Axis Combat Tanks PDF

ORLDWAR2FACTFILES
Axis
Co b tTanks
PETERCHAMBERLAINAND
CHRISELLIS
Publ is hed 1978by ArcoPublishi ngCompany,Inc.
219ParkAvenueSouth,NewYork,N.Y. 10003
Copyright1977by PeterChamberlainand hris Il is
All rightsreserved
Pri nted inGreatBritain
Libraryof o D g r ~ s Catalogingin PublicationData
Chamberlain,Peter.
Axiscombattanks
(World War2fact files)
1. Tank (Militarysci ence)I. Ell is, Chris, jointauthor. ll.Tit le.
U 446.5. 42 358'.18 77-2440
[ N0-668-04372- 5
$4.95 ArcoPublishingCompany, Inc.
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:METROf'OLITAN UBRARY SYSTEM
Introduction
Tanks were a prime offensive arm of the military commanders in World War II.
The power and potential menace of the tank captured popular imagination from
its very first appearance as a new weapon of war in 1915. By 1939 the tan!.. ha
become a dramatic symbol of the military ambitions of the three major nation f
the Axis powers - Germany, Italy, and J apan. Tanks had captured the headline
in the Spanish Civi l War, and had been used in Italy's invasion of Abyssinia. 1n
the vast mihtary parades in Germany in the late 1930s, the German propaganda
machine had ensured that serried rows of tanks passing in review had been
well-emphasised in photographs and newsreel s. Thus, when war was declared in
September 1939 the tank had a formidable reputation as an unstoppable fighting
machine which w uld ride roughshod over any other forces in its path. The earl y
sue esse , notably of the German panzer divisions in Poland and France , and
again in the Soviet Union and the Western De ert in the summer of 1941,
seemed to support this reputation. .
However, t he German reputation is owed more to the architects of the panzer
di vi ion, and the great tank commanders such as Rommel and Guderian, than to
the equipment itself, though German tanks were built to excellent standard" and
ere of superior engineering quali ty. In the 1930s, the Germans embarked on a
rearmam nt pr gramme which gave them ar moured divisions wit h a range of
tanks to fulfi l the functions decreed by their tactical doctrine . Thu: there were
the Panzerkampfwagen (Pz.Kpfw.) 1 and 11, inexpensive and simple vehi les for
training and reconnaissance, and the Pz. Kpfw. 111 and I V. the main fight ing
tan s of the divisions. None of these tank was p< rticul arly sup rior t British
tank in fire-power or performan.ce, butlhey were not bly well-hanJled
From 194 I , however, t here was a perpetual and headlong ra e 10 produce
ever more powerful guns even the Germans having been complacent In {he face
of success unt il J uly 1941, when the Soviet T-34 was fIT t encount ered. Th.is led,
ultimately to the big new tanks ueh as the T iger, Panther, and King Tiger, all
tr ng in fire-power but lacking in total reliability and disadvantaged by bulk. Of
the earlier tanks , only the Pz. Kpfw. IV remained in roduction in up-gunned
form until the end of the war in 1945. Towards the end of the war, the Germans
planned a rationalised series of tanks on standardised chassis , but they were
never able to implement this scheme before capitulat ion.
Italian tanks were much less uccessful than the Germans', despite Ital y s big
pre-war reputation as a uccessful maker of motor cars a d truc ks. Italian tal. s
in service or in production in 1940 were too small, too thinly armoured <loJ
inadequately gunned. The Italian Army had had a colonial role in the 1930s, ,!. Id
Italian tanks were more suitable for colonial actions than anything else. As Italy
lacked the industrial resources for rapid engineering expansion, she was unable
to produce a new generation of tanks to match Allied power in this dir ction.
The P .26/40 of 1943 had only just gone into production when Italy surrendered
in September 1943, and even this was no match for contemporary Allied designs
such as the Sherman and Cromwell, which were then coming into service.
Japan's case was slightly different. Japan came quite late to mechanisation ,
but by the early 1930s the Japanese had evaluated some good foreign tanks and
had arrived at indigenous design concepts, partly derived from foreign tanks but
also quite original to Japan, notably the cheap but etTectlve bell-crank
suspension. Japan was the first nation to adopt diesel engines for tanks on a
large scale, and the Chi-Ha (Type 97 Medium) of 1937 was one of the most
advanced designs in the world when first produced ; many featmes , such as a low
silhouette, well-sloped armour and air-cooling, later became almost universal in
all tanks. However, the fighting value of most Japanese tanks and tankettes was
limited. There was a certain complacency, allied to shortage of steel and the
nature of Japan's island and jungle campaigns, which placed a low premium on
tank production and the development of new types. Only about 6500 tanks w re
built in total from 1931 to 1945, and much more priority was given to such ot her
weapons as aircraft and guns. Later Japanese tank designs were not built in
significant numbers and there were no campaigns in which tanks figured with
any prominence. One major feature of Japanese tank deployment, however, was
the use of effective amphibious tanks, largely a Navy commitment.
A number of smailer states within the German Reich made a contribution to
the war effort, almost entirely on the Russian fronts . These states, Romania
Croatia, Bulgaria, and Slovakia were almost entirely armed with tanks of forei n
manufacture, except Slovakia, which retained Czechoslovak Army equipment
(including Czech-built tanks) when established under German control after
Czechoslovakia was annexed in 1939. Hungary was another state allied to the
German cause and she had tanks developed from original Czech designs but
built in Hungary. A summary of tank types in service with these smaller states is
included.
This book includes only tanks which achieved production and/or combat
status. Of the many experimental models or prototypes, some are mentioned
here , but only in connection with the development of prodUction models.
Photo Credits
,
Bundesarchiv
P. Chamberlain
H. L. Doyle
Colonel R. J. leks
Imperial War Museum
R. Riccio
Note on Nomenclature
German tanks were designated as 'armoured fighting vehicle' - Panzer-
kampfwagen, abbreviated to 'Pz. Kpfw.' or 'Pz. Kw.' or 'Pz.' - followed by the
design number, e.g. Panzerkampfwagen Ill. Sub-variant s or mod-
els - Ausflihrung, abbreviated to 'Ausf - were designated by letters , e.g.
Pz.Kpfw. III Ausf G. Ex-Czech designs were designated by the suffix (t).
Japanese tank models were designated by reference to their year of design or
acceptance. The legendary foundation of the Japanese Empire was in 660 B.C.;
thus, Japanese dates were 660 years ahead of the western world, e.g.
1935 = Japanese year 2595. T he last two digits were used in the designation, e.g.
Type 95. From 2601 (1941), only the last digit was used, e.g. Type I. A word
describing function and class was added to the type number, e.g. Type 94 TK
(Model 94 (1934) tankette), Type 97 Chi-Ha (Model 97 (1937) Medium Tank C).
Itali an tanks were variously designated, the title being self-explanatory. Thus
M 15/42 indicated Medium tank, 15 tons, 1942 design. L 6-40 indicated light
tank, 6 tons, 1940 design . CV indicated Carro Veloce (fast vehicle) and Carro
Armato indicated armoured vehicle.
2
V 33 in service with the Bulgarian
A rmy
DATA
CREW 2
WEIGHT 5400kg 5.3tons(ModelA)
6000kg 5.9tons(Model B)
HEIGHT 1.72 m 5ft 8in (both)
ENGTH 4.02 m 13 ft in (Mod. A)
4.42m 14ft6in(Mod.B)
WIDTH 2.06m 6ft9in (both)
ENGINE KruppM 305,60hpair-cooled
(ModelA)
MaybachNL38TR, 100hp
water-cooled(Mod.B)
SPEED Road 37 kmh 30mph Mod. A)
Road40kmh 24.9mph(Mod. B)
Cross-country 9.65-12.9kmh 6-8mph
(Mod.A
11.3-14.5kmh 7-9mph
(Mod. B)
THICKNESS Max 15 mm
Min 6mm
ROl" DS CARRIED 1525 x 7.92 mm
(Mod. A)
1750 x 7.92mm
(Mod. B)
BULGARIA
At the outbreak ofthe war, Bulgaria had in service a number of Italian CV 33
tankettes and eight Vickers 6-ton Mk E tanks. In February 1940,26 Pz.Kpfw.
35(t)s were delivered by Germany, and in 1943 Germany handed over 88
Pz.Kpfw. IVs to form a Bulgarian Panzer Division. From August 1944 these
wereusedagainsttheGermans.
CROATIA
A small number of Pz.Kpfw. IV Gs and Pz.Kpfw. Ns were delivered at the
sametimetheyreceivedCY33 and35 tankettesfromHungary.
GE RMANY
Panzerkampfwagen I, Models 'A' and 'B' Sd. Kfz.
101
Designed as a light tank in the 5-ton class for the German rearmament
programme, this vehicle, armed with two 7.92 mm machine-guns, went into
productionduring 1934.
On troop trials it soon proved to be under-powered and unable to meet the
demands madeon it. Subsequentlya modified version was produced in the same
year, this machine being equipped with a bigger engine which made it necessary
to lengthen the hull and increase the road wheels; the weight was now
approximately 6 tons .This model was issued to the Army underthe designation
ofPanzerkampfwagen I, Model 'B', the first production model now becoming
Model'A' .
Both versions were first used in action in 1936 during the Spanish Civil War.
During the Polish and French campaigns (1939-40), the pz I together with the
pzII formed the main armament ofthe Light Tank Companies in the Panzer
Regiments. They also took part in the invasion ofDenmarkand Norway, and in
North Africa. In the reorganisation that took place in 1941, the Panzer I
dropped as a fighting tank and relegated to training establishments. Some .....ere
used as self-propelled mounts for 4.7 cm anti-tank guns and 15 cm howitzer .
whileothers,withtheturretremoved,wereadaptedasmunitionscarriers.
3
Top: Model A in action in N onvay
Centre left . P-. Kpjll' ,/, Model A
Centre right : Modd Bfr. /lowed by
Ma(Jel A mo\'e forward in Poland
RiRlzt : ,II,-Iode l B
4
Panzerkampfwagen II, Sd. Kfz. 121
This tank formed the heavier element in the Light Tank Company of the Panzer
Regiment in 1939-40. In the 1940-41 reorganisation, it was relegated from a
fighting tank to a recce tank, five being allotted to each company, battalion. and
regimental HQ for this purpose. In March 1942, their numbers were still further
reduced. The recce troops at company level were abolished, and at battalion and
regimental level tbe allocation was increased to seven tanks . Finally, in 1945 , it
was dropped altogether. The fIrst four models in the Panzer II series were
designated aI, a2, a3, and b. These appeared between 1935 and 1937 but were
produced in limited quantity only ; they were armed with a 2 em KwK and one
MG 34, both weapons being mounted co-axially in the turret. The suspension
was a development from the Panzer I and consisted of three articulated pairs of
road wheels connected by an outside girder. Each of these models differed from
its predecessor by various modifications. By the outbreak of the war they were
obsolescent.
Modele
This version appeared in 1937 with an entirely new suspension, which consisted
of five independently sprung road wheels, each mounted on a cranked arm
pivoted forward of the wheel to a hull stub axle. T he cranked arm was
connected to quarter-elliptic leaf spring, the tloating end 0 which rode freely on
a roller mounted on the hull side. Four return rollers were provided. Certain
modifIcations were also made to the driving sprocket and rear idler wheel. This
became the standard suspension for the following Model A. B, . and F.
RighI : Pz.Kpfw.lI. Model b in
Rllssian village
BeLow left: ModeLs aJ , a2, a3
Below right: Pz .Kpfw.l1, Model c with
suspension that became standard for
the pz.Kpfw.1l series; /lote the
rollnded front
Panzerkampfwagen II, Models A, B, and C
Model A, the first main production model, appeared in late 1937. It was
followed by Model B in February 1938 and Model C in September of the same
year. There were only minor differences between these models, mainly changes
to the vision ports. The frontal armour of this series was originally only 15 mm
thick, the hull having a rounded nose formed by the bending of a single plate
which also incorporated the glacis and nose plate. Following battle experience
gained during the campaign in Poland and the early fighting in France in 1940,
the armour of these models was reinforced by bolting 20 mm armour plates on to
the front of the tank. This entirely altered the appearance of the hull and nose
and gave the effect of spaced armour in front of the rounded part of the basic
plate . The gun mantlet armour was also increased by the addition of a 15 mm
plate . . '\5 originally produced, the Panzer II models had been equipped with a
split hatch in the turret roof and a periscope, but when the troops complained
about restricted vision, this deficiency was corrected by the installation of a
commander's cupola with eight episcopes giving all-round vision.
DATA
CREW 3
WEIGHT 8900 kg 8.8 tons
HEIGHT 1.99 m 6 ft 6Y<1 in
LENGTH 4.81 m 15 ft 9\,4 in
WIDTH 2.22 m 7 ft 3\4 in
ENGINE Maybach HL 62 TR, 140 hp
SPEED Roads 40 kmh 24.9 mph
Cross-country 19 kmh 12 mph
ARMOUR THICKNESS Max 15 mm
Min5mm
ROUNDS CARRIED 180 x 2 cm KwK
2250 x 7.92 mm
Pz.Kpjw.ll, ModelA with 20 mm
armour plate bolted on nose and early
split hatch in turret roof
Pz.Kpjw.]J, Model A; this view shows
clearly the split hatch and periscope
for the tank commander
6
Pz.Kpfw.ll , Model B-C, with new
type ofcommander's cupola
Models D and E. These vehicles still
retain the split-type commander's
hatch
Panzerkampfwagen II, Models D and E
As did Models Band C , these two models appeared in 1938. Developed to
accompany the cavalry as reconnaissance and pursuit vehicles , they were known
as the 'SchneLlkampfwagen' (fast fighting vehicle). Although the hull, turret , and
superstructure were similar to that of the preceding Panzer It models, the D and
E versions had an entirely new type of suspension consisting of four large road
wheel s touching top and bottom of the tracks and independently sprung on
torsion bars. Model E was equipped with a different type of drive sprocket and
idler wheel. The 0 and the E models saw action in Poland, France, and
Belgium, but from mid-1940 to May 1942 they were withdrawn from service to
be converted as flame-throwing tanks or as self-propelled carriages for 7.62 em
anti-tank guns .
DATA
CREW 3 SPEED Road 55 kmh 34 mph
WEIGHT 10,000 kg 9.8 tons Cross-country 19 kmh 12 mph
HEIGHT 2.06 m 6 ft 9 in ARMOUR THICKNESS Max 30 mm
LENGTH 4.65 m 15 ft 3 in Min 15mm
WIDTH 2.30 m 7 ft 6Vz in ROUNDS CARRIED 180 x 2 cm KwK
ENGINE Maybach Hl. 62 TRM, 140 hp 1425 x 7.92 mm
7
Panzerkampfwagen II, Model F
Model F, which appeared in 1941, was the final model of the basic Panzer II
series. Though this version had reverted back to the type of suspension used on
the c, A, B, and C models, an entirely new hull was constructed for the vehicle,
and the basic armour thickness was increased, thus obviating the need for
additional armour plates. The nose of the tank was now rather box-shaped with
the nose-plate almost vertical. The type of superstructure on the Models D and
E was incorporated with the same type of double-shutter driver's visor. A visor
titled on (he right-hand side of the straight front vertical plate of this model was
a dumm . The Model F saw combat service in the Middle East, North Africa,
and the Soviet nion.
Panzerkampfwagen II, Model L, Sd.Kfz. 123 'Luchs'
Developed as a fully tracked armoured reconnaissance vehicle, the 'Luchs'
(Lynx) went into production in August 1942. The general layout and armour-
ment of this version was similar to that of the Model F but an entirely new
suspension system had now been incorporated. This consisted of five large
rubber-tyred twin road wheels on each side. The second and fourth wheels were
spaced to al10w the others to be interleaved. The axles were connected to single
torsion bars by means of radius arms. The turret lacked a cupola and vision
ports. but an episcope was fitted into the turret access hatch and a rotatable
periscope into the turret roof. Also known as 'Panzerspahwagen Luchs', this
vehicle saw se;-vice in the Soviet Union and France as part of the equipment of
armoured reconnaissance units .
DATA
CREW 3
WEIGHT 9.500 kg 9.35 tons
HEIGHT 2.15 m 7 ft ()1/z in
LENGTH 4.81 m 15 ft 9\4 in
WIDTH 2.28 m 7 ft ~ in
ENGINE Maybaeh HL 62 Tr, 140 hp
SPEED Road 55 krnh 34 mph
Cross-country 19 krnh J2 mph
Min 15mm
ROUNDS CARRIED 1802 em KwK
2700 x 7.92 mm
DATA
CREW 4
WEIGHT 13,000 kg 12.8 tons
HEIGHT 2.21 m 7 ft 3 in
LENGTH 4.63 m 15 ft 21-2 in
WIDTH 2.48 m 8 ft I 'Va in
ENGINE Maybach HL 66 P, 180 hp
SPEED Road 60 kmh 37.3 mph
Cross-country 45 krnh 28 mph
Min20mm
ROUNDS CARRIED 330 x 2 em KwK
2250 x 7.92 mm
8
pz.Kpfw.1I1, Model A on trials
pz.Kpfw.lll, Model B with
dustbin-type cupola
Panzerkampfwagen III, Sd.Kfz. 141
The Panzerkampfwagen III was the German 'cruiser tank' (by Briti h
definition) and from 1941 to 1943 it formed the main equipment of Panzer
Regiments. In 1939, however, there were only 72 Pz. Ills in an armoured
division, which then had a total of 416 tanks. In these early days they were
allocated as one platoon of five per light company plus one Pz.Kpfw. III
commander' s modelI at company HQ. At that time there were only enough
Pz. Kpfw. Ills available to stiffen the fire-power of the Panzer I and II which
then formed the main German tank strength. After the reorganisation of winter
1940-41, the light companies of panzer divisions were completely equipped with
the Pz.Kpfw. III except for a recce troop of Pz.Kpfw. lIs . This meant there
were now 106 Pz. Kpfw. Ills out of a total of 201 tanks in a German armoured
division and this remained so until 1943. Ln a further reorganisation in 1943, the
Pz.Kpfw. III was dropped from the German armoured division, becoming
obsolete with the appearance of the T iger and Panther. By this time the
Pz.Kpfw. IV had become the main equipment of the panzer divisions ,
strengthened by the Panthers and Tigers . The Pz. Kpfw. III did, however,
remain in service to the end of the war in second-line roles and for special
purposes like OP functions.
Early Models: A, B, C, and D
The first four versions of the Pz. Kpfw. fI J were r lly pre- production
prototypes of the series, each having a Jiffere nt t. pc of uspen ion. T hese
models appeared during 1937-39.
Panzerkampfwagen III, Model E, Sd.Kfz. 141
This was the first in the series to go into full production during 1938 and 1939.
The suspension was entirely new and marked the beginning of a l1ew German
development. This consisted of six small road wheels per side, each indepen-
dently sprung on a torsion bar which was set forward of the wheel axle and
connected to it by a radius arm. The armour basis remained the same as the
previous models, but the driver's visor was provided with an upper and lower
sliding shutter which could be closed together. The machine-gun was set behind
a square frame bolted to the front of the superstructure. The 3.7 cm KwKLl46
and a co-axial machine-gun were mounted in an internal mantlet. Later
production vehicles were converted to carry the 5 cm KwKLl42 in an external
mantlet.
DATA
CREW 5
HEIGHT 2.44 m 8 ft
LENGTH 5.38m 17ft8in
WIDTH 2.91 m 9 ft ~ in
ENGINE Maybach HL 120 TR, 300 hp
Min 12mm
ROUN DS CARRIED 131 x 3.7cm
4500 x 7.92 mm
Pz. Kp/w.III , Model E with 3.7 em
KwK Ll46 gun in internal gun mantlet
Pz.Kp/w.III, Model E armed with a 5
em KwK Ll42 in the Western Desert
10
pz .Kpfw.lll , Model G with new
cupola and driver's visor
Model G all reconnaisance in the
desert

This model, produced from September 1939 to September 1940, was basically
similar to the Model E. It was armed with the 3.7 cm gun, which was later
changed to the 5 cm KwKLl42. Some of these vehicles were used in the invasion
of France.
III, G
Produced from 1940. The main difference from the previous models was an
increase in armour thickness, a new driver' s visor, and a newly designed cupola.
It was originally armed with a 3.7 em gun , which was later changed during
production to the short 5 cm gun. Some Model Os were used in North Africa,
being known as Ausf O(Tp) (tropicalised version), and were fitted with special
equipment and various modifications for use in a tropical climate.
Panzerkampfwagen III, Model H
Produced during 194\. The armour basis was 30 mm, but additional armour
30 mm plates were bolted to the upper and lower nose-plates and to the
tail-plates to neutralise the increased penetrating power of the British anti-tank
weapons. Because of the increased armour thickness, the suspension torsion
bars were strengthed and the tracks widened from 360 mm to 400 mm, thus
increasing the total weight to 21 .8 tons. It was armed with the 5 cm KwK Ll42.
Below: Pz. Kpftv.lll, Model H moving
forward during the fighting in the
Western Desert
Bouom: Model H showing the
additional armour bolted on the nose
plate
12
DATA
CREW 5
WEJGHT 21.500 kg 21.2 tons
HEIGHT 2.50 m 8 ft 2\.-2 in
LENGTH 6.28 m 20 ft 7 in
WIDTH 2.95 m 9 ft 811.! in
ENGINE Maybach HL 120 TRM, 320 hp
Cross-country 18 kmh 11.2 mph
Min 15mm
RO UNDS CARRIED 84 x 5 cm
2700 x 7.92 mm
Modell equipped with the 5 em KwK
39 Ll60
Pz. Kpfw. lIl, Modell with
new-pattern dri ve sprocket and idler
wheel (introduced on Model H). N ote
the M.G. bal/-mount introduced with
the Modell
Panzerkampfwagen Ill, Model J, Sd.Kfz.14111
Produced from March \941 to May 1942, this model was the first in the
Pz.Kpfw. III series to have the basic armour increased to 50 mm. Spaced
armour was also fitted to the front superstructure and the gun mantle!. The hull
machine-gun was now mounted in a prominent ball-mount and the driver's visor
was a new d e s i ~ Early models of the J appeared with the 5 cm KwK, but
during production this was changed to the long-barrelled 5 cm KwK 39 L/60.
This type was known to the British in the Western Desert as the 'Mark 3
Special'.
Panzerkampfwagen III, Model L, Sd.Kfz.141/1
Produced from June to December 1942. Improvements included increasing the
armour on the turret front from 30 mm to 57 mm, installing a torsion bar
counter-balance for the 5 cm Kwk 39 L/60, and altering the air intake louvres
and hatches on the rear deck. All Model Ls had 20 mm spaced armour on the
superstructure front and most had the 20 mm spaced armour on the gun mantlet.
Early in the production run, the hull escape hatches on the hull sides, the
loader's vision port on the gun mantlet, and the turret side ports were deleted.
Panzerkampfwagen III, Model M, Sd.Kfz.141/2
Manufactured from October 1942 to February 1943, the Model M was
practically identical to the Model L, but incorporated anumber of modifications.
There were no escape hatches fitted in the hull side, and on most of the Model
M vehicles, arrangements were made for wading up to a depth of 4 ft 3 in,
sealing devices being installed in the access doors, in the hull, at the hull and
superstructure joint, and in the engine exhaust system.
14
DATA
CREW 5
HEIGHT 2.50 m 8 ft 2h in
WIDTH 2.95 m 9 ft 8Y<1 in
ENGINE Maybaeh HL 120 TRM, 320 hp
Cross-country 18 kmh 11 .2 mph
ARMOUR THICKNESS Max 57 m
Minl5mm
ROUNDS CARRIED 9 x 5 em
4950 x 7.92 em
Model L showing modified rear deck
This version o/the Model L has the
turret side ports eliminated
Pz. Kpfw .lll, Model M with armour
skirting plates around turret and hull
sides
Rear view ofthe Model M showing the
new type of exhaust pipe for deep
wading
Panzerkampfwagen llI, Model N, Sd.Kfz.141/2
In production from June 1942 to August 1943, this was the last of the
Panzerkampfwagen III series . This vehicle was a continuation of the Model M
series, but the main armament was now changed to the short 7.5 cm KwK U24
(the original close-support gun on the early Pz.Kpfw. IV). Supplementary armour
was titted to the front nose-plates and armour-skirting plates were fitted around
the turret and hull sides. The Model N was also known as the 'Sturmpanzer
III' .
DATA
CREW 5
WEIGHT 23,000 kg 22.6 tons Cross-country 18 kmh 11.2 mph
HEIGHT 2.50 m 8 ft 2Y2 in ARMOUR THICKNESS Max 57 mm
LENGTH 6.28 m 20 ft 7 in Min 15mm
WIDTH 2.95 m 9 ft 8Y<! in ROUNDS CARRIED 64 x 7.5cm
ENGINE Maybach HL 120 TRM, 320 hp 3750 x 7.92 mm
Panzerkampfwagen IV, Sd.Kfz.161
Numerically the most important German tank, the Pz. Kpfw. IV also had the
unique distinction for a tank of remaining in full production throughout the entire
duration of World War II. The prototypes from which the Pz.Kpfw. IV was
evolved were tested in the 1934-35 period and a design by Krupp was chosen as
a basis for the production vehicle that was initially regarded as the principal
fighting vehicle of the panzer divisions. The design was sound and the vehicles
were roomy and reliable, w,ith provision made for mass-production in that the
hull was made in four sub-assemblies to facilitate quick construction. Initial
production was slow and only a few pre-production batches had been delivered
when Germany went to war in 1939. The initial concept of the Pz,Kpfw. IV was
as a ' Support' tank for the Pz.Kpfw. III, and as such it was armed with the
short , low-velocity 7.5 cm Kwk L/24 gun. Its size, however, and notably its
turret ring diameter , allowed it to be upgunned later in the war to carry a
long-barrel , high-velocity 7.5 cm KwK 40 L/43, and later the even more
powerful L/48 version. Thus armed, it had a sound anti-tank capability, even
though it was somewhat outmoded in shape and fire-power by the Soviet T-34
tank and the erman Panther.
The Pz.Kpfw. IV was available in large nombers, however, and in its various
forms it was the most important by far of all the German tanks. There were also
numerous self-propelled gun versions. The Pz.Kpfw. IV had a box-like hull,
simple bogie suspension with quarter-elliptic springs, and a front drive and
transmission. All crew members (five) were well-provided with vision devices
and hatches. Power unit was the Maybach 250 hp HL 108TR engine, and all but
late models had a 500 c DKW two-stroke engine to provide auxiliary power.
16
Pz. Kpjw.lI/, Model N armed with tl!
short 7.5 em KwK Ll24 gun
DATA
CREW 5
HEIGHT 2.65 m 8 ft 81h in
LENGTH 5.60 m 18 ft 41h in
WIDTH 2.90 m 9 ft 6 in
ENGINE Maybaeh HL 108 TR, 250 hp
Min 10mm
ROUNDS CARRIED 80 x 7.5 em
3000 x 7.92 mm
pz.Kpfw.IV, ModelA in Poland
Panzerkampfwagen IV, Model A, Sd.Kfz.161
During late 1935 and 1936 the Krupp firm built and successfully tested prototype
vehicles, as a result of which it was appointed as the parent firm and main
manufacturer for the complete production of the Pz. Kpfw. IV. Originally known
as the 7.5 cm Geschiitz-Panzerwagen, the Pz.Kpfw. IV was put into production
in the autumn of 1937. Model A was armed with a short 7.5 cm KwK Ll24 and a
co-axial machine gun in a internal mantlet , a second machine-gun was fitted in a
ball mount in the front superstructure plate. This front plate was so designed
that the driver' s position was further forward than that of the wireless operator
compartment. A drum shaped commander's cupola with eight vision slits was
positioned at the rear of the turret roof, merging into the back turret wall. The
suspension, except for modifications to the front sprocket and rear idler wheel of
the late models, remained unchanged throughout the production run of the
Pz.Kpfw. IV series . This consisted of a front driving sprocket and rear idler
wheel with eight small road wheels which were evenly spaced and mounted in
pairs on quarter elliptic leaf springs . Four return rollers supported the track. By
April 1938 the troops had been issued with 30 vehicles, a total of35 being built.
The Model A saw action in Poland, Norway and France; they were removed
from the Panzer Regiments before the spring ca mpaigns in 1941 and used in
training units .
17
Panzerkampfwagen IV, Model B, Sd.Kfz.161
A run of 45 vehicles with detail changes which included a modified cupola, a
better six-speed all-syncro gearbox, thicker armour protection and a straight
front superstructure plate - on the Model A this had been 'stepped' forward for
the driver. These vehicles saw service in Poland, France, the Balkans, and the
Soviet Union. They were phased out of combat service by 1943.
DATA
CREW 5
WEIGHT 19,000 kg IS.7 tons
HEIGHT 2.6S m S ft 91-2 in
LENGTH 5.92 m 19 ft 5V<! in
WIDTH 2.S3 m 9 ft 3V<! in
ENGINE Maybaeh HL 120 TRM, 320 hp
Cross-country IS kmh 11.2 mph
Min 10mm
ROUNDS CARRIED SO X 7.5 em
2400 x 7.92 mm
Model B in Russia, note the internal
gun mantlet
Pz.Kpjw.IV, Model Bjording a river
in France
18
Panzerkampfwagen IV, Model C
An improved version of the Model B with increased armour on the
turret front (from 20 mm up to 30 mm) and an uprated 300 hp engine in
later vehicles. The Model C was used in the Polish campaign.
19
Panzerkampfwagen IV, Model D, Sd.Kfz.161
Appearing in September 1939. this was the first large-scale production
version. The front superstructure was changed to the stepped pattern of
the Model A. The hull machine-gun was fitted in an armoured
ball-mount (Kugelblende 30); there were wider tracks, larger track
sprockets, and a hull stowage bin. The 7.5 em KwK 37 Ll24 was
mounted in an external armoured mantlet. Other improvements
incorporated in the Model 0 were the increase in side and rear armour
from 15 mm Lo 20 mm. Late-production vehicles had additional armour
plate bolted and welded to the superstructure and hull front. In 1943 a
number of Model Os were up-gunned with the 7.5 em KwK Ll48. They
saw action in France, North Africa, the Balkans, and the Soviet Union.
DATA
CREW 5
HEIGHT 2.68 m 8 ft 91.-2 in
Min 10mm
RO UNDS CARRlED 80 x 7.5 cm
2700 x 7.92 mm
Front view of the Model D showing
the new configuration ofthe hullfront ,
and the 7.5 cm gun in external mantlet
Rear view of the Model D showing the
smoke dischargers
20
PZ.Kpfw.lV, Model E; note the
additional armour plate on
superstructllre front and sides
Panzerkampfwagen IV, Model E, Sd.Kfz.161
With the appearance of Model E in late 1939, changes had again taken place . A
new cupola, squatter with narrow sliding visors instead of the wide, segmental
shutters of the previous model s, was introduced with an increased armour
thickness. In addition, the new cupola was resited on the turret roof. being
brought forward of merging into the turret plate. The turret roof was abo
altered, the right-hand signal port and the central rectangular ventilation opening
were deleted, being replaced by a circular ventilation cowl in the right sloping
part of the turret roof. The front superstructure still retained the same
configuration as the Model 0 in that the driver's position was forward of the
wireless operator' s compartment , but a new type of driver's visor was installed
with a 50 mm single-thickness nose-plate. T he fitting of additional armour plates
on the front of the superstructure and On the sides of the fighting compartment
was continued as a factory fitting. A new type of driving sprocket, which was of
a more simple design, was fitted . O n late-production models of the E, the access
flaps in the glacis plate weP'! fitted with a single heavy hinge on each flap instead
of the two lighter hinges as previously titted . First used in North Africa.
DATA
CREW 5 SPEED Road 40 kmh 24 .9 mph
WEIGHT 21,OOOkg 20.7 tons Cross-country 18 kmh 11.2 mph
HEIGHT 2.68 m 8 ft 9Yz in THICK'I ESS Max 50 m
LENGTH 5.91 m 19 ft 5 in t in 20mm
WIDT H 2.85 m 9 ft 4 in RO /-IDS CARRIED 80 x 7.7 em
ENGINE Maybach HL 120TRM, 320 hp 2700 x; 7. 2 mm
Panzerkampfwagen IV, Model Fl, Sd.Kfz.161
The Model F I appeared in 1941 and was concurrent in production with the
Pz. Kpfw. III Model J. For Model F the basic armour was increased from
30 mm to 50 mm on the front (including the turret and superstructure) and
30 mm on the sides. The additional supplementary armour plates were now
abandoned. A straight single-plate superstructure front was adopted with an
improved armoured ball-mount for the machine-gun. The large single door on
each side of the turret was now repl aced by double doors . New types of
sprocket and idler wheel s were installed on this model. A new track, having a
width of 400 mm was al so introduced. The sole and outer webs of each shoe
were slotted forthe fitting of ice sprags.
This side view of the Model E shows
the new drive sprocket and ventilating
cowl
DATA
CREW 5
WEIGHT 22,300 kg 22 tons
HEIGHT 2.68 m 8 ft 9\--2 in
WIDT H 2.85 m 9 ft 4 in
E NGINE Maybach HL 120 TRM, 320 hp
SPEED 40 kmh 24.9 mph
Cross-country 18 kmh 11 .2 mph
ARMOUR THICKNESS . Max 50 mm
Min20mm
ROUNDS CARRIED 80 x 7.5 em
3000 x 7.92 mm
22
DATA
CREW 5
W E IGHT 23,000 kg 23 tons
HEIGHT 2.68 m 8ft ~ in
LENGTH 5.62 18 ft ~ in
WIDTH 2.84 m 9 ft 3:J4 in
Min 10mm
ROUNDS CARRIED 87 x 7.5 cm
3000 x7. 92mm
pz.Kpfw.IV, Model F2 armed with the
long barrelled 7.5 em KwK 40 gun
Model FI in Russia
Panzerkampfwagen IV, Model F2, Sd.Kfz.16111
Just as the Model F began to leave the production lines, the powerful new
Soviet T-34, which had superior armament to all existing German tanks. \\ '
encountered. To provide an almost immediate (but interim) counter to the T-3.t .
Hitler personally ordered that the new 7.5 cm KwK 40 L/43 (adapted from the
new Pak 40 anti-tank gun) be fitted to all new Panzer IVs. Model Fs so fitted
were designated Model F2 (Ausf F2) and earlier vebicles which retained the
7.5 cm L/24 gun were then re-designated Model Fl (Ausf Fl). Some were sent
to the Western Desert in 1942 where they were known to the British as the 'Mk
IV Special' .
23
Panzerkampfwagen IV, Model G, Sd.Kfz.161/1
In service by mid-1942, this version was the most important of the Panzer IV
series being built in great numbers. The early Model Gs were identical to the
Model F2, although this similarity gradually changed during productiori as
improvements were introduced. Among these was the dropping of the vision
ports from the turret sides and the loader's side of the turret front, the replacing
of the 7.5 cm L/43 by the more powerful 7.5 cm Ll48 gun, and the fitting of a
new cupola with thicker armour and a single-piece hatch cover. Also fitted were
turret side and skirt plates (Schilrzen). Very late production Gs received a new
type of drive sprocket and the radio antenna was moved to the left hull rear.
DATA
CREW 5
WEIGHT 23,370 kg 23 tons
HEIGHT 2.68 m 8 ft 9Y.2 in
LENGTH 6.62 m 21 ft ~ in
WIDTH 2.88 m 9 ft 5Y.2 in
ENGINE Maybach HL 120TRM, 320 bp
Min 10mm
3000 x 9.92 mm
24
Late type ofModel G armed with the
7.5 cm KwK L/48
Pz.Kpfw.fV Model H vehicles ill
Russia; the anti-magnetic mine paste
can be seen on the front of the leading
vehicle
Panzerkampfwagen IV, Model H, Sd.Kfz.16112
In mid-1943 the Model H appeared with all previously noted changes; the L/48
gun as standard, plus a new drive sprocket of welded and webbed construction,
aU steel return rollers, a splash-shield forward of the turret (not in all vehicles) ,
side skirts, and a skate rail for an AA machine-gun on the cupola (in most
vehicles). Very late-production vehicles had a single thickness (85 mm) of
armour replacing the belted or welded armour of earlier vehicles . 'Zimmerit'
anti-magnetic mine paste was standard on most new vehicles from mid-1943
onwards. An improved gearbox was introduced in the Model H.
25
Panzerkampfwagen IV, ModelJ, Sd.Kfz.161/2
This was the last full production model, remaining in production from early 1944
until the war' s end. I t was essentially a further simplifed continuation of Model
H, with the DKW auxiliary engine removed (the turret could then only be hand
traversed) and replaced by an extra 44-gallon fuel tank. All vision ports were
deleted except the gunner's, the return rollers were reduced to three on later
vehicles, and the side skirt armour in many vehicles was of heavy gauge steel
wire mesh instead of plates, this being just as effective in its task of exploding
bazooka and other hollow-charge shells. There were other detail changes of a
more minor nature.
...
Panzerkampfwagen V, Panther, Sd.Kfz.171
The finest German tank of the war the Panther was the direct German answer
to the impact made by the Soviet T -34 . Although the first encounter with the
T-34 and K V - I in July 1941 had caused the T iger tank to be pushed forward, the
bigger encounter wi th T-34s in October 1941 caused a Panzer Commission to
be set up to study the urg nt n ed fo r a new tank to counter the Soviet
superiority. I n January 1942 contract s were placed for prototypes. Sloped
armour ' II r und , wide tracks and wheels, and an overhanging gun and turret
were all reque led feature . One of the contractors, Daimler-Benz, postulated
an al mo t exact c py f the T- 4 with that vehicle's inherent characteristics.
Thi s Was consid red too unconventional by German engineering standards, and
a second design by MAN was chosen for production, the VK 3002 (MAN) .
Very high priority was given to getting the new vehicle into production. While
th prototypes and test vehicles were on trial , extra armour thickness - 60 mm
up t o 80 rom minimu m - and other changes took the weight up well beyond 35
tons and the extra weight imposed strains on the engine and transmission, which
led to some 'teething troubles' and a tendency to breakdowns in earlier vehicles.
Production targets up to 600 a month were set. The following production models
saw service.
26
pz .Kpfw.IV, ModelJ; the side view of
this vehicle shows clearly the wire
mesh skirting
Pz. Kpfw. V, Model D, Panther; note
the length ofthe 7.5 cm Ll70 high
velocity gun
Front view ofModel A showinR
ball-mount for hull machine gun and
new type ofcupola
Panzerkampfwagen V, Panther, Model D
Production of this first model started in November 1942 and lasted until
September 1943. One-piece hull plates were a feature of the Panther with all
joins stepped, morticed, and welded. On Model D there was a drum-shaped
cupola, empty-round ejection hatches in the turret side, a ' Ietterbox' vertical slit
in the glacis plate for the hull machine-gun, and an opening hatch for the d r i v e r ~
vision port.
Panzerkampfwagen V, Panther, Model A
This had detailed improvements over the D model. including a ball-mounted hull
machine-gun, stronger wheel fixings, and an armoured cupola in the turret. More
than 1400 were built from July 1943 until February 1944.
Pan/her Model A passing demolished
stron!?-point; commander watches the
retreating Russians
Panzerkampfwagen V, Panther, Model G, Sd.Kfz .171
T he Model G incorporated the latest ideas gained from experience in the field .
The superstructure sides were altered' to one-piece style, with the lower side
stowage boxes - separate in Models 0 and A - now part of the superstructure.
Armour thickness was taken up from 40 mm to 50 mm and the slope improved .
The driver's vision hatch was deleted in favour of a periscope in the roof above
him. New hatches , increased ammunition stowage, and many detail changes
characterised this model. It remained in production until the war' s end. More
than 3400 Panthers of all models were built. Very late Model Gs had all-steel
resilient road wheel:, in place of the ' dished' rubber-tyred wheels. The Model G
was a major vehicle in the inventory of the Wehrmacht in 1944--45 and
production was afforded at full priority throughout the period . The Panther
proved to be a formidable adversary, more than a match for most Allied tanks.
DATA
SPEED Road 45.7 kmh 28.4 mph
C REW 5 Cross-country 25130 kmh
WEIGHT 45,300 kg 44.6 tons 15 .5/ 18.6 mph
HE IGHT 2.29 m 7 ft 6 in ROAD RADIUS 200 km 124.3 miles
LENGTH 6.39 m 20 ft II \12 in ARMOUR T HICKNESS Max 100 mm
WIDTH 3.72 m 12ft 2\12 in Min I3 mm
ENGINE Maybach HL 230 P30, 700 hp ROUNDS CARRI E D 82 x 7.5 cm
2250 x 7.92 mm
28
Panther Model G, the/inal production
type
Panzerkampfwagen VI, Model E Tiger, Sd.Kfz. lS2
DATA t the time of its introduction into service in late 1942. the Pz. Kpfw. V I Tiger
CREW 5 Model E (its nomenclature was changed to Pz. Kpfw. Tiger Model E in 1944)
WEIGHT 56,000 kg 55 .1 tons
wa n outstanding tank by reason of its main armament (8.8 cm KwK 3 U 56).
armour (100 mm on front vertical plate and mantlet). weight and its ability to
LENGTH 8.45 m 27 ft 8'l4 in (including
travel under water to a depth of 13 ft, this being achieved by a demountable
gun)
telescopic standpipe mounted over the engine compartment to supply air for the
WIDTH 3.7 m 12 ft 2 in (battle track )
engine and crew. This device was fitted to the first 495 Tigers produced. The
3.43 m 11 ft 3 in (narrow tr' k
ENGINE Maybach HL 230 P45. 700 hp
Tiger was the first German combat tank to have the interleaved overlapping
road whe I ; two types of' tracks were used, a wide type (28V2 in) was fitted for
Cross-country 10 kmh 6.2 mph combat and a narrow type (20\12 in) for travel and transportation. Originally
RADIUS 140 km 87 miles fitted with the Maybach 12 cyl HL 210 P45, it was found to be under-powered
and 0 from December 1943 the HL 230 P45 was substituted.
Min 60 mm
Late model Tigers differed in certain details to conform to production
ROUNDS CARRIED 92 X 8.8 cm
~ t n d r d of the Panther. Among the changes were a new Panther-type cupola,
5700 x 7. 92 mm
all-steel wheels , different sprockets, elimination of t he wading facility, and
elimination of the original air filtration system.
The T iger first appeared in action on the Eastern Front before Leningrad in
September 1942, and was encountered by the Briti h in Tunisia in February
1943. It later saw combat in Italy and in North-West Europe.
Early production Tiger riggedfor deei
wading
PZ.Kpfw. VI , Tiger Model E
Late production TiRe!" with
PUllther-type cupola and all-steel road
wheels
30
DATA
CREW 5
WEIGHT 69,700 kg 68.6 tons (production
turret)
HEIGHT 3.09 m 10 ft lYsin (including
gun)
WIDTH 3.75 m 12 ft 3\h in (battle tracks)
3.37 m 10 ft ~ in (narrow
tracks)
ENGINE Maybach HL 230 P30, 700 hp
17kmh 10.6mph
Min80mm
5850 x 7.92 mm
Early Royal Tiger knocked out in
Normandy; note the wide battle tracks
Panzerkampfwagen VI, Model B Konigstiger (Royal
Tiger), Sd.Kfz.lS2
A project for a Tiger tank with the increased protection of sloped armour plate
and a more powerful 8.8 cm gun was begun in the autumn of 1942, and
production models started coming off the production lines in February 1944.
This heavy tank, designed for defensive warfare or for penetrating strong lines of
defence, was first identified as being in the hands of the troops on the Western
Front in June 1944. The Royal Tiger Model B was a logical development of the
Tiger E, with the same layout and employing several internal components (such
as engine, gearbox, etc.) similar to the older vehicle. It differed from the Model
E in mounting an 8.8 cm gun with a length of 71 calibres/8.8 cm KwK 43 L171
with a performance much superior to that of the 8.8 cm KwK 36 mounted in the
Tiger E. Other armaments carried were a co-axial machine-gun and a bow
machine-gun. A machine-gun for anti-aircraft defence could be mounted on the
turret. Improvements were the increased protection afforded by the use of
thicker , well-sloped armour, a new design of gun mantlet, and better track
control. The turret design used on the first 50 tanks produced was found to be
too vulnerable, as well as being too costly in man hours to produce, and a
simplified design with a flat front plate and thicker armour. giving better
protection, was fitted to all subsequent tanks produced. The introduction of a
new turret was accompanied by a change in the gun barrel from monobloc to a
two-piece construction. The Royal Tiger saw action on both Eastern and
Western Fronts. The early turret was designed by Porsche, the later one by
Hensche1.
Top left: pz.Kpfw. VI, Model B, Royal
Tiger with early Porsche turret and
monobloc gun barrel. This vehicle is
equipped with the narrow transport
track
Bottom left: Line-up ofRoyal Tigers ,
these vehicles are fitted with the
Henschel turret and two-piece gun
barrel
Bottom: French Char B in German
service
Below: Hotchkiss H.35 in action in
Russia
Foreign Tanks in service with the German Army
Foreign tanks used by the Germans were chiefly those types designed and
produced in countries under German occupation. Very little use was made of
British and American tanks, although Soviet tanks captured intact in the field
were sometimes put into service. A number of Italian tanks confiscated by the
Germans after the surrender of Italy to the Allies was issued to German units.
Of the large amount of French armour that fell into German hands, certain types
such as the Char. B. Hotchkiss 35 and 39, Renault A.M.C. 35 and Renault
R.35, F .C.M., and Somua 35 were put into service, some of them being
modified by the Germans . Many of them were issued to troops in the Balkans,
others were issued to panzer training schools, and some were used in action on
the Eastern F ront.
The foreign tank most used by the German Army was the Czech LTVz light
tank, known to the Germans as the PZ.Kpfw. 38(t). Following the German
occupation of Czechoslovakia in 1939, aU tanks in service with the Czech Army
- as well as tbose in production under exp rt contract - were taken over by the
Webrmacht. During 1940-41 , the Pz.Kpfw. 38(t) formed 25 per cent of the total
German tank force. Also taken into German service was the S-Ila (T -ll),
known as tbe Pz. Kpfw. 35(t), which had been the mai n batt le tank of the Czech
Army before the occupation. About 200 were taken int German service, where
they remained for three years.
On forei gn or captured tanks being taken into Germ n service, the
nomenclature of the country of origin was dropped aIld these vehicle recei ved a
'fremdengerate' (foreign equipment) number. For tank thi wa - the 700 eries,
followed in brackets by the init ial letter of the c untry of origi n: (fJ franzosisch -
French. (t) tscbechiscb - Czechoslovak. For example - Pz.Kpfw. 3_.R 73 1(f) ;
Pz.Kpfw. 35 .H 734(f); Pz.Kpfw. Ll6733 (i).
Left: German armoured column
consisting of French Souma and
Hotchkiss H.39 tanks move along
coast road in Dalmatia
DATA
CREW 4
HEIGHT 2.35 m 7 ft 81;2 in
LENGTH 4.9 m 16 ft ()3A in
WIDTH 2.IOm 6 ft II in
ENGINE Skoda 6-cyl, 120 hp
ROAD RADIUS 190 km 118 miles
Min8mm
ROU NDS CARRIED 72 x 3.7 cm
18.000 7 9 ~ mm
EX-CZECH TANKS
When Germany marched into Czechoslovakia in March 1939, the whole of the
enterprising Czech arms industry fell intact into German hands. Two new lank
designs proved to be superior to the Pz. Kpfw. I and II and the availability of the
Czech vehicles also meant that panzer divisions could be brought up to strengt h
very quickly in 1939 to make up for delays in delivering the new Pz. Kpfw. I II
and I V in quantity. In the 1940-41 period, some 25 per cent of all tank strength
in tbe Wehrmacht was composed of ex-Czech vehicles. The two main tank
types , Pz.Kpfw. 35(t) and 38(t) were standardised for the Wehrmacht , and
Czech production continued under German supervision.
Pz.Kpfw.35(t)
Produced in prototype form by Skoda in 1934-35. this was in production in the
I 35-38 period as the S- ll, later T-ll. and designated L T Vz 35 by the Czech
. rmy. It had rear engine and urive, leaf-spring bogie suspension. bolted and
riveted construction, 12-speed gear box. and air-assisted mechanical steering
which made driving easy. It was a very reliable rna hi ne , and it 3.7 cm gun had
a good high-velocity performance. More than 200 were taken inlo German
service and were used in Poland, F rance, and on the Eastern From.
35
Pz.Kpfw.38(t), Sd.Kfz.140
The TNHP-S design, built by the CKD finn, was just entering service in 1938.
It had already been sold to Switzerland and Iran, and the Br,itish had also bought
one for trials. This was a very compact and reliable vehicle with large road
wheels on leaf springs. rear engine, front drive, and of all-riveted construction.
The TN HP-S was much liked by the Germans , who Subsequently used its chas-
sis for many self-propelled gun models , long after production of the tank itself
was terminated. Under the German designation Pz.Kpfw. 38(t) the production
models were:
Model A
Original v hicle as taken over. Crew increased from three to four by the
German . o\rmour was 25 mm at maximum point of thickness.
Uodel B
-\ repeat production order for German service 1939.
.\fodele
nother repeat order , early 1940.
.UodelD
Simplified front plate and repositioned exhaust, 1940.
ModelE
Up-armoured modeJ, late 1940, with added external armour plate, up to 50 mm
(front) and 30 mm (sides). Stowage boxes to G erman requirements were added,
as were rear smoke emitters,
ModelF
As Model E, but with detail changes and omission of smoke emitters,
ModelS
An impounded ex.port order from Sweden (=S) of some 90 vehicles, spring 1940,
which were diverted to the German Army, the Swedes being granted licence -
production rights instead.
ModelG
Late 1941 prod uction model , with extra armour plate replaced by hull plates of
equivalent overall thickness (i.e. , 50 mm front, 30 mm sides) . Production in tank
form terminated in April 1942.
Pz.Kpfw.38(t), Model A
DATA
CREW 4
HEIGHT 2,37 m 7ft 901 in
LENGT H 4,60 m 15 ft 1in
W IDTH 2.12 m 6ft in
ENGINE Praga EPA, 125 hp
SPEED Road 42 kph 26 mph
Cross-country 15 kph 9.3 mph
Min 15 mm
ROUN DS CARRIED 72 X 3.7 em
2400 x 7.92 mm
Pz.Kpfiv.38(t) in action, France 1940
36
35M Carro Veloce Harckocsi of a
Hungarian armoured unit
HUNGARY
33M Carro Veloce Harchkocsi and
35M Carro Veloce Harchkocsi
Between 1934 and 1938,60 to 70 Italian tankettes were delivered to Hungary amI
were rearmed with Hungairian 8 mm 34M machine-guns. Some were later
equipped with 8 mm 34M/37M heavy machine-guns. Commanders' models had a
raised cupola to give improved all-round vision. They were used in the
occupation of Ruthenia in 1939, Transylvania in 1940, and on the Eastern Front
in 1941. Some were subsequently given to the Croatian Army in 1943. From
1941 the y were used for training and by the Police.
37
38M Toldi Konnyii Harckocsi (Light Tank)
The Hungarian Army requiring a light tank capable of engaging enemy armour,
the Budapest firm of Ganz offered a licence-built version of the Swedish
Lanosverk L60.B. This solution was accepted and a prototype was delivered by
Landsverk in 1937. Production commenced in mid-1939.
The 38M Toldi k.hk was armed with a 2 cm 36M anti-tank rifle and a co-axial
8 mm 31M machine-gun. Armour was only 13 mm maximum. Power for the
7-ton vehicle wa from a V-8 Bussing NAG engine. The Toldi was used in
Transylvania in 1940 and on the Eastern Front from 1941. In 1942 a more
heavily amloured version, Toldi II, was introduced. From 1943 a new 4 cm 42M
anti-tank gun \\ ac; fitted. The Toldi III was even more heavily armoured and was
de 'ignated 43\1. A radio and anti-aircraft machine-gun mount were provided on
all Toldl mac hines .
40M 'Turan I' Kozepes Harckocsi (Medium Tank)
In 193 the Hungarian Army was looking for a medium tank that could be built
under Jicen e. !though Germany had the only medium tanks available, they
were not prepared ( 0 allow them licence production. However, the T-21
de\ elopment at koda was recommended. Negotiations during early 1940 led to
the delivery of a prototype -22 in mid-1940. The T-22 was armed with a 4 cm
AI7 gun specially developed for the Hungarians. In August 1941 the prototype
40M Turan, armed with a 4 cm 41M gun and 2.8 mm 34M/37M machine-guns,
was delivered and production commenced in October 1941'. During 1942, 228
Turan Is were built by various Hungarian firms. These tanks which were used in
action from mid-1944, were the main equipment of the 1st Panzer Division when
it was re-formed in 1943 after the disaster on the Don. The 1st Cavalry Division
was also equipped with Turan Is.
38
DATA
CREW 3
LENGTH 4.75 m 15 ft 6* in
WIDTH 2.14 m 7 ft
ENGINE Bussing-NAG L8V/36TR
ARMOUR THICKNESS Max 13 mm (later to
20mm)
Min6mm
ROUNDS CARRIED 208 x 2 em or 54 x
4em
2400 x 8 mm
A Toldi I moving through a Russian
village
DATA
CREW 5
HEIGHT 2.3 m 7 ft ~ in
LENGTH 5.5 m 18 ft OY2 in
WIDTH 2.44 m 8 ft
ENGINE Turan V-8 petrol , water-cooled,
260hp
SPEED Road 47.2 kmh 29.3 mph
RANGE 165 km 102.5 miles
ARMOUR THICKNESS Max 50 mm (later
61 mm)
Min 13mm
ROUNDS CARRIED 101 x 40 mm
3000x8mm
Below : Turan J's on e:xercises
Above : Turan I
39
41M 'Turan II' Nehez Harckocsi (Heavy Tank)
To supplement the Turan I, a Turan II was developed with a short
low-velocity 75 mm gun with a calibre length ofLl25. The turret was
modified to mount this gun. It was intended as a support tank in the
armoured divisions, and production started in late 1942 and continued
through 1943. TheTuran II wasdelivered to the2nd Hungarian Panzer
Division in 1943 and laterto the 1stCavalryand 1stPqnzerDivision. It
was used in action alongside the Turan I in 1944. In 1944 its original
designation. -l17\1 Turan II, was changed to 41M Turan 75. A 43M
Turan III. armed with the 75 cm 43M L/43 gun, was planned but
becauseoftheGermanoccupation,onlyprototypeswerebuilt.
German Tanks in service with the Hungarian Army
A tITe only wort hwhile tank available was the Toldi 1, and even the production
of wa 100 smaU, the following German tanks were delivered during 1942 to
form the 1st Hungarian Panzer Division. These vehicles were used until the
DonJ isa.te rinJanuary 1943.
lYM PancelosHarckocsi(PanzerkampfwagenI V)
38M(t)PaJlceiosHarckocsi(panzerkampfwagen38(t
37M Panc'l Harck csi(PanzerkampfwagenI )
Pancelos HarrkocsiPK ( Pa nzerBefehlswagen)
Panzerkampf agen lVs were again delivered from mid-1944 to 1945; Tiger
Ausf.EsandPant hersweredeliveredin smallnumbersduringmid-1944,
ITALY
CV.33 and CV.35
Duri ng 1929 the Jtalian War Department purchased a number ofCarden-Loyd
Mk I from Britain, and from these was developed an improved
version that went into service in 1933 as the CY.33. This vehicle had a fixed
turret, the machine-gun armament being set in the front superstructure - twin
6.5 mm guns initially, later 8 mm. In 1935 a modified version known as the
CY.33/II series or CY.35, was put into production. These vehicles were of
rivetedorboltedcontructionand had a simple beam-typeconstruction. Thelater
model CY.35 had better vision ports and a stronger suspension. Despite being
40
CV.35
CV.33
CV.35 armed with 20 mm anti-tank
gun
small , and obsolete by 1940, the CV.33/35 was in service in quite large numbers.
It saw service in France, Greece, Yugoslavia, Albania, Crete, North Africa.
Soviet Union, Corsica, Sardinia, Sicily, and Italy.
From 1940, some of these vehicles were equipped with the 20 mm Solothum
anti-tank gun in place of the machine-gun.
DATA
CREW 2
LENGTH 3.16 m 10 ft 4 ~ in
WIDTH 1.40m 4ft8in
ENGINE SPA 4-cyl water-cooled petrol,
43 hp
41
SPEED Road 42 kmh 26 mph
Min7mm
3800 x 6.5 mm
Carro Armato L6/40
In the 1936-38 period several prototypes were produced as larger, better-armed
replacements for the CY.33. First of these was essentially an enlarged CY.33
with a 37 mm gun in the hull front, but the second and third carried a turret set
atop the superstructure. In the third vehicle the 37 mm gun was carried in the
turret rather than the superstructure, and this vehicle was the forerunner of a
more refined design. the L6/40, which was built in 1939. Torsion arm
suspension. a turret offset to the left, a 20 mm Breda gun with co-axial 8 mm
machine-gun. and bolted and rivetted construction were features of this vehicle.
It was not employed in signiticant numbers until 1942 and 1943, and saw action
in North Afri . . Soviet Linion, and Italy .
DATA
e RE'" SPEED Road 40 kmh 24 .9 mph
.... f Ir.H 6.800 kg 6.7 tons Cross-country 25 kmh 15.5 mph
HEIGHt 2.175 m 7 ft 2 in RANGE 200 km 124.3 miles
IE OTiI 3.82m 12ft6l4in ARIIlOUR THICKNESS Max 30 mm
\\lOI Ii L8m 5ftllin Min6mm
E (,1 E SPA 18 VT 4-cyl water-cooled ROUNDS CARRIED 256 x 20 mm
petrol, 58 hp 1560 x 8mm
Carro rmato Ml1/39
I n 19Vi an e perim ntal 8-ton tank was built which featured a 37/40 gun in the
right super. tnicLUr front and two 8 mm Breda machine-guns in a small turret.
Fr m thi wa evolved a producti on standard medium tank, largely as a result of
the poor IIo", ing of Italian light tanks in the Spanish Civil War , which
demonstrated the urgent need for a powerful weB-ar med tank. Fiat-Ansaldo
were given an order for 100 vehicles to the revised 8-ton design and deliveries
commenced in 1939. The Mll!39 was of riveted construction with rear Y-8
diesel engine, front drive, side access doors, and with the turret set to the left.
Though of an elegant design , the M 11139 was no match for British tanks in the
Western Desert in 1940. It also saw service in East Africa.
42
DATA
CREW 3
HEIGHT 2.3 m 7 ft 6\.-2 in
LENGTH 4.73 m 15 ft 6\.-2 in
ENGINE SPA8TV-8diesel, 105hp
SPEED Road 34 krnh 21 mph
RADWS 200 km 124.3 miles
Min8mm
ROUNDS CARRIED 84 X 37/40
2808 x 8 mm
Top: Mil /39 operating in the Western
Desert
43
Carro Armato M13/40
A new tank was designed in 1939- as part ofthe Italian rearmament plan. It was
based largely on the M11139 but was bigger, and the main gun, a 47 mm
high-velocity piece, was mounted in the turret. Thickerarmourand otherdetail
improvements were incorporated. Of1900 ordered, some 250 were delivered by
the end of 1940, and were all sent to the Western Desert, where it was found
that further change were needed, notably sandfilters, to make the vehicle fully
effective. The 1\1 13/40 was first used in action in December1940,andalthoughit
was an excellent tank. it proved no match for the heavily armoured British
Matilda.
Commencing in mid-1941, the M 13/40 vehicles were fitted with the more
powerful SPA diesel tngine, the engine that was equipped with air filters
designedtocopewith desertconditions,and tbis improved both theperformance
and reliability ofthe tank. These re-engined vehicles were designated M14/41.
Theywerein Servicein NorthAfrica,Greece,Yugoslaviaand Montenegro.
DATA
CREW 4
WEIGHT 14,.000kg 13 .Stons
(MI4/41 14,500kg 14.3 tons)
HEIGHT 2.37m 7ft 914 in
LENGTH 4.9m 16 ft ()3A in
WIDTH 2.2m 7ft in
ENGINE SPASTM40V-S, 125 hp
(MI4/41 SPA15 TM41 V-S,145 hp)
SPEED Road31.Skrnh 19.5mph
(M14/41: 33 kmh 20.5mph)
Cross-country 14 krnh S.7mph
RANGE 200km 124 miles
ARMOURTHICKNESS Max40mm
Min9mm
ROUNDSCARRIED 104 x 47mm
304S xSmm
Front view ofM13140 showing twin
Breda 8 mm machine guns in hull
44
Carro Armato M/3/40
Carro Armato M/4/4J
Carro Armato M15/42
An extens-ively revised version of the late production M 13/40 (M 14/41), this
vehicle had a petrol engine replacing the diesel plant, thus also necessitating
changes to the rear hull shape. The exhaust pipes had armoured covers, and
electric and hydro-dynamic traverse was fitted to the turret. The crew access
door in the side of the vehicle's superstructure was moved from the left side of
the vehicle to the right side. A heavier, longer, high-velocity 47 mm gun (Model
47/40) made thi the best of the medium tank series, but only 82 were built
before all produ tion changed to the production of self-propelled guns. Used in
action in Ital .
ROUNDS CARRIED 111 X 47/40
2640 x 8rnm
Carro Armato P26/40
As Italy lacked any heavy tank at the beginning of the war, Mussolini ordered
that one should be developed. Of the various designs considered, a proposal by
the Ansaldo firm seemed the most promising and this was accepted under the
designation P.75, a wood mock-up then being produced. It was a 26-tonner with
a 5- mm howitzer and 20 mm cannon in the turret. F ront armour was to be
40 mm. Detail design and testing of the V-12 diesel engine took up well over a
year and the prototype was not ready until October 1941. In this form the front
armour was actually 58 mm. A more powerful version of the 75 mm gun was
developed. the 75134, which was fitted to the production model, which was
finally ordered in May 1942. Some 500 machines were to be built, later increased
to 1000. and production commenced early in 1943. By September 1943, when
I taly surrendered. only 21 had been completed. Though these vehicles did not
enter into Italian service, some of them were taken over by the Germans and
used in the Anzio sector, while others, without the engines, were emplaced as
pillboxes.
DATA
CREW 4
HEIGHT 2.40 m 7 ft II in
LENGTH 5.04 m 16 ft 6Y! in
WIDTH 2.23 m 7 ft 3 ~ in
ENGINE SPA 15 TB M42 V-8, 192 hp
SPEED Road 40 krnh 24.9 mph
Cross-country 20 krnh 12.4 mph
ARMOUR THICKNESS Max 45 mrn
Min 14 mrn
DATA
CREW 4
LENGTH 5.75 m 18 ft lOY! in
WIDTH 2.75 m 9 ft ().11J in
ENGINE SPA V-12diesel, 275 hp
SPEED Road 35 krnh 21.75 mph
Min 14mm
600 x 8mm
46
Somua S.35
French Renault R .35 tanks in Italian
service
Foreign Tanks in service with the Italian Army
From the vast collection of French tanks that was captured by the Gennan . a
number was handed over to the Italian Army in 1941. They consisted of Renaull
R.35s and Somua S.35s. The Renault R.35s were used for airfield defence in
Sicily and were in action against the Allied forces that landed in July 1943. Th
Somua S.35 saw limited action on Sardinia in 1943. At the request of Mussoli ni.
in May 1943 Germany sent 36 Tiger E tanks. These equipped the 'Leonessa'
Armoured Group which was trained by German personnel. After the Italian
armistice the tanks were returned to the Waffen-SS.
47
JAPAN
Tankette Type 94 Te-Ke
This was a light tank very similar to the commercial British- Carden-Loyd
tankette and was based in its design on an example of this type (a Mk Vlb)
purchased by Japan in 1931. The Type 94 appeared in 1934 (hence its
designation 2594 = 1934) and was conceived for infantry use in answer to a
requirement for a light tracked vehicle able to tow a tracked ammunition and
supply trailer. The vehicle had a front-mounted engine, and a rear compartment
with large ac e s door at the back. There was a hand-traversed light turret with
machine-gun. From 1935, when this tankette entered service, each infantry
wa given a tankette company of six vehicles, which were used for
re ce and patrol work aside from from their supply role.
T he suspension was of the twin-bogie and simple bell crank type which
became common on Japanese AFVs . Experience in service led to an improved
model with larger idler wheel fitted, this increasing the ground contact and
preventing track shedding at speed. Some of the later T ype 94 tankettes had the
original 6.5 mm Model 91 machine-gun replaced by a 7.7 mm Model 97, and
another version existed, possibly only in prototype form, with a 37 mm tank gun
in the turret. The Type 94 tankette in both its early and late forms was widely
used in the earlier part of the war.
DATA Early model
CREW 2
HEIGHT 1.62 m 5 ft in
LENGTH 3.0Sm 10ftlin
WIDTH 1.6 m 5 ft in
ENGINE 4-cyl air-cooled petrol, 32-35 hp
SPEED 40 kmh 24.9 mph
Min4mm
ROUNDS CARRIED 6.5 mm MG
ammunition
Late model
CREW 2
WEI GHT 3,900 kg 3.S tons
HEIGHT 1.7 m 5 ft in
LENGTH 3.4 m II ft 2 in
WIDTH 1.6 m 5 ft in
ENGINE 4-cyl air-cooled petrol, 32-35 hp
SPEED Roads 40 kmh 24.9 mph
48
T ~ p c 94 Te -Ke in Malaya
Type 94 Te-Ke late model with lar{?e
idler wheel
49
-
Tankette Type 97 Te-Ke
The inadequacies of the Type 94 tankette soon became apparent , and a
replacement design was produced in 1937. Although superficially similar to the
Type 94, the Type 97 had a rear-mounted air-cooled diesel motor and a
redesigned hull. There was a wider centre guide track to prevent the early
track-shedding problem. The turret was larger, to take a 3.7 cm gun, though a
7.7 mm machine-gun was sometimes shipped instead. The turret roof rear
three-quarters wa hinged in its entirety to give access. The Type 97 was
intended for b lh the patroland trailer-towingrole and the 3.7 cmgun wasfLtted
for the former role. This was the most technically advanced of all small light
tanks f it period. and in its 3.7 em version was the most heavily armed. Itwas
used in lar_enumbersonallfrontsthroughoutthewar.
DATA
CREW 2
WEIGHT 4,500kg 4.4tons
HEIGHT 1.77m 5ft 9lhin
LENGTH 3.66m 12 ft
WIDTH 1.8m 5ft IIin
ENGINE Ikega4-cy1air-cooleddiesel,
60hp
SPEED Road 42 kmh 26mph
ROAD RADIUS 250km 155.35 miles
ARMOURTHICKNESS Max 12 mm
Min4mm
Tankette Type 97Te -Ke
Type 97Te-Ke; this view shows the
roundfront as compared to the square
fronl oflhe Type 94
50
Column oj'Japanese armour moving
along a road in Burma, the front
vehicles are Type 97 Te-Ke's
DATA
CREW 3
W EIGHT 3,500 kg 3.4 tons
HEIGHT 1.86 m 6 ft I in
LE GTH 3.94 m 12 ft L P ~ in
WroTH 1.63 m 5 ft4 in
ENGINE Mitsubishi 6-cyl air-cooled petrol.
45 hp
Cross-country 35 kmh ~ I b mp
ROAD RADIUS 200 km 124.3 mil e
Type 92 Combat Car mid prQductioll.
Type 92 Combat Car
De igned as a recce and support vehicle for use by cavalry un it . t he prototype
appeare in 1931 and was accepted for producti n in 1932 (2592) . ft entered
er. ice in 1933-34. The vehicle featured a box-like hull \\ ith spon ons
II 'erhanging the track. As originally produced it had a suspension cons i ting of
three twin-wheel bogies each side of semi-el li ptic spr ing,> , with cent r gui de
ttack and front sprockets. T his suspension proved to be inadequate and m05t
\ hi les were modified by changing the twin bogies with two bogies on each siue
arryi ng large diameter disc wheels with bell crank suspension. The armament of
lh Type 92 Combat Car was very light - a Model 92 13 mm machine-gun in the
right hull sponson and a Model 91 6.5 mm machine-gun in the turret. This
\ehicle was used in relatively small numbers.
Melt
Type 92 Combat Car, late-production
version in action in China
Light Tank Type 95 Ha-Go
The Type 95 Light Tank was the most important of all Japanese light tanks and
was the most widely used. It was designed in 1933 specifically to equip the
newly organised mechanised brigades with a fast vehicle, well-armed for its size.
At the time it entered production in 1935 (2595) it was a very advanced vehicle
technically, though by World War II progress generally in AFV design had
advanced so much that it was technically outmoded. The Type 95 had a
hand-traversed turret offset to the left, a prominent front compartment with
ball-mounted 7.7 mm machine-gun, sponsons overhanging the track, and
twin-bogie and bell crank suspension. The hull was of riveted, bolted, and
welded construction and the vehicle had a new Mitsubishi diesel engine which
gave a good output relative to its weight. The main gun was a Model 94 37 mm
tank gun. but a few vehicles were fitted with a 47 mm gun. Steering was by
clutch and brake, and drive was to front sprockets. The Light Type 95 was in
production Cntil 1942, mainly by Mitsubishi, and it saw action on every front
throughout the war.
DATA
CREW 3
HE IGHT 2.28 m 7 ft 5% in
LE NGTH 4.3 m 14 ft I in
WIDTH 2.07 m 6 ft 9\--2 in
E NGINE Mitsubishi NVD 61020 air-cooled
diesel , 120hp
ROAD RADIUS 250km 155 . 15miles
Min6mm
52
Light Tank Type 3 Ke-Ri
This was a modification ofthe T. pe 95 Ha-Go to take a complete Model 97
57 mm gun mount in place of the riginaJ 37 mm gun . These 57 mm guns were
leftoverwhenType97 l\,ledi umTank "ere modified. As converted, theType3
had a very cramped turret , and a few test vehicles were thus modified.
Except for the gun, det ails we for the Type 95. Only a few were produced
in 1943.
Light Tank Type 4
To overcome the space limit ation... oft he turret conversion in the Type 3 Light
Tank, further carried th complete turret of the original Type 97
Medium Tank. This increased t he weight to 8.4 tons. Though around 100
vehicles are thought to have bee n c n ' erted, in 1944, they saw little if any
service.
Light Tank Type 98-A Ke-Ni
An improved light tank design was put in hand in 1938 (2598), intended as a
replacement for the Type 95 and from which it differed in many respects . The
driver was positioned in the centre front and had steering wheel control. The
shape of the hull was 'cl eaner' and armour was thicker and better sloped.
Welding was used on a n e tensive c Ie in the construction. the hull and rear
turret machine-guns were dispensed wi th. A transverse rear diesel engine
provided the power. A twi n-bogi system was used in the suspension as in the
Type 95 , but in the Type 98 there were three bogies each side with smaller
wheels , and the bell crank springing was better protected, being placed inside
the hull. However, as th Typ 95 Ha-Gowas well liked by the troops and gave
satisfactory service the Type 98 was not immediately placed in production. It
was not until 1942 t hat it wasordered, and about 200 were built. Producedat the
sa me time was the Type 98-8 which had a Christie-type suspension with large
road wheels. It did not enterproduction, however. TheType98 wasarmed with
a Model 10037 mm gun and two Model 97 7.7 mm machine-guns , one co-axial
withthe maingun.
53
Type 95 operating in Burma
DATA
CREW 3
WEI GHT 7,200kg 7.1 tons
HEIGHT 1.82 m 5 ft II \-2 in
LENGTH 4. 11 m 13 ft 5\-2 in
WIDTH 2.12m 6ft IIV2 in
ENGINE TYPE 1006-cylair-cooleddiesel ,
130hp
SPEED Road55kmh 34mph
ROAD RADIUS 300 km 186.4miles
ARMOURTHICKNESS Max16mm
Min6mm
LightTankType98-A Ke-Ni
LightTankType98-8
Light Tank Type 2 Ke-To
A further refinementofthe Type98 design, with a laterpattern (model I) 37 mm
gun and all-welded construction. Only limited production took place, 29 vehicles
beingcompleted in 1944. Exceptas notedabove,detailsmatchedtheType98.
54
Medium Tank Type 89A Chi-Ro and 89B Chi-Ro
Otsu
Following the purchase of various foreign tanks in the 1920s, Japan embarked on
production of her own designs. One of the most important foreign purchases was
the British Vickers Medium Mk C tank which was the inspiration for a
prototype vehicle built in Japan in 1929 (2589) of very similar layout and
configuration. It proved highly successful on trials and was put into production
as the Type 89. It featured a box-like hull, box bogie suspension, a sloped glacis
plate, a hull machine-gun in the superstructure front, and a turret set well
forward with a Model 90 57 mm tank gun. There was a 6.5 mm machine-gun in
the turret rear, additional to the 6.5 mm hull gun. The engine was a 6-cylinder
in-line water-cooled gasoline type.
The Type 89 was in service by 1932 and was fir I used at the time of the
Shanghai Incident that year. Though the original T ype 89 - by then known as
the Type 89A - remained in service in 1940. an improved model, the Type 89B,
had appeared in 1934. Sometimes referred to a. the Type 94, the 89B was fitted
with a single-piece sloping fr nr plate . a new {urret with commander's cupola,
and a Mitsubishi air-cooled die -el engine. Anot her version of the 89B, also put
into production, had the dri ver' s and hull gunner' s stations changed over, the
driver now being on the right. Among other banges to the modified 89B was a
reworked track with four return rolle in Ie d of' five, the girder structure also
being removed.
Both versions of the 898 '" re the mo l wiuely used when Japan became
involved in World War I I. orne of the \ehide . ere equipped with unditching
tails at the rear.
DATA
CREW 4
WEIGHT 12,700 kg 12.5 IO n
HEIGHT 2.56 m S ft 5 in
LENGTH 5.75 m IS ft 10
1
"4 in
WIDTH 2.IS m 7 ft 2 in
ENGINE Daimler6-cyl water-cooled
petrol, liS hp
ROAD RADIUS 140 km S7 miles
Min6mm
CREW 4
WEIGHT 13,000 kg 12.S tons
HEIGHT 2.56 m S ft 5 in
LENGTH 5.75m ISftlO%in
WIDTH 2.1S m 7 ft 2in
ENGINE Mitsubishi 6-cyl air-cooled diesel,
120 hp
ARMOUR T HICK NESS Max 17 mm
Min6mm
Medium T ank Type 89A Chi-Ro: note
the pot-type hatch eOI'el"
Medium 89B with unditching tail
This is a modified 89B with the
driver's position now on the right of
the vehicle
Medium Tank 89B Chi-Ro operating
in Burma
56
TA
REW 4
"''EIGHT 15,000kg 14.8tons
HEIGHT 2.23 m 7ft in
LENGTH 5.51 m 18 ft OJ4 in
' GINE MitsubishiV-12air-cooleddiesel,
170 hp
PEED Road38 kmh 23.6mph
ROAD RADIUS 210km 130.5 miles
\RMOURTHICKNESS Max25 mm
Min8mm
Medium Tank Type 97 Chi-Ha
By 1936 it was becoming apparent that other nations were developing medium
tanks more advanced than the Type 89. The Japanese General Staffput OUl
requirement for a medium tank replacement, asking for the lightest po ible
vehicle able to undertake the role. OsakaTank Arsenal built a protot:pe ba ed
on the General Staffrequirement. This was cheap to build and proved reliable
on test. However, a rival design built to the more exacting requirement s r the
Army Engineering Department by the Mitsubishi concern was
chosenforproduction.Theprototypewasbuilt in 1937(2597).
This vehicle had a two-man turret, a Model 90 (later Model 97) 57 mm gun
and two model 97 7.7 mm machine-guns, one in the hull and one in the turret.
There were five pairs ofroad wheels eachside in theoriginal pilot model, though
these were very soon increased to six. The four centre pairs were attached to
bogies with bell crank suspension oncoil springs in the final version. When first
produced. the Type 97 was one of the most techically advanced tanks in the
world. Aside from its reliable and effective suspension, and good cross-country
perfonnance. it was low, compact, and with well-sloped armour. Its powerful
new motorgave agood performance. Mass production was ordered at the
tan ofthe ino-Japanese war in July 1937, when the need for a new tank was
mo I urgent ly felt. and several thousand were built by a consortium ofindustrial
fi rm heaue by Mitsubishi. The Model 90, later Model 97. 57 mm tank gun
\\hi h fo rmed the main aspect of this design was a low-velocity and relatively
inefiecuve piece.
57
Medium Tank Type 97Chi-Ha; note
the rail-type lurialfitted to all ofthese
vehicles
Medium Tank Type 97 Special Shinhoto Chi-Ha
When the Japanese clashed with the Soviets in Manchuria, at Nomonkhan, in
1939, one lesson quickly learnt was the inadequacy ofthe gun in the Type 97
Chi-Ha. The Soviet tanks were almost immune to Japanese tank guns. To
improve the fire-powerofthe tankforce, therefore, the Modell 47 mm anti-tank
gun was adapted for tank use and fitt ed to an enlarged turret specially designed
for a planned replacement for the Type 97, this was the Medium Tank Type 1
hi-He. As an interim measure some of the turrets were placed on Type 97
hulls. The resulting Shinhoto Chi-Ha ('New turret ' Chi-Ha) was in service by
spring 1942 and remained the mainstay ofJapanese armoured forces until the
war's end. Alt hough a great improvement over the original Chi-Ha, it was still
no matchfor Alliedtanksandanti-tankguns .
DATA
CREW 4
WEIGHT 15,800kg 15.6 tons
HEIGHT 2.38 m 7ft 9\-'2 in
LENGTH 5.51 m 18ft Q3,!" in
ENGINE MitsubishiV-12air-cooled,
170hp
SPEED Road38 kmh 23.6mph
ARMOURTHICKNESS Max28 mm
Min8mm
58
Medium Tank Type 1 Chi-he
When the incident with the So\l et ni n took place in 1939, development was
ordered of an improved version f Ih \Iedium Tank Type 97, with superior
fire-power and better armour pr Ie lion. The Type \, essentially an upgraded
T ype 97, was the same in basic dimen ion and layout, though slightly IO(1ger.
The new Model \ 47 mm gun wa titted in the turret and frontal armour was
doubled to 50 mm. A more powerful engine was titted, which actually accounted
for the increased length. This vehicle \a largely all-welded . The turret was also
fitted to the Medium Tank 97 a ' an interi m measure while Type \ production
built up. Production began in 9 ~ \. Detail' as for Type 97, except where noted
here.
Line-up oJa Japanese Tank Unit nellr
Tokyo, to surrender their vehicles
(Type 97 Specials) to the Allied Forces
DATA
CREW 5
HEIGHT 2.38 om 7 ft 9 ~ in
ENGINE Mitsubishi 100 V-12 air cooled
diesel, 240 hp
Min 10mm
Medium Tank Type 3 Chi-Nu
The Japanese realised that the 47 mm Model I tank gun was obsolete by world
standards and therefore adapted a 75 mm gun from a Model 90 :'ield gun to give
an armament similar to that of the US Sherman tank. This 75 mm gun was itself
built under licence from the French firm Schneider. The Type 3 hull and chassis
were virtually the same as that of the Medium Type I, but a much larger turret
was developed to hou e the 75 mm gun and the turret ring was increased in size
to hold it. There \\ re side and rear doors in the turret. The vehicle was all
welded and had a "' . mm hull machine-gun in addition to the main armament.
Although pil t m.>deh were built in 1943, the low priority afforded tanks by the
Japane"e meant that production was slow to start. Only 60 Chi-Nu were actually
built nJ none left Japan, being retained for home defence in 1945 in the face of
an e. pe I J lI ied invasion of Japan. Except as noted here, details were as for
the pe 'F .
Medium Tank Type 4 Chi-To and Medium Tank
Type 5 Chi .. Ri
These new designs of the 1944-45 period were essentially enlarged and much
lengthened versions of the Type 3. Both had a long Model 4 75 mm gun
developed from an AA gun. Type 5 also had a 37 mm gun in the hull front. Only
six pilot models of Type 4 and one pilot model of Type 5 existed, and the critical
war situation of the time precluded production. The armour maximum was
75 mm in both models. They weighed 30 tons and 37 tons respectively.
DATA
LENGTH 5.73m 18ft9in
ENGINE 240 hp
SPEED Road 39 kmh 24 mph
RANGE 210 kID 130.5 miles
Min 8mm
Medium Tank Type 5 Chi-Riwith
turret reversed; the 37 mm gun can be
seen in the hullfront
60
Amphibious Tank Type 2 Ka-Mi
This was essentially an amphibiou \er ion of Light Tank Type 95 Ha-Go, by
and for the Japanese Navy. It had a redesigned hull of more generous
dimensions and carried buoyancy tanks fore and aft which could be released
from inside the tank. Twin rudder and twin screws were provided for water
propulsion, with a marine-type st eering wheel in the turret. The turret ring was
waterproofed with a rubber seal. The ehicle was of aU welded construction and
it was the most widely used amphibiou tank of World War II.
Medium Tank Type 4 Chi-To; this
vehicle is being examined hy an
American Ordnance Officer
DATA
CREW 6
HEIGHT 2.8 m 9 ft 2in
LENGTH 7.50 m 24 ft ~ in
ENGINE 6-cyl air-cooled diesel, 115 hp
SPEED Land 37 kmh 23 mph
Water 9.65 kmh 6 mph
Type 2 Ka-Mi with released buoyancy
tanks
Amphihious Tank Type 2 Ka-Mi
61
Amphibious Tank Type 3 Ka-Chi
Though not obviously connected in appearance, this was in fact based closely on
the Medium Tank Type I Chi-He, with the same motor and general layout. The
running gear was greatly modi fied. There was a turret extension for added
buoyancy, and safety which was discarded once ashore . As in the Type 2, the
buoyancy tanks could be dropped when ashore . The Type 3 was used much less
extensiyely than the maJler Type 2. Note that while other amphibious tank
designs were de\ eloped b) the Japanese, no others passed the prototype stage .
DATA
CREW 7
WIDT H 3.0m 9ft9J,2in
ENGINE Model 100 air-cooled diesel,
240hp
SPEED Land 32 kmh 20 mph
Water 10.5 kmh 6.5 mph
ROMA N IA
At the outbreak of the war, Romania had in service a number of Skoda buih R.I
light tanks-delivered between 1936 and 1937. These were in use with the 1st
Royal Cavalry Division. Also received from Skoda before the war were a
number of LT Yz 35 tanks (R.II) which were used by the 1st Royal Armoured
Divisi'Jn in Ru sia. Many were lost at Stalingrad. The Germans delivered a
small number of Pz.Kpfw.IVs and Pz.Kpfw. lI l Ns in 1942 to supplement the
R.II of the I t Royal Armoured Division. Early in 1943, about 50 Pz.Kpfw.
38(t)5 were delive,ed to replace losses suffered on the Don. In late 1943 to
August 1944 a con iderable number of Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf H were delivered to
Romanian Armoured Divisions. T hese were used against the Germans from
August 1944.
DATA
CREW 2
WEI G HT 4,000 kg 3.9 tons
ENGINE Praga AH 6-cyl, 60 hp
SPEED 45 kmh 28 mph
ARMOUR THICKNESS 12 mm
A Romanian Pz.Kpfw./1I Model N in
Russia
62
R.II (LT Vz 35) in service with a
Romanian tank unit in Russia
Skoda -built R.I . Light Tank
SLOVA IA
The L T Yz 35 tanks that were in service with the Czech Army in Slovakia were
retained by the Slovak rmy and used in the Soviet Union from 1941. The
Germans delivered new Pz. Kpfw. 38(l)s to the Slovaks from 1941 to 1944, these
also being used on the Eastern Front. In addition, the Slovaks received some
Pz.Kpfw. I1s and Pz. Kpfw. 11I Ns, some of which were used against the
Germans in the Slo\ak rising of September 1944.
, .
Slovak Pz. Kp/w.38(t) tanks
A Slovak tank unit passing Ihrol,l gh a
Russian lown
64
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