World War 2 In Review: M31 T2 tank recovery vehicle TRV

A well camouflaged Panzernest.

In Italy the Germans had been using a mobile steel pillbox, nicknamed the "Armored Crab," which made its first appearance on the Russian front in 1943. These prefabricated bunkers, without rotation, had an armored casting carapace armed with a machine gun.

In the front of the pillbox, there was a small embrasure for the machine gun, with an observation peephole above. When necessary, these openings were covered outside by a heavy metal shield, which could be moved either to the right or left of the embrasure by means of a lever inside the pillbox. On top of the pillbox were two collapsible periscopes, also regulated from the interior. The entrance to the pillbox was a small door in the rear; this was locked from the inside by means of two brackets.

Under combat conditions the observer looked through one of the periscopes to observe and direct the gunner's fire. The gunner observed through the forward slit. Protection from the front against rifle, grenade and artillery fire was by means of the iron slit cover which was manipulated to cover or open the slit from the inside.

Inside the pillbox there was sufficient room for both members of the crew to sit comfortably and move around to a limited extent. There was a small heating stove and a ventilating apparatus, operated by a foot pedal, which provided sufficient changes of air when all the vents were closed. There was enough ammunition for 5 to 10 hours of fire.

Front of a Panzernest.

Rear of a Panzernest with a Soviet soldier in the hatch opening.

Rear view of a Panzernest with the hatch door open.

Panzernest ready for placement.

Front view of a Panzernest after being dug out with Soviet soldier standing guard.

Rear view of the same Panzernest.

Interior view of the Panzernest showing the mounting for a machine gun.

Another interior view of the machine gun mounting.

American soldier inside the cramped space of a Panzernest.

American soldier examining a Panzernest that had not yet been placed in position.

Two British soldiers inspect a Panzernest south of Rimini in Italy, September 27, 1944. (Imperial War Museum NA18995)

Another view of the same Panzernest seen a short time later; note the added sign pointing the way to the showers for a British unit. (Imperial War Museum NA19012)

British soldiers inspect a Panzernest in Italy, June 2, 1944. (Imperial War Museum NA15778)

Soviet soldiers examining a portable German Panzernest small machine gun bunker, referred to by the Red Army as the “Crab”.

Captured Panzernest being examined at a trophy exhibit in Moscow.

Four Panzernests being transported by rail to the front along with a Bergepanther.

Brand new Panzernest under a GI's inspection. Note the wagon-like wheels, in wood and metal.

A GI examines a Panzernest that was being transported to a position, with another in the background.

American M31 (T2) tank recovery vehicle moving a Panzernest that is hung from the vehicle’s crane; removed from the Gustav Line, Mt. Lungo, Italy, January 1944.

Illustrations of a Panzernest from a wartime intelligence bulletin.

Drawings of a Panzernest from a Russian intelligence bulletin.

Drawings of a Panzernest.

Drawings of a Panzernest from a Russian intelligence bulletin.

Panzernest cutaway: 1) Panzernest casting armor; 2) Periscopes; 3) Air vent tube; 4) Armored lip of the machine gun; 5)Machine gun mount; 6) Shelves (metal or wood); 7) Air filter; 8) Pedal for air fan.