Design Overview & Tactical Role
Disguised under the clandestine codename 'Landwirtschaftlicher Schlepper' ('Agricultural Tractor') to circumvent the Treaty of Versailles, the Panzer I was Germany's first armored fighting vehicle built after World War I. While only armed with twin rifle-caliber 7.92 mm machine guns and protected by thin 13 mm armor, it was the indispensable vehicle upon which General Heinz Guderian founded the doctrine of the Blitzkrieg.
Combat History & Battle Records
Tested extensively in the Spanish Civil War with the Condor Legion, the Panzer I formed over a third of the Wehrmacht's armored strength during the invasions of Poland (1939) and France (1940), out-maneuvering heavier Allied opponents through radio coordination and speed.
Related Armored Vehicles (WWI & Interwar)
Modern
2014
Modern
2001
Cold War
1965
World War II
1942