Panzer I

Intended as a training tank, the Panzer I nevertheless saw combat during the Spanish Civil War; in Poland, France, the Soviet Union, and North Africa during the early years of the Second World War; and in China during the Second Sino-Japanese War. It was less capable than some other contemporary light tank designs, such as the Soviet T-26, although it was still relatively advanced compared to older designs still in front-line service with several nations, such as the French Renault FT. Its performance in armored combat was limited by its thin armour and light armament of two 7.92 mm MG 13 machine guns in a fully-rotating turret, which were intended for infantry suppression. A crew of two operated the vehicle, which could reach a top speed of 23 mph.. Even with its limitations, it formed a large part of Germany's mechanized forces and was used in all major campaigns between September 1939 and December 1941, where it still performed much useful service against entrenched infantry and other 'soft' targets, which were unable to respond even against thin armor, and who were highly vulnerable to machine gun fire. In 1941, the Panzer I Ausf. B chassis was used as the basis for the German Army's first tracked tank destroyer, the Panzerjäger I. Four German manufacturers produced 1,659 Panzer Is in four main variants between 1934 and 1938. This unit represents all Panzer I variants.