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The Kleine Panzerbefehlswagen was the first result of plans to supply armoured command vehicles to tank formations, and consisted of a fixed superstructure mounted on a PzKpfw I chassis in place of the standard superstructure and turret. It was developed and built by Daimler-Benz, while Deutsche Edelstahlwerke supplied the superstructures. Three versions saw service. The first half dozen vehicles that appeared in 1935 were based on the Ausf A chassis and were designated 1KlA. They had no armament and, being intended primarily for company commanders, were known as Kompanie Chefpanzer. Most examples produced were, however, based on the Ausf B chassis. The 2KlB version had either a high, square commander’s cupola or no cupola at all, while the later 3KlB had a low, square cupola. Late production vehicles had extra 19mm armour plates bolted to the nose, superstructure and cupola front and a 12mm plate added to the glacis.
The wireless equipment consisted of Fu 2 and Fu 6 sets, and additional dynamo capacity was provided for them. Two hundred examples of the Kl PzBefWg were produced and were first used in the Spanish and Polish Campaigns. The advent of larger tanks with more space and more crew members, and the general adoption of the Fu5 radio caused the withdrawal of the Kl PzBefWg at company level from 1940 and from higher levels soon after. However, some stayed in service for later campaigns in France, Norway and Africa. Some even remained until the end of the War in lesser roles, long after the Panzerkampfwagen I had disappeared from use as a fighting tank.
1) The Tank Museum - Public Areas, Bovington, Britain
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Unique ID: |
16
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Serial Number: |
“52487۞” and “15118” stamped into glacis.
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Registration: |
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Other Identification: |
“I03” painted on superstructure sides. Painted overall in a grey and brown camouflage scheme (previously painted overall desert sand).
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This command tank was at the School of Tank Technology, Chobham Lane, Chertsey, before being moved to Bovington. It is appears to be a 3KlB model with low cupola and additional armour protection.
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