Did Czechoslovakia stand a chance in 1938?

Despite the considerable effort made in the late 1930s to equip the Panzer Divisions with effective vehicles, the outbreak of war in September 1939 found the Germans woefully short of their needed tanks. It is unlikely that Hitler would have gone to war in 1939 had he not acquired the Czech tank fleet and manufacturing capacity, for the production of the PzKpfw III and IV was too low. Popular myth has left to this day the legend that the Panzer Divisions which stormed into Poland, Flanders and France were a huge and unstoppable armored force. But the truth is that it was only the acquisition of the Czechoslovak tank industry after the Munich Agreement of 1938 which gave the German forces sufficient tanks for an adequate panzer force. 

Several armaments firms in Czechoslovakia, prior to the occupation by Germany, were concerned with the design, development and production of tanks and other fighting vehicles -both for use by the Czech Army and for commercial sale to foreign armies. The two main tank models were the Skoda LT-35 and the CKD (Cesko-moravska Kolben Danek) TNHP, which the Germans took into service as the PzKpfw 35(t) and the PzKpfw38(t), respectively. The (t) was an abbreviation of  tscheche, the German for Czech. 

PzKpfw 38(t)

In 1933 the CKD firm in Prague began the design of a new light tank series intended for export. The first completed model was called the LT (Light Tank) L-H and for export purposes it was often referred to as the LT-34. Results of trials with all available Czech tank designs showed that the improved TNHS was the most exceptional model of those submitted to the tank evaluation, and after a 3000 mile test, of which some 1000 miles was across country, the tank showed virtually no mechanical defects. After alteration the new tank received the designation LTL-P (TNHS), which had improved armament and armor. Throughout its life the tank chassis earned great respect for its reliability and durability. The maintenance and servicing needed were found to be minimal and could be carried out in the field. 

Following a report on these tests the Czech Defence Department specified that the TNHS should enter production and become the standard tank of the Army. Orders were issued for 150 vehicles. After alteration the new tank was given the designation TNHP, and became the standard tank of the Czech army. CKD received also orders for most of the developed models from foreign goverments, including Sweden, Switzerland, Peru and Yugoslavia. A total of 196 tanks were exported. 

The original 8-ton TNHP mounted a 37.2mm tank gun L/47.8, which was intended to fire only when the vehicle was stationary, and a coaxial 7.92mm machine-gun in a turret with all-round traverse. The bulge at the rear of the turret was fitted for ammunition storage. A second machine-gun was ball-mounted at the front of the hull. The five-speed traverse gear, which was fast and light in action, was operated by the gunner, and could be thrown out of action when the gunner had to push around the turret. Four rubber-tyred single wheels were provided on each side, mounted on a cranked stub-axle and controlled by a semi-elliptic spring. Protection was 25mm basis at the front, 19mm on the sides, and 15mm on the rear. 

Following the German occupation of Czechoslovakia, from 15 March 1939, all tanks in service with the Czech Army were taken over, as well as those in production under export contracts. The Germans designated the TNHP the PzKpfw 38(t) and continued its production until early 1942. They ordered the manufacturers to increase the frontal armor to 50mm, and that on the sides to 30mm. A total of 1168 tanks of this type was built for the Wehrmacht, and saw service in Poland, France, Yugoslavia, Greece and Russia, and formed a major part of the tank strength of Rommel's 7th Panzer Division during its rapid drive across Northern France in the 1940 campaign. During 1940-1941 the PzKpfw 38(t) formed 25% of the total German tank force, and its importance was therefore considerable, the vehicle being superior in hitting power to either the PzKpfw I or II. As late as 1944 the vehicle was still being used as an artillery observation vehicle. 

PzKpfw 35(t)

The other Czechoslovakian tank to see service with the Panzer Divisions in the early days was what the Germans designated PzKpfw 35(t). The design of this vehicle went back to 1934 when the Skoda firm, based on the experiences with a prototype tank, the MU4/T1, produced a larger machine. This was designated the Skoda 10.5 ton tank, Model T-11 and has been referred to as the LTM-35. Particular care was taken in the design to enable it to travel long distances under its own power. In addition to having a high degree of manoevrability considerable emphasis was placed on crew comfort and the durability of the power train. The main accessories were double installed to ensure a high degree of reliability and performance. 

The particular advantage in the design was the operating efficiency which reduced driver fatigue. The vehicle was very fast and easy to steer, and had a remarkable durability of the suspension.The vehicle was armored with plate up to 35mm, and was armed with  a 37mm gun in a traversing turret -the first Skoda tank to be fitted with one. Horizontal movement was made by hand traverse of the entire turret, while fine adjustments were secured by a handwheel. This arrangement proved successful with light tanks since the counterweight at the rear of the turret balanced the gun's weight. Like the TNHP tank the LT-35 had two machine-guns.

This vehicle was adopted by the Germans during 1939, and was issued to the 6th Panzer Division. Originally the Germans had 106 of these tanks in service. During service in the Russian winter it was found that the steering system froze, and consequently a heater was installed. When the 35(t)s were phased out of service they were used for towing or tank recovery purposes with a two-men crew. No self-propelled mountings are known to have been produced by the Germans on this chassis, although the Hungarian produced an extensively modified version of this tank, designated the Turan II (Hungarian units equipped with this vehicle fought alongside the Wehrmacht during operations in Russia).