What unit is this panzer MK IV from?

[Mauser202]

This is one of my dads photos, a ww2 6th Armored vet. He was in the maintenance battalion but spent some time in mechanized recon unit too. I don’t think his tank took this one out as when he was in a tank it was a Stuart. More than likely abandoned on a retreat, maybe early fall of 44by the foliage.
Is there a way to indentify what unit this tank is from? Thanks for your thoughts.

[Adrian Stevenson]

Sadly not, as there is no unit insignia present in the photo.

[HoundsTooth]

The number on the side indicates: 7th company - 1st platoon -3rd vehicle.
But it does not determine the division.
Nick

[BlackCat1982]

Very nice photograph, can't make any additions as far as unit, but I think it's possible to see that the additional armour around the turret is painted in Hinterhalt (ambush) colour scheme.

As a matter of discourse panzer 713 was one of those that featured in the ambush and massacre at the Baugnez crossroads on December 17th 1944 - although there is nothing to make me think that your Fathers picture relates to the same tank.

[Mauser202]

Thanks for they replies. That’s what I had found. If I at least had a location on the pic, maybe the unit could be narrowed down.

[lebus12]

With trees, it's in summer.

[Mauser202]

With trees, it's in summer.

I don’t think is summer for two reasons;
1 the trees in the back look like pines, so green all year and the one in front look like they are dried up.
2 they all have clothes too heavy for summer including gloves.

Maybe late October or early November?

[Jb4046]

I would say this is a very late war tank. Late 1944-1945 as it it a panzer iv “j” as it has no side schutzen and yet it has turret schutzen. That and I think it has three steel return rollers ( but the guys in the middle is blocking potentially one. Also done it’s done up in “ambush” camo and a lack zimmeriet I suppose also suggests a later date of manufacturing

[HoundsTooth]

I don’t think is summer for two reasons;
1 the trees in the back look like pines, so green all year and the one in front look like they are dried up.
2 they all have clothes too heavy for summer including gloves.

Maybe late October or early November?

I agree with all your points here - especially the clothing of the allied troops.
However, the foliage in the foreground could well have been pulled off of the tank and had been used as camouflage - based on the angle of the branches, the dried leaves and that some look to be broken.
Nick

[Kohima]

Fully agree with Nick regarding the dead branches.
The central figures are wearing rubber overshoes, so certainly late ‘44 - early ‘45.
Can’t squeeze anything more out of that tank though!