The Aufklarungspanzer 38(t) also known as the SdKfz 140/1 was a reconnaissance vehicle that was used by Germany during World War II.
Description[]
The Aufklarungspanzer 38(t) was a conversion of the Panzer 38(t) light tank into a high-speed reconnaissance vehicle.[2][1] The main hull of the tank was kept mostly the same, but a boxy structure was installed in the front, increasing its height. This square addition had inclined front and side armor, but a vertical rear.[2] The original turret was removed and replaced with the "Hangelafette" turret found in armored cars like the Sd. Kfz. 234/1 and Sd. Kfz 222, featuring a 20 mm KwK 38 auto-cannon and an MG 42 machine gun.[1] This versatile turret was capable of anti-infantry, anti-vehicular, and even anti-air fire.[3]
One of the two prototype turretless 75 mm Aufklarungspanzers.
The vehicle was capable of high speeds, and it displayed good off-road mobility. However, its armor was very light, and almost all of the tanks it faced could penetrate it from the front.[3]
Another variant of the Aufklarungspanzer featured a turretless superstructure with a 75mm KwK 37 cannon, similar to an assault gun or tank destroyer.[2] Only two of these prototypes were finished.[1]
History[]
The Aufklarungspanzer project was finished in early 1944, with a total of seventy vehicles converted and completed. In April of the same year, they entered service.[1]
25 of the vehicles were issued to the scouting groups of the Großdeutschland Panzergrenadier Division serving on the Eastern Front in April. In September of 1944, another 25 were allocated to 3. Panzer-Division's "Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 3". Seven more were sent to both of the units.[3]
A standard Aufklarungspanzer 38(t) outside the BMM (Böhmisch-Mährische Maschinenfabric) works in Czechoslovakia .
On April 25, 1945, the Großdeutschland Division was annihilated at the Battle of Königsberg, and with it all 32 of its Aufklarungspanzers.[Note 1] 3. Panzer-Division was slowly worn down into nonexistence during fierce fighting in and around Budapest. It is unknown how many of the division's vehicles survived, as at that point in the war German records and organization had already collapsed.[3]
It is unclear how many Aufklarungspanzer 38(t)s survived the war, but none are known to exist in any museums or collections today. It can be presumed that the scarce numbers of the Aufklarungspanzer ensured its extinction.[3]
Variants[]
- Aufklärungspanzer 38(t) mit 2cm KwK38: The mass-produced version with a "Hangelafette" turret and a 20 mm KwK 38 auto-cannon. 70 produced in total. Used by the Großdeutschland Panzergrenadier Division and 3. Panzer-Division until their destruction near the end of the war.
- Aufklärungspanzer 38(t) mit 7.5cm KwK37 L/24: A prototype variant with a short-barreled 75 mm KwK 37 L/24 gun. Only two were produced and neither were used in combat.
References[]
Notes[]
- ↑ The division had just arrived at the ports of Pillau in late March, 1945, and it ceased to exist almost instantaneously.
Sources[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 http://www.achtungpanzer.com/panzerkampfwagen-38t.htm
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/weapons_aufklarungspanzer_38t.html
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 http://www.panzeraufgd.co.uk/aufklaerungspanzer.html