Hitler's Light Tanks by Paul Thomas;

Author:Paul Thomas; [Неизв.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: HISTORY/Military/World War II
Publisher: Casemate Publishers & Book Distributors, LLC
Published: 2019-10-29T21:00:00+00:00

A group of soldiers pose in front of a Pz.Kpfw.II in winter 1941. The Panzer cannot be identified other than part of its tactical number painted in yellow on its turret side: 10.

A Pz.Kpfw.I moving along a pine road supported by foot soldiers. There are no visible markings on this Panzer other than a small national cross painted on its side.

Chapter Three

Battles in Russia 1942-43

By 1942 it was apparent that the Panzerwaffe would not be able to exploit their Soviet enemy if they did not quickly up-gun their outdated light tanks. This led to the Marder I, which mounted the 7.5cm PaK 40 anti-tank gun on a French Lorraine chassis.

Another anti-tank vehicle introduced in 1942 was the second series of the Marder, known as the Marder II. This was based on the chassis of the Pz.Kpfw.II. There were two versions: the first mounted modified Soviet 7.62cm guns firing German ammunition, while the other mounted the powerful German 7.5cm PaK 40 gun.

In the same year, the Marder III was produced. This vehicle mounted either Soviet 76.2mm F-22 Model 1936 divisional field guns or German 7.5cm PaK 40, in an open-topped cupola on top of the chassis of the Panzer 38(t). While it offered little protection to the crew, it added significant firepower. Although the Marders were not fully armoured, and were basically an interim solution to a growing problem, its infantry gun companies were relatively successful and supported deep drives through Russia supporting what was left of the light tanks in the field, and heavier armoured vehicles, such as the Pz.Kpfw.IV.

In spite of the successes of the spring of 1942, some of the older light Panzer units did not have their losses replaced and fought with what they had. This put additional strain on the already inadequate capabilities of the converted Pz.Kpfw.I, known as the Panzerjäger I, and Sturmpanzer I. The Sturmpanzer I had already sustained considerable losses, and it was apparent that these vehicles were no match against heavier Soviet armour. The Marders, on the other hand, fared better, and when serving in the infantry regiments they scored many successes along the front. As a result, they would go on to see further action with a host of other new Panzerjäger and self-propelled heavy infantry gun companies.

Through 1942, Germany continued striving to overcome the mammoth task of defeating the Red Army, with more Panzer divisions being raised and motorized divisions converted into Panzergrenadier divisions. A number of fresh divisions were also deployed on the front lines.

Another problem the Panzerwaffe were facing on the eastern front was heavier Russian tank fire power, such as that of their T-35 tanks.

The Czech built Pz.Kpfw.35(t) had seen huge losses on the eastern front due to its thin armour and inadequate firepower. As a result, by mid-1942, there were only twenty-six in working condition, and they were sold to Romania. Some of the turrets and hull machine guns were removed so that the chassis could serve as ammunition carriers or artillery tractors.

As for the Pz.Kpfw.I, this small tank had never been suitable for the Russian campaign.

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