Captured Jeeps
- USAFpj
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Captured Jeeps
When German forces captured US vehicles either through European, Russian, or African battlefields, was it common for them to then repaint the entire vehicle? I've seen quite a few images of captured jeeps and Dodges, but because the images are black/white, its hard to tell if they're now Panzer Grey?
Here's an image for example. Either Russian lend lease or German captured? And what color has it been painted
Here's an image for example. Either Russian lend lease or German captured? And what color has it been painted
- Michael O.
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Re: Captured Jeeps
It’s hard to say from the B&W photos if some were repainted but I’ve seen many photos of German Forces driving captured Allied vehicles with the national insignia intact and some with German battle flags draped over the hoods.
There are also some photos of captured/recovered American aircraft with the Balkan cross painted over the US national insignia.
There are also some photos of captured/recovered American aircraft with the Balkan cross painted over the US national insignia.
Michael O’Connell
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- Farrell Fox
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Re: Captured Jeeps
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Last edited by Farrell Fox on Sat Oct 26, 2019 11:16 am, edited 1 time in total.
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- dpcd67
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Re: Captured Jeeps
Just based on all the photos I have seen, as well as the impracticability of painting a vehicle in the field, I think that none were repainted; just add a cross, or a flag so your own side doesn't shoot you, and drive the hell out of it.
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- Chuck Lutz
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Re: Captured Jeeps
In the African campaign, both the British and the Germans used captured vehicles, used captured paint to paint them that desert sand-type coor and the Germans even used British uniforms out there as supplies dwindled due to shipping losses in the Mediterranean Sea.
However, if the question is about MARKINGS, there are photos from several theaters of German vehicles with their battle flags on the hood to let friendly air crews know who they were...when the Germans has air superiority. When German forces captured vehicles/tanks from US or Russian or British forces, it was not so easy to repaint the entire tank with the current color scheme but removing the stars and adding the Cross on them was important.
So...to answer your initial question...did either side completely repaint vehicles they captured...probably not very many.
However, if the question is about MARKINGS, there are photos from several theaters of German vehicles with their battle flags on the hood to let friendly air crews know who they were...when the Germans has air superiority. When German forces captured vehicles/tanks from US or Russian or British forces, it was not so easy to repaint the entire tank with the current color scheme but removing the stars and adding the Cross on them was important.
So...to answer your initial question...did either side completely repaint vehicles they captured...probably not very many.
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Re: Captured Jeeps
There is a scene in the movie "The Young Lions" where the Germans drive up in a captured Jeep while in North Africa. "Beutefahrzeug" is painted on the side of the Jeep. It means "booty vehicle". I thought that was an interesting detail in the movie.
Michael Gizinski
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Re: Captured Jeeps
Good eye. Saw that just two weeks ago.mgizinski wrote: ↑Sun Apr 01, 2018 7:21 amThere is a scene in the movie "The Young Lions" where the Germans drive up in a captured Jeep while in North Africa. "Beutefahrzeug" is painted on the side of the Jeep. It means "booty vehicle". I thought that was an interesting detail in the movie.
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Re: Captured Jeeps
I have a picture that my dad took during WW2 of a captured American B24 bomber with the cross's painted on it.
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Re: Captured Jeeps
There is a description in this great WW2 book by Birdwood of an allied convoy in North Africa getting attacked by an axis plane. Soldiers got off the vehicles but did not fire back.....pilot disengaged thinking that it was shooting at axis troops driving allied vehicles.....apparently was not uncommon to be using captured equipment.
https://www.amazon.com/Sikh-Regiment-Se ... 1781519994
https://www.amazon.com/Sikh-Regiment-Se ... 1781519994
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1942 MB 113037, "Slat Grill"
1945 MB 431740, 20698289-S
1942 MB 113037, "Slat Grill"
1945 MB 431740, 20698289-S
- Ingo
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Re: Captured Jeeps
Here are a few
Ingo
Ingo
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Re: Captured Jeeps
more
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Re: Captured Jeeps
Thanks for posting, these are really interesting, did we ever use captured German vehicles ?
- Ingo
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Re: Captured Jeeps
Remembering a film when a german OPEL rove through cologne with US markings on.
and for sure, lot of captured Schwimmwagen
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q ... 7291590680
and for sure, lot of captured Schwimmwagen
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q ... 7291590680
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Re: Captured Jeeps
Thanks Ingo, you learn so much on this site.
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Re: Captured Jeeps
The grass is always greener on the other side?