The Neubaufahrzeug was an interesting tank prototype used for a brief time by Germany during World War II
Description[]
The Neubaufahrzeug was a mighty beast that was built by Krupp and Rheinmetall. armed with a 7.5cm (2.95in) and 3.7cm (1.5in) guns. All examples of the Neubaufahrzeug had two Panzer I turrets which housed two coaxial 7.62mm (0.3in) machine guns.[1] It had a Maybach HL 108TR300 engine and a crash gearbox as a transmission.[1]
Variants[]
Only five Neubaufahrzeug were produced before production ended in 1936. [2]
Development[]
The Neubaufahrzeug originated from a secret project undertaken after Adolf Hitler came to power in Germany.[2] The goal of the project was to develop a heavy tank for Germany's growing new army. The first two designs were produced by Krupp and Rheinmetall. They were know initially as the Model A and Model B respectfully, but the designs were later renamed to the Panzerkampfwagen Neubaufahrzeug V and Panzerkampfwagen Neubaufahrzeug VI respectfully. [1] They differed only in the arrangement of the 75mm and 37mm cannons.[1] The first few prototypes hulls were produced in mild steel and final assembly occured at Krupp's factory.[1] The first prototype had a Rheinmetall turret, the rest of the prototypes were equipped with A version of the tank was proposed that would carry a 105mm field gun instead of the dual-cannons.[2] However, none of these were built. By the time of these prototypes being built, German Armored Tactics were beginning to focus more on a fast paced warfare.[3] Because of this, the Neubaufahrzeug was deemed to not be a priority and never reached production status.[3]
Operational History[]
The Neubaufahrzeug was used for a few years in the same role as some other multi-turreted tanks such as the T-35 Heavy Tank, propandga. For example, in 1939, one of the Neubaufahrzeug prototypes was on exhibit in the International Automobile Exposition in Berlin.[3] However, all of this was to change rapidly when the Germans invaded Norway. Three companies of Panzers were to be sent to Norway in support of the invasion.[4] The first two companies arrived in Norway without any trouble.[4] The third company company however, lost a large percent of their tanks (12 Panzer Is, 6 Panzer IIs, and a command tank) when their transports were sunk by a British Submarine.[4] To replace the tanks lost, a platoon-sized which had three Neubaufahrzeug Panzerkampfwagen VI prototypes were sent to Norway[4]. The unit was known as the Panzerzug Horstmann or Zug Putloss.[4] The unit arrived on April 19th and the unit and its tanks were displayed in propaganda shoots.[4] The deployment and focus on the Neubaufahrzeug was also probably an attempt to scare the Norwegians[3], as well as to show the Allies that the Germans did indeed have Heavy Tanks[4]. The unit was assigned to Pz. Abt. z. B. v. 40 and the 196 Infantry Division.[4] As Norway had no domestic tanks at the time of the invasion, the Neubaufahrzeug was used primarily to provide infantry support rather than in the anti-tank role.[4] The Neubaufahrzeug was soon realized to be not as suitable to the Wehrmacht's fast-moving style of warfare as light and medium tanks.[3] One Neubaufahrzeug was stuck in a swamp, and the Germans were forced to destroy the stalled tank to avoid its capture.[3] That tank was promptly replaced by a Rheinmetall Neubauhrzeug.[3] Another tank was immobilized by anti-tank fire by a French 25mm Hotchkiss anti-tank gun being operated by the British.[4] After the Norwegian campaign, the Neubaufahrzeug did not see active service again, and all remaining Neubaufahrzeug tanks were ordered to be scrapped.[3]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 http://www.tanks-encyclopedia.com/ww2/nazi_germany/neubaufahrzeug.php
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 https://www.militaryfactory.com/armor/detail.asp?armor_id=572
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 https://ww2db.com/vehicle_spec.php?q=T329
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 4.9 http://www.nuav.net/panzer.html
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