Cover Story: In Memory of Operation Overlord

Panzer Lehr's Panzergrenadiers in Normandy

This Unteroffizier is the leader of a panzer grenadier squad. He wears the M1940 special field-gray Panzer uniform issued to all Panzer-Lehr- Division troops not entitled to the black Panzer uniform. The dark green shoulder straps have stitched Gothic L for Lehr. His M1942 helmet has the second pattern cover in M1931 splinter-pattern camouflage. He looks the fields through a standard 6x30 binoculars. He also carries a M1924 stick grenade in his belt.

This section first gunner stands behind the squad leader and his machine gun. He wears the M1940 special field-gray Panzer uniform issued to all Panzer-Lehr-Division troops not entitled to the black Panzer uniform. The dark green shoulder straps have grass-green branch-color piping and stitched Gothic L for Lehr. The M1940 collar patches are also piped grass-green. His M1942 helmet has the second pattern cover in M1931 splinter-pattern camouflage.

This section second gunner stands behind the first gunner. He wears the M1942/1943 field-tunic without shoulder straps and collar patches. His M1942 helmet has the second pattern cover in M1931 splinter-pattern camouflage.

The board MG 42 is mounted on a heavy tripod to provide accurate aiming and fire support for ground combat. The ammunition belt is lying on the machine gun. There are two more MG 34 machine guns on the vehicle. One is anti-aircraft machine gun in the rear of the vehicle and one is reserved for ground combat. The first gunner operates the board MG 42 while he remains in the vehicle. Once he takes the reserved MG 34 for ground combat, the radio operator remains in the vehicle and takes care of the board MG 42.

The observer stands behind the radio operator. He wears the M1942/1943 field-tunic. The dark green shoulder straps have grass-green branch-color piping. The M1940 collar patches are also piped grass-green. His M1942 helmet has the second pattern cover in M1931 splinter-pattern camouflage. He looks the fields through a artillery binoculars. The radio operator wears M1943 peaked field cap and ear phone.

It is strange that there were two different field uniforms in the same squad. This might reflect the difficult situation in collecting resources for making uniform in the late war year.