Operation Barbarossa required the German Army to form into Army Group North, Center and South. The North would march to the Baltics and Leningrad, Center would take Smolensk and Moscow while Army Group South drove through the Ukraine capturing Kiev before proceeding eastward and capturing the oil-rich region of the Caucasus. Soviet forces at Kiev made it necessary for half of Army Group Center’s tank to be diverted to assist Army Group South. On October 2, 1941 the Soviets were defeated after 10 days of fighting.
Specifications :
In Service: 1936 to 1945
Type: Light Tank
;Manufactured by: Alkett, Daimler-Benz, FAMO, Henschel, M.A.N, MIAG, Wegmann
Crew: 3 x (Commander/Gunner, Driver, Loader)
Power Plant: 1 x Maybach HL62TR, straight 6 cylinder, liquid cooled, gasoline engine, produces 140 hp @2,600 rpm
Fuel: 170 liters
Performance:
Gear Box: 6 x forward, 1 x reverse
Road Speed: 40 km/h
Range on Road: 200 km
Dimensions:
Length: 4.81 m
Width: 2.22 m
Height: 1.99 m
Weight: 8,900 kg
Armament:
1 x 2 cm KwK 30 L/55 main gun – 180 rounds
1 x 7.92 mm MG34 Machine Gun – 2,250 rounds
Armour: 10 mm to 14.5 mm