Between the wars the Skoda works produced some of the finest light tanks that the world had seen to that point.
These were the LT-35 and LT-38 series of light tanks.
After the capitulation of the Czech nation in late 1938 the German Army incorporated the tanks into their own service.
So many Czech tanks were incorporated into German service that they were not deemed as captured armour as much as armour produced in the greater Reich.
The 35t was to be phased out of production in 1938 but, after German control of the Skoda and Ckd works the decision was to maintain production of the LT-35 and, the designation would be PzKpfw 35(t). Notice that no 700 series number was assigned to the tanks.
The 35t served in the German Armoured Forces with sucess in France and the Soviet Union. No major exterior modifications were performed to the 35t for its service with Germany.
The 35t had a second use to the Werhmacht after its combat usefulness as a front line tank had expired. Refitting occured to the 35t series after the Barbarossa invasion. Many were converted to Artillery tractors and ammunition carriers.
The 38t saw greater service with the German Armoured Forces than the 35t. Production figures for the 38t after German occupation was around 1400 not counting 38t's that were allready in service at the time of the capitulation.
The 38t was involved in every theater that the German Armoured Forces saw action in. including North Africa,France,Russia,Greece, etc.
When the usefulness of the 38t as a front line tank expired some truly remarkable varients were born from its chassis. This includes the Hetzer tank destroyer, the Marder self propelled pak 40 anti tank gun, the mounting of the flak 38 to the chassis to provide a mobile anti-aircraft platform and so on.
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