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Test your knowledge, amaze your friends, astound your enemies and amuse the impartial judge! |
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The authors of Panzer Tracts have spent more than thirty enjoyable years conducting in-depth research into the history, operational use, and technical features of German Panzers from World War II. In 1969 we started digging into the original operational and Waffenamt reports and about 1983 we started finding the original project design reports. From data in these original primary source documents, it became obvious that the Allied intelligence reports were full of misconceptions based on limited information and mistakes caused by guessing when they didn't have the correct answers. Virtually all books published prior to 1980 used these erroneous Allied intelligence reports (including our own Encyclopedia of German Tanks of World War II). Unfortunately, many books still published today are created by copying older publications, perpetuating the mistakes and often adding further erroneous assumptions and falsehoods. Panzer Tracts has taken a completely different direction by making it a basic policy to only use data derived from original primary source documents created by those who either used the Panzers or were responsible for their design, production, and distribution. We continue to locate large numbers of original documents that reveal the true facts allowing us to correct past mistakes and publish new factual information. |
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Copy or print the following quiz questions and mail your answers to Panzer Tracts, P.O.Box 334, Boyds, MD 20841 or e-mail to panzertracts@aol.com It takes five correct answers to become a Panzer Ace and have your name posted on this website. Everyone sending a completed quiz to Panzer Tracts will receive a coupon worth dollars* off the retail price of books purchased directly from Panzer Tracts. |
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Panzer Ace Quiz No.3
please visit Panzer Ace Answers. To take the New Panzer Ace Quiz #4, please visit Panzer Ace Quiz. |
| *Each coupon, redeemable only through direct orders to Panzer Tracts, is worth $2.00 off a book retail priced at $11.95, $3.00 off a book retail priced at $12.00 to $17.95, $4.00 off a book retail priced at $18.00 to $40.00, or $10.00 off a book retail priced higher than $40.01. Only one coupon will be honored per book order from Panzer Tracts but not in combination with any other discount offer. Coupons are not transferable and expire 90 days after issue. |
| Answers to PanzerAce Quiz #2 |
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We have a new Panzer Ace! Carsten Gurk, Webmaster 2 at Panzer-Modell.de, answered all five questions in Panzer Ace Quiz No.2 correctly to become our 1st Panzer Ace. One person even tried to obtain an answer to a question in Quiz No.2 by asking the question on the Missing Links forum. However, this attempt did not work. Many of the forum answers were useless and misleading since they were based on old outdated publications. It pays to get your information from more reliable sources. If you use the new reliable and accurate Panzer Tracts or other publications printed after 1991 by Thomas L. Jentz and Hilary L. Doyle that have been based on primary source documents, you too can be a Panzer Ace! Remember, everyone is a winner when they send in a completed quiz and receive a Panzer Tracts coupon. 1. Which Sd.Kfz. number was assigned to the Bergepanzerwagen 38? Answer: Sd.Kfz.136 Score: 48% answered this question correctly. This Sd.Kfz. number was found in an obscure K.St.N. too late to be included in Panzer Tracts No.16. This type of correct data can not be guessed at or determined by deductive reasoning. The correct answer can only be found in primary source documents. Correct information was first published on page 40 of "Jagdpanzer 38" by Hilary L. Doyle and Thomas L. Jentz. 2. When the Pz.Kpfw.I Ausf.B was outfitted with a box on a pivotting arm for placing explosive charges it was known as a: Answer: Pz.Kpfw.I (M.G.) (Sd.Kfz.101) with Abwurfvorrichtung Score: 20% answered this question correctly. The wrong answer given frequently was "Ladungsleger I". The Ladungsleger I was an experimental device which used an extendable arm to place the charges. Only two were reported as being completed. These were not the same as the100 Pz.Kpfw.I which were outfitted with Abwurfvorrichtungen (devices to drop explosive charges) and issued to Panzer-Pionier- Kompanien for use in the campaign in the West in May/June 1940. The correct information was found in an original report from December 1939 and first published on page 14-2 of Panzer Tracts No.14 by Thomas L. Jentz and Hilary L. Doyle. This type of mistaken identity is very frequent in older publications (and newer publications by authors who don't use primary sources exclusively). The mistake originates when a new name is found in an original report (in this case the "Ladungsleger I") without a photo or much information in the way of a description. The name is then erroneously applied to an unknown object found in a photograph (in this case the Pz.Kpfw.I outfitted with an Abwurfvorrichtung). 3. When used by the troops in Norway, the Neubau-Fahrzeug was known as the? Answer: Neubau-Pz.Kpfw.IV Score: 52% answered this question correctly. To show the world just what great super-tanks they had, the Nazis released photos of their three "Neubau-Fahrzeuge" in Oslo, Norway in weekly news publications. British Intelligence gathered these "valuable" sources of information. These multi-turreted giants were identified as the Pz.Kpfw.V and Pz.Kpfw.VI. Such "propaganda rags" as weekly news publications are not primary source documents, were intended to mislead the enemy, and still mislead those foolish enough to still believe that they are legitimate sources of factual information. The correct answer was found in an original report written in 1940 from the commander of the unit (Panzer-Abteilung z.b.V.40) sent to Norway. The correct answer was first published on Page 110 of "Panzer Truppen" by Thomas L. Jentz and later on Page 4-6 of Panzer Tracts No.4. 4. Nibelungenwerk completed _____ Pz.Kpfw.VI (P) with the Krupp turret with lower sides. Answer: 7 Score: 8% answered this question correctly. A post-war document, created by Porsche, stated that five were completed. This report from Porsche was the source of information used in the "Encyclopedia of German Tanks of World War II". Even when created by the original companies, post-war documents are frequently proven to contain erroneous information when they are compared to the original primary source documents created during when the projects were active. The original project reports from Krupp reveal that eight short-sided turrets were completed by Krupp and sent to Nibelungenwerk for mounting on chassis - however, Turm No.2 was returned to Krupp. Other original reports reveal that two Pz.Kpfw.VI (P) with short-sided turrets were issued to Wa Pruef 6 and five were present in Dollersheim for training schwere Panzer-Abteilung 503. The correct answer was first published on page 54 in "Panzerkampfwagen VI P (Sd.Kfz.181) - The History of the Porsche Typ 100 and 101 also known as the LEOPARD and TIGER (P)" by Thomas L. Jentz and Hilary L. Doyle. 5. How many "Diana" (7.62 cm Pak 36 auf 5 t Zgkw.) were sent to North Africa? Answer: 0 Score: 24% answered this question correctly. Again, the mistaken identity originated from finding a report listing the name "Diana" for an experimental 7.62 cm Pak 36 mounted on a 5t Zgkw. and then erroneously applying this name to a self-propelled 7.62 cm F.K. on a 5t Zgkw. found in a photograph. The official name (from the original K.St.N.) for the 9 self-propelled guns sent to North Africa was 7.62 cm F.K.(r) auf gp. Selbstfahrlafette (Sd.Kfz.6/3) but in common usage the unit shortened this name to 7.62 cm Sfl. Only one "Diana" was reported as "planned to be completed" with a 7.62 cm Pak 36 (not a 7.62 cm F.K.296(r) . Plans were made to test this vehicle in Libya in the Summer of 1942 - however there is no report stating that it was actually completed, shipped to, or arrived in North Africa. Intentions are not the same as accomplishments. The correct answer was first published on page 9 in "Rommel's Funnies" by Thomas L. Jentz. Overall results of Panzer Ace Quiz No.2The following scores were achieved:
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| Answers to PanzerAce Quiz #1 |
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We
appreciate the participation of those who courageously sent in answers
in the hope of getting their name in lights as a “Panzer Ace”.
Those who did not send in answers to the first quiz, are
encouraged to try the next one. Remember,
everyone is a winner when they send in a completed quiz and receive
a Panzer Tracts coupon. As
we all have found out the hard way, there are erroneous answers in many
publications. The five
questions in the first quiz represent only a minute fraction of the
erroneous data found in publications and available on “free” web
sites. Many of these errors
stem from British and American military intelligence reports compiled
during and directly after the war.
Written in English, these reports are “still” extensively
used as sources by authors who can’t read German or can’t be
bothered to dig out original documents.
Because Walter Spielberger’s first articles in 1962/63 were
created almost entirely from these British and American military
intelligence reports (obtained while living in the United States from
1953 to 1973) most German and foreign publications are full of these
same errors. It
is only during the past 25 years that Walter, Hilary, and I have found
millions of surviving original German documents and drawings created by
those who participated in Panzer design projects within the Heeres
Waffenamt, Daimler-Benz, Krupp, Henschel, Krauss-Maffei, M.A.N., and
Rheinmetall. These
original documents and drawings (along with photographs and surviving
Panzers) are the only reliable sources of data and are being used
exclusively in our current series of books, starting in 1991 with: Sturmgeschuetz,
leichte Jagdpanzer, schwere Jagdpanzer, and Begleitwagen
published by Motorbuch Verlag, Germany’s
Panther Tank, Germany’s
Tiger Tanks, Panzer Truppen, and Tank Combat in North
Africa published by Schiffer, Panzerkampfwagen
Maus and Museum
Ordnance Specials No.11 Sd.Kfz.231, 18 Wespe, 22 Luchs, and 24
Sd.Kfz.234 published by Darlington Productions, and New
Vanguard No.1 Tiger II, 5 Tiger I, 15 Flammpanzer, 19 , 22, 36
published by Osprey Publishing. In
addition, we have created a new publication series, Panzer Tracts,
also based solely on these reliable original documents and drawings,
with the primary objective of correcting this mountain of
misinformation. Seven
Panzer Tracts (No.4 Pz.Kpfw.IV, No.6 s.Pz.Kpfw.(Tigers),
No.8 Sturmgeschuetz/Sturmpanzer, No.9 Jagdpanzer, No.12 Flakpanzer,
No.14 Gep.Pioniene Fahrzeuge, and No.16 Bergepanzer) are
now in print along with Panzerkampfwagen VI(P), Rommel’s
Funnies, and.Dreaded Threat (8.8 cm Flak)) If
you use these new reliable and accurate sources of information, you too
can be a Panzer Ace!
1.
1-
; 1- What is the diameter in mm
of the steel tired roadwheels on some Pz.Kpfw. Panther Ausf.G produced in
September 1944? Answer:
800 mm Score:
60% answered this question correctly. Normal
rubber-tired Panther road wheels are 860 mm in diameter.
The wrong answer (860 mm) was contained in a photo caption
on page 142 and H.L.Doyle’s scale print on page 148 in the first edition
of Walter Spielberger’s Der Panzerkampfwagen Panther und Seine
Abarten (both errors have been corrected in the current German
edition). The
correct answer can be easily obtained by comparing the track link pitch
against the wheel diameter by measuring the clear side view photograph on
page 142. Corrected information was first published on page 94 in
Germany’s Panther Tank by Thomas L. Jentz and Hilary L. Doyle. 2-
2- The
letters B.W., used as the manufacturer’s code designation for the
Pz.Kpfw.IV, are an abbreviation for? Answer:
Begleitwagen Score:
56% answered this question correctly. The
origin of the wrong answer “Bataillonsfuehrerwagen” (and
thousands of other bits of erroneous data now in the published record)
stems from the Illustrated Record of Germany Army Equipment 1939-1945
Volume III Armoured Fighting Vehicles compiled by M.I.10 The War
Office 1947. Bataillonsfuehrerwagen was first printed by Walter
Spielberger in the pamphlet “Feldgrau” in 1962/63 (which was reprinted
in Die Deutschen Panzer 1926-1945).
In 1976, we copied it into page 88 of the Encyclopedia of German
Tanks of World War II). The
correct answer was found in a Krupp annual report for fiscal year 1934.
It was published in the book Begleitpanzer, Panzerkampfwagen IV
by Spielberger, Doyle and Jentz and Panzer Tracks No.4 by Jentz and
Doyle. The correct
information was published over four years ago. 3-
The code name “Hetzer”
was officially assigned to which Jagdpanzer? Answer:
E-10 Score: 8% answered
this question correctly. The
wrong answer (Jagdpanzer 38) was first printed by Walter
Spielberger in the pamphlet “Feldgrau” in 1962/63 (which was reprinted
in Die Deutschen Panzer 1926-1945 and copied in 1976 into page 53
of the Encyclopedia of German Tanks of World War II).
In several original strength reports the troops incorrectly applied
this name to the Jagdpanzer 38 and this was also noted by Guderian in a
report to Hitler. However, a
mistake by the troops does not constitute an “official” title. The
correct answer was found as a handwritten entry made by Lt. H. Schroeder
HTB dated 1 November 1943 in D 97/1+.
Notice that this date precedes the initiation of the Jagdpanzer 38
project (which didn’t meet any of the “Hetzer” specifications) by
over a month. The correct
answer was first revealed on an overhead slide during a talk at the AMPS
show given by Tom Jentz on Jagdpanzers over three years ago and recently
printed in the Jagdpanzer 38 “Hetzer” 1944-1945 (New Vanguard) by
Doyle and Jentz. 4-
Dr. Porsche designed a
turret for which Tiger tank? Answer:
None Score:
Surprisingly only 16% answered this question correctly. Due
to the postwar misuse of the
name “Porsche Turret” for the turret mounted on the first 50 Tiger II
produced, many have been misled into believing that Dr. Porsche actually
designed turrets (including Tom Jentz when he wrote the text on Page 139
in the Encyclopedia of German Tanks of World War II back in 1976). Details
on the design of all the Tiger turrets were found in original Krupp
records. These also revealed
that Porsche was only designing chassis and drive train components.
The correct information was published seven years ago in New
Vanguard No.1 Tiger II (1993) and No.5 Tiger I (1993) by Jentz and Doyle. 5-
Armor thickness of the plates on the sides of an “Ostwind”
turret was? Answer:
16 mm Score: 32% answered
this question correctly. This
misinformation stems from data listed in the original Heeres Waffenamt
Technishe Daten Blatt G318I as Turm 25 mm (rundum) for the
Flakpanzer IV, 3,7 cm (and was copied from this source onto page 111 of
the Encyclopedia of German Tanks of World War II).
25 mm is correct for the flat sides of a “Moebelwagen”
superstructure (starting with No.46) but not for the turret of the Ostwind. The
correct data was found on an original turret drawing and original
documents on mounting this same turret on a Pz.Kpfw.III chassis. The correct information was first published in Panzer Tracts
No.12 in February 1998. Overall
results of Panzer Ace Quiz No.1 The
following scores were achieved: 20%
scored 0, 40% scored 1, 8% scored 2, 12% scored 3, 20% scored 4, and 0%
scored 5. Several
came close to answering all five correctly. Let’s
see if you can become a “Panzer Ace” next time. Thanks for participating, Tom Jentz and Hilary Doyle
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