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I asked Bruce Crompton about his Hetzer at the recent Militracks-show and it seems some of the information now available on this vehicle is incorrect.

It was knocked out on April 13th 1945 by the 7th Btn, Hampshire Rgt. during the battle for the town of Cloppenburg (near Bremen), with a direct hit from an anti-tank gun on the left side, near the front (probably killing the driver). You can still see the shrapnel damage on the inside. After the war it was bulldozered in a bombcrater until it was discovered and recovered during roadworks in 1982. Mr. Crompton bought it from the previous German owner about 10-12 years ago, it was poorly restored then and not in running condition.

Mr. Crompton had the restoration re-done then, but it is sheduled to get a complete restoration in about 2 years. Some of the inside markings are incorrect as are some G-13 parts that were used during the first restoration, but original replacement parts have been sourced that will then be installed to replace the few G-13 parts.

Then there actually is another original Hetzer that was indeed recovered from the Vilseck barracks. This is not the vehicle from the Crompton Collection, but it is currently owned by a British collector and is currently under restoration. The picture of the Hetzer being dragged out of a pit upside down is actually of this vehicle.

Regarding some other vehicles in the Crompton Collection: the SdKfz. 250 'neu' was found near Belzec, Germany. It came out of a barn and was in very good condition. This vehicle is nearly 100% original. Finally, his SdKfz. 251/D came from a scrapyard in Austria (near Vienna) and was in a poor condition, but nearly complete and original. It is not the one found with Mike Gibb's 251/D. It too is nearly entirely original, except for the fenders and some other small parts.

Greetz

David

Isn't this Belzec, former germany, now Poland?

Regards,
Lesley

These are valuable info. Thanks for sharing

Massimo

One helluva crater if it can fit a Hetzer!

And an even bigger one to put a Tiger in!

- earlymb

the SdKfz. 250 'neu' was found near Belzec, Germany

Belzec, Poland or Belzen, Germany ??

I checked with mr. Crompton, and his SdKfz.250 was found near the town of Belzig, between Berlin and Magdeburg.

Other restored vehicles in his collection include a SdKfz. 7 (8 ton) with cargo body, SdKfz. 10, Schwimmwagen (radio version), Kubelwagen, 2 Kettenkrads, Tempo Vidal, BMW R75, Steyr 2000A Mannschaftwagen, Bussing-Nag truck with Bilstein crane and several other unrestored vehicles. The collection also includes several pieces of German artillery.

More information on the Crompton Collection can be found in the article about it in the November 2009 issue of 'Military Machines International' magazine.

Greetz

David

the article has some nice picture's of the various vehicle's mention and of the various artillery pieces

However there also a good collection of infantry weapons like sub-machine guns, mortars, rifle's, etc

I'm Officially Jealous

Michel