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Panzer 38(t)
LT vz.38/Panzer 38(t)


"Even a 38(t) can do it from zero distance."
―Anzu

The Panzer 38(t) (short for Panzerkampfwagen 38(t), German ordnance designation: Sd.Kfz.140), originally known as the LT vz.38 (short for Lehký tank vzor 38, Light Tank model 38), was a Czech tank developed during the Interwar period. None of them entered Czech service, but many saw German service throughout WWII.

History[]

Development[]

The LT vz.38 was designed by the Czech firm ČKD as a replacement for the LT vz.35 tank, which had a troublesome pneumatic system assisting its suspension and transmission, and was complex. The LT vz.35's suspension was upgraded to a much simpler one, the gun was upgraded with a 37 mm Skoda A7 gun (37mm KwK 38(t) under German service), and the engine was upgraded with a 6-cylinder. The resulting LT vz.38 had better reliability and was much easier to repair and maintain.

None had yet entered service when Germany occupied Czechoslovakia, but its production was continued for the Wehrmacht, whose need for tanks was dire. It was considered an excellent tank compared to the Panzer I and Panzer II that were the Panzerwaffe's main tanks during the outset of WWII. They entered German service first as the LTM 38, and then, after January 1940, as the Panzerkampfwagen 38(t). In German service, a loader position was added to the turret by reducing the ammunition capacity by 18 rounds.

Operational History[]

Despite having small numbers, it served with distinction during the Polish Campaign in 1939 and the Battle of France in 1940. It began to show its limits during the Operation Barbarossa in 1941 when the tank was outclassed by new Soviet tanks, notably the T-34. Production of the 38(t) tank ceased in 1942, however production of the basic hull continued for myriad variations such as Marder III tank-hunters, the successful Jagdpanzer 38(t) ("Hetzer"), self-propelled artillery such as the Grille, and the Flakpanzer 38(t), these variations eventually totalling more vehicles than the original 38(t) tanks themselves. Some surviving regular tanks were sold to German allies such as Hungary, Slovakia, Romania, and Bulgaria.

The tank also saw service in Iran, who received 60 TNHP (export version to Iran) from 1935 to 1937. Peru bought 25 LTP (export version to Peru) in 1936 that stayed in service until 1988. It saw service in Switzerland as the Panzerwagen 39, with twenty-four gunless LTH (export version to Switzerland) were delivered just before the German offensives began. Lithuania ordered 21 LTL (export version to Lithuania), but none were delivered due the 1940 Soviet annexation, and their order was taken over by Slovakia under the designation LT vz.40. Sweden ordered 90 PzKpfw 38(t) Ausf.S in 1940, but these were seized by Germany; in compensation Germany allowed Sweden to build their own tanks under license as the Stridsvagn m/41, which in return became the basis for a tank destroyer and an armored personnel carrier.

In Girls und Panzer[]

Anime[]

The Panzer 38(t) Ausf.B/C was found in the woods during the search for Oarai's long-lost tanks, located by Hana when she catches the scent of oil and iron among the scents of flowers. It was assigned to Turtle Team during the very first training match (which foreshadowed Momo's less-than-stellar gunner skills), during which it was the third tank to be destroyed by Anglerfish Team's Panzer IV. After the match, when all teams (except for Anglerfish) repainted their tanks, it was painted a high-visibility gold.

During the training match against St. Gloriana Girls College, it was immobilized when it lost its left track during their opponent's initial assault. Its crew later managed to fix the track and return to the fight. Though it missed its own shot at point blank range, its arrival distracted the St. Gloriana tanks, and by drawing four simultaneous shots from the Churchill and three Matildas —an overkill knockout— in the time it took for the St. Gloriana tanks to reload, the cornered Panzer IV had time to escape. After the lessons learned in that match, it was then repainted to its original color.

During the tournament first round match against Saunders University High School, the Panzer 38(t) acted as the flag tank; It didn't do anything notable during the match.

During the tournament quarter-finals match against Anzio Girls High School, the Panzer 38(t) again acted as the flag tank; it was used at the end of the match to lure Anzio's flag tank into a kill zone to be taken down.

During the tournament semi-finals match against Pravda Girls High School, after breaking the siege the Panzer 38(t), with Anzu replacing Momo as the gunner, closed to point blank range and managed to destroy two T-34/85s and detracked another before its killing spree was ended by Nonna.

Before the final match, the Panzer 38(t) was converted into a Jagdpanzer 38(t) Hetzer.

Manga[]

During the alternate-manga quarter-final match against Anzio it was first used as recon with Duck Team, but caught by Anzio's vanguard, it took heavy fire until others came to its rescue. It fires (and misses) at CV.33s, but when Ooarai falls into Anzio's trap and is caught in a heavy bombardment, it works with the Panzer IV to storm the two possible positions of the P26/40. Once at the hilltop it tries (but fails) to shoot the enemy flag tank.

Fierce Fight !!! It's Maginot Battle[]

During the practice match against Maginot Girls' Academy, the Panzer 38(t) managed to disable (at point-blank range) an R39 detracked by Duck Team. It and Rabbit Team were then pursued by a SOMUA S35 and a B1 Bis; when the M3 Lee rammed the B1 Bis to stop it, the Panzer 38(t) fired at it twice (landing hits on the side and the back), but failed to pierce its armor. The 38(t) was destroyed by the B1 Bis, taking a shot intended for the M3 Lee, allowing Rabbit Team to destroy the behemoth.

Phase Erika[]

Kuromorimine Girls Academy owns some Panzer 38(t)s for training purposes for first-year students. The newly arrived Erika commanded one during a training session, where she made good impression.

Warning: The following information may not be inside Girls und Panzer's main core. It has some level of canonicity within the continuity, but reader discretion is advised.

Ribbon Warrior[]

A Panzer 38(t) Ausf.B/C from an unidentified school is seen fighting a M2A4 during a Tankathlon match, where it was destroyed.

During the Cauldron tournament, second round, Pink Team fielded two LT vz.38 (Panzer 38(t) Ausf.G), commanded by Kafka and Mucha. It is unknown if they scored any hits. Mucha's tank was destroyed during the ONI Team assault, but was put back into combat soon after; Kafka's took part in the "Anti-ONI Team," where it was eventually destroyed during the assault.

Centipede Alliance fielded one LT vz.38 from Gregor High School, commanded by Kafka, during a challenge Sensha-do match against Bonple High School for the rights to fight Miho in a official match. During the match, alongside Bosphorus' R35 and Semla's Strv m/40 it manages to destroy a 7TPdw. It later shoots down the TK Tankette part of Pierogi's group, and near the end of the match it shoots down either Uszka or Maiko's 7TPjw, only to be annihilated by an infuriated Jajka.

Non-GuP core informations ends here.


Gekkan Senshado Magazine[]

Count High School operates LT vz.38 tanks under the Romanian designation T-38.

Gregor High School owns some of them under the designation LT vz.38.

Yogurt Academy fielded one Panzer 38(t) Ausf.G as the flag tank during the tournament first round match against Waffle Academy. Its role in the match is unknown.

Yogurt Academy again fielded their Panzer 38(t) as the flag tank during the quarter-finals match against St. Gloriana Girls College. Its role during the battle is unknown but it likely took part in the ineffective bombardment of St. Gloriana tanks. The Panzer 38(t) was then spotted by a Matilda, and as it attempted to flee was destroyed with a side shot by the Churchill's gunner, Assam.

The Fir Tree and the Iron-Winged Witch[]

Count High School fielded four T-38s (callsigns Tank N°5, 6, 7 and 8) in a practice match against Saunders University High School. Tank N°5 was part of the flag tank (Tank N°1) escort, together with a T.3 (Tank N°2). Tank N°7, commanded by Mizuki, was charged to keep an eye on the Saunders main force, and Tanks N°6 and N°8 formed up alongside the Mareșal (Tank N°10) and the R.2 (Tank N°9). Tank N°5 was seen engaging Saunders scouts and, later, their main force, where it was destroyed by the Firefly, that had been laying in ambush. After finish scouting, Tank N°7 regrouped with the flag tank and retreated with Noemi's T.3 (Tank N°3) and the TA (Tank N°4). Tanks N°6 and N°8, alongside Tank N°9, acted as spotters for the Mareșal; after it was destroyed they regrouped with the remaining retreating tanks.

Das Finale[]

Yogurt Academy fielded at least four Panzer 38(t) Ausf.B/C (one being the flag tank) during the Winter Continuous Track Cup first round match against Jatkosota High School. They are seen charging the BT-42, which was still able, through extreme maneuvers, to destroy their flag tank at the back.

Trivia[]

  • While first designated LT vz.38 (Czech: Lehký tank vzor 38, Light Tank model 38), this designation was never used, as Czechoslovakia was annexed by Germany in 1939 before the tank reached service.
    • The "t" on the German designation stands for Tschechisch, which is the German name for Czech.
  • This is the only Czech tank to appear in the anime. Other Czech tanks appear in mangas: the Panzer 35(t) in Phase Erika and the CKD AH-IV in Ribbon Warrior.
  • The Panzer 38(t) conversion into a Hetzer with the "Hetzer Conversion Kit" would be impossible in real life: to create that variant the Panzer 38(t)'s chassis was widened and lengthened, the suspension were modified, and the engine was upgraded.
  • In the manga match against Anzio, the Panzer 38(t) isn't the flag tank, as in the anime; the role of flag tank was taken by the StuG III.
  • In the manga Ribbon Warrior there are some inconsistencies with Gregor's Panzer 38(t) model. During its first appearance it is shown with straight front hull armor bolted with five bolts on the top row, specific to an Ausf.E/F; during its later appearance it has only three bolts on the top row, specific of the Ausf.G.
  • In the Comic Walker edition of Ribbon Warrior, in chapters 37 and 38, during the Cauldron Tournament's second round the Panzer 38(t) is mistakenly drawn as a Tancík CKD AH-IV. It has been corrected in the paper version for chapter 37 but not for chapter 38.
  • In chapter 39, page 35, one of Gregor LT vz.38 is mistakenly drawn as a M22 Locust.
  • In the manga The Fir Tree and the Iron-Winged Witch, the Panzer 38(t) used by Count is labelled LT-38E; this designation wasn't used by Romania, who used the designation T-38 instead.
    • As in Ribbon Warrior, there are inconsistencies with its appearance: in the first five chapters the Panzer 38(t) is shown to have the straight front hull armor and additional front armor of an Ausf.E or F, while in the 8th chapter it has the curved front plate of either an Ausf A, B, or C. In the 11th chapter it goes back to the straight additional armor, on page 8 of the 12th chapter it still has its straight armor, while on page 11 the curved front plate returns.

Gallery[]

Panzer 38t 2
Main article: Panzer 38(t)/Gallery


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