SdKfz 140 (LT vz 38(t))

This light tank system initially began as a Czechoslovakian creation in the form of the LT vz 38. The system was drawn up to a new Czech Army specification intended to right the wrongs inherent in the earlier LT vz 35 light tank, a tank that saw many early growing pains thanks to the fact that it was not rigorously tested before full production began. As such, the LT vz 38 was trialed to the extreme, delaying production substantially enough that by the time of the German occupation of Czechoslovakia, no LT vz 38 systems were in Czech Army service. Instead, the Germans took over ownership of production and redesignated all completed models - and models thereafter - as the Panzerkampfwagen 38(t) (also the "SdKfz 140").

The PzKpfw 38(t) was available in large quantity by the time of the Invasion of France and made up a large portion of the German army in whole. The system performed adequately enough though it soon became apparent that the armor protection was not enough and the main gun becoming quickly underpowered. Additionally, early models of the 38(t) featured riveted construction, meaning that any direct hit on the outside armor could send the rivets flying from within the turret and hull - a major detriment to the crew. As such, welded construction was later implemented.

The armament of this system consisted of a single 37mm main gun mounted in the two man turret fitted with a co-axially mounted 7.92mm machine gun. The commander/gunner and radio operator/loader were seated in the turret while the driver was at front right of the hull with the bow-gunner at front left. An additional 7.92mm machine gun was afforded to the bow gunner and over 2,500 rounds of 7.92mm ammunition were provided along with 90 projectiles for the main gun. Power was derived from a Praga EPA 150 horsepower petrol engine.

Though highly outclassed and mostly obsolete by the middle years of the war, the chassis of the PzKpfw 38(t) was put to excellent use in the form of the Marder III and Hetzer assault guns. Additionally, the type was pressed into service as Flammpanzer flamethrower and Flakpanzer 38T anti-aircraft gun platforms. At least some 4,000 production vehicles were pressed into service - sometimes in Soviet hands as captured specimens - during the war and in the years following. The 38(t) was gradually phased out of frontline duties by 1943 though production continued on in the after-war years to replenish Czech Army inventories.

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Last Updated: 7/22/2008