Armored Train 3 Pt 2 - Panzerzug 3 - Panzer Zepp - Knight's Cross - Rudolf Zettler - Panzergrenadier

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This is a beautiful collection from the commander, and future Knight’s Cross holder Rudolf Zettler, of German Panzerzug 3 or Armored Train Nr. 3. It includes a combat experience report covering its participation in the invasion of Poland in September of 1939. It also includes an experience report covering the training of the assault troops, the trains technical capabilities, a detailed description of its weaponry, and finally the commanders overall impression of the use of such armored trains by the Wehrmacht moving forwards. Today we’ll be looking at how the assault team was trained and prepared for active duty. In addition we’ll be looking at a nice article from a Die Wehrmacht periodical that fits in nicely.

Most of the assault troops that initially served on Armored Train Nr. 3 came from the 7th Infantry Division. Organization for the Polish campaign had already begun on July 5th 1939 and was taking place in Munich which was considered the armored trains base. Everyone involved continued their preparations at a feverish pace, often in confined spaces and in the dark. Finally on 19.8 the armored train moved out to take part in the campaign.

Since the special training that was needed for the mounted assault troops could not be effectively achieved on a non moving train, during the second half of the training it was absolutely necessary to include the technical crew. Only through the constant experience of operating on a moving train could the soldiers get used to the difficult observation and targeting conditions.

In addition, at the end of the training, sharp shooting exercises had been planned which were intended to give the soldiers practical experience with their weapons related to aiming and understanding the effect that their fire could expect. Neither of these goals were achieved because the train was rushed into service to take part in the occupation of the Sudetenland and then later in the Check rump state. Since neither of these operations involved combat this critical practical weapons experience was never gained.

As a side note, that Hungary and Poland took part in the dismemberment of Czechoslovakia is an interesting history which I’ll be covering in a future video. If you are interested go ahead and subscribe to the channel and click the bell icon.

Now let’s shift gears to the Die Wehrmacht periodical, Ausgabe A Nr. 14 from July 7, 1943. Ausgabe A means that it was a kind of special edition that included more color photos and additional content.

As you see the article is about a special custom made mini-armored train

The title of the article is the Tracks at kilometer 86,9 have been blown.

It reads…

Train Nr. 16 carrying soldiers back on leave was attacked by partisans which resulted in one badly wounded soldier and two lightly wounded. At kilometer 86.9 the tracks were blown. More than once last summer these kinds of report came in about interruptions in the line. The band of partisans has been able to consistently disrupt this resupply line in particular. Although the damage had usually been quickly repaired, the continual loss of mean and material needed to be stopped. Somewhere along the Eastern Front a commander issued an order to a vehicle repair station to get together and build an armored vehicle that could travel along the railroad tracks and counter this threat.

Using destroyed Soviets trucks, armor plates taken from Soviet tanks and the turret from a captured armored car, the crew proved their improvisational creativity by putting together a combat ready vehicle. After a few months of careful consideration and planing by the crew and another of heavy labor the so-called Panzer-Zepp was completed and on the tracks. Over the next few weeks an assault team was trained which would travel with the combat vehicle and engage the enemy. It would be their responsibility to keep the track open.

The first caption reads. The photo above and to the left show the Panzer-Zepp quickly arriving to its area of operation. There, its first responsibility is to make sure that the line is free of damage or obstruction. Traveling inside are Panzergrenadiere that are ready to attack any partisans that might be encountered, willing to do what it takes to defend the rail line.

To the right, when under fire the Panzer-Zepp stops and the Panzergrenadiere leave the vehicle on the side facing away from the enemy armed with their rifles, machine pistols and hand grenades. They take cover behind the rail track berm and then together with the heavy weapons of the Panzer-Zepp, engage the enemy. Under the cover of the heavy weapons, the Panzergrenadiere work their way forwards and finally storm the position of the partisans. These combat maneuvers are practiced daily until it becomes second nature to the soldiers.