German cross

Germany's PzKpfw 38(t) tanks

Photos

PzKpfw 38(t):
Germany's PzKpfw 38(t)		 PzKpfw 38(t):
Germany's PzKpfw 38(t)		 PzKpfw 38(t):
Germany's PzKpfw 38(t)		 PzKpfw 38(t) Ausf B:
Germany's PzKpfw 38(t) Ausf B
PzKpfw 38(t) Ausf E:
Germany's PzKpfw 38(t) Ausf E)		 PzKpfw 38(t) Ausf G:
Germany's PzKpfw 38(t) Ausf G		    

Design

The PzKpfw 38(t) was originally the Czechoslovakian TNH P-S medium Tank.

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

Main Armament

Originally the PzKpfw 38(t) had the Czechoslovakian 3.7 cm gun, but this was replaced by the German 3.7 cm KwK L/45.8

Prototype

Production

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

  • PzKpfw 38(t) Ausf A: 1503,4
    • Production: May 1939 - November 19393,4
    • Manufacturer: BMM3
  • PzKpfw 38(t) Ausf B: 110
  • PzKpfw 38(t) Ausf C: 110
  • PzKpfw 38(t) Ausf D: 105
  • PzKpfw 38(t) Ausf B, PzKpfw 38(t) Ausf C, PzKpfw 38(t) Ausf D: 3253,4
    • Production: January 1940 - November 19403,4
    • Manufacturer: BMM3
  • PzKpfw 38(t) Ausf E, PzKpfw 38(t) Ausf F: 275, 5253,4
    • Production: November 1940 - October 19413,4
    • Manufacturer: BMM3
  • PzKpfw 38(t) Ausf G: 3213,4
    • Production: October 1940 - July 19423,4
    • Manufacturer: BMM3
  • PzKpfw 38(t) Ausf S: 903,5
    • Production: May 1941 - December 19413
    • Manufacturer: BMM3
  • Total: 1,1685,8, 1,4007
    • 1940: 275
    • 1941: 698
    • 1942: 195
    • Production: 1939 - 19427

Variants

  • PzKpfw 38(t) Ausf A: Original vehicle that was produced after Germany annexed Czechoslovakia.4 59 served in the 67th Panzerabteilung of the 3rd Light Division in Poland. 15 were used in Norway. Used in all theaters except Africa.
  • PzKpfw 38(t) Ausf B: Used in France with the 7th & 8th Panzer Divisions and the 8th Panzer Division in Greece.
  • PzKpfw 38(t) Ausf C: Repeat order 1940. Used in France with the 7th & 8th Panzer Divisions and the 8th Panzer Division in Greece.
  • PzKpfw 38(t) Ausf D: Simplified front plate, September 1940.
  • PzKpfw 38(t) Ausf E: Added external armor plates, up to 50mm front, 30mm sides. Smoke emitters added.
  • PzKpfw 38(t) Ausf F: Small changes and eliminated smoke emitters.
  • PzKpfw 38(t) Ausf S: Was order to Sweden but impounded.5 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.
  • 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.
  • Aufklärungspanzer 38(t), SdKfz 140/1: Reconnaissance tank.8 Had a 2 cm gun.8 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.

Usage

Invasion of Poland

80 Ausf As were with the 2nd and 3rd Light Divisions.4 228 total were used.8

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.5,7

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

Specifications

  PzKpfw 38(t) Ausf A PzKpfw 38(t) Ausf B PzKpfw 38(t) Ausf C PzKpfw 38(t) Ausf D PzKpfw 38(t) Ausf E PzKpfw 38(t) Ausf F PzKpfw 38(t) Ausf G PzKpfw 38(t) Ausf H PzKpfw 38(t) Ausf S
Crew 41,2,3,4 42,3 42,3 42,3 42,3 42,3 42,3   42,3
Radio FuG37 (t)3 FuG37 (t)3 FuG37 (t)3 FuG37 (t)3 FuG53 FuG53      
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 mm KwK 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: 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
MG - coaxial 1: 7.92 mm MG 37(t)4                
MG - hull 1: 7.92 mm MG 37(t)4                
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) 10 - 257, 15 - 251 10 - 257 10 - 257 10 - 257 10 - 507, 506 10 - 507 10 - 507    
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
Speed - Road 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
Speed - Cross Country 9 mph4
15 kph4 		               
Range - Road 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                  

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
  7. The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II, Chris Bishop, 1998
  8. German Tanks and Armoured Vehicles 1914 - 1945, B. T. White, 1966