Second World War was one of the bloodiest battles in the history of the civilized world.The number of lives cast in the name of freedom, and affects both makes one proud of their homeland, knowing that the merit of the ancestors is invaluable.The desire to study the history of this battle among the youth is very commendable, it is no wonder Sir Winston Churchill claimed that "people are not remembering his past, and has no future."To appreciate how important achievement of our defenders, it is necessary to learn about the history of German tanks.It was the German tanks of WWII served as the main element of the weapons of the Wehrmacht, but it still did not help the German troops to win.So what's the reason?
Light tanks
Germany Preparation for an armed confrontation started long before the offensive.But though some of the development of German armored vehicles had already been tested, the efficiency of light tanks remained dubious.
Panzerkampfwagen I
signing of the Versailles Treaty, which took place at the end of the First World War, Germany has put in a certain framework.This agreement is strictly regulated in Germany all weapons, including military forces and armored vehicles.Strict conditions of the agreement led only to the fact that in a short time Germany was engaged in the development, and then the production of new military technology in secret.
first tank, created in Germany in the interwar period became the Panzerkampfwagen I, also known by the abbreviated PzKpfw I. The development of this tank began in 1931, and officially on the documents he passed as an agricultural tractor.The order was given to the creation of four leading engineering firms, but in the end opted for the Wehrmacht model created by Friedrich Krupp AG.
After developing and carrying out all necessary tests test model this light German tank was put into production.According to official figures, from 1934 to 1936, it was created about 1,100 copies.After the first samples were transferred to the army, it appeared that the tank is not able to develop a sufficiently high speed.After that, based on it were created two versions: Pzkpfw I Ausf.A and PzKpfw I Ausf.B.After minor changes in the body, chassis and engine tank has posed a serious danger to the enemy armored vehicles.
baptism of fire PzKpfw I took in Spain during the Civil War 1936 - 1939 period.During the first Battle, it became clear that the German tank will hardly be able to fight against the Soviet T-26.Although the instrument PzKpfw I powerful enough, it can not break through the T-26 with large distances, whereas for the Soviet machine was not a problem.
Since specifications of the equipment left much to be desired, most of the specimens was lost on the battlefields.For most of World War II tanks were in the Wehrmacht, and although they were minor problem.
Panzerkampfwagen II
After checking the not very successful tank PzKpfw I have the German armed forces has become necessary to create a light tank with anti-tank gun.Such claims have been brought against companies-developers, but the project did not satisfy the customer, so the equipment was made with the details of the various firms.As PzKpfw I, PzKpfw II officially passed as an agricultural tractor.
in 1936-1937 was released 75 tanks in three different models.These podmodifikatsii almost the same specifications, but they served as test samples to determine the effectiveness of individual technical solutions.
in 1937 started to produce modifications Pz Kpfw II Ausf b, which combines the advanced powertrain and chassis, subsequently used to produce the best German tanks.Production of PzKpfw II in all three versions was carried out in 1937-1940, respectively, during this period was produced about 1088 copies.
after the first battle, it became clear that the PzKpfw II is considerably inferior to the enemy tanks in a similar technique as his armor was too weak and little damage done.Nevertheless, the production of this car is only increased until 1942, and when it appeared new, more sophisticated models, the tank was used on secondary sites.
Panzerkampfwagen II Ausf L Luchs
Poor patency in the Polish lands Third Reich forced to undertake the development of new armored vehicles, which would have a crawler gear.The development of new technology has been entrusted to two engineering giant - Deimler-Benz and MAN, which produces almost all of the German tanks of World War II.Despite the name, this modification had little to do with PzKpfw II, although some manufacturers are most modules.
In 1939-1941, both companies engaged in the design reconnaissance tank.As a result of these works were created several models, which later were even produced and sent to the front.But these did not satisfy the customers' equipment, so the work continued.In 1942, the engineers finally succeeded in creating a car that meets all the requirements, and after minor modifications it was released in the amount of 800 pieces.
Luchs was equipped with two radio stations and a large number of observation devices, resulting in the crew he has a new member - a radio operator.But after the first 100 cars were sent to the front, it became apparent that the 20-mm gun clearly unable to cope with the enemy armored vehicles.Therefore, the rest of the party was converted and worked on her arms for 50-millimeter cannon.But such equipment does not meet all the requirements, so the production Luchs was stopped.
Medium tanks
German medium tanks during the Second World were equipped with a variety of modules, which were not the enemy.Although Soviet armored vehicles still managed to successfully fight the enemy equipment.
Panzerkampfwagen III
German medium tank Pzkfw III has replaced its predecessor, the weak Pzkfw I. Wehrmacht demanded by the machine manufacturer, which could fight on equal terms with any enemy vehicles, and the weight of the new model was to be equal to 10 tons at 37millimeter cannon.The German armed forces had hoped that Pzkfw III is the basic unit of German armored vehicles.In battle, he had to help one light tank Pzkfw II and one heavy, which should serve as a platoon firepower.
in 1936 introduced the first modification of the machine, and in 1939 one of them has already gone into serial production.As between Germany and the Soviet Union concluded a treaty of military-technical cooperation, the USSR bought one copy of the machine for testing.After research, it was decided that the tank though enough armored and fast, but the gun is weak.
After the first battles with France Wehrmacht became clear that German tank Pzkfw III does not cope with the tasks assigned to it, so it has been upgraded, it established a more powerful weapon and made his forehead armored to the car was not too easy prey for ACS.But since the quality of enemy vehicles continued to grow, and the piling up of new modules Pzkfw III led to a significant increase in weight, and therefore deterioration of terrain, tank production was discontinued.
Panzerkampfwagen IV
production of this machine takes the company Krupp, which was entrusted with the development and creation of a powerful tank weighing 24 tons with a 75-millimeter cannon.Like many other German tanks of World War II, PzKpfw IV was equipped with a chassis, which is composed of rollers 8, which improved maneuverability and flotation machines.
have been many modifications of the tank.After the test, the first Model A was decided to install a more powerful engine, which was done in the following two versions B and C, who took part in the Polish campaign.Although they have proven in the field is quite good, it was decided to create a new model with improved armor.All subsequent models substantially modified, taking into account the experience gained after the first test versions.
From 1937 until 1945 produced 8525 copies of various modifications that have participated in almost all the battles and worked well throughout the war.That is why on the basis of PzKpfw IV was created a few other machines.
Panzerkampfwagen V Panther
Overview German tanks proved that PzKpfw V Panther was one of the most efficient machines of the Wehrmacht.Chess suspension, 75-mm gun and a good armor made him the best German tanks, according to many experts.
Since the first years of the war the German armored vehicles meets the requirements, the development of powerful tanks remained in the initial stages.But when the Soviet Union has demonstrated its superiority in tankostroitelstve, released a KV and T-34, which were significantly superior to the existing German tanks of World War II, the Third Reich began to think about the production of a new, more powerful model.
PzKpfw V Panther, created on the basis of the T-34, participated in major battles at the front of the whole of Europe and has shown himself well.Although the production of this model was a lengthy and costly, it is justified all the hopes of the founders.Today remained only 16 copies, one of which is in the tank museum Kubinka.
Heavy tanks
During World War II the main firepower of Germany were just heavy tanks.This is not surprising when you take into account their technical characteristics.The most powerful heavy German tank - is, of course, "Tiger," but not graze back no less famous "Mouse".
Panzerkampfwagen VI Tiger
The "Tiger" was developed in 1941, and in August 1942 the first copies participated in the battle of Leningrad, and later in the Battle of Kursk.After German troops attacked the Soviet Union and met strong resistance as maneuverable armored T-35, a weapon which was capable of damaging any German tank, it was decided to create a machine that could give him a rebuff.Therefore, the engineers had to create a modernized analog HF-1 technology PzKpfw IV.
excellent armor and 88-mm gun tank did best among the heavy tanks around the world that have been recognized by the troops of the United States, Britain and France.A powerful book of the tank on all sides made it practically invincible, but such new weapons caused the anti-Hitler coalition need for new means of struggle.Therefore, towards the end of the war opponents Germany were on hand to ACS, which are able to destroy a German tank "Tiger".Including these included the Soviet SU-100 and ISU-152.
Panzerkampfwagen VIII Maus
Wehrmacht planned construction of super-heavy tank that would be unattainable target for enemy vehicles.After Hitler had signed an order to develop leading machine builders convinced him that there was no need for the creation of such a model.But Ferdinand Porsche thought otherwise and so personally started to design a complete set of new super heavy military vehicles.The result is a "Mouse", whose armor is 200-240 mm, which is a record for military equipment.
Total 2 copies saw the light, but they were blown up by the Red Army in 1945, like many other German tanks.Photos that have been preserved, and the model assembled from the two aforementioned bombed tanks provide an excellent idea of how powerful was this model.
Conclusion
To summarize, it must be said that at least in Germany during World War II tank industry was fairly well developed, its trends emerged as a response to such models of Soviet tanks as HF, HF-1, T-35, anda lot others.This fact makes it clear how important for the outcome of the war played a desire of the Soviet people to the victory.
