German Maintenance TanksLike all armoured units the panzer divisions needed to develop a maintenance and recovery vehicle. The first one issued was based on the chassis of the Panzer I and had an open topped compartment to carry the crew and equipment. Being a light it struggled when faced with towing larger vehicles and was soon replaced. By 1944 Panzer IIIs and IVs were being developed as maintenance and recovery vehicles and these were named Bergepanzer and were equipped with cranes and anchors. Hetzer and Panther companies had their own type of maintenance vehicles. The Panther needed a vehicle of similar weight to tow any damaged vehicles to workshops.