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Panzerkampfwagen I (Sd.Kfz. 101)
In
General
The
construction of this vehicle started in the early 30’s,
notably in 1932. The main purpose of this vehicle was to function
as a training tank for future personnel of the Panzer Divisions.
The designs and thoughts were actually based on the Russian T-27.
On their turn, the T-27 was partially based on two British
Carden-Loyd tanks. These were purchased in 1929. German High
Command ordered four large industries to make some plans
according to their needs. MAN, Krupp, Rheinmetall – Borsig
and Daimler – Benz were contacted and started to make some
models. In the end, Krupp was the most successful.
There was still one small problem to start a full
production. The Treaty of Versaille (28-06-1919) stated clearly
that it was forbidden for Germany to have any tanks in their army
(counting 100.000 men). Therefore the Germans changed the name of
their new vehicle into ‘Landwirtschäftlicher
Schlepper’ (La.S or industrial tractor) to conceal the
true purpose…
PzKpfw
I, Ausf. A
Germany
was now steadily improving its army. Probably around February
1934, the La.S was designated for the first time as PzKpfw I,
Ausf. A. Fifteen tanks were made and presented by Heinz Guderian
to Adolf Hitler. Later on, he granted full permission to use some
of these tanks in the Spanish Civil War (1936 – 1939).
Panzerabteilung 88 and some units from General Franco used 100 of
these tanks.
But in fact the use of the PzKpfw I, Ausf. A was
useless in Spain. The ‘Republicanos’ used some
Russian T-26’s and BT-5’s, and these vehicles
outclassed the Panzerkampfwagen I. The armour was too thin and
the two MG’s were only effective against infantry. But not
everything was bad however. The German High Command was able to
test the armament and also some of their famous tactics (like the
Blitzkrieg!)…
Nice propaganda picture showing the PzKpfw I, Ausf. A demolishing
a brick wall.
A PzKpfw I, Ausf. A is advancing somewhere in Poland.
A military parade with PzKpfw I, Ausf. A’s in Nuremberg.
Crew:
2 (driver & commander/gunner)
Weight:
5.3 ton
Length:
4.02m
Width:
2.06m
Height:
1.72m
Range
(max): 145 km
Engine:
Krupp M 305, 57hp (air cooled)
Speed
(max): 37 km/hr
Armament:
2 x MG 13 (7.92mm)
No.
Produced: 1477 (Made between 1934 – 1936 and
available for the Polish invasion)
PzKpfw
I, Ausf. B
During
1935 another variant of the Panzerkampfwagen I was presented.
This tank mounted an improved engine (Maybach) which required a
higher and longer engine compartment. The result was an extra
wheel and return roller. The rear wheel was also raised off
ground which improved the ride.
Most Panzer Divisions used the PzKpfw I, Ausf. B
mainly as a training tank or occasionally as a reconnaissance
tank between 1935 – 1939. Starting in 1941 it was being
phased out and only 74 of these tanks saw service at the start of
operation ‘Barbarossa’. The other history of the Ausf.
B follows that of the earlier model.
The location of this PzKpfw I, Ausf. B is unknown. Due to the
white cross on the turret, we can be sure that this picture is
taken very early in the war, probably Poland.
A PzKpfw I, Ausf. B with troops somewhere deep in Poland, 1939.
Display of a PzKpfw I, Ausf. B in France, 1940.
Crew:
2 (driver & commander/gunner)
Weight:
5.9 ton
Length:
4.42m
Width:
2.06m
Height:
1.72m
Range
(max): 145 km
Engine:
Maybach NL 38 TR, 100hp (water cooled)
Speed
(max): 40 km/hr
Armament:
2 x MG 13 (7.92mm)
No.
Produced: 675 (Made between 1935 – 1940)
PzKpfw
I, Ausf. C
From
very early on, the German High Command realised that the
Panzerkampfwagen I was of little use as a normal tank. In 1938,
developments began on the tank, which led to 2 different
vehicles, the first was the Ausf C. This was intended as a fast
recon tank and was built by Daimler – Benz and Krauss –
Maffei. Five large interleaved wheels that eliminated the need
for top rollers, replaced the single row of road wheels. A 2cm.
cannon replaced the left machine gun and the turret was fitted
with a cupola. This improved the visibility quite well. This tank
also had ticker armour.
A small number of these Ausf. C – tanks were
given for combat evaluation to the 1st Panzer Division
in Russia (only 2 tanks though!) and to the 2nd Panzer
Division in Yugoslavia. The remainders are believed to have been
destroyed or captured in 1944 on the Normandy-front, while
serving LVIII Panzer Corps.
The most remarkable about this tank is the fact that it could be
transported trough the air with a Messerschmitt Me 323 Gigant.
The PzKpfw I, Ausf. C shows a complete different view then the
Ausf. A and the Ausf. B. This tank has a cupola and five
interleaved weels.
Another two images from a PzKpfw I, Ausf. C
Crew:
2 (driver & commander/gunner)
Weight:
8.0 ton
Length:
unknown
Width:
unknown
Height:
unknown
Range
(max): 188 km
Engine:
Maybach HL 45 P, 150hp (water cooled)
Speed
(max): 50 km/hr
Armament:
1 x EW 141 (20mm) and 1 x MG 34 (7.92mm)
No. Produced:
40 (Made between 1942 – 1943)
PzKpfw
I, Ausf. F
The
second of the two new models, the Ausf. F, was intended as an
infantry support vehicle. It’s heavy armour protection would
allow it to stay close to the infantry when attacking enemy
positions. It had the same suspension as the Ausf. C, but it was
made a little bit more robust to compensate the extra weight,
which was increased to 20 tonnes. Having the same engine as the
Ausf. C, speed was reduced to 25km/h and range to 150km.
Again a small number were built by Krauss-Maffei and
being combat tested on the Eastern Front. The first Panzer
Division was issued with eight of these vehicles.
Front view of a PzKpfw I, Ausf. F. Note the heavy tracks, which
made this tank slower then its predecessor.
Crew:
2 (driver & commander/gunner)
Weight:
20.0 ton
Length:
unknown
Width:
unknown
Height:
unknown
Range
(max): 150 km
Engine:
Maybach HL 45 P, 150hp (water cooled)
Speed
(max): 25 km/hr
Armament:
2 x MG 34 (7.92mm)
No. Produced:
30 (Made between 1942 – 1943)
Variants
Kleiner
Panzer Befehlswagen I, Ausf. A/B
This
armoured command tank was built on the chassis of both the Ausf.
A and Ausf. B. A fixed structure replaced the turret, which
allowed room for an additional radio. This was a FuG-6 ultra
short wave receiver and 20 watt transmitter. The receiver had a
range of 6 miles on voice and 8 on morse. Although there was
little room in the tank, there was a small map table fitted and a
third crewman could operate the radios. A single MG 34 machine
gun was fitted to the front of the structure.
184 Panzer Befehlswagens were built by Daimler
– Benz between 1935 and 1937. They remained in use until
1942 when they were replaced by newer command vehicles. A few of
these vehicles were converted to armoured ambulances. The
external difference was the removal of the machine gun and the
addition of the Red Cross marking (Sanitatskraftwagen I). Both of
these vehicles were also know as Sd.Kfz. 265.
On this picture the hatches on the PzKpfw I, Ausf. B for the crew
members are clearly visible.
Display of a Kleiner Panzer Befehlswagen, Ausf. A.
Sanitatskraftwagen I with the Red Cross markings and the flag.
Crew:
3 (driver , commander/gunner, radio-operator)
Weight:
Depends on Ausf. A or Ausf. B
Length:
Depends on Ausf. A or Ausf. B
Width:
Depends on Ausf. A or Ausf. B
Height:
Depends on Ausf. A or Ausf. B
Range
(max): Depends on Ausf. A or Ausf. B
Engine:
Depends on Ausf. A or Ausf. B
Speed
(max): Depends on Ausf. A or Ausf. B
Armament:
1 x MG 34 (7.92mm)
No. Produced:
184 (Made between 1935 – 1937)
Munitionsschleper
When
the PzKpfw I tanks were withdrawn from the front line, notably in
1942, a lot of these vehicles were converted to perform other
duties. One of these vehicles was the Munitionsschlepper
or ammunition carrier. In this case the turret was removed and
replaced by a large metal box. This box contained ammunition for
the front troops.
The biggest advantage was the fact that these front
troops never had to leave their positions. This carrier offered
place for only one driver. There was no armament on board. This
vehicle was also know as Sd.Kfz. 111.
A PzKpfw I, Ausf. A after modifications into an ammunition
carrier (munitionsschlepper).
A picture taken in Yugoslavia, 1941 showing a munitionsschlepper
on the left loaded with jerry cans. On the right there’s a
PzKpfw III, Ausf. G.
Ladüngsleger
A
second variant made from the PzKpfw I tanks were the
demolition-charge laying tanks. The turret and the armament
remained on the PzKpfw I, Ausf. B. However, there was a
demolition arm mounted on the rear of the tank, which contained a
50kg. charge. When this arm was folded, it sat above and behind
the turret.
The main purpose of this tank was to drive near the
enemy positions, mostly a bunker, so the arm could fold out and
place a charge. When under fire, the vehicle was able to drive
away to a safe place before the charges exploded. This variant
saw most of the action during the Blitzkrieg in the west with the
7th Panzer Division.
The folded demolition arm is clearly visible on this PzKpfw
I, Ausf. B.
Flammenwerfer
This
armoured flamethrower tank was probably the most successful
conversion on the field. In many of the PzKpfw I, Ausf. A’s
and Ausf. B’s, the left MG was removed and replaced with a
flamethrower, model 40. The range was 30m and the fuel container
was able to provide 10sec of flames. This conversion was first
delivered to the Africa-Korps in the Tobruk region.
The long tube is the flammenwerfer, mounted on a PzKpfw I, Ausf.
A.
Brükenleger
Probably
the most unknown variant of the Panzerkampfwagen I is the Brükenleger
or bridge layer. This variant was unsuccessful and it never went
into full production. The bridge it carried was too small to be
used by other units. Only two of these were built in 1939…
A Brükenleger in action.
Panzerjäger
I
A
successful variant of the Panzerkampfwagen I was the Panzerjäger
I. When the German Army entered the Russian campaign it became
clear that they were out-gunned and under-armoured. An effective
short-term answer to this was necessary. An obsolete tank chassis
provided an ideal mounting for the first generation of
tank-destroyers. This way it was possible to deliver quantities
of simple but well-armed tank-destroyers very quickly to restore
the balance on the Eastern Front. However, the three-men-crew had
little protection in the fighting compartment. They were
protected by a five or seven sided shield which covered the front
and sides. Those produced by Skoda had seven sides and those by
Alkett five sides. Due to the high silhouette, the crew was even
vulnerable to artillery.
The first Panzerjägers were made from a PzKpfw I,
Ausf. B, which mounted a Czech Skoda built 47mm AT-gun (German
designation 47mm PAK(t) 36 L/43.4). About 200 Panzerjägers were
made between 1940 and 1941. They served in Russia, France and
North-Africa. They remained in use until 1943 with the arrival of
better types like the Marder, Nashorn, etc…
A Panzerjäger I is advancing in France during the 1940 campaign.
Another nice view from a Panzerjäger I (made by Alkett) in
North-Africa.
Sturmpanzer
I ‘Bison’
Once
again the chassis from the PzKpfw I, Ausf. B was used to mount a
gun, this time it was a German 150mm sIG 33 L/11.4. This first
self-propelled artillery vehicle proved to be very efficient,
providing close support for infantry in the attack, or giving
high angle covering fire for armoured attacks. The protection for
the four-men-crew was made from three metal plates (10mm.). This
made the vehicle very tall and heavy. This biggest disadvantage
was its bad mobility, due to the armour which affected the
suspension.
Later in the war the Sturmpanzer II was more
succesfull, as the gun was mounted on a PzKpfw II chassis. Less
then 40 vehicle were made in 1940 when they saw action in Russia
and on the Western Front.
The weels from the PzKpfw I, Ausf. B chassis were slightly
modified to prevent them rolling when the gun fired.
A Sturmpanzer I is refitting somewhere in France during the
Western campaign.
Flakpanzer
I
The
weirdest variant of the PzKpfw I, Ausf. A is the Flakpanzer I. It
was armed with a German 20mm FLAK 38 L/112.5 which was mounted on
the hull and not on the turret. Once again the vehicle was
overloaded and the engine delivered some poor performances.
All of the flakpanzers produced (24 in total) were
issued to the 614th Motorized Infantry Battalion. This
unit served in the East and was one of the many German units to
meet its defeat at Stalingrad. The Flakpanzer I was used in an
anti-infantry role as well as the anti-aircraft role. The German
cross typically appeared on the left and right sides of the
vehicle, and the Flakpanzers were numbered 1 to 8. Apparently the
platoons were also divided by colour with the first platoon using
white, the second platoon using red, and the third platoon using
yellow.
An advancing Flakpanzer I, made from a PzKpfw I, Ausf. A.
Two of the 24 flakpanzers in the region of Stalingrad.
Instandsetzungstrupp
I
The
last variant of the Panzerkampfwagen I was a troop carrier and/or
recovery vehicle. The turret was removed and it had an open hull
which offered place to four men and a driver. There was no
armament on board.
Members from the NSKK are being transported through some rough
terrain.
By
Pz_Schrijnen