Panzer 35(t) | |
|---|---|
| Country | Germany |
| Type | Medium Tank |
| Produced | 1936–1940 |
| Built | 434 |
The Panzerkampfwagen 35(t), commonly shortened to Panzer 35(t) or abbreviated as Pz.Kpfw. 35(t), was a Czechoslovak-designed light tank used mainly by Nazi Germany during World War II. The letter (t) stood for tschechisch (German: “Czech”). In Czechoslovak service, it had the formal designation Lehký tank vzor 35 (Light Tank Model 35), but was commonly referred to as the LT vz. 35 or LT-35. Four hundred and thirty-four were built; of these, the Germans seized two hundred and forty-four when they occupied Bohemia-Moravia in March 1939 and the Slovaks acquired fifty-two when they declared independence from Czechoslovakia at the same time. Others were exported to Bulgaria and Romania. In German service, it saw combat during the early years of World War II, notably the Invasion of Poland, the Battle of France and the invasion of the Soviet Union before being retired or sold off in 1942. It was used for the remainder of the war by other countries and as a training tank in Bulgaria into the 1950s.
Source: Panzer 38(t) on Wikipedia
| Panzer 35(t) | |
|---|---|
| Photographer | Dmitry Kiyatkin |
| Localisation | Unknow |
| Photos | 15 |
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The “Acquired” Light Tank
The Panzer 35(t) was not originally a German design. It was the LT vz. 35, the backbone of the Czechoslovakian Army’s armored forces before the 1939 occupation. The “(t)” in its name stands for tschechisch (German for Czech). When Germany annexed Czechoslovakia, they inherited nearly 250 of these tanks. Impressed by their reliability and advanced features, the Wehrmacht integrated them into their Panzer Divisions. It was a sophisticated machine for the mid-1930s, featuring revolutionary (if complex) pneumatic systems that made it surprisingly easy to drive.
| Attribute | Technical Specification [Panzer 35(t)] |
|---|---|
| Role | Light Tank |
| Crew | 4 (Commander/Gunner, Loader, Driver, Radio Op) |
| Engine | Škoda T-11/0 6-cylinder petrol (120 hp) |
| Maximum Speed | 34 km/h (21 mph) |
| Main Armament | 3.7 cm KwK 34(t) L/40 (Škoda vz. 34) |
| Secondary Armament | 2 × 7.92 mm MG 37(t) machine guns |
| Armor Thickness | 8mm to 25mm (riveted) |
| Suspension | Leaf spring with 8 small road wheels per side |
Design Engineering: The Pneumatic Pioneer
- Pneumatic Steering and Shifting: The LT vz. 35 was ahead of its time, using compressed air to assist the steering and gear shifting. This reduced driver fatigue significantly, allowing the tank to travel long distances without exhausting the crew. However, these systems were prone to freezing in the harsh Russian winter.
- Riveted Construction: Unlike later tanks that were welded, the 35(t) was held together by rivets. While easier to manufacture at the time, this was a hazard; a non-penetrating hit from a large shell could cause the rivets to pop off inside the tank like shrapnel, injuring the crew.
- Dual-Purpose Machine Gun: The bow-mounted machine gun could be operated by the radio operator or locked in place for the driver to fire via a cable, a quirky design feature typical of pre-war Czech engineering.
- Superior Optics: The Czech optics were considered some of the best in the world at the time, giving 35(t) commanders a distinct advantage in spotting and engaging targets at distance compared to early Soviet tanks.
Combat History: From Paris to the Gates of Moscow
- Blitzkrieg Workhorse: The 35(t) was a vital part of the 6th Panzer Division during the invasion of Poland (1939) and the Fall of France (1940). Its 37mm gun was effective against most light and medium tanks of that period.
- Operation Barbarossa: By June 1941, the 35(t) was becoming obsolete. While it performed well in the initial stages of the invasion of the USSR, it struggled against the T-34. More importantly, the extreme cold caused its pneumatic lines to brittle and crack, rendering the tanks immobile.
- Retirement and Conversion: By 1942, most 35(t) tanks were withdrawn from front-line service. Many were converted into Mörserzugmittel 35(t) (artillery tractors) or used for security duties in occupied territories.
- The Romanian “R-2”: Romania was a major user of the type, designating it the R-2. They used them extensively during the Battle of Stalingrad, where the tanks suffered heavy losses against Soviet heavy armor.
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