Neubaufahrzeugen (Pz.Kpfw V/VI)

In 1934 Germany undertook the development of heavy tanks based on the experiment of Grosstraktor. Rheinmetall-Borsig and Krupp were in charge of the project. The two prototypes were very similar by the size and the general fitting to Grosstraktor. New fact, an auxiliary gun was added to the principal gun on the central turret and the machine-guns were installed in small turrets to the front and to the back of the vehicle. This new type accepted the designation of Neubaufahrzeug (NbFz) (vehicle of new construction).

Neubaufahrzeug Krupp (Pz.Kpfw V)

src: site "Panzer Page von Reitsch"

Six machines of this type were manufactured by Krupp and Rheinmetall-Borsig, into soft-steel since they are prototypes. NbFz was strongly armed with its howitzer of 75 mm and its coaxial gun with 37 mm (model B of Krupp) assembled on a horizontal plane or its howitzer of 75 or 105 mm and its coaxial gun with 37 mm (model A of Rheinmetall-Borsig) assembled on a vertical level [Data].

Neubaufahrzeug Rh (Pz.Kpfw VI)

src: site "Achtung Panzer"

The two auxiliary turrets, one with front, the other with the back were armed with 7.92 mm machine-guns MG 13. The tank was propelled by one 6 cylinders BMW Va of 290 cv with a 6-speeds gearbox, the movement being transmitted to the back sprocket-wheels. The tank could reach on road the 24 km/h. The crew was composed of 7 men: the commander, two gunners for the guns, two gunners for the machine-guns, the pilot and the radio-operator. The hull was composed of plates into soft-stell thick of 13-20 mm.

Neubaufahrzeug Rh (Pz.Kpfw VI).

src: Connaissance de l'Histoire (Hachette), n°5 - Août-Septembre 1978, Véhicules blindés allemands 39-45

No order relating to NbFz was never carried out, because the material intended for Panzerdivisionen evolved to another family of tanks: Pz.Kpfw I, Pz.Kpfw II, Pz.Kpfw III and Pz.Kpfw IV. Of these tanks, only the two last were considered it ready to play a role of battle tank and to form the framework of Panzertruppe. NbFz not corresponding more to the needs of Wehrmacht was abandoned. A heavier tank, of a very new design, was thereafter considered more adapted to succeed Pz.Kpfw IV, the DW I, in 1937.

Work on a prototype of NbFz.

src: ?

In 1939, for reason of propaganda, NbFz accepted a new designation in the system of classification of German material. Model A (Krupp) accepted that of Pz.Kpfw V and the model B (Rh) that of Pz.Kpfw VI After 1940-1941, these designations were transmitted respectively to the Panther and Tiger.

Photograph of propaganda of heavy tanks NbFz in Oslo during the occupation of Norway by the Germans, in April 1940.

src: Connaissance de l'Histoire (Hachette), n°5 - Août-Septembre 1978, Véhicules blindés allemands 39-45

If NbFz were never produced in series, it will become famous in 1940 as a visible symbol of the power of Panzertruppe. Three models of Krupp were versed in Panzer Abteilung zur besonderer Vervendung 40 used in Norway in 1940. They arrived to Oslo on April 19, 1940. Two were useful within the zbV 40 of PzAbt, while the third was used by the 196th division of infantry. The photographs taken were skilfully used to make believe in the whole world that the German army was well equipped with heavy tanks, which was far from being the case.

Another photograph of NbFz in the streets of Oslo in April 1940.

src: site "Panzer Page von Reitsch"

In fact, all these photographs showed the totality of the strength of heavy tanks which Germany had. All were are destroyed or captured at the time of this campaign. Certain sources make state that NbFz were incorporated in 1st Panzer Gruppe of von Kleist on the Eastern front and that one of them was destroyed close to Dubno on June 28-29, 1941. Another source declares that two others were destroyed close to the Rumanian border in June 1941. It is also announced that both were repatriated in Germany in November 1941. The history of these prototypes remains unfortunately nebulous.