WW2 German Infrared Systems

Number Nine

Nightfighting Panthers in Action
In summer 1944 the Panthers of 3.Kompanie, 24th Panzerregiment, 116th Panzerdivision, were equipped with UHU on the battle/excercise-area BERGEN, and actually trained the use of the night fighting concept SPERBER. Hitler planned the mission of this Kompanie to be during the Operation WACHT AM RHEIN (Battle of the Bulge) and actually some squads were transferred to the western front, but never saw action there.







200mm IR searchlight and scope for driver mounted on Sd.Kfz. 251/20










"Vampir" ZG 1229 Infrared System

Morlar

There was also considerable development work on IR guided surface to air missiles, believe it or not.

http://www.1jma.dk/articles/1jmaluftwaffegroundweapons.htm

http://www.1jma.dk/articles/1jmaluftwaffelate.htm

Morlar

Don't mean to hijack your thread but does anyone know what this is ?

I believe it could be some sort of radar/radio jamming/transmitting device ? ?





I found it in the photo album I am currently researching, of an SS Polizei regiment (the unit was SS Polizei Infantry Regiment 2, part of SS Polizei Division).

Manic Moran

If it's not another IR light, my guess is it's a microphone as part of a counter-battery target acquisition system.

NTM

Number Nine

Morlar

Sorry But I am no expert . If I come across anything I let you know, could it be some type of noise finding equipment .
You have to say those Germans were light years ahead in some areas.

Good site on German ww2 radios
http://www.laud.no/ww2/

Check out this current Portable short-range reconnaissance radar ,

Number Nine

Manic Moran wrote: »

If it's not another IR light, my guess is it's a microphone as part of a counter-battery target acquisition system.

NTM

I was thinking along the lines of a microphone . Its not an IR light that I have come across, all lights have seem to have glass. This item looks to have a mat finish. Like a 70's microphone if you took the top protection cover.
A counter-battery target acquisition systems sounds good to me.

Morlar

Number Nine wrote: »

I was thinking along the lines of a microphone . Its not an IR light that I have come across, all lights have seem to have glass. This item looks to have a mat finish. Like a 70's microphone if you took the top protection cover.
A counter-battery target acquisition systems sounds good to me.

FYI I posted those pictures on another forum and was told (by a guy who wrote a highly regarded book on German ww2 field comms equipment) that it was a . . . . wait for it . . . . a spotlight !!

Number Nine

Morlar wrote: »

FYI I posted those pictures on another forum and was told (by a guy who wrote a highly regarded book on German ww2 field comms equipment) that it was a . . . . wait for it . . . . a spotlight !!

Running on a 12v batteries ? He's good crack .

Came across this portable IR lamp