Originally posted by Pongo
The germans had a phenominal tank recovery system. I dont know where you got an idea to the contrary.
A German document from North Africa gives detailed instructions for organizing a workshop platoon in a two-battalion tank regiment (which normally would not have this unit). In this case, a good illustration of how flexible German organization can be, personnel was obtained for the platoon by breaking up the battalion headquarters repair sections of the two battalions. This platoon was smaller than the workshop platoon designated by the pre-war organization for a tank regiment of three battalions, and was to operate in place of the battalion headquarters repair sections, under direct regimental command. The platoon was to serve as a link between the workshop company and the company repair sections. Like the latter, it would handle work requiring less than 4 hours. In attack, it would follow the central axis of advance, keeping in close touch with the workshop company's recovery platoon.
The light workshop platoon was to work on brakes, gears, and clutches of PzKw II's; on damaged gear-mechanisms of PzKw III's; and on valve defects in all types of truck and tank engines, except PzKw III's and PzKw IV's. Also, the platoon was to repair electrical and fuel systems; salvage and tow wheeled vehicles; repair wheeled vehicles; perform autogene welding and soldering work; and charge and test batteries and electrical apparatus.
http://www.lonesentry.com/articles/tankmaint/index.htmlSince this thread is still kicking....
There is a huge difference between the organic capability and mission statements of the German and american combat maintanence units. German units were designed primarily to repair disabled/damaged vehicles. As a whole german armor was much less reliable then american armor and required greater basic maintanence...it was also much more complicated. American armor while inferior in many ways was much easier to maintain and also was designed to be much easier to canabalize. So the american army went into combat with a preconfigured "canabalization" policy far far different then any army it faced. The americans sustained far greater loses [tank](by %)while maintaining combat integrity then any army in the world.
