Janusz Ledwoch - Warzaw 1 - Tanks in the Uprising

A definitive, comprehensive record of the camouflage and unit notation adorning armoured vehicles during the Warsaw Uprising is a complex issue that requires more study and investigation. From the Polish side in particular, there is quite simply a notable lack of reliable source material. Personally, Ive had the benefit of correspondence with Janusz Kwapisiewicz from Szczecin on the subject of the camouflage painted on the insurgents Panther vehicles. An extremely comprehensive cross-examination of the crew members has not provided any new information. Still lacking, is information on whether these Panthers bore German tactical number identifications and if so what were they? Questions concerning text, the locations of Polish checkered patterns, etc. are still open. The Polish Panthers appearing on colour posters are painted in their probable camouflage disguise from August 2 11, 1944.

What sort of camouflage pattern had been painted on the Sd Kfz 251 transport vehicle, Starwka, was for many years only partly known, because the only known photograph of it was taken of the vehicles front. It wasnt until recent years, that photographs taken of its back and sides were unearthed.

Another interesting question concerns how Szary Wilk was painted. Veterans of the fighting are not at all in agreement as to whether the checkered pattern had been painted on the sides, how big they were, or just where they were placed. Due to this lack of reliable information, the vehicle has often been painted without the checkered pattern. Nor is there any reliable information on how this transport vehicles superstructure was painted.

The armoured car Kubu was, according to a portion of eye-witness accounts, grey and light-grey, or light-greyand earth coloured. In this books illustration, the vehicle is painted in the way most commonly described by these former insurgents.

There is a rather good amount of information concerning how the German vehicles were painted, both from pictures appearing in generally text-oriented publications (newspapers, brochures and books) and from journalistic film footage. In general, regimented patterns were used for camouflage paint applications that is to say, vehicles were painted in a limited number of two to three-colour camouflage-patterns that were introduced as standard in 1943. However, there were certain exceptions.

During the first period, very likely lasting until the end of August 1944, Brummbrs from Sturmpanzer-Kompanie 218 z. b. V , for example, had single colour, entirely yellow camouflage patterns. Later, the StuG 40s were repainted. The vehicles which attacked the Polish barricades in the Centre district had, during the first ten days of September, two or three-colour camouflage patterns. Its possible that only the Brummbrs which were held in reserve were painted in this fashion.

The Tigers camouflage pattern during the time of the uprising has been determined by photographs taken of this vehicle provided in the previously mentioned publication ( W.Schneider, Tigers in Combat vol. II, Winnipeg 1998), but as to whether just that particular tank actually fought in Warsaw remains an open question. Some insurgents who fought in Ochota recall that the knocked out Tiger had a red number on the turret. This is a very interesting observation because Tigers from the th Company of the rd SS-Panzer-Division Totenkpf only had a white tactical standard notation at that time. Perhaps, it was not the practice to paint over the old tactical numbers from other heavy tank units during their renovation in Germany?

Sturmgesschtz from Ersatz-Sturmgeschtz-Abteilung 200 had two-colour, yellow-green camouflage patterns, while the StuG 40s from Panzer-Abteilung 302. (Fkl) had several different types of two or three-colour protective camouflage patterns. Vehicles from Companies 3 and 4 had wavy or more seldom, a checkered camouflage paint treatment. Photographs of vehicles determined as coming from Companies 1 and 2 displayed typical speckled camouflage patterns. The deviations exemplified in the different ways that the vehicles were painted in the individual companies within Panzer-Abteilung 302 (Fkl) was due to the fact that although the battalion was formed in 1942, it came to be reorganized in the beginning of 1943 into independent units, as for example, Company 1 in the 311. Panzer-Kompanie (Fkl). In the summer of 1944, a part of this company returned to the newly restored Panzer-Abteilung 302. (Funklenk) 311. Panzer-Kompanie (Fkl) as Company 4 in the new Panzer-Abteilung 302. (Fkl).

Company 2 was built up from 315. Panzer-Kompanie (Fkl) , Company1 from the 316 Panzer-Kompanie (Fkl) , and Company 3 from 317. Panzer-Kompanie (Fkl). Company 3s StuGs had white tactical number notations (typically three numbers) painted on a rectangular piece of amour plating affixed to the rear of the chassis. Company 4s vehicles had tactical numbering for example, painted in red on the side armour. The StuGs from Company 3 also had the tank companys tactical identification number painted on the front armour and on the rear of the chassis. Three Panzerbefehlswagen IV, 7.5 cm Kwk 40 L/48 command vehicles, on the other hand, had the two-colour standard camouflage, and the typical German national markings Balkenkreuz (German cross) were painted on the front of their turret shields (Schrzen). StuG 40 s in Panzer-Abteilung 302 . (Fkl) (for example; vehicles from Company 3) had individual Balkenkreuz painted on the front and rear of the chassis.

Tracked B IV vehicles had three-colour standard camouflage. On the cover of their explosive-charge holder was often painted (white chalk paint) the code-numbers of the radio frequency used to remote-control the holders release-mechanism.

The PzKpfw 736 (i) tanks with the police platoon had two-colour (yellow/green) standard camouflage markings. Known photographs depict burnt-out vehicles: Its therefore not possible to determine whether these tanks, apart from the typical Balkenkreuz insignia, also had the police units characteristic eagle painted on the turret. The Balkenkreuz was always painted outlined in white.

The largest armoured vehicle used during the uprising, the Karl Gert 040, Ziu , had a two-colour camouflage treatment. VI was painted in white on the back side of the armour protecting the mortars gun. It was not a tactical notation but rather a military directive. The Sturmtiger probably did not have a camouflage pattern since it was a prototype-vehicle and therefore most likely was painted entirely yellow.

A long column of insurgents leaves
Warsaw after the fighting had ended.
Many were marching to an unknown fate.