German tank markings

[cjg476]

Hey guys I had another question what did the numbers on the turrets of tiger tanks represent. I remember being told before but I cant remember the order, like company platoon tank or something

Also what did the different colors represent for the numbers. Like I know some had green numbers others had red numbers some had white numbers.

Im just wanting to learn more details. Thanks.

[PanzerArm]

The quick answer to your question is that the numbers corresponded to what line unit a tank belonged to. So, based on the numbers you would be able to tell what Company (First number), Platoon (Second number), and what tank in that platoon (last number). Each of the last number corresponded to a different individuals tank, i.e. platoon leader, platoon sergeant etc.


-Kevin

[cjg476]

OK but what about tanks like Wittman? I think his number was 205? What did the zero represent? No platoon?

Also what did it mean when the tanks had something like an S33?

[PanzerArm]

Now you are starting to get a bit more specific, I like it!

Concerning the first number, tanks with "0" in the first place generally designated the Stab Kompanie, or battalion headquarters company. For example, a tank with a number like "007", i.e. Wittman's last tank, would have belonged to someone in the battalion headquarters (Wittmann was the 101 s.S.S.pz.abt Commander in place of Heinz von Westernhagen and therefore a member of Battalion headquarters). Sometimes the first zero was omitted for brevity depending on the unit's Standing Operating Procedure(S.O.P.), or replaced with an I or II (since battalions in a regiment were denoted I.Battalion and II -2.Battalion and there were only 2 battalions per regiment usually). Also, an R as the first symbol was someone's tank from the Regimental Headquarters.

The second zero is a little more complicated. Saying that the second numeral designated which platoon a tank was in was not always the case. Again, depending on a unit's S.O.P. the numbering of the tanks in a battalion could go several different ways. One way a unit might number their tanks is to have all the numbers be sequential, for example, let's say the 1st Company in a heavy tank battalion would have 14 tanks and they would be numbered, to not include the battalion headquarters, 101-114. This company would have two tanks for Commander and XO/First Sergeant (101 and 102), the rest would be divided amongst 3 platoons, 103-106 in 1st platoon, 107-110 in the second, and 111-114 in the third. So in that scenario over half the tanks in a company have a zero for their second digit, and it in no way reflects the platoon they're in.

The other way to number the tanks is to go by the way I mentioned earlier and that is to have the tanks use the second digit to designate the platoon. Using that example a tank with a zero would mean it doesn't belong to a platoon, and would have been a tank from the Company's Headquarters.

I hope this isn't too confusing because I have a knack for making things clear as mud when I get started on explaining something


-Kevin

[cjg476]

Thanks Kevin, Thats great info. I appreciate it. Except you didnt explain the letter ones like S33 is that an SS unit identifier?

Also I noticed some of the tanks toward the end of the war didnt even have numbers anymore. What were the reasons behind that?

[PanzerArm]

I believe the history on the "S" prefix goes back to the 13th heavy tank company of 1. SS Pz. Rgt. LSSAH. That was during a time when it was decided to attached a single company of heavies to that division as opposed to leaving them as independent heavy battalions. The "S" I think stood for Schwere, meaning heavy in German, and every tank had an S as the first symbol. That is the only unit I know of that had an "S" in their tactical number.

And as to colors, I know of no rule of thumb as to what colors were used except that I believe it was based on the unit S.O.P. and which color was best suited to be seen on units' respective camouflage.


-Kevin

[cjg476]

Yes you are good. The S33 is a tiger tank I have from the LAH. Thanks about the color thing I was wondering. I hadnt heard anything specific either but heard one unit somewhere thought big white lettering stuck out to much so the painted it green with a white outline to make it camouflage better. I didnt know if there was a reason for the different colors.