The Czech artillery tractors

In 1942, the now old Czechoslovak tank LT vz.35 used by the Wehrmacht wince 1939 under the name PzKpfw 35 (t) was consider no longer frontline capable and too vulnerable, especially on the eastern front. It could have been decided to send them back for anti-partisan operations, but there was a real need for artillery towing vehicles, and therefore, in March 1942, WaPrüf 6 decided to test a conversion as artillery tractor.

The prototype was converted by Alkett to validate the concept, after which Skoda would take on the conversion of 49 of these tanks (remaining over the initial 224 used by Germany) and by 1942 thirty-seven were converted, by 1943, sixteen were converted. The main operation consisted in removing the turret and transform the inner compartment. Removed turrets were mated to standard or improvized bunkers, taking place in permanent fortifications of Denmark (30) and Corsica as antitank positions (Panzertürm) keeping their 47 mm anti-tank cannon Skoda A5 gun and coaxial LMG.

Design

technical profile - src unknown

The 49 vehicles chosen were disarmed after the turret was removed. Over the now open fighting compartment, was covered with a canvas roof, strapped onto a simple tubular frame to provide some weather cover, raised at the back and with a small platic window. It can be rolled up on the roller installed at the elevate rear of the frame.

At the rear of the chassis a robust crossbeam with a load capacity of 12 tons was welded on the back plate. Also canister holders for jerrycans were mounted on both sies of the hull close to the opening with further holders for four more jerrycans inside the hull. Ammunition was also carried for the towed gun.

The vehicle was lighter than the original, having no turret, weighting 22,046 lb (11 tons) while the lenght overall was now of 16 ft ⅞ inches long or 4.90 meters. Overall Width was the same as before at 6 ft 8 ⅞ in or 2 meters and overall Height went down to 5 ft 10 ⅞ in or 1.52 meters. Ground Clearance was one 1 ft 1 ¾ in or 0.34 meter.

The Armour was unchanged, the chassis front being protected by one 1 inch (25 mm), the sides by 0.6 in (15 mm) and the back plate, and the top deck by 0.3 in (12 mm) as the belly. As said above, there was no armament. To make room inside, the ball mount Skoda LMG was dismounted and the opening plated over. The crew of three had their personal weapons through, submachine gun MP40 and Walter P38 pistols.

Propulsion was also unchanged with the same Škoda T-11/0 4-cylinder gasoline water cooled engine displacing 526 cubic inches and weighting alone 1,984 lb (0.99 tons). The engine was rated for 118.3 bhp at 1,800 rpm. It was coupled with a standard 3 speed gearbox with 2 reductions weighting 1,102 lb or 500 kgs. Top speed was just 35 kph (22 mph).

Mörserzugmittel 35(t) specifications
Dimensions	4.9 x 2 x 1.52m
Total weight, battle ready	11 tons
Crew	3
Propulsion	Škoda T-11 4-cyl gas. WC 526 cu/in 118 hp
Suspension	Leaf springs, 4 bogies, 2x16 roadwheels
Maximum speed	35 kph (22 mph)
Range	Unknown
Armament	None
Armor	1-in down to 0.3 in (25-12 mm)
Total production	50 conversions

Combat Deployment

disabled vehicle in the winter of 1944-45

The fate of these 49 vehicles is unknown, apart the fact they were assigned to various artillery batallions and used on the eastern front, probably close to home, on the southern front. Many photos survived, helping us to define its use.

Links

V. Francev, Ch. K. Kliment - Škoda LT vz.35 - MBI publishing house
archive Škoda a.s., Pilsen

scalemates.com
kfzderwehrmacht.de
armedconflicts.com

Main model in standard camouflage, 1943


In winter, 1943-44.

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