Czech Tanks v.s. German Tanks

I am sorry if this sounds immature but I just realized the Czech tanks were actually quite advanced and were in fact comparable to their German counterparts.... Now I'm wondering what kind of POD will be needed for the Czechs to have a good tank doctrine, competent leaders, and the infrastructure to use this advantage? Any comments are appreciated!:)
 
Not a unreasonable question/s. My take is the Cezch doctrine was about as good as the German in 1938. Their tanks were mostly grouped into two "fast" divisions which on paper look like a balanced combined arms group. The ratio of tanks to infantry and artillery was somewhat better than the 1938 German armored division. What that would translate into on the battlefield I can't say.
 
Not a unreasonable question/s. My take is the Cezch doctrine was about as good as the German in 1938. Their tanks were mostly grouped into two "fast" divisions which on paper look like a balanced combined arms group. The ratio of tanks to infantry and artillery was somewhat better than the 1938 German armored division. What that would translate into on the battlefield I can't say.
My main questions would be whether the Czech vehicles all had wireless sets or not and how much training the individual divisions had done between all the constituent parts and as a whole.
 
Not a unreasonable question/s. My take is the Cezch doctrine was about as good as the German in 1938. Their tanks were mostly grouped into two "fast" divisions which on paper look like a balanced combined arms group. The ratio of tanks to infantry and artillery was somewhat better than the 1938 German armored division. What that would translate into on the battlefield I can't say.
Actually Czechoslovakia had four "fast" divisions. Fourth being established on January 1st 1938. However I believe fourth had unsuficient numbers of tanks.
 
My main questions would be whether the Czech vehicles all had wireless sets or not and how much training the individual divisions had done between all the constituent parts and as a whole.
All Czechoslovak tanks were equipped with radio. Not sure about tankettes TC vz. 33 however these were by Czechoslovak command seen as somehow not much useful. Armed only with 2 MGs.

As per training. My believe is 1st to 3rd fast Division had relatively good training. 4th could be lacking.

We have to realize that in 1938 limited numbers of Pz III and even less Pz IV were available. I have seen comparison of LT-35 vs early Pz III and results were very even.
 
I am sorry if this sounds immature but I just realized the Czech tanks were actually quite advanced and were in fact comparable to their German counterparts.... Now I'm wondering what kind of POD will be needed for the Czechs to have a good tank doctrine, competent leaders, and the infrastructure to use this advantage? Any comments are appreciated!:)

Not comparable but better heavy tanks.
 
Did the Cezchoslovakian army have any motorized infantry/artillery units outside the armored divisions? If not the AD would have been operating on their own after advancing more than ten or fifteen kilometers.
 
Did the Cezchoslovakian army have any motorized infantry/artillery units outside the armored divisions? If not the AD would have been operating on their own after advancing more than ten or fifteen kilometers.
According to information I have one additional infantry division, 14th was fully motorize. Corps artillery was more or less fully motorized, additional 6 infantry battalions were fully motorized, AAA was fully motorized and according to data I found units of AT artillery were mostly motorized.
According to data 20% of Czechoslovak army was during mobilization motorized.

However if Czechoslovakia was able to support their own fast division in case of attack? Probably not. After all I believe even military plans called fast divisions mostly to counter attack enemy formations. I don't think big offensive operations were planned. Your guess 15 km would be probably about right and in plans of Czechoslovak army probably sufficient. After all they didn't plan to capture Berlin or Munich. However I have seen some plans for limited offensive against forces of Austria from Slovakia. (Used by one Czech author in his AH novel as game changer ;) )

Edit: BTW Czechoslovak generality itself accepted motorization of Czechoslovak army was not sufficient!
 
Here is plan for Czechoslovak army armaments in 1942
1050 tanks
2420 artillery pieces
680 mortars
1740 AT guns
390 AA guns
380 AA guns of smaller calibers (20 mm). Czechoslovak Army called them in translation "big MGs against aircrafts)
850 "battle" aircrafts (fighters, bombers etc.)[FONT=&quot][/FONT]
 
Czechoslovakia had in my opinion tank comparable to Pz III or Pz IV. ST vz.39. Some 300 were ordered and after Munich order was cancelled.
Vehicle was armed with 4.7 cm gun but had room to mount 7.5 cm if necessary later. It just came late. Have it speed up... ;)
Here are nice pictures: http://www.aviarmor.net/tww2/tanks/czech/ckd_v8h.htm

It looks like a scaled up LT vz.35 to me. Did anyone think of scaling up the LT vz. 38, i.e. longer wider hull with a bigger turret ring with an extra pair or wheels to take the extra weight?
 
It looks like a scaled up LT vz.35 to me. Did anyone think of scaling up the LT vz. 38, i.e. longer wider hull with a bigger turret ring with an extra pair or wheels to take the extra weight?
Actually ST vz.39 was from CKD, creators and manufacturers of 38th.

There was Skoda competitor for Czechoslovak medium tank, Skoda T-21. Which was used I believe as base for Hungarian Turan tank
 
Actually ST vz.39 was from CKD, creators and manufacturers of 38th.

I know. Which makes me think that its even stranger that after the AH-IV and LT vz. 38 they didn't repeat the formula for the ST vz. 39. All I can think of is that the suspension could not cope the weight of a medium tank.
 
I know. Which makes me think that its even stranger that after the AH-IV and LT vz. 38 they didn't repeat the formula for the ST vz. 39. All I can think of is that the suspension could not cope the weight of a medium tank.
Maybe. I got one nice book on Central European tank development from Czech author but its years I went through. Will check it out if they mention something. I am not sure, will have to check that too but suspension looks similar like other countries went with during war when developing heavier tanks.
 
If it had been a straight fight between Germany and Czechoslovakia it would have been a bloody fight but ultimately a German win simply because of Industrial might. A bloody Pyrhic victory might have made Hitler think twice about his Lebensraum policy. If the Czechs had allies like Poland or Hungary (which is unlikely because of politics) then I think an anti German Central European Alliance could have stopped Hitler in his tracks. Such an Alliance might also have kept Stalins mind on domestic matters.
 
If it had been a straight fight between Germany and Czechoslovakia it would have been a bloody fight but ultimately a German win simply because of Industrial might. A bloody Pyrhic victory might have made Hitler think twice about his Lebensraum policy. If the Czechs had allies like Poland or Hungary (which is unlikely because of politics) then I think an anti German Central European Alliance could have stopped Hitler in his tracks. Such an Alliance might also have kept Stalins mind on domestic matters.
My view too. Maybe Benes even if traitor in my opinion as with accepting Munich without Parliament content wasn't so bad politician after all. Did he counted that if Czechoslovakia will fight it will loose and Germany because of "Pyrrhic" victory will have to stop its expansion and there will be no war, no eventual liberation? Did he really saw possibility of further German expansion and general war against Hitler's Germany which will bring other powers to war agaist Germany?

I heard he look with satisfaction when Pz 38s and 35s were plowing across France. With something like "Bastards, here you go, you should support us"
 
My view too. Maybe Benes even if traitor in my opinion as with accepting Munich without Parliament content wasn't so bad politician after all. Did he counted that if Czechoslovakia will fight it will loose and Germany because of "Pyrrhic" victory will have to stop its expansion and there will be no war, no eventual liberation? Did he really saw possibility of further German expansion and general war against Hitler's Germany which will bring other powers to war agaist Germany?

I heard he look with satisfaction when Pz 38s and 35s were plowing across France. With something like "Bastards, here you go, you should support us"

Britain and France did sacrifice Cz but I dont really see what other choice there was. Britains Army and Airforce were in no shape for war in 1938 (hardly ready 2 years later) and France wasnt planning to be ready for war till 1942.
 
Britain and France did sacrifice Cz but I dont really see what other choice there was. Britains Army and Airforce were in no shape for war in 1938 (hardly ready 2 years later) and France wasnt planning to be ready for war till 1942.
Germany wasn't in shape either. Minus all the equipment they gained in March 1939.
 
Germany wasn't in shape either. Minus all the equipment they gained in March 1939.

Very true but Britain and France trying to attack Germany would be too horrible to contemplate. Britain might have been able to put an Armoured Brigade and an Infantry Division plus supporting units in the field. Not sure what France could deploy at a few weeks notice but they were short of vehicles and a lot of Infantry would be walking.
 
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