PzKpfw 38(t)

Germany's PzKpfw 38(t)

Germany's PzKpfw 38(t)

Germany's PzKpfw 38(t)

Was the Czechoslovakia's TNH P-S Medium Tanks.

In March 1939 there was only one TNH P-S that was completed, with eight others in production when Germany took over Czechoslovakia.4 In May 1939 the German Army extensively tested the TNH P-S.4 It was found that it was basically equivalent to the PzKpfw III.4 By then nine were completed and were designated the PzKpfw 38(t).4

In late May 1939 contracts were issued to CKD of Prague (renamed Bohemia-Moravia Machine Works or BMM) for 150 tanks.4 These would be the Ausf A.4

The following types and orders were placed:4

Type Quantity Production Dates
Ausf A 1503,4 May 1939 - November 19393,4
Ausf B, Ausf C, Ausf D 3253,4 January 1940 - November 19403,4
Ausf E and Ausf F 5253,4 November 1940 - October 19413,4
Ausf G 3213,4 October 1940 - July 19423,4
Ausf S 903 May 1941 - December 19413

Invasion of Poland

80 Ausf As were with the 2nd and 3rd Light Divisions.4

Invasion of Normandy

15 participated.4

Invasion of France

1/10 of the available tank strength was the PzKpfw 38(t).4 132 were used in the 7th Panzer Division6 and 85 in the 8th Panzer Division6.4 228 in the 7th & 8th Panzer Divisions.5

Invasion of Russia

There were 754 available at the start of Operation Barbarossa, which was about 1/4 of the total available tank strength.4 They were primarily deployed in the 7th, 8th, 12th, 19th, and 20th Panzer Divisions.4

By July 1941 there were 763.5

By April 1942, loses (even with increased production) had reduced this number down to 522.4

Occupation

After most were withdrawn from frontline combat formations, 229 served throughout occupied Europe up until mid-1944.4

PzKpfw 38(t) Ausf A:

Original vehicle that was produced after Germany annexed Czechoslovakia.4 150 produced from May to November 1939 (chassis nos. 0001-0150).

59 served in the 67th Panzerabteilung of the 3rd Light Division in Poland. 15 were used in Norway.

Used in all theaters except Africa.

Used FuG37 (t) radio.3

PzKpfw 38(t) Ausf B:

110 produced (chassis nos. 0151-0260).

Used in France with the 7th & 8th Panzer Divisions and the 8th Panzer Division in Greece.

Used FuG37 (t) radio.3

PzKpfw 38(t) Ausf C:

Repeat order 1940. 110 produced (chassis nos. 0261-0370). Used in France with the 7th & 8th Panzer Divisions and the 8th Panzer Division in Greece. Used FuG37 (t) radio.3

PzKpfw 38(t) Ausf D:

Simplified front plate, September 1940. 105 produced (chassis nos. 0371-0475). Used FuG37 (t) radio.3

PzKpfw 38(t) Ausf E:

Added external armor plates, up to 50mm front, 30mm sides. Smoke emitters added. 275 produced (chassis nos. 0476-0750). Used FuG5 radio.3

PzKpfw 38(t) Ausf F:

Small changes and eliminated smoke emitters. 250 produced (chassis nos. 0751-1000). Used FuG5 radio.3

PzKpfw 38(t) Ausf S:

Was order to Sweden but impounded.5 90 vehicles5 produced from May to December 1941 (chassis nos. 1001-1090). These were fitted with extra radios and designated Panzerbefehlswagen 38(t). Some were exported to the Slovak Free State and served in southern Russia in 1941 and 1942.

PzKpfw 38(t) Ausf G:

Late 1941 production model with extra plates. 500 produced, only 321 as tanks from October 1941 to June 1942 (chassis nos. 1101-1600).

SdKfz 140/1:

Fitted the chassis with the same turret as used on the SdKfz 222.4 70 were produced from 1943-1944.4 These were issued to reconnaissance battalions of elite panzer divisions

Bison

Marder III

19 were converted from and carried the 7.62 cm Pak 36(r).4

Hetzer

2,396 chassis used in producing the Hetzer.4

leichte Flakpanzer

162 chassis were used to mount a 20 mm anti-aircraft gun.4

Nebel Ausrüstung:

Had turret removed and used as smoke-screen layer.

Waffenträger:

Weapons carrier. It was to carry and then dismount various types of guns. Two prototypes were completed and production was to start in mid-1945. The engine was moved to the front near the driver. This made room in the rear for the carrying of additional ammunition. Two models were to be produced, one to carry the 88 mm PaK L/71 or the 105 mm light field howitzer. The other model was lengthened and was to cary the 128 mm K 81 gun or a heavy field howitzer.

Also used as reconnaissance vehicle, ammunition carrier, and artillery prime mover.

  Ausf A Ausf B Ausf C Ausf D Ausf E Ausf F Ausf G Ausf H Ausf S
Crew 41,2,3,4 42,3 42,3 42,3 42,3 42,3 42,3   42,3
Physical Characteristics                  
Weight 20,723 lb
9.25 tons1, 9.4 tons3, 9.7 tons2,4
9,400 kg1
20,944 lb
9.5 tons3, 9.7 tons2
20,944 lb
9.5 tons3, 9.7 tons2
20,944 lb
9.5 tons3, 9.7 tons2
21,715 lb
9.85 tons2,3
21,715 lb
9.85 tons2,3
21,715 lb
9.85 tons2,3
9.7 tons5 20,944 lb
9.5 tons3, 9.7 tons2
Length w/gun 15' 1"1, 16' 1"4
4.6 m1,3, 4.61 m2, 4.9 m4
15' 1", 14' 11"
4.9 m, 4.61 m2,3
15' 1", 14' 11"
4.9 m, 4.61 m2,3
15' 1", 14' 11"
4.9 m, 4.61 m2
15' 1", 14' 11"
4.9 m, 4.61 m2,3
15' 1", 14' 11"
4.9 m, 4.61 m2,3
15' 1", 14' 11"
4.9 m, 4.61 m2,3
  15' 1", 14' 11"
4.9 m, 4.61 m2,3
Length w/o gun 16' 1"4
4.9 m4
               
Height 7' 9"4, 7' 10"1
2.25 m2, 2.37 m4, 2.4 m1,3
2.25 m2, 2.43 2.25 m2, 2.43 2.25 m2, 2.43 2.25 m2, 2.4 m3 2.25 m2, 2.4 m3 2.25 m2, 2.4 m3   2.25 m2, 2.4 m3
Width 6' 9"4, 6' 11"1
2.06 m4 2.12 m1,3, 2.14 m2
2.14 m2,3 2.14 m2,3 2.14 m2,3 2.14 m2,3 2.14 m2,3 2.14 m2,3   2.14 m2,3
Ground clearance 0.4 m2 0.4 m2 0.4 m2 0.4 m2 0.4 m2 0.4 m2 0.4 m2   0.4 m2
Ground contact length                  
Ground pressure 0.57 (kg/cm2)2 0.57 (kg/cm2)2 0.57 (kg/cm2)2 0.57 (kg/cm2)2 0.57 (kg/cm2)2 0.57 (kg/cm2)2 0.57 (kg/cm2)2   0.57 (kg/cm2)2
Turret ring diameter                  
Armament                  
Main 37 mm1
37 mm KwK L/401
37 mm L/48.72
37 mm KwK 38(t) L48.73
37 mmKwK A7(t) L/404
37 mm KwK L/451,4
37 mm L/48.72
37 mm KwK 38(t) L/47.83
37 mm L/48.72
37 mm KwK 38(t) L/47.83
37 mm L/48.72
37 mm KwK 38(t) L/47.83
37 mm L/48.72
37 mm KwK 38(t) L/47.83
37 mm L/48.72
37 mm KwK 38(t) L/47.83
37 mm L/48.72
37 mm KwK 38(t) L/47.83
  37 mm L/48.72
37 mm KwK 38(t) L/47.83
Secondary                  
MG 2: 7.92 mm MG1
2: MGs2
2: 7.92 mm MG37(t)3
2: 7.92 mm MG 37(t), coaxial, hull4
2: MGs2
2: 7.92 mm MG37(t)3
2: MGs2
2: 7.92 mm MG37(t)3
2: MGs2
2: 7.92 mm MG37(t)3
2: MGs2
2: 7.92 mm MG37(t)3
2: MGs2
2: 7.92 mm MG37(t)3
2: MGs2
2: 7.92 mm MG37(t)3
  2: MGs2
2: 7.92 mm MG37(t)3
Side arms                  
Quantity                  
Main 723, 902,4 902 902 902 42 Pzgr & Sprgr3, 902 42 Pzgr & Sprgr3, 902 902   902
Secondary                  
MG 2,400 (including 900 AP)3
2,7002,4
2,7002 2,7002 2,7002 2,4003 2,4003     2,7002
Side arms                  
Armor Thickness (mm) 15-251       506        
Hull Front, Upper 252, 25@17°3, 25@80°4 252, 25@17°3 252, 25@17°3 252, 25@17°3 502,
25+25@17°3
502,
25+25@17°3
502
50@17°3
  252, 25@17°3
Hull Front, Lower 25@16°3, 25@25°4 25@16°3 25@16°3 25@16°3 25+25@16°3 25+25@16°3 50@16°3   25@16°3
Hull Sides, Upper 152, 15@0°3. 17.5@90°4 152, 15@0°3 152, 15@0°3 152, 15@0°3 15-302,
15+15@0°3
15-302,
15+15@0°3
15-302
15+15@0°3
  152, 15@0°3
Hull Sides, Lower 15@0°3 15@0°3 15@0°3 15@0°3 15@0°3 15@0°3 15@0°3   15@0°3
Hull Rear 152, 10@60°3 & 15@12°3, 10@80°4 152, 10@60°3 & 15@12°3 152, 10@60°3 & 15@12°3 152, 10@60°3 & 15@12°3 152,
10@60°3 & 15@12°3
152,
10@60°3 & 15@12°3
152,
103 & 15@12°3
  152, 10@60°3 & 15@12°3
Hull Top 102, 8@90°3 102, 8@90°3 102, 8@90°3 102, 8@90°3 122,
8@90°3
122,
8@90°3
122,
8@90°3
  102, 8@90°3
Hull Bottom 82, 8@90°3 82, 8@90°3 82, 8@90°3 82, 8@90°3 82,
8@90°3
82,
8@90°3
82,
8@90°3
  82, 8@90°3
Turret Front 252, 25@10°3, 25@84°4 252, 25@10°3
Mantlet: 25 round3
252, 25@10°3
Mantlet: 25 round3
252, 25@10°3
Mantlet: 25 round3
502, 25+25@10°3
Mantlet: 25 round3
502, 25+25@10°3
Mantlet: 25 round3
502
50@10°3
Mantlet: 25 round3
  252, 25@10°3
Mantlet: 25 round3
Turret Sides 152, 15@10°325@74°4 152, 15@10°3 152, 15@10°3 152, 15@10°3 302, 30@10°3 302, 30@10°3 302
30@10°3
  152, 15@10°3
Turret Rear 152, 15@10°3, 25@86° 152, 15@10°3 152, 15@10°3 152, 15@10°3 222, 22@10°3 222, 22@10°3 222
22@10°3
  152, 15@10°3
Turret Top 82, 10@90°3, 10@0-4°4 82, 10@90°3 82, 10@90°3 82, 10@90°3 12215@90°3 12215@90°3 122
15@90°3
  82, 10@90°3
Engine (Make / Model) Praga EPA1,3
TNHPS2
Praga EPA TZ4
Praga EPA3
TNHPS2
Praga EPA3
TNHPS2
Praga EPA3
TNHPS2
Praga EPA3
TNHPS2
Praga EPA3
TNHPS2
Praga EPA3
TNHPS2
epa/AC Model IV5 Praga EPA3
TNHPS2
Cylinders 64             65  
Net HP 1254             150 @ 2,600 rpm5  
Transmission 5 forward, 1 reverse.2,3 5 forward, 1 reverse.2,3 5 forward, 1 reverse.2,3 5 forward, 1 reverse.2,3 5 forward, 1 reverse.2,3 5 forward, 1 reverse.2,3 5 forward, 1 reverse.2,3   5 forward, 1 reverse.2,3
Fuel type Gasoline4                
Octane                  
Capacity 48 gallons4
218 liters4, 220 liters2
220 liters2 220 liters2 220 liters2 220 liters2 220 liters2 220 liters2   220 liters2
Performance                  
Traverse 360°, hand.3 360°, hand.3 360°, hand.3 360°, hand.3 360°, hand.3 360°, hand.3 360°, hand.3   360°, hand.3
Max Speed 26 mph1,4
42 kph1,2,3,4
42 kph2,3 42 kph2,3 42 kph2,3 42 kph2,3 42 kph2,3 42 kph2,3   42 kph2,3
Cross Country 9 mph4
15 kph4
               
Road radius 143 miles4, 155 miles1
230 km4, 250 km1,2,3
Cross country: 103 miles4, 160 km2, 165 km4
250 km2,3
Cross country: 160 km2
250 km2,3
Cross country: 160 km2
250 km2,3
Cross country: 160 km2
250 km2,3
Cross country: 160 km2
250 km2,3
Cross country: 160 km2
250 km2,3
Cross country: 160 km2
  250 km2,3
Cross country: 160 km2
Turning Radius 8.7 m2 8.7 m2 8.7 m2 8.7 m2 8.7 m2 8.7 m2 8.7 m2   8.7 m2
Elevation Limits -10° to +25°3 -10° to +25°3 -10° to +25°3 -10° to +25°3 -10° to +25°3 -10° to +25°3 -10° to +25°3   -10° to +25°3
Fording depth 0.8 m2 0.8 m2 0.8 m2 0.8 m2 0.8 m2 0.8 m2 0.8 m2   0.8 m2
Trench crossing                  
Vertical Obstacle                  
Suspension (Type)                  
Wheels each side 42 42 42 42 42 42 42   42
Return rollers each side                  
Track length                  
Tires                  
Track width 293 mm2 293 mm2 293 mm2 293 mm2 293 mm2 293 mm2 293 mm2   293 mm2
Track centers/tread                  
Production Chassis #s: 0001-01503
BMM3
Chassis #s: 0151-02603
BMM3
Chassis #s: 0261-03703
BMM3
Chassis #s: 0371-04753
BMM3
Chassis #s: 0476-07503
BMM3
Chassis #s: 0751-10003
BMM3
Chassis #s: 1101-16003
BMM3
  Chassis #s: 1001-10903
BMM
Year Quantity
1940 275
1941 698
1942 195
Total 1,1685

Sources:

  1. The Encyclopedia of Tanks and Armored Fighting Vehicles - The Comprehensive Guide to Over 900 Armored Fighting Vehicles From 1915 to the Present Day, General Editor: Christopher F. Foss, 2002
  2. Panzer Truppen The Complete Guide to the Creation and Combat Employment of Germany's Tank Force 1933-1942, Thomas L. Jentz, 1996
  3. Encyclopedia of German Tanks of World War Two, Peter Chamberlain and Hilary Doyle, 1999
  4. German Tanks of World War II, Dr. S. Hart & Dr. R. Hart, 1998
  5. Tanks of World War II, Duncan Crow, 1979
  6. Tanks - Over 250 of the World's Tanks and Armored Fighting Vehicles, Chris Chant, 2004
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