Surely this news item should have been launched at the start of the month? Can't see that very exposed bit of oil-filled glass on the roof lasting any length of time in combat! The obvious solution would be a hand-held compass in the TC's pocket to be used dismounted when not being shot at. Or a compass mounted inside the turret...

It's for road marches not combat... Dan

Look: Orterkompass info

If nothing else it'd be useful in a diorama featuring all those German pointing figures.

There is some speculation on the excellent website panther1944.de whether the Orterkompass was intended for use in connection with the night fighting equipment, to coordinate with the UHU-vehicles for battlefield infrared illumination. LINK This is at least a plausible explanation, as it would be strange for such a basic item such as a compass without any other specific purpose to be mounted on fighting vehicles so late in the war in an unprotected manner, and yet without any detailed information available as to why it was done. Considering the combat range with the stronger illumination by UHUs was supposed to extend to up to 2500 m, coordinating via an azimut from shared compass systems would probably be a good place to start.

The Orterkompass OK 38 seems to be one of those ideas that doesn't really take reality into consideration: shell hits, etc would wipe this clever piece of precision equipment away in no time; it doesn't even seem to be encased in an armoured cover. I'm with the guy that stated that they would simply dismount and take readings from, say, the back of the tank thereby possibly sheltered from incoming rounds? Cool but of dubious application, though the Infra red idea might have merit.

Orterkompass info Small piece of text borrowed from David Byrdens excellent web-site: "This diagram shows three holes in the top of the sheet-metal base. A quick-release holder made of Bakelite was screwed into these holes. The holder incorporated the magnetic compensators, and for their correct operation it would have been necessary to keep the holder permanently on the roof. The compass itself could be easily inserted and removed from the holder, and stored inside the tank without ill effect." Quick release holder, store compass in tank when not actively used. / Robin

Count four posts up from yours.

This the the best that I found about the Orterkompass, sorry but I guess that it´s only in spanish. LINK