 |
Main page » Polish armour » armoured trains » PZ 21 (German) – Polish artillery – Steel Panthers – what's new | 
|
|
| © Michal Derela, 2001 | Updated: 15. 09. 2024 | ||
|
Main page » Polish armour » armoured trains » PZ 21 (German) – Polish artillery – Steel Panthers – what's new |
|
|
| © Michal Derela, 2001 | Updated: 15. 09. 2024 | ||
This page is a supplement to pages about Polish armoured trains, containing additional photographs depicting captured Polish wagons in German service in armoured train Nr. 21 (Panzerzug 21). See also our pages about Panzerzug 22 and Panzerzug 10b (11).
German armoured train nr. 21 (Eisenbahn Panzerzug 21 - PZ 21) was put into service on 10 June 1940. The whole train was created of rolling stock captured in Poland in 1939. The photo below shows almost a full length of Panzerzug 21, in a configuration between 1940 - October 1942.
[2]The train consisted of (on the photo - from the left):
The armoured train was initially armed with two 100 mm howitzers - 10 cm FH.14/19(p) - Polish 100 mm wz.14/19P, and three 75 mm cannons - 7,5cm FK.02/26(p) - Polish 75 mm wz.02/26.
All armoured wagons were also armed with non-fixed machine guns. Apart from these wagons, the train had two flatcars on both ends. From spring 1941 the train received two flatcars with 20 mm (2 cm) FlaK 38 AA guns.
A close-up of so-called "small artillery wagon" from Panzerzug 21, armed with 7,5 cm FK.02/26(p) (Polish 75 mm wz.02/26) gun in a turret. It was an old artillery wagon of "Bartosz Glowacki" from 1920, modernized in 1930s by "cutting off" corners to fit four MG ports. It was a reserve wagon before the war, used in September 1939 in the training train of the 2nd Armoured Train Unit, captured by the Germans near Jarosław. This wagon still retains typical Polish drum mountings for 7.92 mm wz.08 (Maxim) heavy machine guns, removed later by the Germans. Same wagon was included into Panzerzug 22.
[1]Both armoured trains created of ex-Polish stock together: Panzerzug 21 on the left, and Panzerzug 22 on the right, in Cracov, summer 1940. Both trains had very smiliar artillery wagons from former train nr. 54 "Grozny", same small artillery wagons, and similar command wagons – they can be distinguished by differing turrets of "Grozny's" artillery wagons, and antenna masts upon command wagons (seven in two rows in PZ 21 and eight in PZ 22). From the left, visible are:
[1]
Another shot of the Panzerzug 21 in early configuration. From the right: artillery wagon from PP. 54 "Grozny"; the assault wagon from PP. 11 "Danuta" with aerials removed; locomotive Ti3-13; assault wagon from the "Grozny" and artillery wagon from the "Pilsudczyk" (PP. 52). Most likely former assault wagon from "Grozny" became Kommandowagen - command wagon, while former assault wagon from "Danuta" became Infanteriewagen, that is why the Germans removed the original aerials from the latter.
[1]
Panzerzug 21 - the armoured locomotive 54 654 (former Polish Ti3-13 of Ti3 class). On the left the assault wagon from former "Grozny" , on the right the assault wagon from former "Danuta". The photo is taken about 1940-41, because Polish HMG mountings in assault wagons have not been removed yet. The Germand apparently modified a hatch in commander's turret, to make it sliding rearwards (like in Ti3-4 locomotive) rather than open outwards to sides.
[1]
Excellent view of artillery wagon from Polish train nr. 52 ("Pilsudczyk") in Panzerzug 21 in German camouflage, probably from similar period as above. End MG casemate and side drum MG mountings are not removed yet. The 100 mm howitzer is in right turret, the 75 mm cannon in left turret.
[1]
Panzerzug 21 served on the Eastern Front mainly (except for a short "vacation" in France between April and July 1941). Here we see PZ 21 on the way from Smolensk to Kursk in February 1943, wearing winter camouflage. The artillery wagon from former PP. 54 "Grozny" is on the right. Since November 1942, the train had German tank engine (Br.93 class?). The Germans had replaced original drum HMG mountings with simple MG ports – removal of drum MG mountings, with wide vertical apertures, was probably caused by a need of better heat insulation during Russian winters. You may also notice a chimney on a roof (original Polish wagons usually had only steam heaters).
[1]
Panzerzug 21. The scene is similar to the previous photo. Note Flakvierling 38 quad 20 mm AA gun on the small artillery car, replacing 75 mm gun turret from November 1942. The second Flakvierling 38 gun was carried on a flatcar on opposite end. The artillery wagon from former "Grozny" is right behind. Further - the assault wagon from former "Danuta" and German tank engine.
[1]
↑ PZ 21 near Vassilyevitschi, Eastern Front, September 1943. The command wagon from former "Grozny" is clearly visible (with its significant seven masts in two rows of clothesline aerial). On the left there is artillery wagon from former "Pilsudczyk", with simple loop-holes for MGs, on the right is German engine. [1]
The assault wagon from the "Grozny" in Panzerzug 21. The Germans added second clothesline aerial, with additional insulators on extension arms (also on a photo above). [1] →
On 7 October 1943 and 23 June 1944, the Panzerzug 21 was damaged by mines. The photo shows the latter accident, with former "Pilsudczyk's" artillery car visible. As is evident, the Germans replaced the MG casemate at the wagon's end with a door. The visible turret is armed with 75 mm (or Russian 76.2 mm) gun. [1]
On 30 October 1944 the train was captured by the Soviets in Mozheiki (Mazeikiai, Lithuania). Its further fate is not known.
Sources (published):
Updates:
Main page – Polish armour – Armoured trains – Polish artillery – Steel Panthers
All photos and pictures remain the property of their owners. They are published in non-commercial educational and research purpose. Photographs were mostly or exclusively taken by anonymous German soldiers.
Text copyright to Michal Derela, © 2001-2024