Holy crap, what a score! WWII content...

[Rob]

It really surprised me that every one of those tanks had treads that worked after sitting in mud and water for so long.  It speaks to how incredibly robust and durable the parts involved in that tread assembly are.

I also noted how many were upside down - I suspect that many of them sank into soft areas with one side lower than another, and the weight of the turret was enough to turn them over as they sank.

Thinking the same thing!
Well and the crews too

[OldManC]

Uwe, I'm curious. Is your knowledge of German WWII history common to people our age (and was it taught that frankly in school)? If so, is it still being taught that way? If that's the case I commend the German people for being willing to face history in a more honest manner than many.

[Aussie Mark]

Wikipedia says the STUG weighed 52,690 pounds. 

But definitely looks smaller than you'd imagine something that heavy to look.  I don't think I'd like to be spending my working day inside one of those!

[Denis]

Uwe, I'm curious. Is your knowledge of German WWII history common to people our age (and was it taught that frankly in school)? If so, is it still being taught that way? If that's the case I commend the German people for being willing to face history in a more honest manner than many.

Glad you mentioned that. I'm curious about that too. I work with lots of Germans and have found that some of them will make sarcastic jabs at the '33-45 period.

[Barklessdog]

The tank find is like a young child's dream. I remember when we were kids there was a smaller miltary tracked vehicle abandoned far in the woods near us. We used to play on it as kids. Later they built a school on the property & the vehicle removed.

[godofthunder]

 Wow what a time capsule! Still wearing winter camo, tools in the tool box, treads still roll. I wonder if someone had to climb in and put it in neutral?

I've heard of barn finds but this is beyond fantastic!

[Psycho Bass Guy]

I'm waiting for the crews to come out!!!

I don't know how much a horror fan you are, but there is a good movie about this subject that I think you would enjoy. Citizen Kane, it ain't, but I enjoyed it.  Good name too.

Outpost

BTW, the firefighter helmet has new badguy life:

http://yojoe.com/sideshow/10/cobrasniper/title_large.shtml

http://yojoe.com/sideshow/09/cobratrooper/title_large.shtml

http://yojoe.com/sideshow/09/cobraofficer/title_large.shtml

[dadagoboi]

I saw a very interesting German documentary yesterday about the Wehrmacht's collusion in the holocaust and killing of Russian prisoners.

It's called "The Unknown Soldier" and is based on extensive German research.  Streaming on Netflix and worth a look before deciding who were the good and bad soldiers of the Reich.

[Denis]

Oooh, I'd love to see that. I'll see if I can get a copy via Netflix.
Like Uwe said, not all SS were evil and not all Werhmacht were saints. That said, GIs committed atrocities too.
It's worth noting that the Germans and Russians respected no treaties in their treatment of prisoners. Something like 20 million Russians died at the hands of the Germans. And of the whole 6th Army who went to Stalingrad, only around 100,000 survived long enough to be prisoners and of those, fewer than 5-6000 lived long enough to be released from POW camps in 1955.

[Muzikman7]

Wow what a time capsule! Still wearing winter camo, tools in the tool box, treads still roll. I wonder if someone had to climb in and put it in neutral?

There are two two door hatches in front of the superstructure that allow access to the brakes I suspect they released them from there.

[Muzikman7]

http://www.achtungpanzer.com/sturmgeschutz-iii-sturmgeschutz-iv.htm

[Denis]

http://www.achtungpanzer.com/sturmgeschutz-iii-sturmgeschutz-iv.htm

Cool site! Look at the production increase after December, 1942! I guess old Speer was doing his job well after Todt died in that plane crash.

Variant:   Production Period:   Number Produced:
Ausf A   January - May 1940   30
Ausf B   June 1940 - May 1941   320
Ausf C   May - September 1941   50
Ausf D   May - September 1941   150
Ausf E   September 1941 - March 1942   272
Ausf F   March - September 1942   359 + 1 prototype
Ausf F/8   September - December 1942   334
Ausf G   December 1942 - March 1945      7720 + 173 converted

[Muzikman7]

The kills they racked up were pretty amazing also.

[Denis]

What does it say about me that I really want one?

[Rob]

What does it say about me that I really want one?

Most guys just get sportscars Denis