Track links page.
This page illustrates relics of German & Allied armour found various fronts.
Above left: two fused links from a Wespe, (the width of the Wespe track is surprisingly small. However, remember that the Wespe was based on the earlier Panzer II, a tank that was obsolete by 1944).
Above Right: A link from a Raupenschlepper Ost (RSO), recovered from Berlin - it shows no signs of wear, and so was probably carried on the vehicle as a spare.
Above: 4 links from a Stug IV found in the Ardennes in 2006. One link has a winter "cleat" attached. It is difficult to comprehend that these odd pieces of steel once carried men into battle. One can only guess the fate of the crews of these vehicles. Such items can still be acquired from dealers today!
Above left: This is another winter track cleat from a German Panzer that was recovered for an area where men of 17th SS Pz Grenadier Division - "Götz Von Berlichingen" fought during operation Nordwind. This unit was largely made up of Volksdeusche.
At right we show an example of how such a cleat fitted into a track (in this case from a Panzer IV).
Similar cleats were used on the MkV Panther, so it is possible that the item found is from either a MkIII or MkIV. Further details can be found in "German Tanks" by Walter J. Spielberger. Published by Motorbuch Verlag in Stuttgart.
Above: Track link from a Panther/Jagdpanther found in Normandy,
Above: The unmistakable track links of a Tiger tank said to have been recovered in Lithuania recently.