The Markings of Panzer Abteilung (verl.) 66 in the Polish Campaign 1939

 Hello,

The Panzer Abteilung 66 (verl.) ("verlastet" means "truck-borne") was formed on November 10, 1938 from parts of the 2nd and 7th Panzer Regiments. The Abteilung was only equipped with PzKpfw I and II. In August 1939, the Panzer Ersatz Abteilung 1 was set up with the 4th light tank company, so that the Panzer Abteilung 66 (verl.) went into the Polish campaign with a total of 3 companies (numbered 1 to 3). It was subordinate to the 2.Leichte Division. Since the concept of truck loaded Panzer Abteilungen had not proven successful, all heavy trucks and low loaders were given away immediately after the Polish campaign. In November 1939, the 2.Leichte Division was reorganized into the 7.Panzer Division, to which the Panzer Abteilung 66 belonged during the western campaign. On February 19, 1941, Panzer Abteilung 66 was finally renamed III./PzRgt.25. and thus ceased to exist.

The target strength of the Panzer Abteilung (verl.) 66 with armored vehicles on September 1, 1939 according to KStN was:
1x PzKpfw III
1x PzBefWg III
5x kl.PzBefWg I
38x PzKpfw II
41x PzKpfw I

The actual operational strength reported on September 1, 1939 was:
2x kl.PzBefWg I
42x PzKpfw II
41x PzKpfw I

Vehicles of the 2.Company of Panzer Abteilung (verl.) 66
ready for the Polish Campaign

Unfortunately, I haven't been able to find any photos of tanks from the Nachrichtenzug (signals platoon) or the Leichter Zug (light platoon) of the Abteilungs-HQ, which is why the markings used for these units are still unknown.

Camouflage
The vehicles of Panzer Division (verl.) 66 wore the camouflage paintwork in dark gray No. 46 and dark brown No. 45, which was introduced on July 12, 1937 and was to be applied by October 1, 1939 at the latest.

PzKpfw II Ausf.D of the 1.Company

Balkenkreuze (Crosses)
The vehicles of Panzer Abteilung (verl.) 66 bore the white Balkenkreuz (bar cross) introduced on July 13, 1939 on all four sides as required.
On the Panzerkampfwagen II, the crosses were all painted on the turret. At the front the cross went over the gun mantlet (and almost always to the lower edge of the turret), at the rear of the turret it was usually offset to the left.
On the Panzerkampfwagen I, the front cross was attached to the front armor, to the right of the Fahrersehklappe, and the other three crosses were painted on the turret as usual.
A special feature is that the PzKpfw I crosses on the turrets of the 3rd company were the entire height of the turret, while those of the 2nd company were slightly smaller.

Balkenkreuze on PzKpfw I, left picture shows the smaller size used
by 2nd Company, the other two photos are showing vehicles of the
3rd Company with the bigger crosses.

Balkenkreuze on PzKpfw II turrets.

Fliegersichtzeichen
The "lime painting on the inclined part of the rear tank as a mark for own planes" decreed on July 13, 1939 can be seen in some photos of PzKpfw I and II.

White painted surfaces for identification from the air.

Tactical signs / turret numbers
There were no division insignias or company diamonds attached to the tanks. The only tactical symbols of the Panzer Abteilung (verl.) 66 are the individual turret numbers of the armored vehicles in the usual three-digit manner. The Panzer Abteilung used the smallest sized turret numbers compared to the other tank units in the Polish campaign. The 1st and 3rd companies had their numbers on the same position, namely in a superscript position slightly behind the Balkenkreuze on the side. The 2nd company had the numbers below the cross lines of the crosses, the 2nd platoon of the 2nd company even lower (so that they protruded below the crosses).

Turret numbers used bei Panzer Abteilung (verl.) 66

Best regards,
Andreas