Photo ID needed...HELP

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally posted by Bill Miller
It is not exactly clear in this photo, but the object you refer to is not actually inside the turret ring but rather the other side of the steel "shield" the trooper is holding open. The steel (if it is steel?) seems to have the markings (3126.5 and the design) printed on one side. Since you think the markings are German, does that place this photo on the continent (Belgium or Holland?)..

Bill, intriguing stuff! But what is the purpose of this shield modification?

It seems the material used could be aluminium sheeting, because the inside shown in the first picture seems lighter than the steel hinges and stay, and reflective. The German markings could be protective paper? Since the thin sheet metal would serve no purpose, I'd say a couple of sheets of aircraft aluminium were sourced to mock up a shield, which was to be reproduced in armour.
Because of the German sheet metal and the impressed civilian car with white star on the door, I'm quite certain these pictures were taken somewhere in NW Europe, probably Belgium or Holland as you suggest.

My €0,02 anyway!

Hanno