PIBWL presents:
German armoured train Panzerzug 11 (Panzerzug 10b) - the gallery
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| © Michal Derela, 2001 | Improved: 13. 05. 2002 | |
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[ Main page / Polish armour / armoured trains ] [ Polish armoured units ] [ Steel Panthers ] [ Links ] | |
| © Michal Derela, 2001 | Improved: 13. 05. 2002 | |
This page is a supplement to Polish armoured train (PP) nr. 51 "I Marszalek". It contains additional photo material depicting former Polish wagons, captured in 1941 by the Germans and used in armoured train Panzerzug 10b (Panzerzug 10 Kampfzug B), in August 1943 renamed to Panzerzug 11. See also our pages about Panzerzug 21 and Panzerzug 22.
On 22 September 1939 Polish armoured train nr. 51 (former "I Marszalek") was abandoned by the crew, most probably after having been bombed by Soviet planes. Next, the train was captured by Soviet armoured units invading the eastern territories of Poland. It was soon afterwards repaired, converted to a wide gauge (1524mm), and put into the Soviet service as BEPO (Bronyepoyezd - armoured train) of the 77th NKVD Regiment from the 10th NKVD Division.
On 7 July 1941, after a few day combat, the BEPO of the 77th NKVD Regiment was captured by the Germans. After repair in Germany, the train was put into the German service by 1 December 1941. The Germans unusually decided to form one strong armoured train nr. 10 - Eisenbahn Panzerzug 10 (PZ 10) of two ex-Polish trains captured on the Soviets. Though it was one military unit, but it consisted of two independent parts: Kampfzug A (PZ 10a, or Kampfzug I; former Polish train nr.53 "Smialy", in Soviet service BEPO of the 75 NKVD Rgt) and Kampfzug B (PZ 10b, or Kampfzug II; former Polish train nr.51 "I Marszalek"; BEPO of the 77 NKVD Rgt). The commander of the whole unit was Haupt. Ernst Naumann, and since 19 March 1942: Haupt. Paul Berger. The whole Panzerzug 10 crew (with auxiliary and command section) was 9 officers, 49 NCO's and 158 soldiers, the crew of Kampfzug B only was (probably) 2 officers, 13 NCO's and 62 soldiers.
The subject of this page is Panzerzug 10b (Kampfzug B).
Its initial composition, since November 1941 till May 1942, was:
The train's armament was four 75mm guns - 7,5cm FK.02/26(p) - Polish 75mm wz.02/26 (data). They might have been replaced with Soviet 76.2mm guns M.02/30 - German designation: 7,62 cm FK 295/1(r).
The Germans removed Polish 7.92mm wz.08 (Maxim) heavy machine guns and replaced them with non-fixed light machine guns. Probably the train also had some light 20mm AA-guns, but the details are not known.
The artillery wagon of former Polish armoured train nr. 51 ("I Marszalek"), with German cross on the side, in Panzerzug 10b. On the right, there is ex-Polish armoured locomotive series Ti3 (possibly Ti3-2).
After completing and training of the crew, the whole Panzerzug 10 was ready for action on 2 February 1942 and moved to the East Front. The train came into action initially as a wide-gauge one (a gauge of 1524mm). After arrival, Kampfzug A was sent to repairs at once, while a part of Kampfzug B was subordinated to the 2nd army and sent for an anti-partisan operation code name "Michael" in the area of Lgov.
A mixed armoured train with components of PZ 10b in action against partisans near Lgov, February 1942. Both artillery wagons of PZ 10b are visible. The infantry car on the right has been "borrowed" from PZ 28 train, the locomotive came from the other train as well.
In March 1942 Panzerzug 10b came to Kharkov, where it joined PZ 10a. Both trains were stationed in Kharkov until 23 April 1942. Because all the railway on the captured areas had been converted to a standard gauge of 1435mm by that time, the trains were reconverted to standard gauge in Bielgorod workshops as well. Both trains operated in the area of Bielgorod until July 1942, fulfilling the occupation and anti-partisan service on Ukraine, and undergoing several air attacks.
The artillery wagon of former "I Marsza³ek" in Panzerzug 10b, 1941-42. These wagons originally were the Soviet ones, captured by the Polish in 1920. It was a standard type built in Krasnoye Sormovo plant in Gorki (Nizhnyi Novogrod) at the times of Russian Civil War. [Photo - source 4]
The same scene, as above. The armour screens protecting couplings were added by the Germans. Polish cyllindrical HMG mountings on the side are visible.
Very interesting view on the top of the artillery wagon of former "I Marszalek", Kharkov, 1942. On the foreground a former Polish anti-aircraft MG turret is visible, now: an observation turret with German binocular periscope inside - the Germans were removing all Polish machine guns of wagons. After 1942 this turret might be removed and replaced with an observation commander's turret from PzKpfw-III or IV tank, though it is not sure. This Polish AAMG turret itself was fitted in a place of Soviet observation turret.
The artillery turret on the photo is turned with the gun pointing towards the camera, the hole on the left side is a former MG port (the Germans did not use it). The construction of "Krasnoye Sormovo"-type armoured wagon's roof is clearly visible.
A flatcar of Kampfzug B derailed by Soviet partisans.
In June 1942 the train was strengthened and modified. The locomotive was changed to standard German armoured locomotive series (Br) 5710-35 (former Prussian series G10). The locomotive, however, used early pattern of armour (photo above, in PZ 10b).
The train received two additional armoured infantry wagons then. They were of the same type, 4-axle, captured on the Soviets and modified by the Germans (possibly artillery wagons of the Soviet BP-35 type, with artillery turrets removed). Each of them was armed with one 20mm (2cm) FlaK-38 AA-gun. The train was also fitted with an auxiliary tender. The armoured wagons received additional heaters, and the cyllindrical mountings for Polish HMG's were eventually replaced with simple MG loop-holes (for MG-13 or MG-34 LMG's).
PZ 10b, after June 1942. From the right: an artillery wagon of "I Marszalek", the new infantry and AA wagon, a spare tender, an armoured locomotive series Br.57, the second infantry and AA wagon, the second artillery wagon of "I Marszalek", a flatcar.
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In November 1942 both PZ 10 trains were moved towards the front, to the outside of Stalingrad pocket. They took part in several skirmishes and artillery duels. After the defeat in Stalingrad in January 1943, the trains were protecting the retreat of German units. During the whole spring the trains were used in fighting, and PZ 10b suffered some losses in crew and damages to the equipment. In June both PZ 10 trains, fulfilling anti-partisan duties, were moved to Kovel - Sarny area ("I Marszalek" operated there in 1939!). On 13 June 1943 Kampfzug B was heavily damaged by a mine, and the repairs lasted about month.  |
The artillery wagon of Kampfzug B in a winter camouflage, winter 1943. Polish cyllindrical side HMG ports are replaced by simple loop-holes for German LMG's. |
On 31 July 1943 the Panzerzug 10 was split into two separate units: Kampfzug A remained Panzerzug 10, while Kampfzug B was named Panzerzug 11. During a following months, PZ 11 was used in patrolling the occupied area of Tarnopol and Lviv. In the first half of 1944 it underwent further modernization and repair in Lviv workshops. The train most likely received two anti-tank wagons (Panzerjaegerwagen), armed with the 75mm (7.5cm) KwK-40 AT-gun in PzKpfw-IV tank turret, and two flatcars (Panzertraegerwagen) carrying light tanks PzKpfw-38(t) (with 37mm guns). The single 20mm AA guns FlaK-38 were probably replaced with quadruple guns 20mm Flakvierling-38. The crew were 6 officers, 25 NCO's and 90 soldiers then. During all the service the train had also armoured scout draisines assigned: captured Soviet ones (on a photo on the right), or armoured cars Panhard 204(f) riding on rails.
In summer of 1944 heavy armoured motor rail car PanzerTriebwagen 16, armed with two guns 7,62 cm FK 295/1(r), was subordinated to PZ 11 (see a gallery of PzTrBw 16 at Forty Kraków site). Both units broke through Soviet encirclement near Rava Russkaya, and between 20 and 22 July were used in a defence of Lublin (in Poland). After it fell, the train (along with PzTrWg 16) broke through an encirclement again. In the end of 1944 the train was operating in south-east Poland (in Kielce - Miechów - Radom area) in Heeres Gruppe "Mitte" (Armies Group) and was stationed at Kielce, still with PzTrWg 16. On 12 January 1945 the great Soviet offensive started in that area. Finally, Panzerzug 11, former Polish "I Marszalek" ended its combat career on 13 January 1945 near Checiny (a small town near Kielce, with an interesting castle ruins). Probably the train was abandoned by its crew, when it could not retreat because of a destroyed bridge on the Nida river.
Panzerzug 11 near Tarnopol (Ukraine), March 1944. The train received evident camouflage (the last available photo of this train).
All photos came from source [1] (unless marked otherwise) - buy the book to have them bigger, better and more.
Sources:
1. Wolfgang Sawodny, "Die
Panzerzüge des Deutschen Reiches"; EK Verlag, Freiburg
2. Janusz Magnuski, "Pociag pancerny 'Smialy' w trzech wojnach"; Pelta; Warsaw 1996
3. Janusz Magnuski, "Panzertriebwagen nr 16"; "Militaria" vol.1 nr.1
4. H. & W. Trojca, "Panzerzüge 1 - Pociagi pancerne cz.1"; Militaria, Warsaw 1995