What theatre for my Panzer IIIEa

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

What ho chaps!
After the great Panzer III not in Africa debate,
I have started and camouflaged my Panzer IIIEs, but which theatre should I put them in (for recognition crosses), and this will then influence my choice of opposition!

Friend says French are really pretty!

[fred.]

I'm not sure how the two France options differ for German kit?

[kustenjaeger]

Greetings

Very few Ausf E in Poland (there were only 98 Pzkw III of all types on 1 September 1939) {Jentz, Panzertruppen vol. 1 p.88} which would have solid white crosses

By May 1940 all the Ausf A-D had been replaced by Ausf E or F (thicker armour) {p.109}.  On 1 May 1940 there were a total of 381 Pzkw III.  {p.117}

For Op Marita (Balkans) there were a mix of 3.7cm (E/F) and 5cm kurz - 3.7cm forming generally from 1/3 to 1/2 of Pz III complement. {p.154}

For Barbarossa at 1 June 1941 there were 350 3.7cm vs 1000 5cm Pzkw III. {p.186}

By the start of the 1942 summer offensives the panzer divisions seem not to be reporting 3.7cm Pzkw III versions. {p.236-237}

Edward

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

I'm not sure how the two France options differ for German kit?

It would influence the opponent choice.

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

Greetings

Very few Ausf E in Poland (there were only 98 Pzkw III of all types on 1 September 1939) {Jentz, Panzertruppen vol. 1 p.88} which would have solid white crosses

By May 1940 all the Ausf A-D had been replaced by Ausf E or F (thicker armour) {p.109}.  On 1 May 1940 there were a total of 381 Pzkw III.  {p.117}

For Op Marita (Balkans) there were a mix of 3.7cm (E/F) and 5cm kurz - 3.7cm forming generally from 1/3 to 1/2 of Pz III complement. {p.154}

For Barbarossa at 1 June 1941 there were 350 3.7cm vs 1000 5cm Pzkw III. {p.186}

By the start of the 1942 summer offensives the panzer divisions seem not to be reporting 3.7cm Pzkw III versions. {p.236-237}

Edward

Thank you.

[Orcs]

I'm not sure how the two France options differ for German kit?

It would influence the opponent choice.

No it does not - you just do French and BEF

[Lord Kermit of Birkenhead]

Far as I can tell they all look the same for those campaigns, just rather more of them in France.

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

In Poland they used a solid white cross (which Polish anti-tank gunner used as a useful aiming point) by France tanks were id'd by the Balken Cross.

[Orcs]

Very few Pz 111 in Poland. 

Not that many in France. Most of the force was Pz1 Pz 2 , Pz 35t and 38T.

So  France is your best bet for them so should have hollow white cross. - they literally painted the middle out of the white crosses.

BEF gives you more options, as you could also do scenarios with the second evacuation after Dunkirk

French tanks have nicer camouflage but are more fiddly to paint

[Ariete]

Until 31st July 1940 all German tanks, trucks, cars etc were painted Panzer Grey with 1/3rd Maroon Brown painted over this in large solid waves.
The Germans used a solid white cross in Poland but quickly realised that it became an aiming point so either obliterated it or overpainted it yello.
After the Polish campaign ended they changed the cross to the now familiar plain black cross edged white.
https://www.facebook.com/Panzer-Camouflage-1939-1940-366026486868933/

Drew