12th SS FPN

[michael kenny]

PRO WO171/336, War Diary of 30 Corps "G" for June 1944.

"Appendix 'B' to & AD Intsum 30
REPORT ON CROMWELL TANK WITH GERMAN MARKINGS.
Found 4 Jul 44 at 905657 Recovered by an Armd Div REME and inspected BRETTEVILLE L'ORGUEILLEUSE 923720 5 Jul 44.

1. Type Cromwell CS Mk IV (95mm gun)
2. Markings (a) German cross on front and side of turret
(b) British markings painted over with cam paint but the following clearly visible:
T187761
1 LCT
3. Condition Penetrated in eight places by what looks like 17 pdr but NOT set on fire. REME reports that NO KO'd Cromwells handled have been set on fire.
4. Modifications
(a) Cupola previously reported as German is definitely British.
(b) German wireless aparatus (thought to be an inter-comm aparatus only).
5. Amn Confirmed that some German amn for main armament was in the tank.
6. Documents Following found in tank:
Identification: 12 SS Pz Div
FPN : 59043 A
7. General Tank definitely did not belong to the Div that found it. No information available as to who knocked it out or when.
(Source: 8 Corps IS No. 11)
COMMENTS: This tank was lost at VILLERS BOCAGE on June 13."


So where belongs FPN : 59043 A?

[Lorenz]

59043

(12.3.1943-7.9.1943) Stab I u. Einheit SS-Panzer-Regiment 12 (H.J.),
(8.9.1943-22.4.1944) 1.3.1944 Stab I u. Einheit Panzer-Regiment 12 (12. SS-Division).

Suffix "A" usually refers to the Stab of a Bataillon or Abteilung.