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Overview[]

The Panzerkampfwagen I Ausf. F, nicknamed Minenknacker (Mine cracker), is a German heavy tank developed from the PzKpfw I Series.

Development[]

On 24 November 1938, the new Oberbefehshaber des Heeres (commanding general of the army), General Walther von Brauchitsch, established a new direction favouring offensive capability. As part of this, schwere Panzer-Kompanien (heavy tank companies), equipped with Panzerkampfwagen schwerster Art (heaviest type of tanks), were to engage fortifications and other static defensive positions.

Design of the VK18.01 was started when In 6 ordered Wa Prüf 6 to develop the Pz.Kpfw. I with emphasis on the heaviest possible armour within the 18 ton weight limit of the portable engineering bridges, the 80mm plates are capable of protecting against 5cm AP fired at 685m/s, and the 50mm plates protected against 3,7cm AP fired at 745m/s. Wa Prüf 6 sent contracts for the turret to Daimler-Benz, and the chassis to Krauss-Maffei. MAN received a contract for the VK16.01, later known as the Panzerkampfwagen II Ausf. J. Multiple components were to be shared between the VK16.01 and VK18.01 chassis.

On 15 November 1939, representatives from Krauss-Maffei and MAN met to discuss working together to divide work. Each company was to manufacture and assemble four trial vehicles. Krauss-Maffei designed and manufactured the suspension. Eight sets were produced, four were used in the VK16.01 trial chassis, and the other four in the VK18.01.

The Versuchs-Serie (trial series) VK18.01 has different track guards, a 13-tooth drive sprocket, and Kgs 61/500/160 tracks.

On 22 December 1939, In 6 authorized a 0-Serie of 30 VK18.01 by Wa Prüf 6. Contracts for 30 turrets were issued to Daimler-Benz, and 30 chassis for Krauss-Maffei, who was to assemble them.

On 3 February 1940, the Wa Prüf 6 contract 106.3.0772/39 was awarded to Krupp in Essen for 30 sets of armour components to be delivered from November 1940 through March 1941.

The development of the VK18.01 was continued even after the fortifications the vehicle was originally designed to combat, such as the Maginot Line, were neutralized.

In April 1940, the 30 0-Serie chassis were planned to be completed and delivered between December 1940 and March 1941. They were completed by December 1942.

In 6 authorized acquisition of a 1.Serie of 100 VK18.01, with delivery to begin at the end of 1941. This order was withdrawn by 1 July 1942.

Service[]

1.Kp./Pz.Abt.z.b.V.66 / 8.Kp./Pz.Rgt.29[]

Five PzKpfw I F were assigned to 1. Kompanie of Panzer-Abteilung z.b.V. 66, which was created on 30 May 1942 in Southern Italy. They were originally created to support an intended assault on Crete, Operation Herkules (Hercules). However they were sent to the Eastern Front to support attacks on the fortifications south of Leningrad.

On 1 September 1942, 1.Kompanie was attached to Panzer-Regiment 29 in the 12. Panzer-Division. At this time seven were assigned, six of which were operational. After combat near Tortolowo on 10 September 1942, only two were operational. Two had been destroyed, and two were stuck in marshland awaiting recovery. On 26 September, another vehicle was lost in the marsh.

By 24 October 1942, six of the seven vehicles had been recovered, however only two were operational.

In early December 1942, one vehicle was sent back to Germany for major repairs, and five were operational.

In January 1943, five replacement PzKpfw I F were assigned to the renamed 1.Kompanie/Panzer-Abteilung z.b.V. 66, the 8.Kompanie/Panzer-Regiment 29. Three vehicles were lost in February, and another two were lost in April.

On 9 May 1943, only one PzKpfw I F was still with the 8.Kompanie. Four were assigned to the II.Abt.Stabskompanie.

On 1 July 1943, prior to Operation Zitadelle (Citadel), five unmanned PzKpfw I F were given to Pz.Inst.Abt.559 in Krupka by 10 July 1943.

2.Polizei-Panzer-Kompanie (neu)[]

On 17 May 1943, the 2. Polizer-Panzer-Kompanie (neu) was re-established in Vienna, Austria. Five PzKpfw I F had been assigned to the 3.Zug.

In August 1943, they were sent to Russia, they returned to Vienna in August 1944 after losing all of their armoured vehicles.

Panzer-Regiment 1[]

On 5 March 1943, two PzKpfw I C and eight PzKpfw I F were reported to be operating with the II.Abteilung/Panzer-Regiment 1. In early November 1943, they were sent to Russia.

On 20 November 1943, they had reported that one PzKpfw I C was operational, and only one of the seven remaining PzKpfw I F was operational.

On 1 December 1943, PzKpfw I F (Fgst.Nr.150328) was reported as a total loss due to a fire while being repaired. Two PzKpfw I F were operational by 10 December.

From 10 December to 21 December, the remaining PzKpfw I C and five PzKpfw I F were returned to Germany for major repairs. Only one remaining PzKpfw I F was with Panzer-Regiment 1 by the end of 1943.

Variants[]

See Panzerkampfwagen I for variants.

VK18.01 / Panzerkampfwagen I Ausf. F[]

Standard model.

VK18.02[]

Variant with an alternative drive train. Design calculations were completed on 9 July 1940 for installing an 8-speed semi-automatic VG 15319 transmission with a triple-radius LG 45 R steering unit.

Flag of Germany (1935 to 1945) Germany (Deutsches Reich) War Flag of Germany (1938-1945)
Land Vehicles
1919 - 1945
Tracked Vehicles
Light Tanks Light Tanks E 10kl.Tr (A.H.)kl.Tr. Fgst.Nr.8000kl.Tr.l.K.A.1l.K.A.2l. Pz.Kpfw. z.V.g.E.u.Lz. m. 5,5cm v.at.wa.Pz.Kpfw. I (ABCD)Pz.Kpfw. II (abcABCDEFGHJLM)Pz.Kpfw. 35(t)Pz.Kpfw. 38 (t) (ABCDEFGSnA)Pz.Kpfw. 38 DPz.Kpfw. LeopardPz.Kpfw. T-15Pz.Kpfw. T-21Pz.Kpfw. T-22Pz.Kpfw. T-23VAE 393VK6.01VK6.02VK9.01VK9.02VK9.03VK13.03VK16.01VK16.02
Amphibious Light Tanks Pz.Kpfw. II (Schwimm)Pz.Kpfw. 38 (t) (Schwimm)
Flamethrower Light Tanks Fl.Pz. I AFl.Pz. II AFl.Pz. II B
Command Light Tanks Führungs-Fahrzeug auf Pz.Kpfw. 731(r)Pz.Bfw. I (A (early)A (mid)A (late)BB RahmenantenneB für Sd.Kfz.300/303)Pz.Bfw. 35(t)
Medium Tanks Medium Tanks B.W. I(Rh)B.W. I(K)B.W. II(K)E 50gr.Tr.(DB)gr.Tr.(K)gr.Tr.(Rh)K.A.v.m.K.A.Mw.Pz.Nb.Pz.Kpfw. IVPz.Kpfw. 740(f)Pz.Kpfw. III (ABCDEE+FF+GG+HJKLMN)Pz.Kpfw. III/IVPz.Kpfw. IV (ABCDEF1F2GHJW1462)Pz.Kpfw. Panther (DAGFIIV1V2)VK20.01(Rh)VK24.01VK28.01(K)VK30.01(DB)VK30.01(H)VK30.01(MAN) (V1V2)VK30.01(P)VK30.02Z.W. (38394041V1V3V4)
Amphibious Medium Tanks T.Pz. III (BFGHPz.Bfw. III H)T.Pz. IVT.Stu.G. IIIU.-T.Fz.
Command Medium Tanks Pz.Bfw. III (D1EGH (early)H (late)KM)Pz.Bfw. IV (HJ)Pz.Bfw. V DPz.Bfw. V D mit Pz.Kpfw. IV H TurmPz.Bfw. V APz.Bfw. V GPz.Kpfw. III (Fu) JPz.Kpfw. III (Fu) LPz.Kpfw. III (Fu) NT.Pz.Bfw. III H
Flamethrower Medium Tanks Fl.Pz. III MFl.Pz. 38 (t)Fl.Pz. 740(f)
Heavy Tanks Standard Heavy Tanks D.W. ID.W. IIE 75E 100I.w.L.K.LK P.1000LK P.1500Pz.Kpfw. I FPz.Kpfw. Tiger (H1H2E)Pz.Kpfw. Tiger IIPz.Kpfw. VIIPz.Kpfw. Maus (Maus II)s.K.A.Typ 205 (/1/2)Typ 245VK18.01VK30.01(H)VK30.01(P)VK36.01(H)VK45.01(P)VK45.01(H)VK45.02(H)VK45.02(P1)VK45.02(P2)VK45.03(H)VK65.01(H)VK70.01(K)VK72.01VK100.01(K)VK100.01(P)VK130.01(K)
Command Heavy Tanks Pz.Bfw. VIPz.Bfw. VI(P)
Self-Propelled Guns SPAA 2cm FlaK 38 auf RSO3cm MK 103 auf Typ 2455cm FlaK 41 auf VK16.025cm FlaK 41 auf VK28.015cm Gerät auf VK16.025cm Gerät auf VK28.015,5cm Gerät 58 Z. auf W.T.5,5cm MK 122 auf Typ 2458,8cm FlaK 37 auf Pz.Kpfw. IV8,8cm FlaK 41 auf Pz.Kpfw. IV8,8cm FlaK 41 (Sfl.) Panther I8,8cm Pz.Fla.K. v. RheinmetallFlak.Pz. IFlak.Pz. IIFlak.Pz. IV KugelblitzFlak.Pz. MöbelwagenFlak.Pz. IV Ostwind (II)Flak.Pz. IV WirbelwindFlak.Pz. ZerstörerFlak.Pz. 38 (t)Flak.Pz. 38 DFlak.Pz. 554Flak.Pz. 747(r)gep.Sfl. f. Fla.K. 41l. Pz.Kpfw. z.V.g.E.u.Lz. m. 5,5cm v.at.wa.Mw.Fz. mit Vierling 2cm
SPATG 3,7cm (Sfl.) auf Hanomag-Schlepper4,7cm PaK 36(t) (Sf) auf Fahrgestell Panzerkampfwagen I4,7cm Pa.K. 38 (t) auf Pz.Kpfw. 731 (r)4,7cm PaK 181(f) auf Panzerjäger LrS(f)4,7cm PaK 183(f) auf Pz.Jgr. Lr.S.(f)5cm PaK 38 auf Fgst. Pz.Kpfw. II7,5cm PaK 40/4 auf RSO7,5cm PaK 42 auf VK9.037,5cm PaK 97/38(f) auf Pz.Kpfw. 740(r)8,8cm PaK 43/1 auf G.W. III/IV10,5cm K 18 auf Pz.Kpfw. IVa12,8cm K 43 auf Gerät 5-121312,8cm K 43 auf Pz.Kpfw. Panther8,8cm PaK 43 auf l.Eh.W.T.E 25JPz. 38 DJ.Pz. 38J.Pz. 38 mit 10,5cm StuH 42J.Pz. 38 mit 7,5cm L/70J.Pz. 38 StarrJ.Pz. IV L/43J.Pz. IV L/48J.Pz. IVbJPz. Jagdpantherl.Tr. (Rh)L.S.K.Marder I LrSMarder I FCM-36Marder I 39HMarder II 75mmMarder II 76.2mmMarder IIIMarder III Ausf. HMarder III Ausf. MPz. IV lang(E)Pz. IV/70(A)Pz. IV/70(V)Pz.Jgr. 38 mit Pz.Kpfw. IV TurmPz.Jgr. FerdinandPz.Jgr. ElefantPz.Jgr. Tiger B(H)Pz.Jgr. Tiger B(P)Pz.Jgr. Tiger B mit 8,8cm PaK 43/3Pz.Jgr. Tiger B mit 12,8cm PaK L/66Pz.Kpfw. mit 7,5cm StuK 40Pz.kl.Z.Pz.Sfl. f. 12,8cm K 40Typ 245/2Typ 250Typ 255s.kl.Pz.Kpfw. mit 10cm PAWs.kl.Pz.Kpfw. mit 10,5cm leFH 43 und 3cm MK 108W.T. 8,8cm Krupp-ArdeltW.T. 8,8cm Rhm.-BorsigW.T. 8,8cm SteyrVK70.02(P)
SPG 7,7cm Kanone auf Hanomag-Schlepper12,8cm Kanone 43 Gerät 5-1211 Krupp15cm sIG 33 auf Pz.Kpfw. 38 (t) MGerät 5-1530Gerät 5-1528Gw. TigerPz.Sfl. IIIStu.H. 42Stu.IG 33Stu.G. LeopardStu.G. III (ABCDEFF/8GL/70)Stu.G. IVStu.G. E 75Stu.G. E 100Stu.G. 853(i)Stu.H.Stu.Pz.Tauch-Stu.G. III
SPH 10,5cm leFH 18/3 Gw. 740(f)10,5cm leFH 16/18 (Sf) auf Geschützwagen FCM-36(f)10,5cm leFH 18 (Sf) auf Geschützwagen LrS(f)10,5cm leFH 18/1 auf Geschützwagen IVb10,5cm leFH 18/40/2 auf Geschützwagen III/IV10,5cm leFH 18/6 auf Geschützwagen III/IV10,5cm leFH 43 auf Typ 24515cm sFH 13 (Sf) auf Geschützwagen LrS(f)15cm schweres Feldhaubitze 18/4 Gerät 81115cm sIG 33 (Sfl) auf Panzerkampfwagen II Ausf.B15cm sIG 33B (Sfl) auf Fahrgestell Panzerkampfwagen III Ausf. HSturmpanzer 38 (t)Wespe
SPM 8cm schwerer Granatwerfer 34 auf Panzerspähwagen AMR-35(f)30,5cm L/16 auf Sfl. Bär30,5cm Mörser M 16 auf Sturmpanzer IVGerät 040Gerät 041Panzermörser 35(t)Sturmpanzer VI Sturmtiger
SPRA Panzerkampfwagen IV Ausf. C mit schweres Wurfgerät 41 28-32cmRaketenwerfer Panther
Explosive Related Remote Controlled Explosives GoliathSpringer
Demolition Carriers Borgward IIIBorgward IV
Mine Laying Ladungsleger auf Panzerkampfwagen I Ausf. ALadungsleger auf Panzerkampfwagen I Ausf. BLadungsleger II
Mine Clearing Alkett Vs.Kfz. 617 MinenräumerBorgward IBorgward IIKrupp Räumer SMinenräumer IIIMineräumpanzer IVMinenräumwagen 1.2.
Misc Tanks Ammunition Carriers Gw.II f. Mun.Gw.III/IV f. Mun.Gw.38 f. Mun. KMunitionspanzer IIIMunitionspanzer für SturmpanzerVK3.01VK3.02VK5.01
Armoured Recovery Bergepanther (DAG)Bergepanzer 38 DBergepanzer 38(t)Berg.Pz. 748(a)Bergepanzer IBergepanzer II Ausf. JBergepanzer II LuchsBergepanzer IIIBergepanzer IVBergepanzer VI(P)VKz35.01
Bridge Laying Br. I ABr. II BBr. IV CBr. IV DBrückenmaterialträgerSturmstegpanzer IV
Engineering & Maintenance Instandsetzungskraftwagen IPi.Pz.Kpfw. IPi.Pz.Kpfw. III
Training Vehicles PzKpfw I A o AufbauPzKpfw I B o AufbauFahrschulpanzer VFahrschulpanzer VIFahrschulpanzer 740(f)
Transport & Towing Raupenschlepper Ost
Rail Tanks Schienenkampfwagen 1
Ramming & Land / Snow Clearance Ramschaufelpanzer PantherVK45.01(P) mit Rammhaube
Recon & Observation Art.-Pz.Beobw. PantherAufkl. 38 D (2cm)Aufkl. 38 D (7,5cm)Aufkl.Pz. 38(t) (2cm)Aufkl.Pz. 38(t) (7,5cm)Aufkl.Pz. (5,5cm)Aufkl.Pz. PantherAufklärungsfarhzeug Auto UnionBoeb.Pz.Wg. IIKugelpanzerPanzer-Aufklärer auf 38(t)Pz.Beobw. IIPzBeobw IIIPzBeobw IV JPzBeobw V DPzSpw II (2cm)Panzerspähwagen II (5cm)Vollkettenaufklärer 38(t)
Half-Tracked Vehicles
Offensive / Defensive SPAA 2cm Fla.K. 30 auf Fgst. le.Zgkw. 1t2cm Fla.K. 38 auf Fgst. le.Zgkw. 1t2cm Fla.K. 38 (Sf.) auf le.Zgkw. 1t2cm Fla.K. 38 Vierling (Sf.) auf m.Zgkw. 8t3,7cm Fla.K. 43/1 auf Sfl. s.W.S.5cm Fla.K. 41 (Sf.) auf m.Zgkw 5t8,8cm Fla.K. 18 (Sfl.) auf s.Zgkw 12t8,8cm Fla.K. 37 (Sfl.) auf s.Zgkw 18t
Armoured Recon le.S.P.W. (2cm)le.S.P.W. (3,7cm) aAle.S.P.W. (3,7cm) nAPz.Spw. RK A
Fire Support le.S.P.W. (7,5cm)le.S.P.W. (s.Pz.B. 41)
SPM 8cm R-vielfachwerfer auf Fahgestell S 303(f)leichter Schützenpanzerwagen (schwerer Granatwerfer)mittlerer Schützenpanzerwagen S307(f)
SPRA 8cm R.W. auf Fgst. S303(f)8cm Reihenwerfer auf Fahgestell S303(f)
SPATG 5cm PaK 38 (Sf) auf leichter Zugkraftwagen 1t7,5cm PaK 40 (Sf) auf Fahrgestell S 307(f)8,8cm FlaK 18 (Sf) auf schwerer Zugkraftwagen 12t8,8cm FlaK 37 (Sfl.) auf schwerer Zugkraftwagen 18tleichter Schützenpanzerwagen mit Sfl 5cm PaK 38 L/60Panzerjäger S307(f) mit 7,5cm PaK 40 L/46
Utility Ammunition Carriers l.gp.Mun.Tr.Kw.le.Mun.Pz.Wg. (AB)
Command le.Beob.Pz.Wg. n.A.
Communication & Cable Related kl.Kett.Krad. f. Fe.Kab.kl.Kett.Krad. f. s.Fe.Kab.leichter Fernsprechpanzerwagenleichter Funkpanzerwagen
Engineering m.S.P.W. (Pi)
Observation, Spotting & Survey leichter gepanzerter Beobachtungskraftwagenleichter Beobachtungspanzerwagen Altele.Messtrupp-Pz.Wg.m.S.P.W. (IR)
Transport & Towing gepanzerter Transportkraftwagen P380(f)kl.Kett.Kradleichter Schützenpanzerwagen Seriesleichter Schützenpanzerwagen Altele.S.P.W. n.A.le.S.P.W. U304(f)le.Zgkw 1tle.Zgkw 3tle.Zgkw S307(f)m.gep.Zgkw S303(f)m.Zgkw 5tm.Zgkw 8tS.P.W. M2(a)S.P.W. M3(a)s.Zgkw 12ts.Zgkw 18tZgkw P302(b)Zgkw P302(f)Zgkw P304(f)
Wheeled Vehicles
Offensive / Defensive Armoured Cars ARWgep.Kw.l.MG.Kw.l.Pz.Spw. (2cm) Al.Pz.Spw. (2cm) Bl.Pz.Spw. (MG)l.Pz.Spw. (4 Rad) (Tp.)MG.Kw.Pz.Spw. 202(i)Panzerspähwagen Škoda PA-II 4-rads.Pz.Spw. (2cm)s.Pz.Spw. (5cm)s.Pz.Spw. (6rad)s.Pz.Spw. (7,5cm K 37)s.Pz.Spw. (7,5cm K 51)s.Pz.Spw. (7,5cm K L/48)s.Pz.Spw. (7,5cm PaK 40)ZRW
SPAA 2cm Fla.K. 30 auf Volkswagen Schwimmwagen Type 166l.Trlsch.Kw.s.gl.Lkw. L4500A mit 3,7cm Fla.K. 36Sfl. auf Fgst. VOMAG 7 OR 660 mit 8,8cm Fla.K. 36
Other Command Kfz. 14Kfz. 15kl.Pz.Fw. A (AB)le.Fu.Kw.le.Pz.Spw. (Fu.)(AB)Pz.Fw. (6 Rad)Pz.Fw. (8 Rad)Pz.Spw. PA-II (Fu.) (4 Rad)s.gl.gp.Pkw.s.Pz.Spw. (Fu.)
Fire Fighting Obel Blitz 1,0t KzS
Kitchen l.Meßtrupp.Kw.m.Meßtrupp.Kw.Obel Blitz 3,0t Küchenwagen
Medical San.ger.Kw.
Motocycles BMW R17BMW R68BMW R71BMW R75DKW NZ 350FN M12Gillet Herstal 720 ABGnome-Rhône AX IINimbusZündapp DB 200Zündapp DBK 200Zündapp K 800Zündapp KS 600Zündapp KS 750
Transport & Towing Adler 10NAdler 12N 3GAdler 12N RWAdler 3GDAdler V40TAdler W61ADTKBMW 3/15 PSBMW 3/20 PSBMW 309BMW 315BMW 319Borgward 5 tBorgward B 3000 ABorgward B 3000 ABorgward Europa VBorgward L 2000 SBorgward L 2300Borgward Typ 3 t Benzin G.W.Borgward Typ 3 t Diesel G.W.Ford BBFord EGaFord EGbFord EGdFord EG Typ 40Ford G198TWAFord G388TSFord G398TSFord G917TFord G987TFord G997TFord V 3000AFord V 3000SFord V 3000S/SSM MaultierFord V8 G48Ford V8 G78Ford V8-51gp.Kw.Hanomag 3/16 PSHanomag 4/20 PSHanomag 4/23 PSHanomag GarantHanomag RekordHorch Typ 1a Kfz.15Horch Typ 1a Kfz. 21Horch 830BHorch 830RHorch 901Krupp L2H43-143l.gl.PkwMercedes-Benz 320 Model 1939Mercedes-Benz DB s 7Mercedes-Benz DB s 8Mercedes-Benz DB L 5Mercedes-Benz DB L 7Mercedes-Benz DB L 8Mercedes-Benz DB m 8Mercedes-Benz DB 9Mercedes-Benz DB 10Mercedes-Benz G3aMercedes-Benz LG63Mercedes-Benz LG65/3Mercedes-Benz LG65/4Mercedes-Benz LG3000Mercedes-Benz Lo2000Mercedes-Benz Lo2500Mercedes-Benz Lo2750Mercedes-Benz Lo3750Mercedes-Benz L701Mercedes-Benz L1500AMercedes-Benz L1500EMercedes-Benz L1500SMercedes-Benz L3000Mercedes-Benz L3000AMercedes-Benz L3000SMercedes-Benz L3750Mercedes-Benz L4500AMercedes-Benz L4500RMercedes-Benz L4500SMercedes-Benz L6500Mercedes-Benz L10000Mercedes-Benz O2600m.gl.pkw.Opel Admiral KastenwagenOpel 1,2L pritscheOpel 1,2L kastenlieferwagenOpel 2,0L pickupOpel 2,0L gas generator pickupOpel 10Opel P4 KastenlieferwagenOpel-Blitz gas generatorOpel-Blitz 1,0tOpel-Blitz 1,0t omnibusOpel-Blitz 1,0t KastenwagenOpel-Blitz 2,5t-32Opel-Blitz 2,5tOpel-Blitz 2,5t omnibusOpel-Blitz 3,0t ombibusOpel-Blitz 3,6t-36SOpel-Blitz 3,6t-36SSMOpel-Blitz 3,6-47 omnibusOpel-Blitz 3,6-47 Wehrmacht omnibusOpel-Blitz 3,6-6700AOpel-Olympia OL38Saurer RR-7schwerer Einheits PKW (FernsprechkraftwagenFlakkraftwagenFunkkraftwagenMannschaftskraftwagenProtzkraftwagenScheinwerferkraftwagen IScheinwerferkraftwagen IIVs.kw.)s.gl.gp.pkw. (4-rad)s.gl.gp.pkw. (6-rad)Škoda H6ST6-TŠkoda Radschlepper ÖstŠkoda Typ 903Škoda Typ 952Steyr-40D/140Steyr-40D/340Steyr-40D/440Steyr-270 1500A/02Steyr-470 RSO/01Steyr-640Steyr-2000ATatra 57 (ABK)Tatra 72Tatra 82Tatra 92Tatra 111Tatra 57KVW Typ 82 KübelwagenVW Typ 87VW Typ 166 Schwimmwagen
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