Turmzielfernrohr T.Z.F. 4/b "CME" (Wichmann - Berlin), Panzerkampfwagen II (Panzer II Ausf. F), circa 1943

The T.Z.F. 4/b (Turm-Zielfernrohr 4/b), manufactured by “CME” – Wichmann, Gebr., Zeichengeräte, Vermessungs-Instrumente, Berlin, is a complex monocular telescopic sight designed for aiming the gun of the Sdkfz 234/2 (5cm L/60 “Puma”), installed on the Schwerer Panzerspähwagen Sd.Kfz. 234/2 armored car, of which only 101 examples were produced starting in 1943. The device features a fixed magnification of 2.5× and a 25° field of view, providing an effective compromise between target acquisition capability and visual control of the operational area.

The Schwerer Panzerspähwagen Sd.Kfz. 234/2 was assigned to some of the most important armored units of the Wehrmacht and Waffen-SS, namely:

• The 2. Panzer-Division received an Sd.Kfz. 234 during the Battle of Normandy in July 1944.
• The 17. SS Panzer-Grenadier-Division “Götz von Berlichingen” employed Pumas in Normandy, in the Carentan peninsula in France, in July 1944.
• The 2. SS Panzer-Division “Das Reich” received the armored vehicle on the Normandy front in July 1944, near Saint-Lô, which was one of the objectives of the U.S. Third Army during Operation Cobra.
• The 20. Panzer-Division received the armored vehicle in May 1945, by which time the war was nearing its end, in the vicinity of Pilsen, Czechoslovakia.

Although it is in good overall external condition, viewing through it does not produce a complete image. The reticle used for aiming is also visible. These two characteristics could suggest that it was removed from an Sd.Kfz. 234/2 that was destroyed on the battlefield. This hypothesis is further supported by the fact that the vast majority of Panzerspähwagen deployed in combat were destroyed.

References:

• https://wikitanks.com/index.php?title=TZF_4#google...
• U.S. War Department Technical Manual, TM-E 30-451: Handbook on German Military Forces (Marzo 1945). CHAPTER VIII. EQUIPMENT. Section III. ARTILLERY FIRE CONTROL EQUIPMENT. GERMAN TANK AND ARMORED CAR SIGHTS—TURRET SIGHTING TELESCOPES y GERMAN TANK AND ARMORED CAR SIGHTS—HULL MACHINE GUN TELESCOPES.
• Higgings, David R. (2015). Panzer II vs 7TP: Poland 1939. Duel 66. Oxford: Osprey Publishing Ltd.. ISBN 978-1-4728-0882-0.
• Chamberlain, Peter (1993). Encyclopedia of German Tanks of Ww2. Weidenfeld & Nicolson. IS