Neubaufahrzeug

The Neubaufahrzeug ('new-build vehicle'—a cover name) series of tank prototypes were Nazi Germany's first attempt to create a medium tank after Adolf Hitler came to power in 1933. Multi-turreted, heavy, and relatively slow (with a top speed of 19 mph), the type proved to have too many problems with its front drive and engine, which led the manufacturers to produce only five units. The Wehrmacht used the tank primarily for propaganda purposes, though three took part in the Battle of Norway in 1940. Later in the war, two units participated in operations in Ukraine and Romania, and the Germans may also have used one or two in the defense of Berlin in 1945. Even with its faults, the Neubaufahrzeug provided insight into tank design that was valuable for the next German medium tank project, which led to the development of the Panzer IV type. The main, fully-rotating, turret of this tank had a short-barreled 75 mm KwK 37 (L/24) low-velocity gun plus a 37 mm KwK 36 (L/45) gun; both guns were capable of firing anti-tank and anti-personnel rounds. In front of the main turret was a smaller turret with limited traverse featuring one 7.92 mm MG 34; a similar small turret with limited traverse was located to the rear of the main turret, equipped with two 7.92 mm MG 34 machine guns. A crew of six operated this vehicle. The multiple values for attacks against vehicles indicate the firepower of the 75 mm gun (top value) or the 37 mm gun (bottom value).