Complete list of turret numbers for Pz.-Rgt. 24

[jmark]

Hi there,

I have assembled a complete list of the turret numbers of Panzer-Regiment 24 but am having a few difficulties, particularly with the Panzer IV Schwadrons. The Regiment has 32 Panzer IVs (12 long-barrel and 20 short-barrel). The Panzer IV long-barrels divide evenly amongst 3 panzer schwadrons (4 each) but the 20 short-barrels don't. I have hypothesised a solution, which is displayed on the site, but I am not sure it is correct.

I have displayed the list on my website. Go to http://www.leapinghorseman.com/panzers.html

The Panzer IV schwadrons are the 4th, 8th and 12th Panzer Schwadron (links to each are at the top of the page). I have been able to confirm some of the turret numbers in photographs and have indicated so by placing a "*" next to the turret number.

Any comments or advice would be greatly welcomed. If anybody has any photos of Pz.Rgt.24's panzers, I would be extremely grateful if they could simply email me the turret numbers.

Thanks in advance,

Jason Mark

[Paul Hanson]

Here are some numbers from the late Bill Murphy's site:


This short article examines one Panzer regiment (24) at one point (summer-fall) in one year (1942) during one operation (the '42 summer offensive named "Fall Blau" which culminated in the disaster at Stalingrad).
Please see Tom Jentz' excellent 2-volume "PANZERTRUPPE" series to see how the 1. Kavallerie Division evolved into the 24. Panzer division. Suffice to say that Pz. Rgt. 24 was given three Abteilungen (I.-III.) for this offensive. The fighting Schwadronen (ex-1. Kav. Div, remember) were numbered as follows:
I. Abt=1.,2., &4. Schwadr.,
II. Abt=5., 6., & 8. Schwadr.,
III. Abt= 9., 10., & 12 Schwadr.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Regular zug panzers used the "standard system: 121, 525, 923 etc. but Schwadron Trupp (HQ) panzers replaced the "0" with a "5": Panzer IV/F2 #451, Panzer III/J long #1051 etc. Regimental stabs panzers replaced the usual "R" with the number "24" and the Abteilung stabs panzers replaced the usual I.-III with the following: I.=3, II.=7 and III.=11.
Most all numbers were in solid white (I have seen only one exception) and were carried on the turret sides and turret or bin rear. The panzers were in panzer gray overall and had black/white crosses. Most all carried the Divisional "jumping horse and rider" insignia.
At the various stabs, zug identifiers were the numbers 6 and 7, though I still have to refine that down a bit more. For now, some verified (photo) examples include:
2472 = a Pz. Bef. Wg. III Ausf. H of Rgt. Stabs
372 = a Pz. Bef. Wg. III of I. Abt. Stabs
367 = a Panzer II from I. Abt. (Leichte zug?)
764 = a Panzer II from II. Abt.
1163 = a Pz. Bef. Wg. II from III. Abt. Stabs
451 = a Panzer IV long of 4. Schwadron
1051= a Panzer III/J long of 10. Schwadron


Do you have solid evidence from the photos that the 24/X numbers you quote are truly "/" and not a "7"?

HTH some.

PH

[jmark]

Hi Paul,

Thanks for your reply and the information.

The regimental stabs panzers were actually number "371" for the Kdr., "372" for the Adjutant, "373" for the Ord.Offz" all the way to "378".

The Abteilung stabs panzers were: "361 to 368" for I. Abt., "761 to 768" for II. Abt. and "1161 to 1168" for III. Abt.

I do have solid photographic proof that 24.Pz.Div. possessed panzers with the numbers "24/1" and "24/2". I am also surmising that there was a "24/3". I believe these three panzers belonged to the Armoured Command Detachment of the Panzer-Division stab. All together, 24. Panzer-Division has 11 Befehlspanzerwagen (2 in Pz.Rgt. stab, 2 each in the 3 Pz.Abt. stabs and 3 in Pz.Div. stab). My research shows that instead of the authorised 11 Bfwg., 24.PD only had 7 proper command panzers, the remaining 4 command panzers being regular Panzer III's (these may have been modified). You can see the panzer figures at the top of the page http://www.leapinghorseman.com/panzers.html

If you want to check out some published photos of the 24.PD command panzers, here are some sources:
Page 6 in "The Road to Stalingrad" from Time-Life's Third Reich series clearly shows Panzer "24/2" (in a colour photo);
Page 98 in "Deutsche Panzer 1935-1945" by Wolfgang Fleischer clearly shows Panzer "24/1". I believe this book has been released by Schiffer.
Page 300 in "Stalingrad: Defeat of the German 6th Army" by Paul Carell (Schiffer) shows Panzer "24/2" rolling into Stalingrad-South.

Any info or photographic proof, especially of the Panzer IV schwadrons, would be greatly appreciated.

Jason Mark

[jmark]

I've just added a war diary document to my site showing the order for 24. Panzer-Regiment to change its turret numbers from the normal numbering system to the peculiar system used by 24. Panzer-Division in Operation Blau.

The document shows the previous turret numbers as well as the new ones.

Enjoy!

Go to http://www.leapinghorseman.com and click on the 'About' button.