Hia folks.
Something that poped to mind, while rereading some stuff on the 1939-1942 period.
What if something happened to the Pz35/38 production, right in 1939?
My idea is this: March 1939, final ocupation of Czechoslovakia. Czeck nationalists manage to blow up/sabotage/wreck the production of the Pz35, and sabotage the design & production of the Pz38. Both are wrecked beyong repair, with the technical drawings of the 38 going up in flames. How would this afect the german planning of the 39-40 period?
The germans seized 244 Pz35 during the ocupation of Czechoslovakia. Afaik, no more were built. 160 were still in front line service for the invasion of the USSR. Since these were allready built, I acept these as available, but getting parts will be very dificult. As for the Pz38, real-life production in 1939 ran to over 150, with 1940 figures passing 360. The army had 78 available for Poland and 237 for France. These represented a pretty high proportion of medium tanks available to germany, filling 2 Pz divisions in France.
But what if Germany didn't have acess to the Pz38? Afaik, the main reason for it's production was that the PzIII could not be built in enough numbers. Would Germany start the war, with such a large shortfall in mediums?
My sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panzer_38(t)#German_production
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panzer_35(t)#Germany
http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/weapons_panzerkampfwagen_38t.html
http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/weapons_panzerkampfwagen_35t.html
Something that poped to mind, while rereading some stuff on the 1939-1942 period.
What if something happened to the Pz35/38 production, right in 1939?
My idea is this: March 1939, final ocupation of Czechoslovakia. Czeck nationalists manage to blow up/sabotage/wreck the production of the Pz35, and sabotage the design & production of the Pz38. Both are wrecked beyong repair, with the technical drawings of the 38 going up in flames. How would this afect the german planning of the 39-40 period?
The germans seized 244 Pz35 during the ocupation of Czechoslovakia. Afaik, no more were built. 160 were still in front line service for the invasion of the USSR. Since these were allready built, I acept these as available, but getting parts will be very dificult. As for the Pz38, real-life production in 1939 ran to over 150, with 1940 figures passing 360. The army had 78 available for Poland and 237 for France. These represented a pretty high proportion of medium tanks available to germany, filling 2 Pz divisions in France.
But what if Germany didn't have acess to the Pz38? Afaik, the main reason for it's production was that the PzIII could not be built in enough numbers. Would Germany start the war, with such a large shortfall in mediums?
My sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panzer_38(t)#German_production
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panzer_35(t)#Germany
http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/weapons_panzerkampfwagen_38t.html
http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/weapons_panzerkampfwagen_35t.html