T-32 (Š-I-D)

Maximum speed 25 mph (41 km/h) on roads

The T-32 (Š-I-D) tankette was a Czechoslovak-designed tankette used exclusively by the Kingdom of Yugoslavia during World War II. Its design was based on the Škoda MU-4 tank and built specifically to Yugoslav specifications.

History

In 1935 at the request of the Royal Yugoslav Army, Škoda developed a prototype of the T-32 by replacing the main armament of an MU-4 with a 37mm A3 anti-tank gun. Satisfied with the prototype, the Yugoslav Army ordered eight vehicles in 1936.^{[1][page needed]} The eight vehicles were delivered and formed their own independent armored company as part of the Royal Yugoslav Army. Although being assigned to the army, the tanks were initially used for air base defense duties at the Royal Yugoslav Air Force base near Zemun.^[2]

Operational history

In April 1941 at the commencement of the German Invasion of Yugoslavia, the eight T-32s were stationed in and around the Zemun airfield. However, the tanks were ordered south to the city of Niš in order to attack Axis forces advancing on the city. En route to Niš, the tank column engaged German forces near the town of Topola. Some of the T-32 tanks were captured intact by the Germans after crews abandoned their vehicles. These captured tanks were sent to the Škoda factory to be refitted as training vehicles for Waffen-SS panzer division units. Following refitting, they were put into service with the designation "Pz.Kpfw. T-32 732(j)".^{[1][page needed][2]}

Appearance

The Royal Yugoslav Army painted their T-32s in a dark green, ochre and chocolate-brown camouflage pattern.^[3]

Notes

References

• Crippa, Paolo; Manes, Luigi (2020). Yugoslavian armored units 1940-1945. Soldiershop Publishing. ISBN 9788893274937.
• Plowman, Jeffrey (2013). War in the Balkans - The Battle for Greece and Crete, 1940–1941. Pen & Sword Books. ISBN 9781473831377.
• Thomas, Nigel; Babac, Dusan; Shumate, Johnny (2022). Yugoslav Armies 1941–45. Bloomsbury Publishing. ISBN 9781472842046.