Sfl. 5-cm-KwK 38 L/42 auf Inf.-Pz.Kpf.W. MK II 748(e) - “Oswald”

This Matilda II was either captured 1940 in France or 1941/42 in Northern Africa by the DAK. It served since early 1942 with Hochsee-Lehrkommando (sF) [High Seas Instructional Command].

    This unit, originally named Ausbildungsstab für Sturmboote (Training Staff for Assault Boats), was originally tasked with the training of assault boat crews for landing operations. Later also with the construction of landing ferries for Operation Seelöwe, the planned invasion of England. The tasks were extended and from 1942 on the unit was called Hochsee-Lehrkommando. It was charged with the training of landing engineers, ferry crews and landing craft crews. The unit was stationed at Terneuzen in the then Reich Commissariat Netherlands.

    The vehicle, at first marked with turret number 111, was used in it‘s original form. It was mainly used for tank embarkation training. But also for tank combat training.

   Most likely due to a shortage of the British Munition the turret was removed and replaced with a 5-cm-KwK and two machine guns. The unit gave it the name „Oswald“, which was also written on the side of the tank.