German
WW II Tank Numbering
The
regulations stated that the call sign or identification numbers were to be made
up of numbers 30cm high. The number was to be 3cm wide in black outlined in 1cm
of white. In the field, colour of the numbers and outlines vary. Some tanks had
red number on white outlines and blue numbers on yellow outlines.
The
first number is the company, the second number is the platoon and the third number
is the order of the tank in the section. For example 414 would be the number for
the fourth tank in the first platoon of the fourth company. On the company commander's
and deputy commander's tanks, the second digit was 0 and the third digit 0, 1
or 2. Staff
company normally had the numbers 001 to 003. In
some units, roman numerals I, II and III were used.
Tanks
at the regimental level was prefixed by the letter R instead of the first digit.
For example R01 would be the tank belonging to the regimental commander and subsequent
tanks by his staff. Tanks at the battalion level was prefixed by a roman numerals
in sequence. For example I01 would belong to the commander of the first battalion.
There were also some unusual non-regulation numbering of tanks found on the battlefield.
For example X7 found on a Jagdtiger. The significant of X7 was not documented.
Some
Examples of German WW II Tank Numbering
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Abteilung
| Abt. | Battalion.
A formation containing a number of companies. |
Ausfuhrung |
Ausf. | Variant
of model of a vehicle. For example, the Tiger 1 tank is officially known as the
Panzerkampfwagen Tiger Ausf. E and the King Tiger that follows it is known as
the Panzerkampfwagen Tiger Ausf. B. |
Balkenkreuz |
- | The
cross painted on German vehicles during World War II. Usually black with white
outline. |
Bergepanzer |
| Tank
recovery vehicle. |
Blitzkrieg |
- | Lightning
war. The method of mobile warfare used by the German armed forces at the beginning
of the second World War. |
Brigade |
- | Brigade.
A formation containing two or more regiments. |
Division
| - | Division.
A formation containing two or more regiments. |
Flieger
Abwehr Kanone | FLAK | Anti-aircraft
gun. |
Flakpanzer |
- | Anti-aircraft
tank. |
Grenadier |
- | German
term for infantry or rifleman. |
Gross
Deutschland | GD | Greater
Germany. The name of an elite German army panzergrenadier division. |
Heer |
- | The
German Army in World War II. |
Hitlerjugend |
- | Hitler
Youth. The SS Panzer Division of this name consisted mainly of Hitler Youth. |
Jagd- |
- | German
meaning hunting. A jgdpanzer was a tank hunter or tank destroyer. |
Kampfgruppe |
- | Battle
group. A task force formed specifically to carry out a mission named after their
commander. For example Kampfgruppen Peiper for the Ardennes offensive.. |
Kompanie |
- | Company.
A formation containing a number of platoons. |
Korps |
- | A
formation containing a number of divisions. |
L/xx |
- | The
Germans during World War II expressed the length of a gun as a multiple of its
Calibre. Calibre is the internal diamension of the gun. For example, 50mm L/60
means the length of the gun was 60 x 50mm=3 metres. |
Panzer
Abwehr Kanone | PAK | Anti-tank
gun. |
Panzer
Abteilung | Pz.Abt. | Tank
battalion. |
Panzerbefehlswagen |
Pz.Bef.Wg. | Command
tank. |
Panzerfaust |
- | Tank
Fist. A German single shot, anti-tank grenade projector weapon. |
Panzergrenadiers |
- | Mechanised
or motorised infantry. |
Panzerjager |
- | Tank
hunter or tank destroyer. |
Panzerkampfwagen |
PzKpfw | Battle
tank. |
Panzerkeil |
- | The
wedge formation in which tank attached. |
Panzerkorps |
- | A
formation containing at least two panzer divisions. |
Panzer
Lehr | - | A
tank training or demonstration division. |
Panzerschreck |
- | Tank
Terror. The German version of the American Bazooka anti-tank weapon. It is larger,
more powerful and fired an 88mm hollow charge projectile. |
Panzerspahwagen |
- | Armoured
reconnaissance vehicles. |
Panzertruppen |
- | Armoured
troops. |
Regiment |
- | A
formation containing a number of battalions. |
Schurzen |
- | Side
skirts added to tanks to protect their tracks. |
Schwere
Panzer Abteilung | s.Pz.Abt. | Heavy
tank battalion containing Tiger tanks. |
Schutzstaffel |
SS | Defence
squadron. The Nazi Party's para-military elite led by Himmler. |
Sonderkraftfahrzeug |
SdKfz | Special
motor vehicle. Every German Army vihicle has its own designated number. For example,
the Panther was SdKfz 171. |
Sturmeschutz |
StuG | Assault
gun. Self-propelled artillery originally designed for direct fire support for
infantry but also used in an anti-tank role. |
Totenkopf |
- | Death's
Head. A division of the Waffen-SS. Waffen mean weapons or armed. Waffen SS is
the military arm of the SS. |
Wehrmacht |
- | The
German armed forces in World War II including Heer (Army), Luftwaffe (Air Force)
and Kriegsmarine (Navy). |