Panzer Tracts No.16-1

Thomas L. Jentz, Hilary L. Doyle, Lukas Friedli

While researching Panzer Tracts No.16-1, the Panzer Tracts team made important discoveries. The history of the Bergepanther was challenging to unravel: first, there was a lack of clarity in the original German documentation; second, the Allies were only interested in the vehicle equipped with the 40t winch and associated spade. Now, Panzer Tracts can reveal a much more complete story of the Bergepanther, which was essential to the functioning of Panther and Tiger units. Besides the Ausf.A & G, they found three different versions converted from the turretless Pz.Kpfw.Panther chassis! Two were new vehicles, while the final one was rebuilt from large numbers of Panther Ausf.D in a previously undocumented factory. Between 25% and 30% of all Bergepanthers were turretless Panther chassis. Hundreds of hours were spent measuring surviving vehicles and drawing at full-scale to create...