Zugführerwagen

Overview

ZugführerwagenGeschütz-Kampfwagen (3,7cm) (Vs.Kfz.619)
Full-scale wooden mockup
General Data
Type	Light Tank Medium Tank
Place of Origin	Germany (Deutsches Reich)
Designed by	Daimler-Benz Krupp MAN Rheinmetall
Designed	1933 (concept) 1934 - 1936
Produced	1935 - 1936
Designations
Vs.Kfz. Designation (List)	Vs.Kfz. 619
Development
Chassis	Zugführerwagen
Developed Into	Zugführerwagen Vs.Fgst.Nr. 1 Zugführerwagen Vs.Fgst.Nr. 3 Zugführerwagen Vs.Fgst.Nr. 4
Armament
Main Gun	3,7cm Kanone L/45
Traverse	360°
Coaxial Gun	2 x 7,92x57mm MG 34 prototype
Dimensions
Weight	12,000kg
Length	5,335mm (DB) 5,400mm (MAN) 5,100mm (Rhm)
Width	2,605mm (DB) 2,600mm (MAN) 2,600mm (Rhm)
Height	2,390mm (DB) 2,???mm (MAN) 2,420mm (Rhm)
Wheelbase	2,280mm (DB) 2,275mm (MAN) 2,150mm (Rhm)
Automotive
Engine	Maybach HL 100 V-12, water-cooled 10.? liter gasoline 300 HP @ ? rpm
Transmission/Gearbox	SSG 75
Gears	5 forward, 1 reverse
Ground Clearance	350mm (DB) 350mm (MAN) 400mm (Rhm)
Speed	40km/h (maximum)
Suspension
Track Type	Ritcher Kgs 65/326/100
Pitch	100mm
Track Ground Contact	3,200mm (DB) 3,200mm (MAN) 3,200mm (Rhm)
Steering System	Wilson Cletrac

The Zugführerwagen (abbreviated as Z.W.) is a German light/medium tank developed in the early 1930s.

Names

Name	Date	Assigner
Gefechtskampfwagen 3,7cm (Vs.Kfz.619)	Jun 1934	D601+
3,7cm Geschütz-Kampfwagen	12 Oct 1934	Chef der Heeresleitung
3,7cm Geschütz-Kampfwagen (Vs.Kfz.619)	28 May 1935	In 6
3,7cm Geschütz-Panzerkampfwagen	29 Nov 1935	In 6
Geschütz-Kampfwagen (3,7cm) (Vs.Kfz.619)	<Dec 1935	A.H.M.
3,7cm Panzerkampfwagen	15 Jan 1936	In 6

Development

During the 1932/1933 fiscal year, Krupp reported that the La.S. had been accepted into the Heer as standard equipment, and that two new vehicle designs were to be developed. The first of these tanks was to be fitted with a 20mm gun and armour capable of protecting against armour-piercing machine gun fire, Daimler-Benz received this contract and went on to develop the Pz.Kpfw. II. The second tank was to be a larger 10 ton tank armed with both a 37mm gun and machine guns, this contract was given to Krupp.

Wa Prw 6 provided Krupp with preliminary design parameters, which was formulated by In 6 under the Allgemeine Heeres Abteilung. Development authorization and funding was not provided until after a meeting with all the Wa Prw departments on the 11th of January 1934. This meeting discussed all matters of equipment development, with the general staff voicing opinions. On 27 January 1934, In 6 gave Wa Prw 6 the go ahead to develop a Gefechtskampfwagen mit 3,7cm Kanone.

On 24 February 1934, a meeting between In 6, Wa Prw 6, and representatives from Krupp, was undertaken. The meeting went over which companies were able to develop designs and potentially construct trial models of this new project. Krupp, Daimler-Benz, MAN, and Rheinmetall were asked to submit proposals by Wa Prw 6 for this project, now code-named Zugführerwagen.

Development of proposal designs was now underway, however the surviving information of this phase is lacking. During a telephone conversation between a MAN employee and the Waffenamt on the 18th of June 1934, it was said that the design drawings should be delivered to Berlin before the 30th of June 1934.

Proposal chassis designs were received from Daimler-Benz, MAN, and Rheinmetall (Krupp's chassis status is unknown). Wa Prw 6 required the following specifications from the designs;

• 40km/h maximum speed.
• Use of the Maybach HL 100 engine.
• Use of the 6-speed ZF SSG 75 transmission.
• Use of the Wilson Cletrac steering unit.
• Use of Ritcher Kgs.65/326/100 tracks.

Comparison of the proposals Wa Prw 6 received are as follows;

Firm	D-B	M.A.N.	Rhm.
Total weight (kg)	12,000	12,000	12,000
Length (mm)	5,335	5,400	5,100
Width (mm)	2,605	2,600	2,600
Height (mm)	2,390	?	2,420
Ground clearance (mm)	350	350	400
Wheelbase (mm)	2,280	2,275	2,150
Track contact length (mm)	3,200	3,200	3,200

Wa Prw 6 evaluated the proposals and awarded the following contracts for construction of trial units before the end of 1934;

• 2 x Versuchs-Fahrgestell to Daimler-Benz
• 1 x Versuchs-Fahrgestell to MAN
• 1 x Versuchs-Turm to Rheinmetall
• 2 x Versuchs-Turm to Krupp

Krupp created wooden models, and multiple Versuchs-Turm were completed in August 1934. These turrets were evaluated, and on 24 August 1935 Wa Prw 6 sent a list of required modifications;

1. Install a single row high-shoulder ball-bearing brace.
2. Sealing frames for the Sehklappen are to be fastened with 6mm countersunk bolts. All other countersunk bolts are to be replaced with hex head bolts of medium hardness and high ductility.
3. The 12-Uhr-Anzeiger on the turret traverse mechanism is to be lighted and moved to the left. Relocate it after the Zielfernrohr arrives in about October 1935.
4. Switch the positions of the Zielschiene and Zielfernrohr if this is necessary, based on the shape of the Zielfernrohr.
5. All electrical cables in the turret are to be Panzerkabel.
6. Fasten both ends of the electric cable for the firing circuit securely.
7. The traverse speed switch needs to be redesigned based on the Wa Prw 6 proposal.
8. The alignment rods for the Zielschiene can be made weaker.
9. The gears for the turret traverse mechanism need to be adjustable.
10. The signal light box is to be replaced with a smaller model.
11. The locks for the Signalklappen need to be perpendicular to the direction of travel.
12. The hand grip for the elevation mechanism needs to be stronger.
13. The location of the Seitzenzurrung is very uncomfortable, and is difficult to see.
14. The lock for the lid to the MG auxiliary mount needs to be stronger.
15. The retainer for the commander's seat needs to be modified.
16. The pivoting commander's seat should be secured in its lowered position.
17. The holding rails for the Schiebeklappen in the Kommandantenkuppel won't withstand a hit.
18. The grip on the lid to the Kommandantenkuppel is too close to the numbered circle.
19. The retainers for the opened Turmlukendeckeln and the left half of the lid for the Kommandantenkuppel are to be modified.
20. All retainers to hold hatch lids open with a 5cm gap for ventilation are to be designed so that they will prevent accidental closure.
21. The Daimler design for firing the machinegun is to be used.
22. The possibility of adding a removable or hinged/stowable auxiliary seat for the Ladeschütze is to be investigated.
23. The armour shield protecting the gun is to be completed.
24. The overhang of the lid for the Kommandantenkuppel is too narrow
25. The machinegun mount is to be modified to accept Doppeltrommeln. (refers to point 21)

The test firing trial of Turm Nr. 1 undertaken by Wa Prw 6 was deemed unsatisfactory. Krupp was to correct issues and perform replacement tests. Turm Nr. 1 saw a failure with resulted in the coaxial machine guns being damaged. These machine guns (EMG 34 Nr. 55 and Nr. 56) were to be sent to Sömmerda for repair at Krupp's expense. Turm Nr. 1, after repairs and replacements are completed, is trialled, and then retained at the Essen facility for future development. Turm Nr. 2 was to be sent to MAN.

On 22 February 1935(?) in a meeting between Major Dr. Olbrich (Wa Prw 6) and Krupp employees, Olbrich asked for the costs for redesigning the gun mantle for the Z.W. turret. The original mantlet was using an external curve, which was to be replaced with a half-cylinder with welded ends.

During the fiscal year 1934/35, it was clear that In 6 and Wa Prw 6 had not settled on the turret design. These organizations were still reviewing other proposals, including designs from Rheinmetall, and a two-man turret from Krupp.

Contracts were eventually awarded to Krupp to create three complete turrets of three different makes.

• Geschützturm für Z.W. mit 3,7cm K. L/45 — Three-man turret
• Geschützturm für Z.W. verstärkt mit 3,7cm K. L/45 — Three-man turret, uparmoured
• Geschützturm für Z.W. mit 3,7cm K. L/45 und 2 statt 3 Mann Bedienung — Two-man turret

In a report consolidating military production dated until September 1939 listed that the following Versuchs-Türme had been completed at the Krupp facilities in Essen:

• 3 x Z.W.-Türme mit Waffe 3,7cm
• 1 x Versuchsturm V.T.37 mit Waffe 3,7cm
• 1 x Versuchsturm V.T.371 mit Waffe 3,7cm

On the 15th of January 1936, Wa Prw 6 reported that the first trial chassis had been completed in August 1935. The Zugführerwagen Vs.Fgst.Nr. 1.

Variants

See Panzerkampfwagen III Ausf. A for series production models.

Zugführerwagen Vs.Fgst.Nr. 1

Z.W. Versuchs-Fahrgestell Vs.Fgst.Nr. 1, used to create the Pz.Kpfw. III A.

Zugführerwagen Vs.Fgst.Nr. 3

Z.W. Versuchs-Fahrgestell Vs.Fgst.Nr. 3, used to create the Pz.Kpfw. III B.

Zugführerwagen Vs.Fgst.Nr. 4

Z.W. Versuchs-Fahrgestell Vs.Fgst.Nr. 4, used to create the Pz.Kpfw. III C and D.

Germany (Deutsches Reich) Land Vehicles 1919 - 1945

Half-Tracked Vehicles
Offensive / Defensive	SPAA	2cm Fla.K. 30 auf Fgst. le.Zgkw. 1t • 2cm Fla.K. 38 auf Fgst. le.Zgkw. 1t • 2cm Fla.K. 38 (Sf.) auf le.Zgkw. 1t • 2cm Fla.K. 38 Vierling (Sf.) auf m.Zgkw. 8t • 3,7cm Fla.K. 43/1 auf Sfl. s.W.S. • 5cm Fla.K. 41 (Sf.) auf m.Zgkw 5t • 8,8cm Fla.K. 18 (Sfl.) auf s.Zgkw 12t • 8,8cm Fla.K. 37 (Sfl.) auf s.Zgkw 18t
	Armoured Recon	le.S.P.W. (2cm) • le.S.P.W. (3,7cm) aA • le.S.P.W. (3,7cm) nA • Pz.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 1t • 7,5cm PaK 40 (Sf) auf Fahrgestell S 307(f) • 8,8cm FlaK 18 (Sf) auf schwerer Zugkraftwagen 12t • 8,8cm FlaK 37 (Sfl.) auf schwerer Zugkraftwagen 18t • leichter Schützenpanzerwagen mit Sfl 5cm PaK 38 L/60 • Panzerjäger S307(f) mit 7,5cm PaK 40 L/46
Utility	Ammunition Carriers	l.gp.Mun.Tr.Kw. • le.Mun.Pz.Wg. (A • B)
	Command	le.Beob.Pz.Wg. n.A.
	Communication & Cable Related	kl.Kett.Krad. f. Fe.Kab. • kl.Kett.Krad. f. s.Fe.Kab. • leichter Fernsprechpanzerwagen • leichter Funkpanzerwagen
	Engineering	m.S.P.W. (Pi)
	Observation, Spotting & Survey	leichter gepanzerter Beobachtungskraftwagen • leichter Beobachtungspanzerwagen Alte • le.Messtrupp-Pz.Wg. • m.S.P.W. (IR)
	Transport & Towing	gepanzerter Transportkraftwagen P380(f) • kl.Kett.Krad • leichter Schützenpanzerwagen Series • leichter Schützenpanzerwagen Alte • le.S.P.W. n.A. • le.S.P.W. U304(f) • le.Zgkw 1t • le.Zgkw 3t • le.Zgkw S307(f) • m.gep.Zgkw S303(f) • m.Zgkw 5t • m.Zgkw 8t • S.P.W. M2(a) • S.P.W. M3(a) • s.Zgkw 12t • s.Zgkw 18t • Zgkw P302(b) • Zgkw P302(f) • Zgkw P304(f)

Sources
Books	Online	Documents
• Panzer Tracts No. 3-1