Hey All,
I'm hoping someone out there can answer a couple of questions.
Did the 9th panzer division have any 251 "c" attached to it? I have read somewhere that there was a engineer company attached to it, but haven't been able to see solid evidence. I'm working on two 251's that will be in a single dio together, one is the 251 c, and the other is the 251/7 c. I want to depict them in France sometime after the Allied invasion. I know that the 9th fought around the Falise Gap in August of 44.
If they did exist, what is the most likely color scheme they would have? I plan to paint the interior panzer gray, but haven't made up my mind on the exterior.
I appreciate any help you have to offer.

I have a book titled "Wehrmacht Panzer Divisions 1939 to 1945" by Jorge Rosado & Chris Bishop. I purchased it from the Military Book Club.

There is a chapter about the 9th Panzer Division. It shows a Sd. Kfz 251/6 Mittlerer Kommandopanzerwagen Ausf C. It is shown in an overall grey finish with white Balkenkreuz. I would think that if they received the Command version, they likely had standard infantry carriers or pioneer variations. I could be wrong though.

The 9th Panzer Division took heavy losses during Kursk and was withdrawn from the Eastern front and moved to Carcassone, France in June of 1944. It arrived in the Normandy area after the allies broke out of the beachhead. As you correctly stated, the division got caught in the Falaise Pocket. The division escaped with only 2000 of its men and only retained 12 tanks. The division went through a major refit and was up to combat strength in time for the Ardennes offensive.

Osprey Publishing #25 in the New Vanguard series on the Sd Kfz 251 shows a 9th Panzer division 251/6 C on page 25 in a color plate.

Hope this helps some.

Thank you Brent,
I knew someone would know the answers!! One more question, the picture you have, does it say when/where it was taken? I ask because I would like to paint my 251's in a three color scheme. I'm guessing that when they were refitted in 44, their vehicles got some upgrades-including paint.

The grey vehicles were used in Russia. One picture is circa 1941. The vehicles were painted in overall dunkelgelb or various two and three tone camouflage. Send me your email and I can scan a couple of the pages for you if you want.

your the man Brent. I sent you my e-mail, thanks a lot for the help, I really appreciate it.

Email sent Brian.

I'm happy to help.

Thanks again Brent, youv'e been a lot of help, I gotta get that book!

You can find some great German uniform information here:

http://www.wehrmacht-awards.com/uniforms_firearms/uniforms/shoulder_boards/index.htm