Tauchpanzer IV of 18. Panzer-Division

 

 

Two Tauchpanzer IVs from 18. Panzer-Division enjoy some rest. A Storch came in, then flies away (Photo: Heinz Eckert). Immediately after the beginning of Operation Barbarossa, when tanks of 18.Panzer-Division crossed the river with the submersible equipment. The tanks are painted in dark gray, but sand from the river completely covers the surface. Dark gray is showing clearly above the tail exhaust pipes as if painted in bands. Interesting is that a red large circle is painted on the back of the stowage behind their turrets.

Source :

Akira Takiguchi photo collection

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10222104137025919&set=gm.1567089906809760

Panzergruppe 2 during Operation Barbarossa

Generaloberst Heinz Guderian (Oberbefehlshaber Panzergruppe 2)

These are color slides that was broken-up at eBay back in 2007. It shows Panzergruppe 2 (Generaloberst Heinz Guderian) in the Eastern Front during Unternehmen Barbarossa, July 1941. The slides were taken at the Panzer-Abteilung (Flamm) 100 which operated in the first part of Operation Barbarossa together with 18. Panzer-Divison. The corpulent officer is Oberst Gerhard-Peter von Zezschwitz (Kommandeur Panzer-Abteilung 100) which were later killed on 24 June 1941. The photographer was Bildberichterstatter Heinz Eckert.

Sonderführer Z Grey collar tabs , possibly PK (Propaganda-Kompanie), or even Heinz Eckert himself

Source :
Aaron Starr photo collection
Akira Takiguchi photo collection
Axel Urbanke photo collection
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10211069305563270&set=oa.1066185030233586&type=3&theater&ifg=1

MP 40 Talks with a Gebirgsjäger

This picture came from the series of color slides taken by Heinz Eckert (Propaganda-Kompanie 670). Immediately after the invasion into Soviet Union, Eckert advanced with 18. Panzer-Division to take images of tanks and high ranking officials including Heinz Guderian. Here is another PK (Propaganda-Kompanie) photograph showing MP 40 talks with a Gebirgsjäger.

Source :
Akira Takiguchi photo collection
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10220736061704891&set=gm.1440002952851790&type=3&theater&ifg=1

Heinz Guderian during Barbarossa

Generaloberst Heinz Guderian (Oberbefehlshaber Panzergruppe 2) holding a map during a field briefing with his generals in Russia, in front of a Panzerkampfwagen III medium tank, summer 1941. From left to right: Generalmajor Walther Nehring (Kommandeur 18. Panzer-Division), Oberst im Generalstab Rudolf Bamler (Chef des Generalstabes XXXXVII. Armeekorps), General der Panzertruppe Joachim Lemelsen (Kommandierender General XXXXVII. Armeekorps), Generalleutnant Hans-Jürgen von Arnim (Kommandeur 17. Panzer-Division), and Generaloberst Guderian. Panzergruppe 2 was formed in November 1940 from Panzergruppe Guderian (in October 1941 it was renamed the 2. Panzerarmee). It played a significant role in the early stages of the German invasion of the Soviet Union during Operation Barbarossa in 1941, when it was a constituent part of Heeresgruppe Mitte. Guderian troops formed the Army Group's southern pincer while Generaloberst Hermann Hoth's Panzergruppe 3 formed the northern pincer destroying several Soviet armies during the opening phase of Barbarossa. During the battles of Bialystok and Minsk, substantial numbers of prisoners and weapons were captured by Guderian's Gruppe. One of its subordinate was XXXXVII. Armeekorps, who controls 17. and 18. Panzer-Division.The photo was taken by Kriegsberichter Heinz Eckert (Propaganda-Kompanie 670).

Source :
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2nd_Panzer_Army
http://forum-console.worldoftanks.com/index.php?/topic/55379-wwii-in-color/