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Re: Photos 4-27-13 +
Ed,
A late reply, but that 'Off Topic' photo of a Panzer III varient has completely baffled me ! I like to think I know my German armoured fighting vehicles but I have never come across this before. Great find, well done. Off topic http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=221218072544 Regards, Martin. |
Re: Photos 4-27-13 +
Martin,
I agree with you. The questions are: 1/ Is it a weapon on top? 2/ If yes; they aren't missiles or so ... A "smog" spraying device (seems a "boiler" on top) or a chemical gaz spraying device? Regards, Franck. |
Re: Photos 4-27-13 +
I have a theory that this was a transport vehicle. Some years ago, I bought a book about the German army medical service. It was written by a veteran. As I'm reading the book, he mentions a wood burning car. I had never heard of this and found it hard to believe, but I thought to myself, why would he lie? So I looked and looked, and I finally found this book
http://www.amazon.com/Wartime-Woodbu.../dp/0764332406 I find it possible that this was a wood burning/powered panzer. Ed |
Re: Photos 4-27-13 +
Ed,
I like this explanation since it's less scary than mine and the burner looks quite similar with the one we can see on the book cover. Then, the pipes could be gaz reserve since the needed power had to be quite important to move this "trailer" and the hooked tanks it had to move to repair workshop area. During occupation many French cars and trucks were fueled through a similar device, the famous "gazogène"; My father used to talk about that. It took me a long time to discover that "gazogène" didn't mean only gas like propane or butane but gas produced by either wood or coal. See Citroën "Traction Avant" (Citroen 7 ...) pictures with such installation among many. So, you got the point Ed?! Regards, Franck. |
Re: Photos 4-27-13 +
Franck,
From the book, there is a page showing an Opel Blitz 3 To Pritschenwagen mit Imbert-Holzgasanlage. The unit we see at the back of the panzer is very similar to the vertical wood burning unit where air is selectively admitted through controlled vents in the bottom. There was a smaller filter mounted horizontally "filled with oiled cork or wood chips soaked with oil, to collect any ash or other particles from [the] burner." Also, "Hot gasses were baffled through water in this unit, providing both cooling and filtering. Acid collection required frequent flushing." There is a schematic of the "Imbert Gas Generator." There is a reproduction of a map showing a "Carbato" charcoal supplier list of available fuel stations dated March 1938 for France. The German terms were "Holzgas" and "holzvegaser." Coal was also used. A photo of an English double-decker bus powered by a coal-burning gas producer on a trailer is shown, along with a fire truck with four tubes stacked inches above the the other. In 1940, Hitler advocated the use of such vehicles, "saying in part:" 'Vehicles of this sort will also hold a special place after the war. With increasing motorization we will not be so dependent upon liquid, therefore imported fuel. This will benefit our own economic system.' (Quoted in "Generator Jahrbook, 1942," Kasper and Co. Berlin, 1942)." Manufacturers included Ford, Bussing, Daimler-Benz, M.A.N. and others. Also shown is an advertisement for a Lanz L-25 tractor. It claims the unit could pull 22 metric tons in first gear. There is a photo of a FAMO tracked tractor. There is also a photo of an armored personnel carrier, type 251, with such a unit attached in back. The author tells us he can find no evidence of tanks converted to operate this way and says that if there were, it would have been for training purposes only. I find this to be a nonsense idea. Transports of all types were desperately needed, even if it meant their use was limited to carrying what the average soldier in the field needed: food, ammunition, weapons, medical supplies, doctors, replacements and transport for the wounded. Best, Ed |
Re: Photos 4-27-13 +
Hi Ed,
I should have wrote "You made the point Ed?!" instead of "You got.." 'cause, of course you made it. Whatever, thanks for all following détails. Regards, Franck. |
Re: Photos 4-27-13 +
There is a picture of a Pz II with such an installation in Panzerwrecks II
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Re: Photos 4-27-13 +
Quote:
Thank you very much. I will have to get that issue. Best, Ed |
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