http://ww2photo.mimerswell.com/index.htm
[/img]
O.K., so I was picking through the above site, and found this pic. Now I know that the vehicles in front are Renault UE 630(f) APC's, converted to munitions schleppers(or St. zu Fuss?) for the German Army. But can someone PLEASE tell me why the heck that SdKfz.251(?) in the background is sporting an American star? The website is in...Danish, I think, so I can't read the Caption, but I believe this is a captured vehicle park. Allied markings Temp sprayed on to prevent freindly fire accidents? I Know this was done to many captured allied aircraft after the war, but it seems you'd be evaluating ground vehicles in a more controlled area
Anyone?

Near the end of the war, American units seized any and all German vehicle to drive rather than walk across Germany. In fact the 83rd Infantry Division was known as the Rag Tag Circus because of all the captured German vehicles they used. The field applied star was placed in prominent positions so they would not be attacked by either their own ground elements of Allied air forces.
DJ

Robert - Have to agree with DJ as to why the US star marking as for seems you'd be evaluating ground vehicles in a more controlled area you are probably looking at a turn in point / junk yard. They aren't there for evaluation they're scrap. Just my guess.

Why walk? Many captured German AFV's were turned around and used by Allied troops.

There is a great picture of a King Tiger with BIG white stars on it being driven by American tankers.

Well, thanx for all the concordant replies, fellas. That's what I thought at first, but then remembered all the stories about how the German spies were found out during the battle of the Bulge- they were ridind more than 1 to a jeep. Transpo at that time seemed plentiful, and with all the leapfrogging of forces in Germany toward the end, seems like a good way to get your shot out from under ya. Oh well, I wasn't there...