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Panzerkampfwagen I Sd. Kfz. 101 (Light Tank)

作者:Panzers Of The Reich 来源:panzer 日期:2006-10-11 9:25:51 浏览: 次

In 1935, Krupp started work on Leichte Kampfwagen Ausland light tank destined for export following guidelines by Waffenamt. In 1936, Krupp designed Leichte Kampfwagen Ausland, which was modelled after Panzerkampfwagen I. Two versions were to be produced: L.K.A.1 - M.G.-Kampfwagen (also known as M.G. K.A. / L-10) and L.K.A.2 - 2 cm Kampfwagen (also known as 2 cm K.A. / L-20). Krupp also designed version of L.K.A.2 with heavier armor designated 2 cm K.A.v. but it was decided to base it on medium tank m.K.A. The devopment continued until 1940, including medium tank m.K.A. (also known as 4.5cm K.A.v. / M-10) armed with 45mm KwK L/50 gun. Entire program never reached a production stage and was ended.

In 1935/36, Krupp also produced Leichte Kampfwagen B (L.K.B.) light tank for Bulgaria, which was a modified Panzerkampfwagen I Ausf B mounted with Krupp's M 311 V-8 gasoline engine. Three modified versions - L.K.B. 1, 2 and 3 were produced along with 2 cm L.K.B. armed with 20mm automatic cannon. Just as the L.K.A program, no vehicles reached a production stage and entire program was ended.

Krupp's L.K.A.2 (Leichte Kampfwagen Ausland) export light tank.

Both Ausf A and Ausf B were also produced as turretless tanks used for training purposes (PzKpfw I Ausf A ohne Aufbau) and as maintenance vehicles (PzKpfw I Ausf B ohne Aufbau). Eventually both vehicles were used as training vehicles.

In 1934, single example of PzKpfw I Ausf A was sold to Hungary. In 1942, Hungary probably purchased few more for training purposes. The most exotic user of PzKpfw I was Chiang Kai-shek's National Government China, which purchased 15 PzKpfw I Ausf As in late 1936 (along with other German equipment). Also, it is reported that small number was exported to Finland. Possibly, PzKpfw Is also equipped Croatian Army.

Panzerkampfwagen I Ausf A on display in Spain.
In the background, Italian Carro Veloce 33/35 tankette also used by Spain.
Photo provided by Dionisio Garcia Florez.

Its debut (combat test) was during Spanish Civil War (1936-38). First 32 PzKpfw I along with single Kleiner Panzer Befehlswagen I arrived in October of 1936. Only 106 tanks, (102 Ausf A, Ausf B and 4 Kleiner Panzer Befehlswagen I) saw service with "Condor Legion" (Major Ritter von Thoma's Panzer Abteilung 88 also known as Abteilung Drohne) and General Franco's "Nationalists". Pz.Abt.88 with its 3 companies was based at Cubas near Toledo, where German instructors trained future Spanish crews, while the unit was used for training duties and combat (e.g. assault on Madrid). Panzerkampfwagen I tanks proved to be outclassed by Soviet T-26 and BT-5 provided to "The Republicans".

Panzerkampfwagen I Ausf B on display in Spain.
Photo provided by Dionisio Garcia Florez.