Dutch Vickers Model 1936 - Netherlands East Indies

[David Reasoner]

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

Could this be one of the Vickers "Dutchmans" sent to Greece, and captured there by the Germans?

Gentlemen, I think it far more likely the tank in question was a former Latvian or Lithuanian Vickers. After the Soviet 1940 annexation of the Baltic States, these machines became part of the equipment of the Red Army's 12th Mechanized Corps, where most likely ended up in German hands.

The knocked out DAF armored cars could indicate use by the German 227th Infantry Division, whose reconnaissance battalion took four ex-Dutch DAF M39 armored cars to the Eastern Front in late Autumn 1941. However, I have yet to see any hard evidence they ever had a captured Vickers light tank on strength.

David

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by David Reasoner

Gentlemen, I think it far more likely the tank in question was a former Latvian or Lithuanian Vickers. After the Soviet 1940 annexation of the Baltic States, these machines became part of the equipment of the Red Army's 12th Mechanized Corps, where most likely ended up in German hands.

David,

Having dug up more info on the subject, I think the odds are indeed larger this (these?) are captured Latvian or Lithuanian Vickers M1936 tanks.

Thanks!
Hanno


Lietuvos_3.JPG
http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/al...Lietuvos_3.PNG

"Lithuanian Vickers M1936 tanks and infantry wait for orders to cross the Lithuanian-Polish frontier on September 19, 1939"

[David Reasoner]

Hanno,

It's interesting that the photo you posted appears to show a mix of both Lithuanian M1934 and M1936 models, looking at the suspension bogies. A breakdown of the rather odd mix of armored vehicles present in the 12th Mechanized Corps in June 1941 can be found here:

http://rkkaww2.armchairgeneral.com/f...corps/12mk.htm

A total of 42 Vickers tankettes of all types were listed, including 5 of the 40mm gun-armed version. Apparently only about 13 of the 42 were still serviceable on 22 June 1941.

David

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Another captured Dutchman.

Source: http://www.odkrywca-online.pl/pokaz_watek.php?id=225326

britishvickerslightcommer.jpg