| T-38 light tank |
 |
|
Between May and June 1943 Germany delivered to Romanian troops in Kuban fifty worn Panzerkampfwagen 38(t). The tank was produced at the Czech CKD factories between 1939-1942 for the German Army and by the time of invasion of Soviet Union in 1941 it was very common in the Wehrmacht troops. Leaving aside their poor condition that led to Romanian-German row, the tanks were little supperior to R-2 and still vulnerable to all Soviet anti-tank guns and AT rifles. They received designation "T-38" and formed the T-38 Tank Battalion in the organic of the 2nd Tank Regiment, with the 51st, 52nd and 53rd companies of fifteen T-38s each. In the winter of 1943/1944 was temporary set up the 54th Company with the five T-38s of the battalion's HQ. The unit became operative in June 1943 and was assigned to Cavalry Corps in July. They took part in the defensive battles of Kuban and Crimea. Starting from November 1943 the T-38s of the 51st and 52nd companies were evacuated to Romania. However, in April 1944 there were still ten T-38s of the 53rd Tank Company in support of the 10th Infantry Division in Crimea. Many have been lost in these operations and in August 1944 the 2nd Tank Regiment could hardly set up a company of 9 T-38 tanks. They participated in the fights around Bucharest and at Ploiesti oil fields, and from March 1945 in the forcing of rivers Hron, Nitra, Vah, Morava in Czechoslovakia and then into Austria. By 22 April 1945 the regiment still possessed five badly worn T-38 tanks that were seized by the Soviets.
| Specifications |
|
| Crew | 4 |
| Weight | 9.7t |
| Dimensions |
| Length | 4.54m |
| Width | 2.13m |
| Height | 2.31m |
| Engine |
| Type | Praha EPA I-III |
| Cylinders | 6 |
| Power | 125hp/2600rpm |
| Fuel | petrol |
| Performance |
| Max speed | 42km/h |
| Vertical obstacle | 0.8m |
| Trench crossing | 1.88m |
| Gradient | 25° |
| Range | 230km |
| Armament |
| Main | 1 x 37mm Skoda A7 gun |
| Secondary | 2 x 7.92mm ZB-53 mg |
| Armour |
| Armour | 8-25mm |
|
|
Top
