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Sturmpanzer I
German
Sturmpanzer I - Sd.Kfz.101
The Panzerkampfwagen I was Germany's first modern tank . Armed with only two machine guns , it had no anti-tank capabilities so it was used only as a reconnaissance or command vehicule till early 1942 . But even before this date many PzKpfw I were sent back to factories and converted into assault guns and tank destroyers.
The Sturmpanzer I was built on unmodified chassis of PzKpfw I Ausf B . It's main armament was a 150mm sIG 33 L / 11.4 heavy infantry gun . The crew was protected only by a large box-shaped gun shield ( made up of three 10mm plates ) , open at the top and rear . The gun and superstructure overloaded the chassis leading to poor mobility .
The vehicle was operated by a crew of five and only three rounds of high-explosive ammunition were carried inside the fighting compartment . While 3 crewmen took place in the vehicle , the other two along with more ammunition rode in a halftrack .
In January - February 1940 , only 38 Sturmpanzer I were produced by Alkett in Berlin. The idea behind this vehicle was to provide infantry with direct and mobile fire support . The Sturmpanzer I saw service in France , Balkans and Russia with the 701-706 sIG(Sf) Kompanien ( Heavy Infantry Gun Companies ) . Each company had 6 vehicles and they were originally attached to Panzer Divisions and then Panzer Corps . The last Sturmpanzer I ( 704 Company of the 5th Panzer Division ) were taken out from service in late 1943.
By Pz_Tobruk
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Crew: 5 (commander, 3 gunners, and driver)
Weight: 7.0 tons
Dimensions: 4.42 x 2.06 x 2.40
Armor (max):30mm
Range: 115 km
Speed (max):20.0 km/hr
Main gun: 150 mm L/11
No. Produced: 38
