This is the story through words and pictures of Pz.Kpfw.V Panther turret number 225 belonging to 1./SS-Panzer-Regiment I under ‘Kampfgruppe Peiper’ that was knocked out at Stoumont, December 19,1944.
The Story at Stoumont:
It’s commander was Rottenführer Prahm who was ordered to take the lead point with the remaining Panzers of 2.Zug (platoon) of 1./SS-Pz.Rgt. I, which was followed by Hauptscharführer Knappich in Panther 221 and then Oberscharführer Ropeter in Panther 222.
It was hit initially coming around a bend in the main route to Stoumont (N33) by four 75mm rounds which ricocheted off the Panther’s frontal glacis plates. It then continued on and thus entered the sights of a 90mm AA gun commanded by Sgt.Sarnowski, the gun fired with the first shot hitting in the vicinity of the left front sprocket. The second shot hit the 75mm barrel close to the gun mantlet, shearing it off. Four more rounds were fired off, with the Panther’s crew bailing out in quick succession. One more round was fired off ‘for good measure’ and this proved to the only round that actually penetrated the armor. The Panther’s gunner Sturmmann Hübler never had a chance to fire of the main gun and so, Panther 225 never actually fired a round in anger during its short career.
Contrary to American sources, not all of the German crew were killed. Gunner Sturmmann Hans-Georg Hübler survived, as did his loader Sturmmann Werner Zander.
Picture one:
Panther 225, commanded by Franz Prahm laying where it was hit on N33 on the approaches to Stoumont. You can see where the gunner Hans-Georg Hübler started to traverse the turret to the right in anticipation of taking potential enemy positions in this area.
Picture two:
The same view on the approaches to Stoumont as it stands now. Over the years only minor changes have been made to the area. The Wilkin’s house had been demolished and the trees that marked the N33 have been removed.
Picture three:
In this photo one can see the remnants of the factory-production camouflage pattern on the rear of the turret along with the large areas blackened due to internal fire. Also in evidence is the differences between the way the 1.Kompanie and the 2.Kompanie applied their tactical markings on their vehicles.
In the top left-hand side we see the turret number 225 has been repeated using a smaller version of the standard LAH tactical numbers. 1. Kompanie did not use this method and the turret numbers were only painted in the usual manner, on the side of the turret.
Photo four:
A trophy snapshot taken by US troops shortly after the recapture of Stoumont shows two GI’s posing at the front of Panther 225. The damage to the gun barrel as well as two hits on the glacis plate can be seen. The ‘tail down, nose up’ attitude of the Panther is caused by the weakened rear torsion-bar suspension
arms collapsing and the lack of weight on the front as a result of the missing 7.5 cm KwK 42 L/70 gun barrel. We can also see the drivers hatch has been jettisoned and is laying on the hull roof (one the right). This feauture was introduced in August 1944 to allow the crew to escape when the turret was traveresed and was overhanging the hatch, stopping it from opening in the normal manner.
Photo five:
This Panther is from the September 44 onwards production run with Lost-Erkennungs-Tafeln (poison gas identification panels) becoming standard, one which can be seen at the upper edge of the turret at the bend in the rear. Most of its storage appears in place and interestingly it appears to have been issued with the jack support block from a Panther Ausf.A. As was common in Panthers that have suffered an internal fire while still carrying fuel and ammunition, the torsion-bar suspension has collapsed leaving the vehicle sitting very low over the road-wheels.
This is the only known photograph of Panther 225 that shows the vehicle’s right-hand side and considering it was taken under combat conditions it has still revealed a wealth of detail with indications this Panther received a standardized factory applied camouflage scheme.
There is a faint line of color starting from just in front of the poison gas identification panel down to the bottom interlocks of the turret front. This is commonly seen on Panthers manufactured by both Daimler-Benz and M.A.N.
Picture six:
In this picture one can see how low level light conditions and exposure to the elements has effected Panther 225; the digits on the turret rear are no longer visible. To the rear of the vehicle the light just catching the exhaust’s armor which has the same contour as the metal shroud above. This leads to conclude that it is a casting and that Panther 225 was manufactured by Daimler-Benz. The vehicles Kampfraumheizung is also clearly visible in the shot as is the total absence of Zimmerit.