[DISCLAIMER: The following text is taken from the U.S. War Department Technical Manual, TM-E 30-451: Handbook on German Military Forces published in March 1945. — Figures and illustrations are not reproduced, see source details. — As with all wartime intelligence information, data may be incomplete or inaccurate. No attempt has been made to update or correct the text. — Any views or opinions expressed do not necessarily represent those of the website.] CHAPTER VII. WEAPONS Section VI. ARMORED VEHICLES 2. Obsolete Tanks a. GENERAL. The Pz. Kpfw. I, Pz. Kpfw. II, and Pz. Kpfw. III, although obsolete, are discussed here since they still may be met occasionally in the field. b. LIGHT TANK (Pz. Kpfw. I). (1) General. This was the first tank to be standardized by the Germans, and the first ones were produced in 1934. Three models (A, B, and C) and a commander's version (based on model B) have been identified, but model C never has been encountered in action. The hull of the Pz. Kpfw. I was used as a self-propelled mount for several types of artillery weapons, but it no longer will be met even in this role. (2) Specifications. Specification Number   . . . . .   Sd. Kfz.* 101.     (Commander's Model   . . . . .   Sd. Kfz. 265.)     Model     A B C Commander's Weight in action (tons)   . . . . .   5.88 6.44 8.96 6.44 Crew   . . . . .   2 men 2 men   3 men Armor, Hull front   . . . . .   13 mm 13 mm   32 mm     Hull sides   . . . . .   15 mm 15 mm 25 mm 15 mm     Front glacis plate   . . . . .   8 mm 8 mm   20 mm     Superstructure         Sides   . . . . .   13 mm 13 mm   15 mm         Turret front   . . . . .   15 mm 15 mm 50 mm           Turret sides   . . . . .   13 mm 13 mm     Armament   . . . . .    Two M.G. 13   Two M.G. 13   One Gun   One M.G.   One M.G. 34  Dimensions     Length (feet)   . . . . .   13 14   14     Width (feet)   . . . . .   6.75 6.75   6.75     Height (feet)   . . . . .   5.58 5.73   6.41     Clearance (inches)   . . . . .   9.75 10   10 Road speed (miles per hour)   . . . . .   12 15-16   15-16 Range on roads (miles)   . . . . .   112 87   87 *Sd. Kfz. is the German abbreviation for Sonderkraftfahrzeug, meaning special motor vehicle. c. LIGHT TANK (Pz. Kpfw. II). (1) General. This tank is manned by three men: a commander, who acts as the gunner; a radio operator; and a driver. A large number of models of this tank were produced before it became obsolete. In a very much modified form it has reappeared as the Luchs (Lynx) reconnaissance tank in Western Europe. The original experimental models of Pz. Kpfw. II were produced between 1934 and 1936; it finally was abandoned as a fighting vehicle in 1943. A flame-throwing version, Pz. Kpfw. II (F), also has become obsolete and probably will not be met again. Model F, not the flame-thrower tank, was the latest model encountered. The modified hull of the Pz. Kpfw. II is still in use as a self-propelled gun carriage, notably in the case of the 15 cm. s. I.G. 33 and the 10 cm. le. F.H. 18. (2) Specifications.     Model F    Model L (Lynx) Specification number   . . . . .   Sd. Kfz. 121 Sd. Kfz. 123 Weight in action (tons)   . . . . .   11.5 13.2 Crew   . . . . .   3 men 3 men Armor, Hull front   . . . . .   35 mm 30 mm     Hull sides   . . . . .   20 mm 20 mm     Front glacis plate   . . . . .   20 mm 20 mm     Superstructure         Front   . . . . .   30 mm 30 mm         Sides   . . . . .   20 mm 20 mm         Turret front   . . . . .   35 mm 30 mm         Turret sides   . . . . .   15 mm 20 mm Armament (coaxially mounted in turret)   . . . . .   One 2 cm Kw.K.30 One M.G. 34 One 2 cm Kw.K.18 One M.G. 34 Dimensions, Length (feet)   . . . . .   14.75 14.83     Width (feet)   . . . . .   7.33 8.25     Height (feet)   . . . . .   6.48 6.58 Ground clearance (inches)   . . . . .   13 16 (approximate) Engine   . . . . .   6-cylinder, In-line, 133 HP, Gasoline 6-cylinder, In-line, 176 HP, Gasoline Road speed (miles per hour)   . . . . .   15 40 Range on roads (miles)   . . . . .   118 155 Suspension: Model F: 5 bogie wheels each side; quarter-elliptic leaf springing. Front drive sprocket, rear idler. Model L: 5 axles, torsion bar suspension; inter-leaved bogie wheels. Front drive sprocket, rear idler. d. MEDIUM TANK (Pz. Kpfw. III). (1) General. This tank has appeared in many models but has retained basic characteristics throughout. The latest models to appear are armed with the long-barreled 5 cm Kw.K. 39 (L/60), which in 1942 displaced the shorter 5 cm Kw.K. (L/42). The original main armament, discarded late in 1940, was a 37-mm gun. The Pz. Kpfw. III now is obsolete and rarely encountered. The excellent hull and suspension have been utilized as the carriage for self-propelled guns, and it is in this form that the vehicle remains in production. The Pz. Kpfw. III has been encountered armed with the short 7.5 cm Kw.K. (the original armament of the Pz. Kpfw. IV), and also as a commander's vehicle, as a flame-throwing tank, as a wrecker tank, as an armored ammunition carrier, and as an armored observation post. (2) Specifications.     Models L and M Specification number   . . . . .   Sd. Kfz. 141/1 Weight in action   . . . . .   24.6 tons (approximately). Crew   . . . . .   5 men. Armor, Front nose plate   . . . . .   50 mm.     Glacis plate   . . . . .   25 mm.     Driver's front plate   . . . . .   50 and 20 mm spaced armor.     Hull sides   . . . . .   30 mm.     Rear plates   . . . . .   50 mm.     Turret front   . . . . .   57 mm.     Turret sides   . . . . .   10 mm. Armament (coaxially mounted in turret)   . . . . .   One 5 cm Kw.K. 39 with one M.G.34     In hull   . . . . .   One M.G.34. Dimensions, Length   . . . . .   17 feet 8 inches.     Width   . . . . .   9 feet 9 inches.     Height   . . . . .   8 feet 3 inches.     Gun overhang   . . . . .   1 foot 3 inches. (approximately).     Ground clearance   . . . . .   1 foot 2 inches. Performance, Maximum speed   . . . . .   35 miles per hour (approximately).     Road speed   . . . . .   22 miles per hour.     Cross-country speed   . . . . .   10 to 15 miles per hour.     Range on roads   . . . . .   102 miles.     Range cross-country   . . . . .   59 miles.     Trench crossing   . . . . .   8 feet 6 inches.     Step   . . . . .   2 feet.     Gradient   . . . . .   30°.     Fording   . . . . .   2 feet 9 inches. Engine, Type   . . . . .   Maybach HL 120 TRM.     Fuel   . . . . .   Gasoline.     BHP   . . . . .   296 HP at 3,000 rpm. Transmission: SSG77 Maybach synchromesh gear box, sliding dog type, manual control. Six forward speeds, one reverse. Suspension: Six small rubber-tired bogie wheels on each side. Torsion-bar suspension.

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