Pz.Kpfw.P 40

Page 1

The P 40 was produced in 64-66 examples (plus 38-41 without engine, to be used in fixed position) after the Italian armistice and was used, as far as it is known, only by German units.

-10. Pol.Pz.Kp. received 15 P40 from Panzer-Ausbildungs-Abteilung Süd in December 1944.

-15. Pol.Pz.Kp. received 14 P40 in mid November 1944.

-24. Waffen-Gebirgs (Karstjager)-Brigade der SS received 14 P40 in October 1944.

-5 P40 had been issued to the Pz.Ausb.Abt. Süd for training.

The fate of the remaining is not clear.

24. Waffen-Gebirgs (Karstjager)-Brigade der SS

History

The divisional status is only on paper, formed from a battalion specialised in hard mountain warfare. In action since september 1943 in north-eastern Italy. Brigade formed a Panzer-Kompanie to better fight partisans in Carso and Istria. In October 1944, Brigade sent to Cividale del Friuli along with 14 P40. Fought in the end of April 1945 against british and italian partisans. In early May, the company abandonned the remaining tanks west of Villach in Austria, and was disbanded.

(Pictures from "Panzer units in the operationszone Adriatisches Kustenland (OZAK) 1943-1945 and the panzer-sicherungs-kompanien in Italy" Stefano di Giusto, exceptions are mentionned)

1945,February. The first close-range tank fighting training course for members of the 24. Waffen-Gebirgs (Karstjager)-Brigade der SS was held in Cividale; this picture shows a moment of the final demonstration, as a P 40 drives in front of a lined-up unit.

(Source Sergio CORBATTI, Marco NAVA,  KARSTJÄGER) 

1945, March, Monte Santo. 3 pictures of the Panzer-Kompanie's P.40 pictured during the Operation Winterende.

The three platoon commanders of the Karstjager Pz.Kp. (SS-Oberscharfuhrer Cavagna - a German, despite the name - and SS-Unterscharfuhrer Dufke and Walter) pose in front of a P 40.

1945, 1st May, Godia (near Udine). А Р40 belonging to the Karstjager Pz.Kp. destroyed by a British anti-tank gun, surrounded by a group of partisans.