Between the wars the new Czech nation maintained an advanced defence industry with a production capability extending to light and medium tanks. In 1935/36, Skoda’s LT(Light Tank) vz.(model) 35 entered service. It was designed to rival a range of foreign vehicles in service at the time such as the Polish 7TP, the British Vickers 6 ton, the Soviet T-26, the Italian Carro Armato M 11139 and M13/40 and the German PzKpfw III tanks. The LT-35 equipped four fast divisions of the Czech Army as of 1938. During its service with the Czech Army, the LT-35 gained a reputation as an unreliable vehicle and it was only considered to be a “interim solution” before the LT-38, (later PzKpfw 38(t)) could be fully developed and ready for production. The LT-35’s unreliable reputation was due to its untested but advanced technical design. By 1938 most of its teething problems were solved and overall the LT-35 proved to be a reasonably good tank. LT-35s were produced in different variants and were also known under different designations such as R-2 and T-I1. Before the war the LT-35 was also sold to other countries including Bulgaria and Romania. The 1938/39 German take-over of the Czechoslovak state meant that in March of 1939 219 LT-35s were confiscated from the Czech Army and most were incorporated into the German Army. A small number remained in service with the Slovak Army. In German service, the LT vz.35s designated as Panzerkampfwagen 35(t) (t for Tschechisch-Czech). The LT-35 was comparable to German PzKpfw III and in 1939 was a vital addition to the Panzerwaffe. Despite a Czech decision to phase the LT-35 out of production after 1938, it was extended until 1939, under German supervision at the CKD (Ceskomoravska Kolben Danek) Works in Prague and the Skoda Works in Pilsen (after 1938 both became part of Reichswerke Hermann Goring).
Overall 424 were produced between 1935 and 1939 by Skoda (approx. 340) and CKD (approx. 84). PzKpfw 35(t) formed the bulk of the 1st Leichte (Light) Division during the Polish Campaign and then the 6th Panzer Division (formerly the 1st Leichte Division) during the French Campaign and the Invasion of Russia.
PzKpfw 35(t)s took part in the Polish (1939) and French campaign (1940) and in the early stages of the invasion of Russia (1941). During Operation Barbarossa the PzKpfw 35(t) was seen to he badly outclassed and of little value under combat conditions. Under winter conditions, the PzKpfw 35(t)’s mechanical components proved to be once again unreliable particularly as the clutch, brake and steering were all operated by compressed air. The LT-35(t)’s construction was riveted and a direct hit on its armour plate could sheer rivet heads off which would fly around inside the vehicle and kill or wound the crew. In late 1941, Germans had better tanks in production and the PzKptfw 35(t) was relocated to second line duties such as policing and anti partisan units. Some PzKpfw 35(t) were handed over to the Slovak, Bulgarian (where they served until 1950s), Romanian. Hungarian and Italian armies or were used by the German Police and the anti-partisan units.
Panzer 35(t) in France, 1940
Following the introduction of PzKpfw 35(t) into German service, it became a base for a few conversions. In September of 1940, Skoda produced the design for T-13 tank based on LT-35 but it never entered production. In 1941, tests were carried out to convert PzKpfw 35(t) into a tropical version but were never concluded. Also from March of 1942 to 1943, 49 PzKpfw 35(t)s were converted into Morser Zugmittel 1 Artillerie Schlepper 35(t) - artillery tractors by removing the turret and upper part of the hull and fitting a canvas cover in their place. Some were also mounted with 12,000kg towing hook in the rear. Others were cannibalised and saw service with coastal batteries. In 1939/40, designers tried to utilize the LT-35 chassis as the basis for a Panzerjäger 35(t), armed with the Skoda 47mm Pak 36(t) U43 (Skoda 47mm A5 gun) gun. This design never entered production and only two prototypes based on Morser Zugmittel 35(t) were produced and were in service until late 1943. Some 20 were converted to Befehlswagen 35(t) - command tanks fitted with additional radio equipment. A few other support or auxiliary vehicles were based on the LT-35 chassis and were produced in limited numbers. Most of the PzKpfw 35(t)’s turrets were used for fixed fortifications on the Danish coast and in Corsica.
In mid 1943, a team directed by Lt. Col. Constantin Ghiulai designed a self-propelled anti-tank gun designated T. A. C. A. M. Skoda R-2 for the Romanian army. A small series was produced at Leonida factory. Some sources state that as many as 40 were made. It was armed with captured Soviet ZIS-3 and F-22 UWS 76.2mm L/42 gun based on the modified PzKpfw 35 design. The gun was mounted in an open at the top and rear lightly armoured superstructure (made using armour plates from captured vehicles). The superstructure was mounted in the frontal part of the hull (in the place of the turret), while other components and characteristics remained unchanged. Overall the design of T. A. C. A. M. was similar to that of the German Marder series mirroring its high profile and light protection. Only 30 rounds were carried along with two machine guns for local defence for the crew of three men. The vehicle weighted 11500kg, had a range of 190km on the road and maximum speed of 34km/h. Due to the difficulties with 76.2mm ammunition, plans were made to utilize the German 88mm Pak 43 L/70 or Romanian 75mm Resita model 1943 gun but were never realized. T. A. C. A. M.s never saw service when Romania was Germany’s ally and were only used against the Germans. Today, one T. A. C. A. M. Skoda R-2 can be seen in the museum in Bucharest. Romania. In addition, to T. A. C. A. M. Skoiti R-2, there was also variant based on captured Soviet T-60 light tank, designated T. A. C. A. M. T-60, of which some 35 were produced.
In 1940, Hungary purchased two examples and the licence from Skoda to produce S-IIc: (T-22) medium tank - an improved model of the LT-35 light tank. From 1942 to 1944, Hungarians produced Turan I (40M) medium tank, which was a modified version of T-22. It was then followed by Turan II (41 M) produced from 1943 to 1944 and prototype of Turan III in 1944. In addition, Zrinyi (40/43M) assault guns based on the Turan were produced in 1943. The Turan I was armed with a 40mm L/51 gun. The Turan II with a 75mm U25 gun and the Zrinyi with a 105mm L/20.5 howitzer. The prototype of Turan III was armed with a 75mm U43 gun, while there were also plans to arm the Zrinyi with the same gun. All designs were used by the Hungarian Army.
Overall, Panzerkampfwagen 35(t)s were reliable vehicles and served Panzertruppe very well in the time of need. Today, PzKpfw 35(t)s can be seen in the museums in Belgrade (Serbia), Bucharest (Romania.), Sofia (Bulgaria). Aberdeen (USA), while the LT vz.35 can be seen in Slovakia.
The (35)t provided a valuable influx of strength at a time when the German Panzer forces desperately needed extra machines to match the ambitious expansion programme.
CONVERSIONS
• Zugkraftwagen 35(t) - light artillery tractor
• Munitionsschlepper 35(t) - ammunition carrier
• Morser Zugmittel / Artillerie Schlepper 35(t) - artillery tractor
• Panzerjäger 35(t) - 47mm Pak 36(t) L/43 carrier
• Befehlswagen 35(t) - command tank
