| Škoda Š-I-d (T-32) | |
|---|---|
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| Type | Tankette |
| Place of origin | Czechoslovakia |
| Service history | |
| Used by | Kingdom of Yugoslavia |
| Wars | Invasion of Yugoslavia |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Škoda Works |
| Designed | 1935 |
| Manufacturer | Škoda Works |
| Produced | 1936 |
| No. built | 8 |
| Specifications | |
| Length | 3.58 m (11 ft 9 in) |
| Width | 1.76 m (5 ft 9 in) |
| Height | 1.95 m (6 ft 5 in) |
| Crew | 2 |
Main armament | 1 × 37mmA3anti-tank gun |
Secondary armament | 1 xZB vz. 30light machine gun |
| Engine | Skoda 6-cylinder petrol engine |
| Maximum speed | 25 mph (41 km/h) on roads |
TheŠkoda Š-I-d (T-32) tankette was aCzechoslovak-designedtankette used exclusively by theKingdom of Yugoslavia during World War II. Its design was based on the ŠkodaMU-4 tank and built specifically to Yugoslav specifications.
In 1935 at the request of theRoyal Yugoslav Army, Škoda developed a prototype of the T-32 by replacing the main armament of an MU-4 with a37mm 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 theRoyal Yugoslav Air Force base nearZemun.[2]
In April 1941 at the commencement of the GermanInvasion of Yugoslavia, the eight T-32s were stationed in and around the Zemun airfield. However, the tanks were ordered south to the city ofNiš in order to attack Axis forces advancing on the city. En route to Niš, the tank column engaged German forces near the town ofTopola. 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 forWaffen-SS panzer division units. Following refitting, they were put into service with the designationPz.Kpf.Wg. 732(j).[1][page needed][2]
The Royal Yugoslav Army painted their T-32s in a dark green,ochre and chocolate-brown camouflage pattern.[3]
