here is what I found ,.......Kamens post is in general correct - but some of the units never
recieved IR Panthers. Units that really saw combat with IR Panthers was a
Versuchs unit under command of a Haas ( ca 4-5 Panthers) . It was in
Hungary Dec-Jan 44-45. Otherwise during the Winter they cancelled the
operations with IR device becauce of the snow which made the IR "Blind"
Later the 1./29 (Rasim) saw combat at Seelow heights 4. /11 southeast
of Berlin and finally the 1/130 in area Berlin. Reports says (perhaps)
that a couple of vehicles of 1/BR (staff) saw action with the IR.
Small groups was tested as well but without Panthers. Some crews saw a
"lehrgang" but (ex Pz.Rgt 27) saw never action with the Panthers.
The 3./6 recieved its Panther and was transported to Hungary in March
45 but saw never action - as they were afraid it would fall in the
advancing russian hands. The crew had one problem and it was to identify foe
or friend throug the device - it was like looking on a old movie and
you could not see if it was a T-34 or a Panther. Thats why they "hold"
fire many times. On each IR Panther it was 2-3 Soldiers that was guarded
the Tank armed with IR MP 44. They were also guarded on the back by a
steel plate.
( I cant post pictures - but if you go to www. missing -links you will
see a Panther from 1./29 based on facts .Interwievs with Vets etc).
Well just a short reply...
Well concerning the units I/130...I/24...I/11 is correct they rushed to
Hungary in Dec.44 but without any IR equippment -one Comp of I/130
(1:st) stayed in Germany as a base for the later I/130 and continiud
training with IR.
The main reason they did not use the IR in Dec - Feb 44-45 was two
reasons...the equippment was not reliable enough and as i said they did not
used IR during the winter and snow. Just a short history - over and out
regards Mirko