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Preparations for Operation "Seelöwe" (Sealion). Tauchpanzer y Schwimmpanzer.
After the collapse of the allied armies in France, the Wehrmacht started planning for the invasion of Great Britain. It was thought was that no amphibious landing would succeed without tank that could support the beach assault, so a number of amphibious and submersible conversions were tried. Tests were carried out with the Pz Kpfw II and 38(t) as amphibious tanks and the Pz Kpfw III and IV as submersible tanks.
To transform a terrestrial one in a submersible tank, the following technical measures were adopted:
- All external slots and openings were sealed with a waterproof compound.
- Access hatches of the turret were bolted from the inside.
- Openings for air intake to the engine were to be fully waterproofed.
- A tight rubber caps were adhered to the mantlet, the commander's cupola and the hull machine gun.
- Some explosive bolts allow rapid removal of the seals to quickly place the tank in a position to fight.
- The space between the turret and the hull was made tight using an inflatable rubber loop.
- The supply of fresh air was provided by a flexible with a diameter of about 20 cm and 18 meters long. At the end of this tube, there was a snorkel equipped with a buoy radio antenna.
- The exhaust pipes were equipped with high-pressure non-return valves.
- A bilge pump was installed to fight against possible infiltrations of seawater.
The maximum dive depth was 15 meters, an additional 3 meter hose provided a margin of safety.
The Tauchpanzer would be unloaded from the barge via a mobile ramp and then guided to the beach by a command ship. Once on land, the seals were expelled so that the tanks could immediately join the fight. If problems occurred during the underwater driving, the crew was equipped with evacuation means (respirators, life jackets, etc ...).
An experimental tank company was formed on 13th July 1940 and by the end of the month four tank batallions were formed. These were named Tauch-Panzer-Abteilung A through D. These batallions were organised according to K.St.N.1107b and K.St.N.1171b dated 16th July 1940 and consisted of:
Battalion HQ (stab):
1 Tauchpanzer III
2 Tauchpanzerbefehlswagen III
Three light panzer companies, each containing:
Company HQ: 2 Tauchpanzer III
Light Tank Detachement: 4 Schwimmpanzer II
1st Platoon: 5 Tauchpanzer III
2nd Platoon: 5 Tauchpanzer III
3rd Platoon: 4 Tauchpanzer IV
Tauchpanzer III
Between July and October 1940, 168 Pz Kpfw III tanks were converted to Tauchpanzer III. Of the 160 were fighting tanks of Ausf F, G and H. The other 8 tanks were Panzerbefehlswagen Ausf. E command tanks. At least some of these tanks were armed with the 5cm KwK 38 L/42 gun which had not been issued in time to see service in France, but could have made a noticeable difference when faced by British armour.
Tauchpanzer IV
Starting in July 1940, 48 Panzer IV Ausf D tanks were converted to Tauchpanzer IV.
Schwimmpanzer II
The Schwimmpanzer II or Panzerkampfwagen II mit Schwimmkörper was a conversion of the Pz Kpfw II with floatation tanks which permitted travel on the water surface. It was planned that they would swim ashore from their parent vessel lying offshore.
The flotation tanks were attached on extensions to the track return rollers, with propulsion being provided by a propeller taking power from the drive sprocket. The inside of the tank was divided into three watertight compartments. It had a top speed of 10 km/h afloat.
One advantage possessed by the Schwimmpanzer over Tauchpanzer versions was that it could use its guns during the landing.
It was even planned for some schwimmpanzers to retain their floats after the landing to facilitate crossing of the Royal Military Canal; a 28 mile canal stretching from Hythe to Cliffend in East Sussex.
With the 16. AOK. 1st Wave. VII. AK Pz Abt 100 (Fl) y Pz Abt A (U)
XIII. AK Pz Abt B (U), Pz Abt D (U) (-)
With the 9. AOK 1st Wave. AK VIII ¿/ Pz Abt D (U)
XXXVIII AK Pz Abt C (U)
Sources:
http://www.forum-rc-panzer.com/t7827-Unterseepanzer.htm
http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/s ... wASI543QBQ
http://www.historyfacts.biz/downloads/
http://www.niehorster.org/011_germany/4 ... hgr_a.html
Cheers. Raul M
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Serás lo que debas ser o no serás nada. General José de San Martín.