“In general, the tanks have proven their worth. The capabilities and overall manoeuvrability of the vehicles is very good. The MG-Kampfwagens are very useful and effective vehicles. However, it should not be overlooked that armour defeating weapons and weapons firing high explosives must be introduced.”
GENERAL LUTZ, KOMMANDO DER PANZERTRAPPEN, AUGUST 1935
The forerunners of the mighty Panzer Divisions. Forbidden to develop an armoured force, the Wehrmacht had to resort to the humiliating solution of wood and cardboard frames placed over the chassis of conventional automobiles. The first training exercises took place using these bizarre vehicles.
In the wake of the bitter defeat inflicted on Germany in the Great War the allied forces were determined that there should be no repeat of that terrible conflict. The treaty of Versailles imposed draconian limitations on the Germans, strictly limiting the overall size of the army, and, more importantly, limiting the types of weaponry to be allowed. The events of the Great War had clearly identified the powerful effect of the advent of air power; the result was that Germany was to be denied access to an air force. Despite the fact that the war had seen no major tank-versus-tank battles, the Allies had seen enough to recognise the potential of the tank as a device capable of achieving major strategic impact in future wars. As a consequence, these new weapons were added to the growing list of items denied to the German forces.
Even in the 20’s it was already apparent that, for a modern army, the consequences of entering into battle without tanks could be disastrous. This, of course, was the object of the Versailles Treaty, which only permitted Germany a small standing army for the purpose of internal peacekeeping and national defence. However, as the High Command understood all too well, without a tank force the chances of a successful counter attack were slim and for a nation born to the notion of aggressive moves even on the strategic defensive, this was really one step too far. It was this concern which initially shaped the drive for a German tank force. Later these foundations would be usurped by Hitler for his own purposes. Obviously the leaders of the Wehrmacht could not accept the humiliating conditions of the Versailles treaty without demur, and there began a period of covert experimentation which was to lead to the development of a tank capability that would shake the world.