Order concerning the painting of panzer road wheels

[Lucien Runge]

To all;

Perhaps some of you more knowledgable joes can chime in on this subject. In one of my books, I recall reading about an order issued to all tank crews concerning the painting of road wheels or more precisely not painting the road wheels in multiple colors. As I remember it, it was in an effort to better hide the tanks by not having multi-colored wheels spotted by Russian anti-tank gunners who were looking for the tell-tail spinning of the "pinwheels". Can any of you recall exactly when this order was made? I know I'll find it, it's just a matter of time but any recollection would be greatly appreciated.

Best regards;

Lucien

[David Pengelly]

Damn , does that mean ive got to repaint my road wheels

[Kent Wiik]

Hi Lucien

That order came in August/September 1944, the same time as the order for dropping the zimmerit and that the 3-tone painting (Ambush and hard edge) was now to be done in factory instead of in field.

The wheels would from now on to be painted in one color only, but it also meant the row of wheels would individually have different colors.

All of this and much more can be read in the very good book "Wehrmacht Heer Camouflage Colors 1939-1945".
A must have for everyone building of just interested in German WW2 Afw`s and equipment.
If you don’t have it buy it is well worth the money.



Cheers
Kent

[Robert E Morey]

Hi all, interesting thoughts. Havng been around real tanks in the military I find the thought of not painting the wheels of tanks to make them less conspicious to a gunner a bit humorous. As any ground pounder can attest, you will hear the clank of tracks and roar of the engine (and prob exploding shells over your head) long before you can see the rotating wheels of an approaching tank. If you can see the painted wheels of the tanks, you are about to get run over!!! So it seems to me the "order" to not to paint the wheels would be done soley to save precious paint and time.

Same with zimmerit. It wasn't that magnetic mines were no longer a threat, but bazooka's (shaped charge rockets) put an end to the minor positive effects of zimmerit, and it was time consuming to put on. So to get more tanks to the front, nix the zimmerit.

In Normandy especially where much of the fighting was close in, and vegitation quite dense, it makes more since to paint the wheels to help the vehicle blend in. Esp when tanks were used primarily in the defensive roll, painted wheels would help conceal the tank. When moving they would not matter.

Now painting big white stars on tanks (as we americans found out) did give a good aim points to tank gunners.

I'm sure some will dissagree, but thats Ok...just my thoughts.
Bob

[David Pengelly]

hmmm, maybe i wont repaint my roadwheels after all

[David Lee]

Hi,

For discussion sake, I do disagree. Having served in the military, there is a technique to spot movements afar by not looking directly at the area. But rather focus at one point without blinking, it is easier to spot any small movements around the point of focus.

Moreover, there is the binoculars. If the tank is moving along the tree line with gaps inbetween the trees far away, you can still spot a moving tank from afar using bino if each wheel is painted in multi color camo.

Just, my opinion.

As any ground pounder can attest, you will hear the clank of tracks and roar of the engine (and prob exploding shells over your head) long before you can see the rotating wheels of an approaching tank. If you can see the painted wheels of the tanks, you are about to get run over!!! So it seems to me the "order" to not to paint the wheels would be done soley to save precious paint and time.


I'm sure some will dissagree, but thats Ok...just my thoughts.
Bob

[Roland Wallick]

I would tend to agree with David here in ambush mode. As for the noise factor, with all due respect Robert you've probably never experienced the noise factor of a WWII fire fight.
An Uncle of mine served with the 9th ID and he could not hear a dam thing because of wha he went thru.

[Lucien Runge]

Thanks Kent;

I knew I read it somewhere. I went through alot of my books trying to find it..didn't. So you saved me a great deal of time.

Lucien