PzKpfw I tanks of the Heer involved in one of their original intended functions - mounting an impressive parade, 1938.  Some of the original Panzer Divisions were direct conversions of earlier Reichswehr cavalry units  which, in turn, hearkened back to distinguished cavalry units of the Imperial Army.  The Heer consciously imposed Imperial cavalry traditions on the new forces - the black uniforms and curious beret-helmets (echoing Hussar caps), some of the insignia and so on.  Here, the tank in the foreground flies the unit ensign "uncased" in much the same way as would have been done if riding a horse on parade.  Best regards, JR.

Cavalry in a new age ...

Mittlere Schutzenpanzerwagen fur 7.5cm KwK 37 L/24, Stummel. [High Resolution]

Sd Kfz 251/9 C was developed as a close support weapon for Panzergrenadiers to give the heavy firepower that was some times needed to pry out the most determined enemy. When a new design of half-track was put into production the C model was replaced by the new D model to create the Sd Kfz 251/9 D.

StuGs and other fully tracked assault guns could not always be available when the Panzergrenadiers needed them. Combining the already proven Sd Kfz 251 half-track with the short 7.5cm tank gun created a simple solution.

They were quickly issued to heavy gun companies of Panzergrenadier Regiments where it first saw action on the Russian Front in June 1942 (Sd Kfz 251/0 C version) when two prototypes were issued for testing. They were successful and a further 150 were ordered.

It was soon named affectionately among the troops as Stummel (stump) because of the guns short length.
It carried 52 rounds of ammunition for the 7.5cm as well as 2 Machine-guns for air and close protection with an ample supply of ammunition.


Sd Kfz 251/9 D (7.5cm) 

Heavy Tank Tiger I  of the 502-Tank Battalion of Wehrmacht, padded in the Leningrad area. Probably the tank was hit by the early winter of 1943 and abandoned. Soviet-German front.