PANZERS OF THE THIRD REICH

Sd. kfz. 101 Ausf. A Panzerkampfwagen I

The Panzerkampfwagen I Ausf. A (Sd.Kfz.101) German light tank was not well protected and had insufficient firepower, but stayed in service until 1942, when was reverted to its original role as training and logistical vehicle. Panzer I A can be easily identified by its external girder linking the road-wheels, the last three of four with the idler.

In 1933, the Heereswaffenamt ordered the development of Kleintraktor - an armored vehicle between 4 and 7 tons in weight. It was designated La.S (Landwirtschaftlicher Schlepper / LaS - agricultural tractor) to hide its true purpose from the Treaty of Versailles. Rheinmetall, Krupp, Henschel, MAN and Daimler Benz submitted their prototypes, which were very similar to each other, but Krupp's design of Krupp-Traktor was selected. In the summer of 1933 it was decided to mount Krupp’s chassis with Daimler-Benz’s superstructure and turret. After further tests in February of 1934, the improved LKA 1 (LaS), designated as PzKpfw I Ausf A, entered production in April of 1934.

Originally, Ausf A was known as MG Panzerwagen - Versuchkraftfahrzeug 617 before it entered production. In April, 15 PzKpfw I Ausf A were produced and all were presented to Adolf Hitler by Heinz Guderian. The Panzerkampfwagen I was produced in two main very similar variants Ausf A (1934) and Ausf B (1935). The Ausf A was produced from July of 1934 to June of1936 by Henshel, MAN, Krupp-Gruson and Daimler-Benz. It proved to be underpowered and its very loud 57hp Krupp engine overheated, and Ausf B with its 100hp Maybach engine was an improved version of Ausf A.

Sd.kfz. 101 Ausf. B

Sd.kfz. 101 Ausf. A

Both models had identical turrets and superstructure, but Ausf B was longer with additional roadwheel and had a modified engine deck with a new engine. Both variants were operated by a two men crew - a driver and a commander/gunner. The main armament consisted of two 7.92mm MG13 Dreyse (medium) or MG-34 machine guns with rate of fire of 650 rounds per minute. Later in 1935/36, Panzer I Ausf A was experimentally mounted with Krupp M601 diesel engine, but it could only produce 45hp of power, and the idea of diesel powered vehicle was rejected. Both Ausf A and Ausf B were also produced as turret-less tanks used for training purposes (PzKpfw I Ausf A ohne Aufbau) and as maintenance vehicles. 102 Ausf A models saw service with Condor Legion and General Franco’s Nationalists during the Spanish Civil War. 

SPECIFICATIONS AUSF. A / B                                                                  

CREW: 2                                                                                              

LENGTH: 4.02m/ 4.42m                                                                                  

WIDTH: 2.06m/ same                                                                                     

HEIGHT: 1.72m/ same                                                                                  

WEIGHT: 5400 Kg/ 5893kg                                                                                 

PRIMARY WEAPON: two MG-13 machine guns 7.92x57mm/ same                    

SECONDARY WEAPON: none/ same                                                             

ARMOR: 7-15mm/ same

Sd.kfz. 121 Ausf. A,B,C Panzerkampfwagen II 

In 1934, delays in the design and production of the Panzer III and Panzer IV tanks were becoming apparent. Designs for a stopgap tank were solicited from Krupp, MAN, Henschel, and Daimler-Benz. The final design was based on the Panzer I, but larger, and with a turret mounting a 20 mm anti-tank gun. Production began in 1935, but it took another eighteen months for the first combat-ready tank to be delivered.
The Panzer II was the most numerous tank in the German Panzer divisions beginning with the invasion of France, until it was supplemented by the Panzer III and IV in 1940/41. Afterwards, it was used to great effect as a reconnaissance tank.
The Panzer II was used in the German campaigns in Poland, France, the Low Countries, Denmark, Norway, North Africa and the Eastern Front. After being removed from front-line duty, it was used for training and on secondary fronts. The chassis was used for a number of self-propelled guns including the Wespe and Marder II.

sd.kfz. 121 Ausf. A,B,C

SPECIFICATIONS AUSF. A,B,C                                                                 

CREW: 3                                                                                              

LENGTH: 4.8m                                                                                 

WIDTH: 2.1m                                                                                     

HEIGHT: 1.91m                                                                                  

WEIGHT: 7305 kg                                                                                

PRIMARY WEAPON: one 20mm kwk. 30/38 20x138mm                

SECONDARY WEAPON: MG-34 machine gun 7.92x57mm                                                            

ARMOR: 7-30mm