VK 3002(DB)

The VK30.02 (DB), was the second prototype tank Daimler Benz submitted for the VK 30 project, which eventually became the Panther tank, for use by the German army in WW2.

The Versuchs Konstruktion 30, (lit. "experiment construction" VK, and 30 (30 tonnes (30 long tons; 33 short tons))).^{[A 1]} The design was intended to counter the Soviet T-34 and replace the Panzer III and IV as a heavy "breakthrough" tank. It had been requested in 1941 by the German Government. The Daimler Benz design was rejected however, and the Maschinenfabrik Augsburg-Nürnberg (MAN) design was selected.

Development

When Germany invaded the Soviet Union in June 1941, they expected to be facing an inferior opponent, the T-34, with its heavily sloped armor, and the heavily armored KV-1 caught the Wehrmacht off guard. Up until Operation Barbarossa, the Germans had been satisfied with the performance of their early Panzers, even after high losses during the Polish and French campaign, against the Char B1. Ignoring these incidents, and an incident in spring 1941, when Hitler gave the order for a Soviet military commission to be allowed to see the latest in German tank design. The Soviet delegation refused to believe that they had been shown the latest model of the Panzer IV. Afterwards, because of their insistence, the German Ordnance Office came to the conclusion the Soviets were in possession of better and heavier tanks^[1]

In October 1941, in the aftermath of the 4th Panzer Division's heavy loses of Panzer IVs on the road to Mtsensk, Generaloberst Heinz Guderian called for an investigation into the matter of tank warfare on the Eastern Front. In November German engineers and manufacturers, including the Army Weapons Department, were able to inspect and study captured T-34 tanks on the Eastern Front in order to understand what future German tank development would be needed in the next generation of German tanks. It was initially suggested by Guderian that the quickest way to counter the T-34 would be a direct copy. This was turned down by the Army Weapons Department however, because of the difficulties in producing sufficient numbers of diesel engines and steel alloy.^[2]

Initially four companies, Henschel (H), Porsche (P), Maschinenfabrik Augsburg-Nürnberg (MAN), and Daimler Benz (DB), were requested to build prototypes with the requirements for a fast heavy medium tank able to defeat the Soviet T-34 tank on the Eastern front. Henschel's design, the VK 3001(H), was considered outdated, with only a 7.5 cm (3.0 in) Kwk 37 L/24 short howitzer-like gun and resembling and enlarged Panzer IV. The Porsche entry, the VK 3001(P), developed at the same time as the VK 4501 (P), was withdrawn when the Tiger I went into production. This only left MAN and DB as contenders and so they were ordered to construct improved models, VK 3002(MAN) and VK 3002(DB).^[2]

While the VK 3002(DB) could have been cheaper and easier to produce, the German government preferred the roomier turret and more modern suspension of the MAN prototype, which went on to be the production Panther. The VK 3002(MAN) also shared the same engine as the Tiger, which would help with production and maintenance, it also had larger tracks, which would help with its ground pressure on soft ground.^[3] While the Panther was similar to the T-34 in shape, the VK30.02 (DB)'s sloped front was similar, but overall, it was closer to earlier German tanks. Some sources say that one prototype was produced, others say that Daimler Benz produced three slightly different versions.^[2]

Specifications

The VK 3002(DB) was a fast, nimble tank weighing 34 tonnes (33 long tons; 37 short tons), with a top speed of 57 km/h (35 mph) and a range of 195 km (121 mi). Its main armament was the 7.5 cm (3.0 in) KwK 42 L/70 gun. It had a crew of 5, and its armour ranged between 10 and 80 mm (0.39 and 3.15 in).^[3]

Operational use

One prototype was produced and it did not see service. The prototype did not survive the war.^[3]

Notes

References

Bibliography