Specification Crew : 4 Engine : Skoda T11 Combat weight : 10.50 tons Max speed : road . 35 km/h Range : 190 km Length : 4.90 m Width : 2.10 m Height : 2.35 m Main gun : One 20mm KwK34(t) L/40 : Two 7.92mm MG37(t) Armour : 8mm to 25mm

The Panzerkampfwagen 35(t) was the main battle tank of the Czech Army during the years immediately preceding the German annexation of Bohemia and Moravia in March 1939.Initially this tank was unreliable and although this problem was eventually solved , its bad reputation remained.After it had been taken into German service it was systematically rebuilt and remained in service for more then three years.At the time of its development it represented a very advanced design , with more then adequate armour and fire power but its technical specification included too many complex features notably a pneumatically operated transmission. Rear sprocket drive , small road wheels and particularly wide tracks were the identifying features.The armour was riveted in the contemporary style.The main gun was developed from the Skoda anti-tank gun of the same calibre and was renowned for its accuracy.The pneumatically controlled gearbox which was designed to ease driving , proved a great weakness and gave trouble during the Russian winter of 1941. Of the Pz Fpfw 35(t) taken from the Czech Army in 1939 , scarcely more then fifty per cent were ready for action and these served with the 1st Light Division in Poland.In October 1939 the 11th Panzer Regiment and the 65th Panzerabteilung of that division were renamed the 6th Panzer Division which continued to use these tanks both in France in 1940 and on the North front in Russia until late 1941 by which time the bulk of the divisions armour had been lost.The Pz Kpfw 35(t) also served with the Army of Bulgaria , 26 being exported by Germany in February 1940 and 10 being supplied direct by Skoda in the summer of 1940.The Armies of Rumania and Slovakia had considerable numbers of these tanks in service through-out the war having been supplied by Skoda prior to 1939.