Figure 1.--The Skoda Iron Works after the Germans seized Czechoslovakia significntly increase their production of heavy weapons. Many German tanks were built there. Czech tanks was used sucessfully in the invasion of Poland (1939) and France (1940). This is an early model Skoda tank being used by the Germans, even in the invasion of the Soviet Union (1941). Czech-made PzKw38(t) rolls through a Russian village in 1941, probably in early September when the Fall rains began. . The Czech tanks were less successful in the Soviet Union, especially when the T-34 and work was stopped on the old Czech deigns. Production at the Soda Works was shifted to Marder III tank destroyer. Image courtesy of the Military History of the the 20th Century website.

Czechoslovakia had a substantial tank force, especially given the size of the country. The Czechs at the time of the Munich crisis had a force of light tanks (September 1938). This included 298 LT vz. 35 designed at the Škoda arms complex. There were also 50 LT vz. 34 built by ČKD. These tanks were not up to the standards of the tanks the Germand built in the final years of the War, but they were up to the standards of many of the tanks that the Germans had in 1938 at the time of the Munich crisis. The Czechs also delivered tanks to the Hungarians. The Czechs prdered 150 LT vz. 38 were ordered but the Germans invaded abd seized the country in violation of the Munich Accords before the tanks could be delivered (March 1939). The Germans found the Czech light tanks (LT-35s and LT-38s) were superior in several ways to their own light tanks (Panzer I and Panzer IIs). The Germans thus decided to keep producing the tanks durung their occupation of Czechoslovakia. The Czechs produced 136 more LT-35s and a total of 1,414 LT-38s for the Wehrmacht at the Škoda Works. The Germans used them in Poland (1939), France (1940), and the Soviet Union (1941). The Czech tanks were especially important in the French campaign. The evolutiin of armor and anti-tank weapons left the Czech tanks obsolete and production was ended (1942). They also were not suitable for harsh winter conditions. The Germans withdrew them for front-line operations. They continued to be used as a light reconnaissance vehicle. Some were converted to Hetzer tank destroyers. They also saw use as artillery tractors. One of the several benefits of seizing Czechoslovakia was control of the Škoda works. Primeminister Chmberlin and his Appeasement Policy resulted in deliveing Czechoslovakia to the MAZIs with its Skod Iron Works undamaged to the NAZIs war machine. It would be a major support for the German war effort throughout the War. In addition to tanks, artillery was also produced at Škoda.

Created: 8:18 PM 1/21/2016
Last updated: 8:18 PM 1/21/2016