Figures included!
The PaK 36 (Panzerabwehrkanone 36) was a German anti-tank gun that fired a 3.7cm
calibre shell. It was developed in 1936 by Rheinmetall and first appeared in
combat that year during the Spanish Civil War. It formed the basis for many
other nations' anti-tank guns during the first years of World War II.
The PaK 36, being a small-calibre weapon, was outdated by the May 1940 Western
Campaign, and crews found them all but useless against heavy allied tanks like
the British Mk.ll Matilda and the French Char B1 and Somua S-35. A group of
these guns claimed to have knocked out a Char by firing at its flank, but this
is most likely made up. The poor performance against heavy enemy armour resulted
in the PaK 36 being dubbed the "Door Knocker". The PaK 36 began to be replaced
by the new 5cm PaK 38 in mid 1940.
The addition of tungsten cored shells added slightly to the armour penetration
of the PaK 36. When the German troops engaged the Soviet T-34 for the first time,
the PaK 36 was proven totally obsolete. Despite this, it remained the standard
anti-tank weapon for many units until 1942. PaK 36 crews could still achieve
kills on enemy tanks but had to wait for an opportunity to hit the tank's rear
armour from close range, a task requiring nerves of steel and allowing for no
second attempt.
As the PaK 36's were gradually replaced, many were removed from the ir
carriages and added to Halftracks to be used as light anti-armour support. A
number of PaK 36s were also supplied to Germany's allies. The PaK 36 served with
the armies of Finland, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia. In 1943, the introduction
of the Stielgranate 41 shaped charge meant that the PaK 36 could now penetrate
any armour, but only at a range of less than 300 meters. The PaK 36s, together
with the new shaped charges, were issued to Fallschirmjager and other light
troops. The gun's light weight meant that it could be easily moved by hand, and
this mobility made it ideal for their purpose.
Technical data
Caliber:37 mm
Lenght o fbarrel: 45 cal.
Length: 1.66m
Width: 1.65 m
Height: 1.17m
Length with the carriage: 3.40 m
Rate of fire: 13 rounds per minute
Muzzle velocity: 762 m/s
Range: 5484 m
Weight of the projectile: 0.68 kg
Armor penetration at 500 m: 29 mm to 31 mm at 30 degrees, depending on shell
type
