pose with tank

US soldiers take a ride in captured German Sd Kfz 233 heavy armoured car, North Africa, 1943.  These vehicles were relations of the Sd Kfz 231, but with substanial adaptations to allow the 75cm. KwK37 "short" 75mm gun (as used on early Pz Kpfw IV tanks), with very limited traverse, to be mounted.  A relatively rare vehicle (total production run of 119 between December 1942 and October 1943), these vehicles were used on the Ostfront and in North Africa, by armoured reconaissance units.  Their rugged qualities and good hitting power in close infantry support made them popular with the Panzerarmee Afrika - the original owners of this example, I think.  Best regards, JR.

Sd Kfz 233 under new management ..

Having fought through the worst of the battle at Anzio, the Third Division was replaced by the 34th Infantry Division after 67 days of continuous frontline action and moved to corps reserve beginning March 28. Easter fell on April 9, 1944 as the Easter Bunny made an appearance in the barrel of a firmly entrenched beachhead gun. texag57
   