The German light tank Panzerkampfwagen 1 (Pz.Kpfw.1, Pz.1; Sd.Kfz.101 in the official nomenclature of Wehrmacht military equipment) is a German light machine gun tank of the 30s. XX century. The first German tank, mass-produced after the First World War. It was developed in 1930-1934. specialists of the AG Krupp and Daimler-Benz AG concerns. In the years 1934-1937. mass produced at the plants of Krupp, Daimler-Benz, MAN, Henschel-Werke, Rheinmetall AG, Grusonwerk and MIAG. A total of 1,574 such tanks were produced.
In connection with the decision in the First World War, Germany could not produce tanks. As you know, the provisions of the Treaty of Versailles forbade Germany to produce tanks and have tank units in the army. But they managed to get around this limitation by starting to produce agricultural machinery. Similar to tanks, but without weapons. Prototypes received the designation Kleintraktor – “small tractor.” Due to the changing international situation, in 1934-1936 the German military placed orders for 4 La.S. series. These were already full-fledged combat vehicles equipped with armored add-ons and towers.
By the spring of 1935, Germany had finally refused to comply with the terms of the Treaty of Versailles, there was no need for secrecy – and the equipment received new designations: M.G. Panzerwagen – machine gun armored car “(May 1935), M.G. Kampfwagen – “machine-gun tank” (October 1935), M.G. Panzerkampfwagen (November 1935) and, finally, Panzerkampfwagen I Ausführung A / Ausf.A – “Model A” (April 1936). Interestingly, along with these names, the old – La.S. was used for some time. A total of 1,175 Pz.Kpfw.I Ausf.A units with Krupp M 305 engines were produced.
Soon the tank 1 LaS Krupp changed its name to Pz.Kpfw.I Ausf.A (Ausführung – model, type). At the same time, an end-to-end notation system for all Wehrmacht mobile vehicles, the Kraftfahrzeuge Nummersystem der Wehrmacht, was adopted. According to this system, the Pz.I tank and its subsequent modifications were numbered from Sd.Kfz.101 to Sd.Kfz.120 (Sd.Kfz. – Sonderkraftfahrzeug – special purpose vehicle, special vehicle), and the commander version – Sd.Kfz.265. A total of 477 Pz.Kpfw.I Ausf.A tanks were produced (349 at Henschel plants and 128 at MAN plants); their serial numbers are from 10 001 to 10 477.
Operation has shown that version A tanks need modernization, mainly in the replacement of the power unit. It became apparent that the power of the 57 strong Krupp M305 engine is not enough. The pilot installation of a 60 hp Krupp M601 diesel engine on the Pz.I Ausf.A did not help either. at 2200 rpm The problem was solved by mounting a Maybach NL 38TR six-cylinder petrol engine with 100 hp on the tank.
Since this motor was noticeably larger than before, it was necessary to lengthen the body by 400 mm. As a result, another pair of road wheels appeared in the chassis, and the sloth was slightly elevated above ground level. In addition, the rear wall and the roof of the engine compartment have changed. The exhaust pipe was led through the tailgate, unlike the Pz.I Ausf.A, which had two tailpipes on the sides.
The machines of the first series used MG 13 machine guns, which were later replaced by more modern MG 34. Since 1936, the ammunition has been increased to 90 stores. The tank received a new transceiver radio station FuG 5. The fuel supply increased … by 2 liters. At the same time, its consumption, compared with Pz.IA, increased from 100 liters to 125 liters per 100 km. Otherwise, both modifications were almost identical.
In the years 1934-1937. Pz.Kpfw.I was the main tank of the Wehrmacht. The first “combat run-in” took place in Spain in 1936 (the German volunteer tank group Drone, which fought on the side of dictator F. Franco, was equipped with these machines). Panzerkampfwagen I was actively used during the Anschluss of Austria (1938), the occupation of the Sudetenland of Czechoslovakia (1938), and the attack on Poland (1939). By 1940, the number of Pz.Kpfw.I in the armored units of the Wehrmacht was significantly reduced, and in 1941-1942. almost all of these machines were replaced with more modern models. However, part of the Panzerkampfwagen I was used to support infantry during combat operations in France, Denmark, Norway, Yugoslavia, North Africa, and the USSR. In addition, Pz.Kpfw.I was used for training tank crews of the Wehrmacht and SS troops until the end of World War II.
In the online game world of tanks German light tank Pz.Kpfw. 1 is on level 2. The tank has sufficient speed due to which you can manage to occupy most of the key positions at the beginning of the battle. But not too good power density and mediocre passability force me to choose a route. Overview and radio station at Pz.Kpfw. 1 good: you can confidently make deep attacks and illuminate such tanks. The main purpose of the tank is close combat.
In close combat, the key advantages of the tank are manifested: good maneuverability and a very fast-firing automatic gun with good damage per minute. At long and medium distances, the mediocre accuracy of the guns is already felt. The main tactic of Pz.Kpfw. I: at the beginning of the battle, you need to take a convenient position at one of the key positions on the map. For example, in the Mines it is best to stand under the mountain. Soon, enemy fast tanks appear at such positions. They have weak armor, against them a machine gun Pz.Kpfw. 1 is very effective, it takes 1-2 cassettes to the enemy tank, which charge very quickly.
Despite all the advantages and disadvantages of Pz.Kpfw. 1, play the tank is quite difficult. Only experienced players can use it correctly. An inaccurate gun forces one to approach the enemy, where another drawback is discovered – weak armor. It makes sense to fight only and only with the support of the Allies. More often hide behind their backs – this will help to maintain strength points.
