Product Description
When Germany occupied Czechoslovakia in 1938, they took over its armament industry and stock of modern light tanks. They also brought the CKD (Praga) factory under their control. CKD produced the TNH-P light tank. The Germans ordered a variant with a fourth crew member which became the Panzer 38(t). The Panzer 38(t) is armed with a 3.7cm gun like the Panzer III, combining punch and manoeuvrability.Two of Germany's Panzer divisions, the 7th and 8th, field the excellent Panzer 38(t) tank for the campaign in France in 1940.
Like, the Panzer III, the Panzer 38(t) is armed with a 3.7cm cannon, and has good armour for a tank of its size. The Panzer 38(t) tank's good mobility and speed came in part from its leaf-spring suspension with four large wheels, differentiating it from the other Czech tank in German service, the Panzer 35(t) with its Vickers 6-ton tank style boogies.
Not all the Light Panzer Companies got all of their Panzer 38(t) tanks in time for the French campaign and some platoons retained a partial complement of Panzer I light tanks.
More Information on Czech Tanks in German Service
In 1938 Germany occupied Czechoslovakia without firing a shot and eagerly took its armaments, including 300 Skoda Lehký Tank vzor 35 (Light Tank Model 35) light tanks into its arsenal. In German service it was known as the LTM 35 until January 1940 when it was redesignated as he Panzerkampfwagen 35(t) (Panzerkampfwagen means Armoured Fighting Vehicle with the ‘(t)’ standing for tschechisch or Czech). Although well-armed and armoured, the Panzer 35(t) was mechanically complex and unreliable. The Germans refurbished them in an attempt to minimise the problems, and added a fourth crewman to load the gun and reduce the workload of the tank’s commander.
The Germans also took over the CKD (Praga) factory, which had been gearing up to build its new TNH-P light tank. The Germans ordered this into production with provision for a fourth crew member as the LTM 38, later renaming it the Panzerkampfwagen 38(t).
Both tanks were used as substitutes for the scarce Panzer III. 120 Panzer 35(t) tanks were assigned to 1. Leichte Division (1st Light Division) for the invasion of Poland. Of these only seven were destroyed, but another 70 were damaged or lost to mechanical failure. Just 55 Panzer 38(t) tanks were available for 3. Leichte Division. These proved much more reliable and just seven were lost.
During the Battle of France, 106 Panzer 35(t) light tanks fought in 6. Panzerdivision (the old 1. Leichte Division) while 99 Panzer 38(t) were used by 7. Panzerdivision (the old 2. Leichte Division) and another 131 by 8. Panzerdivision (the old 3. Leichte Division).
After its performance in France, the Panzer 38(t) was recognised as one of the most reliable tanks of its day, making it popular with its crews during campaigns where tanks travelled long distances under their own power.
THIS PRODUCT CONTAINS:
- 5x Panzer 38(t) Tanks
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These miniatures are supplied unassembled and unpainted
