One of Germany’s last desperate gambles of WWII was its offensive in the Ardennes on 16 December 1944. Known today as the Battle of Bulge, the aim was to split British and American forces in half and drive all the way to Antwerp. Panzer Brigade 150 had a role in this plan. This formation was supposed to create surprise and confusion with clandestine armored vehicles! It included five Panther Ausf.G tanks physically disguised and painted to resemble U.S. Army M10 tank destroyers. Modifications included removal of the Panther cupola and stowage boxes on the rear of the hull. Sheet metal on the hull front, turret and turret overhang was fabricated to disguise the form of the Panther. The transformation was completed with an olive drab paint scheme and Allied stars painted on the turret and glacis. This handful of vehicles was designated Ersatz (i.e. ‘substitute’) M10.
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