The Pz Kw B2 (F).

German weapons, vehicles and equipment 1919-1945.

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tigre
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The Pz Kw B2 (F).

Post by tigre »

Hello to all :D; something to share....................

The Pz. Kw B2 (F) in action.

On May 26, 1941 the topic was briefly discussed with Hitler, who saw pictures of the 85 Pz Kw II (F) already with the troops. Hitler was told about the progress in the conversion of the French captured B1 bis, now called Pz Kw B2 (F); the Führer was informed that it was planned to organize two companies of 12 vehicles each (24 in total) for Jun 20, 1941.

This initial serie was equipped with the same system of flame-thrower of the Pz Kw II (F) which used compressed nitrogen; in the tank the 75 mm gun was removed and replaced by a spray head (Flammenwerfer-Spritzkopf) like those of the Pz Kw I (F).

The new Pz Kw B2 (F) were assembled in the Pz. Abt. (F) 102, which was created of Jun 20, 1941 with K.St.N. 1176 dated on May 30, 1941. The Abteilung reached the front on Jun 23, 1941 under the 17 AOK and was assigned to the 24. ID on Jun 24, 1941.

Souces: Flammpanzer, carros lanzallamas alemanes. Osprey Military 9. T. Jentz-H. Doyle-P. Sarson.
http://i59.tinypic.com/nq6b2v.jpg
http://nemirov41.forum24.ru/?1-4-0-00000079-000-0-0

Cheers. Raúl M 8).
Attachments
Being moving to the front by rail............
Being moving to the front by rail............
image018.jpg (35.65 KiB) Viewed 9463 times
Ready to march by road...........................
Ready to march by road...........................
image020.jpg (26.17 KiB) Viewed 9463 times
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tigre
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Re: The Pz Kw B2 (F).

Post by tigre »

Hello to all :D; something more....................

The Pz. Kw B2 (F) in action.

On June 26, 1941 it was assigned to the 296. ID in order to support this unit in the conquest of the border fortress of "Wielki Dział". On June 29, 1941 at 13:00 hours the Commander of the division reported that "Wielki Dział" had been captured by a combined effort involving fire support of Flak of 88 mm, heavy weapons, Pz Kw B2 (F) and mixed groups of assault infantry-sappers. During the actions the flamethrower tanks managed to keep almost completely at bay the casemates No. 1, 2 and 4, however 75 mm projectiles fired by No 3 managed to set two Pz Kw B2 (F) afire and three slightly injured crew members were rescued under fire (Report II. / IR 520).

On June 30, 1941 the Pz. Abt. (F) 102 was put under the direct command of the 17th AOK and on July 27, 1941 orders were issued to dissolve this unit.

Souces: Flammpanzer, carros lanzallamas alemanes. Osprey Military 9. T. Jentz-H. Doyle-P. Sarson.
http://i59.tinypic.com/nq6b2v.jpg
http://nemirov41.forum24.ru/?1-4-0-00000079-000-0-0

Cheers. Raúl M 8).

Feliz Año Nuevo - Happy New Year - Feliz Ano Novo - Gluckliches Neues Jahr - Bonne Année - Felice Anno Nuovo - Szczęśliwego nowego roku!!!. :beer:
Attachments
A Pz Kw B2 (F) surpassing the remnants of an enemy vehicle .....................
A Pz Kw B2 (F) surpassing the remnants of an enemy vehicle .....................
image028.jpg (30.85 KiB) Viewed 9427 times
A Pz Kw B2 (F) seemingly at Lemberg, see the Pz. Abt. 102 (F) emblem on the rear of its side...................
A Pz Kw B2 (F) seemingly at Lemberg, see the Pz. Abt. 102 (F) emblem on the rear of its side...................
image030.jpg (37.11 KiB) Viewed 9427 times
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Re: The Pz Kw B2 (F).

Post by tigre »

Hello to all :D; something more....................

Pz Kw B2 (F) in the Balkans.

Nevertheless, after the dissolution of Pz Abt (F) 102 a new version of Pz Kw B2 (F) was developed. The new specifications stipulated one Flammenwerfer with the pressure provided by a J10 engine with capacity to launch a jet up to 40-45 meters and carry enough fuel for up to 200 bursts. The fuel was transported in a large shielded container installed in the rear of the hull.

Reports reveal that there were at least 60 Pz Kw B2 (F) equipped with the new system. According to a report dated March 31, 1943 the tanks were distributed as follows: Pz-Kp 223 with 16 Pz Kw B2 of which 12 were B2 (F); Pz-Brig 100 34 Pz Kw B2 of which 24 B2 (F); Pz-Abt 213 with 36 Pz Kw B2 of which 10 B2 (F) and the SS "Prinz Eugen" 17 Pz Kw B2 of which an unknown number were B2 (F). Regarding the "Prinz Eugen", any idea how many of them were B2 (F) and if they were engaged in combat?

Sources: Flammpanzer, carros lanzallamas alemanes. Osprey Military 9. T. Jentz-H. Doyle-P. Sarson.
http://nemirov41.forum24.ru/?1-18-0-000 ... 00-10001-0

Cheers. Raúl M 8).
Attachments
Note the new spray head (Flammenwerfer-Spritzkopf) in this Pz Kw B2 (F) of the 7. SS Freiwilligen Gebirgsdivision "Prinz Eugen" ................
Note the new spray head (Flammenwerfer-Spritzkopf) in this Pz Kw B2 (F) of the 7. SS Freiwilligen Gebirgsdivision "Prinz Eugen" ................
image007.jpg (27.76 KiB) Viewed 9386 times
The new series of Pz Kw B2 (F) had a new spray system. The launcher was mounted instead of the 75mm gun on the hull of the Original Char B, but the fuel pressure was provided by an auxiliary motor......................
The new series of Pz Kw B2 (F) had a new spray system. The launcher was mounted instead of the 75mm gun on the hull of the Original Char B, but the fuel pressure was provided by an auxiliary motor......................
image005.jpg (30.47 KiB) Viewed 9386 times
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Re: The Pz Kw B2 (F).

Post by tigre »

Hello to all :D; something more....................

The Pz. Kw B2 (F) in action.
A Pz Kw B2 (F) seemingly at Lemberg, see the Pz. Abt. 102 (F) emblem on the rear of its side...................
In fact the Pz Kw B2 Nº 203 had the standard configuration, ie still had the 75 mm gun in the hull. Each company had available besides the B2 turned into flamethrowers, three of them.

Source: http://nemirov41.forum24.ru/?1-18-0-000 ... 00-10001-0

Cheers. Raúl M 8).
Attachments
Pz Kw B2 # 203 in Lwow ................
Pz Kw B2 # 203 in Lwow ................
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tigre
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Re: The Pz Kw B2 (F).

Post by tigre »

Hello to all ; something more....................

Pz Kw B2 (F) in Crimea.

AFAIK the Pz-Kp 223 got 12 Pz K B2 (F). Below one of them in action in 1943. Any details about its employment?

Sources: http://vif2ne.ru/rkka/forum/arhprint/35327

Cheers. Raúl M 8).
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Re: The Pz Kw B2 (F).

Post by tigre »

Hello to all 8); something more....................

Pz Kw B2 (F) in action.

AFAIK there were two types of flame-thrower in the Pz Kw B2 (F) that equipped the Pz Abt. (F) 102 and both of them used compressed nitrogen. In the first, like the original 75mm hull tank gun - it could be moved only vertically, and aiming to the side had to be done by turning the vehicle. In the second a small platform was mounted in place of the 75mm hull gun, with a rotating little turret attached on it. The rotating turret was the same type as that used on the SdKfz 122 Panzerkampfwagen II Flamm "Flamingo" (see pictures below).

Later in the war, the flamethrower was still fitted in place of the 75mm gun, but now on a rotating mount type Koerge to get some transverse and an armored vision block was added over it on the glacis plate. In this case, the pressure was provided by a J10 engine with capacity to launch a jet up to 40-45 meters and carry enough fuel for up to 200 bursts.

Souces: http://nemirov41.forum24.ru/?1-18-0-000 ... 00-10001-0
Flammpanzer, carros lanzallamas alemanes. Osprey Military 9. T. Jentz-H. Doyle-P. Sarson.

Cheers. Raúl M 8-).
Attachments
First type.................................
First type.................................
image021.jpg (38.67 KiB) Viewed 9193 times
Second type.........................
Second type.........................
image023.jpg (28.25 KiB) Viewed 9193 times
Third type................................
Third type................................
image025.jpg (41.53 KiB) Viewed 9193 times
Serás lo que debas ser o no serás nada. General José de San Martín.
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tigre
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Re: The Pz Kw B2 (F).

Post by tigre »

Hello to all :D; something more....................

Pz Kw B2 (F) in action.

Image
A column of Pz Kw B2 (F) running through an urban area; all of them had the same spray head as the Pz Kw II (F) and the one in the lead carries some extra jerry-cans ................

Image
Pz Kw B2 (F) in assembly area; The one in the foreground has opened its wide escape hatch and carries several jerry-cans of 20 lt of fuel.............

Sources: http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KSkthJVmiiA/V ... rfrvde.jpg.
http://nemirov41.forum24.ru/?1-18-0-00000002-000-40-0

Cheers. Raúl M 8).
Serás lo que debas ser o no serás nada. General José de San Martín.
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Re: The Pz Kw B2 (F).

Post by tigre »

Hello to all :D; something more....................

Pz Kw B2 (F) in action.

Moving by road to the front......................................

Sources: http://nemirov41.forum24.ru/?1-18-0-000 ... 00-10001-0

Cheers. Raúl M 8).
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image045.jpg
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Prosper Vandenbroucke
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Re: The Pz Kw B2 (F).

Post by Prosper Vandenbroucke »

Hi Raul,
Note that the original designation of those tanks was: Renault Char B-1bis / Char B-2
German Designation: was Panzerkampfwagen B-1/B-2 740(f)
They were used for :training,policing and were also incorporated into Panzer Divisions
Those Char B-1bis / Char B-2 were also converted into various roles like:
105mm leFH 18/3 howitzer carrier (16 converted in 1942)
PzKpfw B-1 Flammpanzer (flame-thrower) and also as PzKpfw B-1 Fahrschulewagen (training for drivers)
Regards
Prosper :wink: :wink:
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Re: The Pz Kw B2 (F).

Post by Alanmccoubrey »

Prosper, into which Panzer Divisions were these incorporated ? Personally I have never seen them listed in any PD.
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Re: The Pz Kw B2 (F).

Post by Prosper Vandenbroucke »

Hi Alan,
I don't know and I didn't if the informations are 100% sure but the information came from here:
http://www.achtungpanzer.com/captured-t ... htm#french
And this information came from Wikipedia:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Char_B1
The principal German units that used the Char B1 bis:
Panzer-Brigade 100
Panzer-Regiment 100
Panzer-Ersatz-Abteilung 100
Panzer-Abteilung (F) 102
Panzer-Abteilung 213
SS-Panzer-Abteilung "Prinz Eugen"
Panzer-Kompanie z.b.V. 12
Panzer-Abteilung 223
Beutepanzer-Kompanie 223
I./Artillerie-Regiment 93 of 26.Panzer-Division
II./Panzer-Regiment 1 of 1.Panzer-Division
Panzer-Regiment 2 of 16.Panzer-Division
I./Panzer-Regiment 36 of 14.Panzer-Division
Panzer-Abteilung 205
Panzer-Kompanie 206
Panzer-Kompanie C (ND) 224
Panzerjäger-Abteilung 657 (PK 224)
Kindly regards
Prosper :wink: :wink:
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Re: The Pz Kw B2 (F).

Post by Alanmccoubrey »

Prosper, thanks, I still very much doubt that even the artillery regiment in a PD really had a use for the Char B2 in an operational role. As a driver training vehicle perhaps.
Alan
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Re: The Pz Kw B2 (F).

Post by Prosper Vandenbroucke »

Hello Alan,
Here below you have a 10.5cm FH18 on a B1 bis (B2 for the Germans) chassis, but I don’t know to which german unit this tank belongs (It’s on the eastern front I think)
105cmf10.jpg
105cmf10.jpg (62.78 KiB) Viewed 8232 times
http://ostfront.forumpro.fr/t929-blinde ... t-de-l-est
There were also FlammPanzer on B1bis chassis.
Here you have some Flammpanzer:
flammpanzer_type 2.jpg
flammpanzer_type 2.jpg (86.97 KiB) Viewed 8232 times
Panzerkampfwagen B-2 740 (f) - Flamm - Russian front
https://panzerserra.blogspot.be/2014/02 ... rt-01.html

Kindly regards and spend a good night
Prosper :wink: :wink:
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Re: The Pz Kw B2 (F).

Post by Alanmccoubrey »

Prosper, as I understand it the SP 105 was originally intended as a support vehicle for the Flammpanzer Char B2 but never actually left France. Sadly I can't give you an online source for that. It is quite possible that some Panzer Divisions training/rebuilding in France sued them in their artillery until they were issued with German equipment in a similar way that they used French tanks until German ones were delivered.
Alan
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Re: The Pz Kw B2 (F).

Post by lwd »

Something looks odd to me with regards to the officer in the fore ground of the Char. Almost looks like he wasn't in the original photo.
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