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Gefreiter Franz Knab, born on July 2nd, 1918 in Graffach, belonged to 4.Schwadron (heavy company) of Aufklärungs-Abteilung 7 (mot.), which was lead by Oberleutnant Rolf Grams. The unit was stationed in München and was subordinated to 4.Panzer-Division.
I have already shown two photographs from his album in an earlier article ( Panzerbefehlswagen III Ausf.D1 and Sd.Kfz.232 ). The album includes a stunning view of an extremely rare Panzerfunkwagen (armored radio vehicle) - Sd.Kfz.263 (6 Rad). Only 12 of this 6 wheel version divisional-level radio vehicle was manufactured. Compared to Sd.Kfz.232 (6 Rad), Sd.Kfz.263 had only one machine gun (M.G.13) on a fixed turret and can easily be identified. Until a few years ago, only a handful pictures were known! One of the well-known night view (shown in PANZER TRACTS No.13 page 13-57, for example) is the leading vehicle (WH-75244) in the former photo.
The photo clearly shows gray-brown early camouflage scheme.
It is interesting to see the license number being painted on OVM.
More often we see a chassis number than a license number.
As you know, the license number 7xxxx is from München -
Friedenstandort of the Abteilung.
A.A.7 had two Sd.Kfz.263 (6Rad) in the
Nachrichten-Zug (communication platoon).
Since I acquired the Knab album, I have sought after Sd.Kfz.263 (6Rad) earnestly, and have acquired several photos of 263s (like this one. And now, "Seek, then you will be given!" - A very nice set of albums of Gefreiter Eugen Tauer has come along my way thanks to my friend Rick White! Tauer was a Funker in Nachrichten-Zug A.A.7. The photo shows him as a RAD Arbeitsmann on a motorcycle. Inthis photo, Tauer is seen in a neat Waffenrock and radio trade badge.
Apparently he was on WH-75245.
Here Tauer rests on the tail of
his "workhorse" - Sd.Kfz.263.
Note that mast antenna on the turret is extended for distant communication.
Also, very strange dummy view ports are drawn on the hull.
Any information regarding this strange practice is welcome!
Well, looking back at Knab's photo...
It appears to me that Tauer is
commanding WH-75245!
Knab's album includes a unit history of the Schwadron from Anschluss to the Westfeldzug. This kind of unit history is often found in early-war Wehrdienst-Ehrendienst type albums and very helpful in researching the unit. According to the unit history, Out of 184 soldiers of 4.Schwadron who were employed in Poland and France, the Schwadron suffered 4 KIAs (one in France, three in Poland), 2 more died in accidents in France, 11 were wounded. The relatively low figure must be a reflection of the Schwadron's support role.
Incidentally, both albums of Knab and Tauer include citations for Anschluss medals. For Czechoslovakian campaign, Knab received the medal with a Spange, while Tauer received one without any Spangen. Both unit history and these documents (except for the Dienstsiegel - unit stamp) mention the unit name without (mot.), interesting.
If you have anything from A.A.7, I would like to get it for my collection, please drop me a message to me at vq5a-tkgc@asahi-net.or.jp!
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