Military history

PANZERKAMPFWAGEN 38(T) SD. KFZ.140

The LT (Light Tank) vz. (model) 38 was destined to become one of the most widely used Czechoslovak tanks, although not in Czechoslovak hands. Ordered into production in 1938, the LT-3S drew on the experience of many countries and gained an excellent reputation among its foreign users such as Sweden (THN Sv), Iran / Persia (TNH), Peru (LTP), Switzerland (LTH - Pz39) and Lithuania (LTL).

The 1938/39 German take-over of the Czechoslovak state meant that in March 1939. 150 LT-38s in production were confiscated and CKD/Praga was ordered to complete them. All of these machines were incorporated into the German Army as PzKpfw 38(t) Ausf A - Sd.Kfz. 140. After the German take-over of the Czechoslovakia, the LT-38 became one of the most important tanks used by the Panzertruppe and was retained in production as a battle tank until June of 1942. During the war, PzKpfw 38(t) were exported and saw service with German allies including: Romania (50). Slovakia (90), Bulgaria (10) and Hungary (102). The PzKpfw 38(t) also saw service with the allies. A single tank was captured by British and French troops in May / June 1940, another example (turret number - 543) was captured either during the Italian Campaign in 1943 or Normandy in 1944 and was tested in England. Numbers of PzKpfw 38(t)s were captured and pressed into service by the Red Army. Finally, in May of 1945, PzKpfw 38(t) now known as LT-38137 (37 standing for 37mm gun) was back in service with the Czechoslovak Army as a training tank until the early 1950s.

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Panzer 38(t), Soviet Union, June 1941

Approximately 1,400 PzKpfw 38(t)s were produced in 8 different variants (Ausf A/B/C/D/E/F/S/G) with various modifications and improved armour protection. All were armed with Czech made 37mm Skoda A7 vz.38 guns designated by the Germans as 37mm KwK 38(t) U48 (L/47.8). In early models construction was riveted, and a direct hit on its armour plate could sheer off rivet heads which would kill or wound the crew. Later model construction was largely welded. Late models were further up-armoured and a few were possibly rearmed with German made 37mm KwK 35/36 L/46.5 gun. A number were also converted to flamethrower tanks by replacing the hull machine gun with a flamethrower, with fuel supplied from a towed single-axle trailer carrying 200 litres of fuel linked by a flexible hose. There was also a PzKpfW 38(t) swimming tank with a prototype AP-1 float but it never entered production. Further production of the PzKpfw 38(t) chassis continued with improved models of Ausf H/K/L/M, which were used as a base for various vehicles (such as the Marder III Ausf H/M, Bison/Grille Ausf H/K/M and Hetzer). In addition, older models returned for repairs were often also used as a base for a conversion.

PzKpfw 38(t)s were built under German supervision and they saw extensive service in Poland (3rd Leichte Division), Norway (XXXI Armee Korps), France (6th, 7th and 8th Panzer Divisions), Balkans (8th Panzer Division) and Russia (6th, 7th, 8th, 12th, 19th and 20th Panzer Divisions). During the fighting in Russia, the need for heavier armour and armament rendered the PzKpfw 38(t) inadequate and in 1942 it was relegated to second line duties (e.g. reconnaissance and service in armoured trains).

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The 38(t) was to prove an acceptable stop-gap which gave the Panzerwaffe an alternative to the Panzer III which was slow to arrive in large numbers.

In September of 1939 plans were laid for the development of a fast/light reconnaissance tank. 15 PzKpfw 38(t) nA (neuer Art) were produced by BMM (Praga/CKD) in early 1942, but its design was not accepted for production. In 1942, the usual German process of adapting the chassis for other purposes commenced with the Marder III and Flakpanzer 38(t). In 1942 and 1943 a number of PzKpfw 38(t) had their turrets removed and were converted to driver training vehicles; late in the war they were mounted with wood burning generators. Training vehicles based on turretless tanks were designated as PzKpfw 38(t) Schulfahrwanne and were used by school units of the Wehrmacht and NSKK. Some 351 PzKpfw 38(t) turrets were used for German fortifications in Norway (75), Denmark (20), the Western Atlantic shore (9). Italy (25). Southwest Europe (150) and Eastern Europe (78).

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