MM-3-4-2005 SDKFZ 179 BERGEPANTHER

The Bergepanzer Panther or Bergepanther (Sd.Kfz 179) was a German technical support and evacuation tank from the Second World War. The first prototypes were built in 1944, and serial production started in the same year, leading to the creation of about 300 vehicles of this type. The vehicle was powered by an engine Maybach HL230 P30 with 700 hp. The tank was armed with a single 7.92 mm MG34 machine gun and - in some examples - a 20 mm cannon. Due to the introduction of the Pz.Kpfw V and Pz.Kpfw VI vehicles to the line, the Wehrmacht command faced the problem of evacuating damaged vehicles of this type from the battlefield. For a relatively long time, this problem was solved by sending to such vehicles lighter technical support vehicles (eg Sd.Kfz 7 or 9), but 2-3 vehicles per one tank. In 1944, however, it was decided to create an evacuation vehicle based on the chassis of the Pz.Kpfw V tank in A and G versions. The reconstruction consisted in removing the turret and replacing it with a crane. A much more durable drive train was also installed. Some cars of this type were also equipped with a winch with a lifting capacity of up to 40 tons. For the production of carts Bergepanther was responsible for the MAN, Henschel, Daimler-Benz and Demag plants.