The light tank; Panzerkampfwagen 38(t) or Panzer 38 (t) was the Czechoslovakian tank ČKD LT vz. 38. After the invasion of Czechoslovakia by the German Army the Czech tanks were used in German ranks. Photographed at Militracks, Liberty Park, Overloon, Netherlands 2012.
Czechoslovakian tank ČKD LT vz. 38
The ČKD LT vz. 38 was a light tank developed in Czechoslovakia by the ČKD (Czech) company in the late 1930s. It was designed as a successor to the earlier LT vz. 35, which had been a reliable, but slightly outdated design. The LT vz. 38 was intended to be more modern, with better mobility, firepower, and protection.
It was equipped with a 37mm cannon and a coaxial 7.92mm MG 34, offering better firepower compared to previous light tanks. The tank’s hull was made of welded steel, offering increased protection over the older riveted designs. Its 150 hp engine gave it a top speed of around 34 km/h, making it reasonably fast for its class.
One of the most notable features of the LT vz. 38 was its sloped armor, which improved its deflection against enemy fire, a design that would later influence the development of German tanks, including the Panzer III and Panzer IV. Initially used by the Czechoslovak Army, the tank saw wider use when Germany occupied Czechoslovakia in 1939. The German military acquired large numbers of these tanks and used them as part of their Panzer divisions. The LT vz. 38 remained in service throughout the early years of World War II and was eventually phased out in favor of more advanced models.
