A short fictional background story from the modeler…
“Zeon forces that were sent to Earth during the One Year War had to adapt their equipment and strategies to better fit the different environment found on the surface, so they came up with many different field modifications for their existing mobile suits. One such example would be the MS-18Pz PanzerKampfer, a Kampfer variant that comes with a more defensive-minded loadout compared to the E Variant. Some parts were also modified to be different, such as the GM face on the head and the more-flexible sturmfaust launch platform. As this unit was mainly operating in the desert, a more appropriate colour scheme was chosen for it. As for the presence of WWII-era markings on it, the pilot had an infatuation with the Wehrmacht Afrika Korps under Erwin Rommel’s command, hence he decided to plaster such markings all over the unit.” – adapted from the official FB page
(Source)
