One of Germany's first attempts at
developing an amphibious tank, the Schwimmkörper was a device built by Gebr
Sachsenberg which consisted of two large pontoons that attached to either side
of a Panzerkampfwagen 38 (t) tank. The tanks were specially sealed and some
modification to the engine exhaust and cooling was needed. The pontoons were
detachable.
The Schwimmpanzer 38 (t) was developed as a
result of requirements for the proposed invasion of England late in 1940. The
firm of Gebr Sachsenberg in Roslau was responsible for the flotation devices
which were attached to the sides and front of the Panzer 38 (t). Water
propulsion was transferred from the drive sprocket, and the floats were
attached on extensions to the track support rollers. Afloat, it was capable of
10km/hr.
Was only one prototype built, or did the Schwimmpanzer 38 (t) go into limited production? If so, did it see action on the Eastern Front?
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