Early War Staff Armies: Blake's Czech Panzerkompanie We continue our feature on the Battlefront staff members Early-war armies by taking a look at Blake's Czech Panzerkompanie.

The creation of my Early-war Army originated with the release of Eastern Front. I’ve always been a fan of the Panzer 38(t) so the Czech Panzerkompanie immediately drew my attention. However, as is usually the case, I was distracted by the Panthers and Tigers which lead me to forget all about my love of the Panzer 38(t). Upon discovering the list in Blitzkrieg I decided that the time was right for me to begin work on constructing my Czech Panzerkompanie. Initially, my choice was to base my force around the Panzer 38(t), which proved itself as one of the more reliable tanks in service with the German army during the early stages of the war. However, flicking through the pages of Blitzkrieg I quickly learnt of the Panzer 35(t). Both the Panzer 35(t) and the Panzer 38(t) both share the same performance stats, however, the Panzer 35(t) is rated as Unreliable meaning it is slightly cheaper. After some number crunching, I concluded that the Panzer 35(t) was the better choice (one of the few times when the power gamer inside me has come out). This minor saving allowed me to create a list with six platoons based on 1750 points. See all the Staff Early War armies here...

The German Czech Panzerkompanie Organisation Diagram

Blake's Czech Panzerkompanie Army List

Headquarters Company HQ - 170 points 2 x Panzer 35(t) 1 x Sd Kfz 9 (18t)

Combat Platoons Panzer II Platoon - 280 points 5 x Panzer II C (Late)

Czech Panzer Platoon - 250 points 3 x Panzer 35(t)

Czech Panzer Platoon - 250 points 3 x Panzer 35(t)

Czech Panzer Platoon - 250 points 3 x Panzer 35(t)

Weapons Platoon Mittlere Panzer Platoon - 300 points 2 x Panzer IV D

Divisional Support Platoon Heavy Panzerspäh Platoon - 250 points 6 x Sd Kfz 231 (6-rad) Total: 1750 points. The Panzer II C (Late) platoon will act as my charging platoon, with the Company HQ attached it will give me a seven tank platoon with the ability to machine-gun any infantry in the open or push them off an objective in an assault. The Panzer 35(t) platoons act as cover for the Panzer II C (Late) platoon, eliminating any threats that might hold up the advance or taking out any targets of opportunity. Further supporting the Panzer II C (Late) will be the 6-rad platoon with their ability to detect ambushes and making use of terrain to flank the enemy and generally cause havoc in conjunction with the main attack. Finally the Panzer IV D platoon will act as my heavy Anti-tank and make shift artillery section.

Not abandoning the Panzer 38(t) altogether, I also hope to find time to paint the same number of vehicles in order to swap out the platoon in my army list. These include the Panzer III E, Sd Kfz 231(8-rad) and of course the Panzer 38(t), mainly for a little variety and to provide an excellent foundation of Early-war Armoured Fighting Vehicles. ~ Blake.

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