Panzer 35(t) (GE020) The Panzer 35(t) served as the main battle tank for the Czech Army during the year preceding the German annexation in March 1939. Despite its reputation for unreliability, the stocks of Panzer 35(t) were readily absorbed into the German Army.

Once in German hands it was rebuilt and proved itself as a more than adequate design with more than sufficient armour and firepower for the period. However, its design included too many complex features; mostly notably, the pneumatically operated gear box. This proved very troublesome during the Russia winter of 1941. The Panzer 35(t) saw action during the Polish campaign and the invasion of France in 1940. It continued to serve in Russia until late winter 1941 by which time most of the vehicles had been lost.

The Panzer 35(t) in Flames Of War Mobility: Fully-tracked Front 2; Side 1; Top 1 Range: 24”/60cm; ROF 2; Anti-tank 6; Firepower 4+ Equipment and Notes Co-ax MG, Hull MG, Protected ammo, Unreliable. Designed by Evan Allen Painted by Blake Coster

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R-2 Tank Skoda LT vz.35, Panzerkampfwagen 35(t) The Romanian Army started a modernisation program in 1935, as part of that program 126 Skoda LT vz.35 tanks were ordered from Czechoslovakia in August 1936.

The first 15 tanks received in May 1937 proved problematic and were sent back for modifications to make the tanks more suitable for Romanian conditions. By 1939 all 126 modified R-2 Tanks had been delivered. The Romanians tried to order another 382 tanks from the now German controlled Skoda works in the middle of 1939, but the Germans denied their request.

The 1st Tank Regiment of the Armoured Division was equipped with the R-2 during the campaigns of 1941-42. The unit proved very successful against the disorganised Soviets in the early days of Operation Barbarossa, the Armoured Division spearheaded the assault on Kishinev. At Odessa, however, it suffered heavy losses supporting the infantry during the battle for the Black Sea port.

By the end of 1941 26 R-2 tanks were lost and in 1942 Germany agreed to deliver 26 almost identical, but used, Panzerkampfwagen 35(t) to replace the losses. The Armoured Division reorganised and rebuilt behind the lines during August 1942, and was attached to the 3rd Romanian Army defending the Don River Bend.

Field test against captured Soviet T-34 tanks soon proved that the R-2’s gun was all but useless against it. During the subsequent breakthrough of the Third Army’s positions in late 1942, Soviet medium and heavy tanks proved too much for the exhausted and poorly equipped Romanian troops. The Armoured Division lost 60% of its combat strength. They crossed the Chir River with only nineteen R-2 Tanks.

Specifications: Crew: 4 Weight: 10.5 ton Engine: 6-Cylinder Skoda T11, water cooled Power: 120hp/1800rpm Fuel/Capacity: petrol/153 litres Max road speed: 40km/h Max cross-country: speed 15km/h Road range: 190km Cross-country range: 115km Main Armament: 37.2mm Skoda gun Ammunition: 78 rounds Secondary: 2 x 7.92mm ZB-53 Machine-guns Armour: 16-25mm

The R-2 in Flames Of War The R-2 was the mainstay of the Romanian armoured forces in 1941-42, and was only supplemented in small numbers by the T-3 and T-4 tanks supplied by the Germans in 1942. It was lightly armed and armoured, but a fair number can be fielded in a Companie Cari de Lupta, where they will prove devastating against any light armour or infantry forces.

The R-2 Tanks is Fully-tracked with armour front 2, side 1 and top 1. It is armed with a 3.7cm KwK 35(t) gun (ROF 2, AT 6, FP 4+), a Co-ax MG and a Hull MG. It’s Unreliable, but has Protected ammo. The R-2 is the same as the Panzerkampfwagen 35(t) used by the Germans during the early war and the model can be also used to represent the tank in German use. Designed by Evan Allen Painted by Jeremy Painter