaced with armoured plates to provide better ventilation. (US National Archives courtesy of S. Zaloga)

To the left of the machine gun was the elevating gear and an indicator that showed the angle of elevation of the weapon and a support to hold the sight. Just below was the support for the ammunition box. On the right was an arm for the weight balance, to stop the weapon and support being tail heavy, and further over was the traversing wheel, which was fitted with the trigger for the machine gun. Engaging the traversing gear, the turret, which was mounted on a base ring of ball bearings secured with six brackets, could be rotated through a full 360 degrees. A turret traverse clamp fitted to the support ring made it possible to secure the turret in any given position.

All of the modification work was completed by Schichau of Elbing. The first 250 were designated as the TI(S). The later examples that were additionally fitted with a periscope, or beobachtungsspiegel, were classified as the TI(S) Ausführung B.⁴³

Bauform 232a Panzer II Flamingo (Normalserie)

Before the outbreak of the Second World War it was recognized that it would be desirable to have an armoured vehicle armed with a flamethrower that could be used against enemy bunkers and fortified positions. This led to the development of the Panzerkampfwagen II Flamm (or Flamingo). Production began in May 1940 and the last tank of the initial series was completed in February 1941. The flamethrower tank saw action on the Eastern Front but the highly flammable fuel, which was stored inside the vehicle, and the thin armour proved to be an explosive combination and it was withdrawn from service in 1942.

The surplus turrets were released for use as fixed fortifications with modification work to prepare them for their new role undertaken by Schichau of Elbing. The principal change was the addition of six lugs welded to the outside of the turret to take the camouflage nets.

Bauform 232b Panzer II Flamingo (Behelfsmäßig)

After the completion of the initial production run, a second batch of tanks armed with flame-throwers was begun in August 1941, but in spite of minor improvements the vehicle was not a success and production ceased in March 1942. The surplus chassis were used to mount captured Soviet 7.62cm anti-tank guns and the turrets released for use as fixed fortifications.⁴⁵ In preparation for their new role these turrets were given a major overhaul by Schichau of Elbing. As well as the addition of tubes welded to the turret sides to enable camouflage nets to be fitted, the ball-mounted machine gun was removed and replaced with an armoured plate that could accommodate a sight and either an MG34 or MG42 (which were to be supplied by the unit manning the turret). The commander’s hatch was also scrapped and the opening sealed with a welded armour plate. In a number of instances the front vision slits were similarly modified. Directly above the machine gun a raised armoured box was fitted to provide ventilation.

Plans for the bunker to mount the turret were drawn up in March 1943 and was fairly typical in layout. It was accessed from the side from a revetted trench that led to a small anteroom. Steps led from here up into the fighting compartment on top of which was the turret and octagonal base plate, which was secured with eight bolts. The floor of the fighting compartment was fitted with wooden duckboards. A drain under the floor channelled any water to the lower anteroom the floor of which was sloped at 2 degrees towards the external trench where a soak-away was fitted. Drainage channels on the roof directed any precipitation away from the turret to the rear which was sloped at ten degrees.⁴⁶

A Panzer II Flamingo (Normalserie) turret that was installed in Stavanger, Norway. Not long after the photograph was taken the structure was demolished to allow for local redevelopment. Thankfully, the turret was saved and taken to a local museum. (Erik Ettrup)

Bauform 234 Panzer II (Behelfsmäßig)

Other Designations: F Pz DT 4806 or Drehhaube IIa (Rotating hood IIa

Plans were formulated to use Panzer II turrets fitted with twin MG 42 machine guns rather than the 20mm main armament. The idea does not appear to have progressed beyond the concept phase.

Bauform 236 Panzer II (Normalserie)

Mit Bugpanzerdach – with front superstructure as baseplate

In addition to plans to use Panzer II turrets fitted with twin machine guns there were also plans to use unmodified turrets, which became available in large numbers after the invasion of the Soviet Union. The main armament of the Panzer II was hopelessly ineffective against Soviet armour and in June 1942, a little over a year after it entered production, it was decided that half of the Ausf F chassis were to be used to mount the PaK 40 and just over a year later it was decided that all the chassis were to be used in this way. The surplus Ausf F turrets were freed up for use as fixed fortifications and these were supplemented with repaired turrets that were taken from older marks.

A Panzer II Flamingo (Behelfsmäßig) turret located near Lista, Norway. The front vision slits have been sealed and the MG ball mount removed. Small tubes have been welded to the turret for attaching camouflage. (Erik Ritterbach)

MAN of Nürnberg was contracted to convert fifty-eight Panzer II turrets of which forty-nine were completed and were classified as TII(M). A further seventy-two turrets, of which only forty were completed, were to be converted at the FAMO Werk at Ursus near Warsaw and its sister plant in Breslau. In addition a number of new turrets were completed at the Ursus works and these, together with the converted turrets, were grouped together and were given the designation TII(FAM). A number of other turrets were converted by Skoda and Artillerie Werkstatt die Kommandantur Hill Süd and were consolidated into the TII(P) series.⁽²⁵⁾⁴⁷

Plans for the shelter were drawn up in March 1943 and shared many of the features with other structures in the series. The turret was mounted on a section of the tank superstructure, or Bugpanzerdach, which was fixed to the shelter with eight bolts. For reasons that are not entirely clear the base plate was orientated in reverse so that the section that normally faced towards the rear faced the front. Drainage channels directed water away from the turret to the rear where the roof was constructed with a slope of approximately 10 degrees.

A technical drawing depicting a concrete shelter mounting a Panzer II turret mit Bugpanzerdach. (Bundesarchiv)

Directly below the turret was the fighting compartment. This was fitted with wooden duckboards that served as a makeshift repository for the spent shell cases. Any water that entered the fighting compartment would also collect here before being channelled through a drain to the lower level where the floor was angled at 2 degrees to direct water out of the shelter to the soak away at the entrance. Access to the fighting compartment was via a flight of steps from the anteroom inside the entrance. This in turn led to a revetted trench at the side.⁴⁸

Bauform 67 – Panzer II mit Bugpanzerdach mounted on reinforced concrete shelter.

Bauform 237 Panzer II (Normalserie)

(Mit achteckigem Fundament – With Octagonal Base Ring)

The history of how the Panzer II turrets came to be released for use as fixed fortifications is detailed in the text above relating to the Bauform 236, because the turrets shared common origins.

Some eighty-seven turrets were adapted by Heeres-Zeugamt of Magdeburg for use in this role and were given the designation TII(MA). Other turrets were modified by Skoda and Artillerie Werkstatt die Kommandantur Hill Süd and were combined in the TII(P) series.⁽²⁶⁾ In addition some 335 new turrets were completed by FAMO at their Ursus plant. These were used on both this shelter and the Bauform 236 and were given the designation TII(FAM).⁴⁹

Plans for a shelter fitted with an octagonal base plate were drawn up in December 1942 and, with the exception of the turret mounting, the design was broadly the same as that for the Bauform 236.⁵⁰

A technical drawing depicting a concrete shelter mounting a Panzer II turret mit achteckigem Fundament. (Bundesarchiv)

Bauform 238 Panzer II (Behelfsmäßig)

Other Designations: F Pz DT 4804 or Drehhaube II The cancellation of the Panzer II Ausf F programme and the decision to use the chassis as a self-propelled anti-tank gun platform meant that a number of Panzer II turrets were available for use as fixed fortifications. These were used as the basis for both the Bauform 236 and Bauform 237 but were also used for the F Pz DT 4804. The majority of the 100 turrets were taken from the stockpile of Ausf F turrets but in addition fourteen turrets were taken from older marks.

A Panzer II (Normalserie) turret captured by American forces in August 1944. This example was located in Marseilles near the historic Fort St Nicolas that guarded the entrance to the harbour. (US National Archives courtesy of S. Zaloga)

A Panzer II turret fitted with a 3.7cm KwK L/45 gun at the Rheinmetall proving ground, Hillersleben. The main entrance to the bunker is clearly visible and has been temporarily provided with a wooden door. (G. B. Jarrett collection, US Army MHI courtesy of S. Zaloga)

Unlike the majority of the Panzer II turrets used, the Bauform 238 required a major reworking of the turret which was undertaken by Schichau of Elbing and FAMO at their Ursus works.⁵¹ The most significant change was the replacement of the 2cm KwK with a 3.7cm KwK L/46.5 gun. This was positioned in the centre of the mantlet where the visor hole had been located. The original 2cm KwK was removed and the resulting hole used to mount the TZF 4/1 gunsight. The MG34 was retained, but where the machine gun was dispensed with the hole was filled with an armour plug. The original cupola was removed and replaced with an armoured plate with nine ventilation slits and a larger hole for a periscope. At the base of the turret six lugs were welded onto the turret to secure the camouflage netting and four additional lifting lugs were also affixed to the turret (in addition to the two originally fitted) two on either side. In common with general improvements made to the Panzer III and IV turrets the front right visor was removed.⁵²

⁵³

Bauform 239 Panzer II VK 901 (Normalserie)

The VK901⁽²⁷⁾ or Panzer II Ausf G was a further development of the basic Panzer II. The initial prototype was completed late in 1939, but numerous modifications delayed production and there is no evidence to suggest that the tank actually saw service. The surplus turrets were released for use as fixed fortifications with MAN of Nürnberg commissioned to undertake the modifications. The company finished seventeen of the turrets each of which was fitted with the TZF 10 binocular telescopic sight. Additionally, Artillerie Werkstatt die Kommandantur Hill undertook work to modify ten further turrets, which were fitted with the TZF4 telescopic sight.⁵⁴

A Panzer II VK901 turret armed with a 2cm KwK 38 gun. This example was installed in front of the seaside hotel called Kurhotellet on the Danish island of Fanö. (Frihedsmuseet)

Plans for the shelter were drawn up in March 1943⁵⁵ and it was broadly the same as most other examples in the series. The main access was at the side from a revetted trench that led to a small anteroom. Steps led from here up into the fighting compartment. This had a raised floor to take spent shells and which also concealed a drain that channelled water away without affecting the operation of the weapon. The waste water was discharged on to the lower floor, which was angled at 2 degrees to ensure that all the water found its way to the soak away outside.

The turret was mounted on a section of the original superstructure (including the hatches), which was secured to the top of the shelter with ten bolts. It was fitted in such a way that the two hatches, which were more vulnerable to enemy fire, faced towards the rear. Drainage channels ensured that any rainwater or melted snow was conveyed away from the turret to the rear, which was sloped at 10 degrees.

Bauform 245 Panzer III

7.5cm KwK L/24

By the summer of 1942 it was realized that the Panzer III armed with its 5cm gun was increasingly ineffective against the new generation of enemy tanks. It was therefore decided to replace the main armament with the short-barrelled 7.5cm L/24 gun. Initially turrets from the Ausf L (and also a few Ausf Js) were modified. Later it was decided to complete the production of the Ausf M turrets with 7.5cm L/24 guns bringing the total completed to 700. These tanks played a valuable role in both North Africa and on the Eastern Front but it soon became clear that in spite of the addition of this more powerful weapon the Panzer III’s days were numbered. In April 1944 designs for a fundamentring, which was fitted to the shelter and onto which the turret was mounted, were finalized and in July plans for a concrete shelter were finished.

The concrete shelter for the Panzer III was fairly typical. A revetted trench led to the shelter that housed the HES10, hand-operated ventilator. To the right was the main fighting compartment, which was dominated by a pedestal that sat directly below the turret. To the side was the hülsengrube, an open pit, where spent shells could be safely jettisoned down an inclined shaft. This was fitted with a small chimney on the top that vented the fumes outside and was accessed through two hatches, one on top and one at the front, adjacent to the main entrance.

In January 1945 plans were drawn up for a wooden structure to mount the Panzer III turret for rapid installation (schnelleinbau). This was built in two sections: the holzsockel, or wooden body, onto which the fundamentring was secured with eight bolts, sat on top of the fundament, or base. The holzsockel was built from machined timber and was constructed with an opening in the side below the turret that led to the hülsengrube. The base was constructed from piles driven into the ground, which were braced with horizontal beams. Access to the shelter was via a revetted trench that led to an opening in the base.

Some twenty-one Panzer III turrets with 7.5cm guns were dispatched in March 1945 to Bruck an der Leitha in northern Austria to protect Vienna, but the city fell to Red Army forces on 13 April before the turrets had arrived. The other turret was installed at the Hillersleben test facility.

Bauform 245 Panzer III

5cm KwK L/42

As early as March 1942 the Oberkommando des Heeres considered phasing out the Panzer III in favour of the Panther. In the summer of the year production of the Ausf M was scaled down and soon after a number of hulls were set aside for use as self-propelled guns (Sturmgeschütz 40 Ausf G and Sturmgeschütz 40 Ausf F/8). Later front-line Panzer IIIs sent to the rear for an overhaul were also converted into self-propelled guns. This created a sizeable stockpile of Panzer III turrets for use as fixed fortifications.⁵⁶ In April 1944 plans were drawn up for the octagonal base plate to mount a Panzer III turret and in July detailed drawings of a concrete structure to accommodate the turret were completed. Plans were also drawn up for a wooden structure and a detailed description of the construction is included in the entry for Bauform 245 Panzer III 7.5cm L/24.

A Panzer III turret fitted with a 7.5cm KwK L/24 gun at the Rheinmetall proving ground, Hillersleben. In the background is an Italian P40 turret fitted with the same main armament. (G. B. Jarrett collection, US Army MHI courtesy of S. Zaloga)

In February 1944, work to modify ten of the tank turrets that had been released for this purpose began. In March 1945 one turret was dispatched to Bruck an der Leitha on the Austrian border with Czechoslovakia and a further seven to Riesa to the north west of Dresden. However, none of these turrets seemingly arrived in time for installation.⁵⁷ The only turret that was completed was at the Hillersleben test facility.

Note: There is anecdotal evidence to suggest that Panzer III turrets armed with the original 3.7cm KwK and MG34 were also to be used as fixed fortifications, but it has proved impossible to corroborate this.⁵⁸ Mention is also made of the use of the Panzerkampfwagen III (Fl) turret, but again no further evidence to support this has been found.⁵⁹

A Panzer III turret fitted with a 5cm KwK L/42 at the Rheinmetall proving ground, Hillersleben. The main entrance with steel door can just be seen in the foreground. The structure to the side with the chimney is the hülsengrube for spent shells. (G. B. Jarrett collection, US Army MHI courtesy of S. Zaloga)

Bauform 246 Panzer VK 3001⁽²⁸⁾ (Normalserie)

In January 1937 Henschel was commissioned to design a tank in the 30-ton class. It was to be armed with a 7.5cm KwK L/24 gun and protected by a turret with 50mm thick armour. An order for eight tanks was made, but only four hulls and six turrets, which

were produced separately at the Krupp-Grusonwerk in Magdeburg, had been completed when priority was given to the development of the Tiger tank.⁶⁰ The six turrets were made available for use as fixed fortifications and were largely unaltered save for the addition of lugs to mount camouflage netting.

A VK3001 turret armed with a 7.5cm KwK L/24 gun, which was positioned at Omaha Beach and formed part of the defences of Widerstandsnest 68. Clearly visible are the lugs around the base that were used to attach the camouflage. (US National Archives, courtesy of S. Zaloga)

VK3001 turret mounted on reinforced concrete shelter with integral section of sea wall.

The design of the shelter to mount the turrets was slightly more problematical. A memorandum from Der Chef der Heeresrüstung und Befehlshaber des Ersatzheeres to General der Pioniere und Festung in October 1943 noted that work on the shelter to mount the VK3001 turret had not been finished, and a completion date could not be given!⁶¹ This might have been partly due to the weight and size of the turret, because the concrete shelter that was eventually commissioned was a departure from the standard design with a larger anteroom near the entrance, a separate ammunition storeroom and thicker walls at 60cm (2ft).

In spite of this delay, in May 1944 the six VK3001 turrets were finally ready to be emplaced; four were installed in the Atlantic Wall and the final two turrets, which had initially also been earmarked for the Atlantic Wall, were sent to the store at the Fortifications HQ Homburg. At the beginning of March 1945 they were passed to Fest Pi Stab 27 for installation in the West Wall.⁶²

Bauform 247 Panzer VK 3601 (Normalserie)

In the summer of 1939 Krupp was contracted to develop a turret with 100mm (4in) of armour that could mount a 10.5cm gun. Later in May 1941 this contract was cancelled and instead an order was placed with the company to produce six turrets that could mount a weapon with improved armour penetration capability. However, by July 1941 it was recognized that it would be impossible to supply the necessary quantity of tungsten for the armour piercing shells and the decision was taken not to continue with the project. Krupp was now ordered to simply complete the six turrets so that they could be used as fixed fortifications. Work began on plans for a shelter to mount the turret, but development was beset with problems were never seemingly resolved⁶³ and Allied bombing raids on Essen, where the turrets were stored, finally ended any prospect of using them.⁶⁴

Bauform 250 Panzer IV

It is somewhat surprising, given the widespread use of this expedient, that the turret of the Panzer IV was not used more extensively as a static pillbox. Over 1,000 turrets fitted with the 7.5cm L/24 gun were produced but few were made available for use as improvised fixed fortifications. One turret was installed at the Hillersleben test facility and in May 1944 two repaired turrets were detailed as being stored at the Heeres-Zeugamt, Vienna, but there are no details of their release or indeed of any Panzer IV turrets being installed on any front.⁶⁵ Part of the reason for this might have been that the Panzer IV formed the backbone of the Panzer Divisions and was still in production until the end of the war. But the same could be said of the Panther turret and this was employed almost universally. This then leaves the possibility that the armour of the Panzer IV was considered too thin and as such it was not well suited to static employment.

Bauform 240 Panzer 35(t) (Normalserie)

Umbau auf 3.7cm KwK 38(t) und MG37(t) – rebuilt with 3.7cm KwK 38(t) and MG37(t)

A considerable number of Panzer 35(t)s were confiscated from the Czechs following the German occupation in March 1939. Many of these were considered unfit for service and of those that were used the majority were lost in battle. The few tanks that survived were converted into Artillerie Schleppers (artillery tractors) with the removal of the turret and covering the opening. The surplus turrets, together with a number salvaged from tanks returned for repair, were made available for use as fixed fortifications.

These turrets were still fitted with their original armament – a 3.7cm KwK34(t) L/40 and a 7.92mm MG37(t) – but these were to be removed and replaced with the mantlet from the Panzer 35(t)’s sister tank, the Panzer 38(t). Skoda, the original tank manufacturer, was contracted to undertake the work and it was completed at the company’s Pilsen works. In spite of this modification the turret was still described in official documents as being normalserie.

A Panzer IV turret fitted with a 7.5cm KwK L/24 at the Rheinmetall proving ground, Hillersleben. The photograph was taken by the late Col G. B. Jarrett in the summer of 1945. (G. B. Jarrett collection, US Army MHI courtesy of S. Zaloga)

Plans for the shelter were drawn up in March 1943, and its layout was broadly the same as the others in the series.⁶⁶ The modified turret sat on top of an octagonal base plate which was secured to the top of the shelter with eight bolts. Immediately below the turret was the main fighting compartment with its raised wooden floor. This was reached via steps from the entranceway, which led in turn to the main trench system. As with all the shelters in this series the possibility of water seeping in was a major concern. The upper surface was designed in such a way that rain was directed away from the turret and internally steps were taken to prevent flooding, including the fitting of a drain in the fighting compartment, slopping the floor in the entranceway and the digging of a soak away.

Bauform 240 Panzer 35(t) (Behelfsmäßig)

(Improvised version – main armament replaced with MG37(t))

As with the normalserie, the mantlet of the Panzer 35(t) behelfsmäßig was replaced with the frontispiece from the Panzer 38(t). However, on this version the main 3.7cm KwK 38(t) was omitted in favour of a further MG37(t) with telescopic sight. On 1 April 1945 Skoda was ordered to complete nine of these turrets for installation in Festung Brünn⁽²⁹⁾ The possibility of restoring the standard 3.7cm main gun was considered, but the pressing situation meant that this idea was dismissed and the turrets were to be installed as originally configured. It is unclear whether all or indeed any turrets were emplaced by the time the city fell to forces of the Red Army on 26 April 1945.⁶⁷

A rare view of a Panzer 35(t) turret. The main and coaxial armament have been removed. This example was installed at Kjevik in the Kristiansand area of Norway. (Erik Ritterbach)

A technical drawing depicting a concrete shelter mounting a Panzer 35(t) (Behelfsmäßig) turret where the main armament was replaced with twin MGs. (Bundesarchiv)

Bauform 241 Panzer 38(t) (Normalserie)

A considerable number of Panzer 38(t)s were seized by the Germans when they occupied Czechoslovakia in March 1939. These played a key role in the fighting in Poland, France and the Low Countries and they were also employed during the invasion of the Soviet Union. However, the shortcomings of the tank soon became apparent against the superior Soviet models, like the T34, and in December 1941 a decision was taken to use the chassis as the basis for a self-propelled gun. The turret was removed and replaced with a simple prefabricated superstructure and either the Soviet 7.62cm anti-tank gun or the German 7.5cm Pak 40 was fitted to counter the heavily armoured Soviet tanks. Other tanks had their turrets removed and were fitted with an artillery piece as an infantry support vehicle, or were transformed into reconnaissance vehicles, armoured ammunition carriers or anti-aircraft gun platforms. The surplus turrets were made available for use as improvised fixed fortifications and this number was boosted with the decision to switch production from the Panzer 38(t) Ausf G and instead concentrate on tank hunters like the Hetzer, because a significant number of turrets had already been built and were now no longer needed.⁶⁹

In terms of operation and equipment the Panzer 38(t) turret was basically the same as those intended for use in tanks. The weapons and optics and the traversing and elevating gear were common to both.

The minor alterations to prepare the turrets for their new role was carried out at the Böhmisch-Mährische Maschinenfabrik (BMM)⁽³⁰⁾ in Prague, which was contracted to complete 225 turrets ready for installation using a mixture of new and old turrets. A further one hundred turrets were to be completed by the Heeres Kraftfahrzeug Werkstatt in Pschelautsch (Prelouc) in Böhmen (Bohemia) and another twenty-six at the Heeres-Zeugamt in Vienna.⁷⁰

At least ten more turrets were seemingly released after this initial work because 361 turrets were actually installed. These might have been taken from the turrets that were to be fitted with twin machine guns (see Bauform 241) or it might simply be that more of the turrets available were released for use from Army Stores Depots. Certainly at the end of March 1945 OKH Inspektion der Festungen called for tank turrets to be included in the anti-tank emergency armament programme and in April 1945 a number of Panzer 38(t) turrets arrived and were installed in German cities on the Eastern Front.

The turrets were to be fitted to both concrete and wooden shelters. Plans for the concrete shelter were drawn up in October 1942 and it was identical to the other standard designs.⁷¹ Access to the shelter was via the entrance at the side which connected the position with the main trench system. The area just outside the entrance was also where the soakaway was located, which dispersed all the excess water from the position and ensured that the operation of the turret was not compromised. Steps took the crew from the entrance-way up to the fighting compartment below the turret. As with a number of tank turrets used in this way the original Panzer 38(t) superstructure was used and was secured to the top of the shelter with eleven bolts. The superstructure was reconfigured with the removal of the radio operator’s hatch and was rotated through 180 degrees so that the section that normally faced towards the rear now faced forward.

A Panzer 38(t) turret that was located near Lista, Norway. Both the 3.7cm KwK and machine gun have been removed. The base plate, which was taken from the tank’s upper deck, can be clearly seen. (Erik Ritterbach)

The Panzer 38(t) was also mounted on a wooden framework⁷² that was relatively straightforward to construct. Firstly, the construction area was staked out, then the turf and the top layer of soil were removed and kept for later use as camouflage. The bulk of the excavation work was now completed. If necessary, and this was principally the case in marshy ground, posts were driven into the ground to provide a solid foundation. With the preparatory work completed, the main uprights could be lowered into the ground and secured with horizontal beams using a mixture of nails, wire and staples. Next, the roof was attached, which was covered in felt to waterproof the structure and finally the turret was installed before the whole was camouflaged.⁷³

Uniquely, details have survived describing how the Panzer 38(t) turrets were transported to their final destination and some of the instructions on how they were to be operated. The turrets were supplied with their foundation plates and during transportation, squared timbers were placed beneath the plate to prevent damage to the turret basket. On arrival at its final destination the timbers were removed and the turret and baseplate were either hoisted into place on the shelter or, increasingly often, the turret had to be manoeuvred into place manually. The foundation plate was then bolted in place. Care had to be taken to ensure that the turret was level and that all the bolts had been tightened. Thereafter, the fixings needed to be regularly checked to ensure that they had not come loose. A wooden accessory box was also dispatched with the turret and bore the same identification marks as the turret. This included all the other equipment necessary for its effective operation.

Panzer 38(t) Holzunterstand – Panzer 38(t) mounted on wooden shelter.

Because no ventilation system was supplied it was essential that the turret hatch was left open when firing so that the crew was not overcome by dust and fumes. It was also suggested that the door to the shelter was left open, although both measures compromised the crew’s safety.⁷⁴

^68(31a)

Bauform 241 Panzer 38(t) (Behelfsmäßig)

(Improvised version – main armament replaced with MG37(t))

As with the Panzer 35(t) a decision was taken to modify a number of Panzer 38(t) turrets and replace the main armament with a further machine gun and telescopic sight. In total eighty-four turrets were to be modified in this way.⁽³¹⁾ A single experimental turret was certainly completed by May 1944 and four more turrets were ordered on 1 April 1945 and were to be completed by Skoda in Pilsen for installation in ‘Festung Brünn’.⁽³²⁾ However, as the war in Europe entered its closing stages the possibility of reverting to the original configuration was considered and accepted. Thus, the four turrets sent to the fortress commander in the city were supplied with a standard 3.7cm gun. It is unclear whether any turrets were emplaced before Brünn fell to the Red Army on 26 April 1945.⁷⁷

A technical drawing depicting a concrete shelter mounting a Panzer 38(t) (Behelfsmäßig) turret where the main armament was replaced with twin MGs. (Bundesarchiv)

Panzer V

See Chapter 3, Part 3.

Panzer VI

In the final months of the war there were plans to utilize Tiger and Königstiger turrets in fixed defences, but none appear to have been emplaced.⁷⁸ However, there is evidence to suggest that at least one disabled Tiger I belonging to s.Pz.Abt 504 was used as an improvised strong point at Seravezza (Lucca), Italy.

Specially designed turrets

⁷⁵

Bauform 226 F Pz DT 4007

Other Designation: MG Drehhaube 4007

The F Pz DT 4007 was not, strictly speaking, a tank turret, but one of a series of armoured revolving hoods that were designed to provide a balance of firepower, protection and mobility. The plans for this particular version were drawn up in November 1943⁸⁰ and a trial production run of thirty turrets was completed and the turrets were all installed, but no further production was anticipated.⁸¹

The armoured hood was capable of mounting either an MG34 or MG42 but neither was supplied with the turret, rather the crew occupying the position was expected to provide the weaponry. Two gun supports were provided, one for each model of machine gun, with the support not in use stored in a holder located in the roof of the turret. The mounting allowed the gun to be elevated and depressed and the turret could be traversed manually by turning a handle. When not in use the hood could be locked in place by means of a clamp fitted to the turret ring.

The machine gun was aimed by using its own sights. General observation was through a periscope or via vision slits that could be closed when not in use. The periscope protruded through an opening in the roof. When retracted the opening could be covered with a lockable flap.

When the machine gun was in use a flexible tube ensured that the spent cartridges were safely discharged onto the floor.⁸² No artificial ventilation was provided so it was important when using the MG34 that the entrance hatch, at the rear of the hood, was slightly ajar. More critically, when using the MG42 it was essential that the hatch be opened up completely to avoid the build up of gas, although this compromised one of the main objectives of the hood – namely crew protection.

A technical drawing depicting a concrete shelter capable of mounting either the F Pz DT 4007 or 4010. (Bundesarchiv)

The turret was constructed from steel plate that provided protection for the crew of two against small-arms fire and light shrapnel but was sufficiently light 325kg (716lb)) to be man portable, at least over short distances. Handles on the base plate meant that four to five men on either side could load or unload the hood and move it to its final position. This was either a prepared concrete or wooden shelter or, if necessary, on firm ground, although in loose or sandy soil a wooden framework was desirable. Once installed the hood could be camouflaged using the six lugs welded to the exterior.

Bauform 226 F Pz DT4010

Other Designation: MG Drehhaube 4010

See text above for Bauform 226 F Pz DT4007 – the 4010 turret was mounted on the same shelter.

Bauform 227 F Pz DT4011

Other Designation: MG Drehhaube 4011(f)⁽³³⁾

The F Pz DT4011 had originally been used by France to strengthen the Maginot Line. Positions, sometimes constructed from concrete, were prepared into which the tourelle démontable pour mitrailleuse were to be installed in times of emergency. However, this work was largely in vain, as the German invasion plan specifically avoided a frontal attack on the border defences and as a result, many of these turrets fell into German hands after the fall of France in June 1940.

It was not until much later in the war that consideration was given to using these turrets and only in July 1944 were plans for a concrete shelter to house the armoured turret drawn up.⁸⁴ The design broadly followed the general principles of the other armoured hoods but with adjustments made for the fact that the cupola was completely self-contained and came ready to install. The ground for the position was excavated and a rough concrete mix poured to act as a foundation and the anchor for the turret. Once positioned a 40cm (15in) thick circular concrete jacket was poured. Two flanges on the turret base section were bolted to the concrete surround allowing the turret, which sat proud of the ground, to rotate. A revetted communication trench led to a flight of steps, which in turn led to the main entranceway and the door to the armoured turret. A small opening at the bottom of the shelter was linked to a chamber that took the spent ammunition cases.

The turret was designed to take one man and a machine gun. The weapon was not supplied with the turret, but, like the other armoured hoods and the MG Panzernest, was supplied by the crew. The troops manning the position were also responsible for camouflaging the structure.

In August 1944 detailed drawings for a wooden shelter to mount the armoured turret were completed.⁸⁵ The layout was much the same as the concrete model with a simple entranceway leading to the turret door. The turret was similarly secured to the wooden base with two bolts and a chamber below the floor was incorporated to capture the spent machine gun cartridges.

Armoured Cars

In addition to obsolete tank turrets, turrets were also taken from a number of German armoured cars and semi-tracked vehicles. These were mounted on concrete shelters and given the designations Bauformen 259 and 260. The turrets used were unique in that they were open-topped with only a folding wire mesh anti-grenade screen protecting the crew. Not surprisingly, this was a huge handicap when the turret was used in a static role.

Bauform 259 Stand für 2cm Hängelafette 38 aus Spähwagen

This turret had originally been fitted to the Sdkfz 234/1 eight-wheeled armoured car and later the Sdkfz 251/23 half track and the Sdkfz 140/1 (based on the Panzer 38(t) chassis). A number were also fitted to some versions of the Sdkfz 250/9 half track. The turret resembled that mounted on the Sdkfz 222 armoured car, but this version had thicker front armour and was a six-sided rather than a ten-sided construction.

According to a German report of 5 April 1945 twelve of these turrets were delivered to the Eastern Front and were installed as part of the defences of Frankfurt an der Oder.⁸⁸

A technical drawing depicting a concrete shelter mounting an F Pz DT4011. (Bundesarchiv)

⁸⁷

Bauform 260 Stand für 2cm SKL 38 aus Spähwagen mit Ringschild

Other Designation: F Pz DT4901 or MG Drehhaube 4901

These turrets were taken from the Sdkfz 222 armoured car. Almost 1,000 of these were produced between 1936 and 1943 before it was replaced with the Sdkfz 250/9 half track. The turret was fitted with either a 20mm KwK30 or KwK38 with a coaxially mounted MG34 machine gun. The turret had ten sides and the armour was uniformly 8mm (under 1in). A number of the original turrets were fitted to the Sdkfz 250/9, but as early as May 1944 fifteen turrets were reported as being available to be installed on concrete shelters.⁹⁰ A little under a year later it was reported that fourteen of these turrets had been installed, although no details are provided as to where they were used.⁹¹ By April 1945 a further fifty of these turrets had been despatched to the Eastern Front and were to be deployed around Frankfurt an der Oder,⁹² although it is unclear whether they were actually installed.

A significant number of the original turrets armed with the 2 cm KwK30 were also released for use and again the bulk of these were sent to the Eastern Front (140 of the 150 installed). This was given the designation F Pz DT 4903.

Table 3 Old and new Bauform numbers and alternative designations