"Panzer 38(t) - where made?" Topic

Hi all,

Where was the factory (presumably one?) that made these Czech light tanks, and when did the Nazis get their hands on it?

Was it in the Sudetenland, which Hitler was granted as part of the Munich Agreement of Sept 1938? Or was it elsewhere in Czechoslovakia, and therefore snapped up in March 1939, when Hitler invaded and took control of the rest of the country?

Many thanks in advance for any help,
Redcoat

Skoda's (the maker) main works were at Pizen Not to far from Germany but I am not sure if this is in Sudetenland or not. Their works at Brno are well into Czechoslovakia. I do not know how production was split between these an several other plants.

x42

Skoda works at Pilsen in Bohemia, CKD factory at Prague (Pz35). Tatra, who made some armoured cars, were at Koprivnice in Moravia.

If you are interested in Czech vehicles and can find a copy (?) try getting 'Czechoslovak armoured fighting vehicles 1918-1945' by H.C.Doyle and C.K.Kliment. (Bellona Publications, 1979)

Neither Pilsen, nor Brno, were in the Sudetenland territories taken by Germany in September 1938. Googling various sources would indicate that the Germans seized the bulk of the Pz38(t) stocks when they took the rest of Czechoslovakia in March 1939.

There is also 'Czechoslovak Armored Fighting Vehicles 1918-1948' by C. Kliment and V. Francev (Schiffer 1997). According to this book Skoda did not make the 38t. They were all made by CKD, though Skoda supplied the guns. Both Skoda and CKD made the Hetzer, and what was to become the Pz35t.

Many thanks, gents! That's exactly what I wanted to know!