Infrared Panthers in Berlin

(WARNING SERIOUS NERD SHIT!)
Infrared Panthers in Berlin

After the war not much was said or known of Germany’s role with infrared (IR) until late 47 when both the Anglo-American allies fully tested the captured equipment.
Since that time there has been a debate if the Germans actually used any of the IR equipment in Berlin’s fall. It is now that I’d like to share this tit-bit about a Panther driver

Driver of Panther 121, Gert B.
Gert B.:
We managed to move our Panther (tactical number 121) precariously through to the center of Berlin, but with the Russians approaching we had decided to destroy our IR equipment. After we took great care to destroy any and all evidence of the IR equipment, we set explosives and blew the vehicle up May, 45.

There is another account from 4.Komapie/Panzer-Regiment 11 who fielded at least 4 Panthers with IR equipment, and only one actually fighting in combat against the Russians. One of these vehicles was purported to have a box of welded armored  plates on the rear of the Panther to protect IR equipped infantry. 

Scale Model of a IR Panther equipped with armor plates on the rear.

4.Komapie/Panzer-Regiment 11 was the last unit known to have operated with IR equipment (all newer models). It is said that a few also operated with the ‘Solution-B’ system that mounted an MG along with the IR sight which was attached to the commanders cupola MG ring. They also mounted Driver/Gunner IR devices.

‘Solution B’ cupola set along with the gunner’s sight mounted on the “chin” mantlet.

Both are Bildwandler FG1250 scopes, and the commander’s station mounts a UR-Scheinwerfer (yeah, yeah, yeah…it werfs Schein) that works with and without the dissipating filter. The driver mounted the same scope and light, but the mount was attached to the drivers parascope with the UR-Scheinwerfer mounted to the side.


UR-Scheinwerfer and Bildwandler FG1250 IR device for the driver’s mounting.

So with the known evidence and with Veteran stories we can see that the number of actual Panthers mounting the IR that saw combat was a very limited number
(maybe 5 examples at the most). There is some information about an SS unit near the Berlin zoo, equipped with IR Panthers and infantry.

I want it to be known Germany was not the only country in WWII that had infrared equipment, the British were working on a bomb sight and had a device, but neither saw combat. But Germany was the first to make camouflage made to counter infrared equipment. The tunic and pants in the Leibermuster camouflage pattern were embedded with coal which would actually soak the IR and leave less of a light signature. This is another historical debate as to the use, but there have been many original photos showing Leibermuster in use with Heere and SS troops wearing it.
The Leibermuster was supposed to become the universal camouflage for all ground forces of the Third Reich.

M45 Leibermuster camouflage, this was made from the same HBT material that M44  “dot” camouflage tunics and pants used.