Danjanou said:
Yeah the mobility issue may not be addressed much. I haven't done much research into these yet aside from they were extensively used in the Hitler and Gustav Lines and later in the Gothic Lines. I would presuemt at they salvaged turrets from no runnign damaged tanks as opposed to using viable tanks.
A perspective on the German idea,
"As the tide of the war began to turn the German High Command became increasingly desperate and plans were formulated to use Panther tank turrets as improvised fortifications[Panzerstellung]. This was something of a departure for the Germans, since these tanks were still in production; indeed the Panther was the main medium German battle tank. Initially, the turrets used were from standard production models and, understandably, the Allies concluded from this that either 'the [Panther] chassis is not too satisfactory or that its production has been hindered by our air attacks'. Neither conclusion was in fact correct and, faced with overwhelming evidence, Allied intelligence was forced to concede that this was a standard German fortification.
Although the first installations captured by the Allies mounted standard Panther tank turrets (primarily from the older Ausf. D, but also the later Ausf. A turret) purpose built turrets were also encountered. These turrets were simplified versions of the standard production model, the main visible difference being that they were fitted with a flat hatch rather than a cupola. The other significant difference was that the turret roof was constructed using a 40 mm plate (as opposed to 16 mm). This was because the emplaced turrets were more vulnerable to artillery fire. Once the turret had opened fire it had effectively highlighted its location to enemy artillery and therefore needed to be able to withstand the inevitable barrage. German tests showed that the additional armour meant that the turret could withstand a hit from a 150 mm artillery shell.
Further evidence that these fortifications were not improvisations, but were specially developed, was apparent from the fact that they were mounted on purpose built shelters." ( Neil Short, "The German use of tank turrets as fixed fortifications". http://www.ospreypublishing.com/content2.php/cid=215) Supporting Short is the directive given by Hitler of " TM-E 30-451: Handbook on German Military Forces published in March 1945 found in CHAPTER V. FORTIFICATIONS AND DEFENSES, Section II. CHARACTERISTICS OF FORTIFICATIONS" stating "Hitler subsequently ordered Tobruk pits to be used as defense works in the field, and instructions for building them were distributed down to divisions." The Panther turrets were then placed on a modified "Torbruk pit". (http://www.lonesentry.com/manuals/tme30/ch5sec2.html)
For the Panther's big Kitty brother.
There is a good site here http://www.ss501panzer.com/213_restoration.htm which looks at The Restoration of 213 commanded by SS-Obersturmführer Dollinger in Belguim.
For his surviving brothers and sisters:
Surviving Panther Tanks
the.shadock.free.fr/Surviving_Panthers.pdf
(updated Feb/08 with photo's)
Relic hunting and restoration of armored vehicles in Russia:
"all founded armored vehicles are property of GAPTU (Armored department of Russian Defense Ministry). Argumentation: "if tomorrow the war, all historical military armored vehicles will be at front..." Strange? But during the battle for Moscow 1941 many people volunteer detachments had....the rifles 1812M from the Smolensk museum. Found on the battlefields after 60 years, any armored vehicles could be put in the order by our specialists."(http://www.tankmuseum.ru/restor.html)
BUNKERMUSEUM - Austrian defences against the former Yugoslavia
http://www.fsgfort.com/DB/C076/31/text.htm
