Czech tanks produced before and during World War II were renowned as some of the best in the world. They were distinguished by their reliability and excellent performance thanks to the latest engineering solutions.
Working for the occupiers
Like other countries captured by Nazi Germany in the late 30s of the twentieth century, the Czech Republic was forced to produce various types of weapons for the invaders, including tank armored vehicles.
Even before the outbreak of hostilities, the country was famous for its automotive and aviation industries. In this regard, it is not surprising that the Germans liked the Czech tanks, which, according to some technical parameters, were considered the best in the world. Until 1941, they accounted for approximately 25% of the entire armored army of the Wehrmacht.
Light tank LT-35
This model of a Czech tank was created by Skoda in 1935 under the name S-IIa with a classic layout and rear drive. At the same plant, a 6-cylinder carburetor power plant was developed for him, which was located in the rear of the hull. It allowed the developmentspeed up to 30 km / h, and the cruising range without refueling reached 150 km.
Quite big for a light tank, the turret was in the middle of the hull and was equipped with a 37mm automatic cannon and a 7.92mm machine gun. The aiming of the gun and firing took place with the help of a mechanical drive, and the crew commander could determine enemy targets using a telescopic sight and a periscope.
The crew of such a Czech tank of the Second World War (photo of the model can be seen in the article) also included a driver sitting in the right front of the hull, and to the left next to him was a radio operator gunner who fired at opponents from an additional machine gun in front of the hull.
Despite the fact that the LT-35 model was intended mainly to support infantry attacks, the thickness of its armor was relatively weak. The thickness of the frontal armor plates was 25 mm, and the side armor plates were 16 mm.
At one time, the LT-35 light tank was very popular in the German army due to the latest design solutions that significantly increased its operational and technical performance. The engine was started using pneumatics, and an improved servo made it easier to control the brake system and transmission.
For three years, 424 Czech tanks of this model rolled off the assembly line. Most of them were part of the German army in the early stages of the war.
Light tank LT-38
The Czech tank LT-38 used during World War II, better known asThe Pz. Kpfw.38(t) was developed in 1938 at the ČKD-Praha plant under the working name TNHP. At that time, it was the best armored vehicle in the light class in the world.
Initially, the tank was produced for the needs of the army of Czechoslovakia, and after the occupation of the country, its production only accelerated, but already for the German tank troops. Until 1942, there were almost 1,500 of these armored vehicles in the Wehrmacht army.
Similar Czech tanks were used by the Germans in various military campaigns. At the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, there were 5 German divisions consisting exclusively of such armored vehicles.
The LT-38 tank was distinguished by its simplicity and rationality of design. The undercarriage consisted of four road wheels interlocked in pairs with leaf springs on each side of the side. The transmission and drive wheels were located in front of the hull, and a special hatch was made to simplify their repair during the battle. The power plant of this Czech tank consisted of a 6-cylinder liquid-cooled carburetor engine.
The vehicle's armament included a 37mm semi-automatic cannon and two 7.9mm machine guns.
Other models of Czech tanks of World War II
The LT-38 light tank was also famous for the fact that after the production of this model was discontinued, other armored vehicles began to be produced on the basis of its simple and reliable chassis - from armored personnel carriers, anti-aircraft guns and repair vehicles to excellent self-propelled artillery mounts, such as the Grile " or"Marder III".
The most famous was the "tank destroyer" called the "Hetzer", of which about 2500 units were produced before the end of World War II. This "self-propelled gun" was very low, and therefore invisible on the battlefield. A 75-mm cannon was installed on it, which made it possible to conduct effective fire on enemy tanks, and 60-mm frontal armor, installed at a large angle, made the Hetzer practically invulnerable from the front. The model was so successful that it was produced even after the end of hostilities for the needs of the Swiss and Czechoslovak armies.
