Panzerkampfwagen I

Large number of Pz Kpfw I Ausf. A at Hitler's birthday parade in Berlin, driving away from the Brandenburger Tor.

Panzer-Regiment 6/3. Panzer-Division

1936-04-20

Berlin, Germany

Column of Pz Kpfw I Ausf. A at the same time as the previous photograph.

Panzer-Regiment 3/Panzer-Regiment 3/2. Panzer-Division

1936-05-25

Zeithain, Germany

Crewmember changing the track of a Pz Kpfw I Ausf. A. There are several officers observing, indicating that it is a demonstration or exercise.

Panzer-Regiment 3/Panzer-Regiment 3/2. Panzer-Division

1936-05-25

Zeithain, Germany

Pz Kpfw I Ausf. A driving through a wall at a Panzersportsfest (armor sports celebration) near Wünsdorf.

II. Abteilung/Panzer-Regiment 5/3. Panzer-Division

1936-06-27

Wünsdorf, Germany

Column of Pz Kpfw I Ausf. A driving out of one of the side exits of the Zeppelin Field during the 1936 Reichsparteitag (Nuremberg Rally).

Panzer-Regiment 1/1. Panzer-Division

1936-09

Nürnberg, Germany

Pz Kpfw I, Pz Kpfw II, and Pz Kpfw IV driving past the main tribune during the 1936 Reichparteitag.

Panzer-Regiment 1/1. Panzer-Division

1936-09

Nürnberg, Germany

Pz Kpfw I Ausf. A command tank during the 1936 Reichparteitag. The tank has a very clear pre-war three-tone Buntfarbenanstrich (colorful paint pattern) camouflage pattern. The skull and crossbone pennant was used before the war by German tank units. This was a tradition adopted from the Prussian cavalry during the First World War.

Panzer-Regiment 1/1. Panzer-Division

1936-09

Nürnberg, Germany

Pz Kpfw I Ausf. A at the Zeppelin Field in Nürnberg from the 1936 Reichsparteitag (Nuremberg Rally).

Panzer-Regiment 1/1. Panzer-Division

1936-09

Nürnberg, Germany

Two kleiner Panzerbefehlswagen and several Pz Kpfw I Ausf. A in Grafenwöhr. Grafenwöhr has a large training ground, which is likely where the photograph was taken.

1937

Grafenwöhr, Germany

Two Pz Kpfw II and a Pz Kpfw I camouflaged with straw during a military exercise.

1937-09-07

Germany

Pz Kpfw I of Panzer-Regiment 15 in Sagan (present-day Żagań, Poland), most likely during the formation of the regiment in October 1937.

Panzer-Regiment 15

1937-10

Sagan (Żagań), Germany

This Pz Kpfw I Ausf. B, tactical number 632, was immobilized after driving into a tree on Hovedvej 10 (Highway 10) north of the city of Haderslev during the invasion of Denmark.

1. Kompanie/Panzer-Abteilung z.b.V. 40

1940-04

Haderslev, Denmark

View of the damage to the drive wheel of Pz Kpfw I Ausf. B, tactical number 632, north of Haderslev.

1. Kompanie/Panzer-Abteilung z.b.V. 40

1940-04

Haderslev, Denmark

Several Pz Kpfw I, as well as several trucks and motorcycles, waiting at the Danish border prior to the start of Operation Weserübung.

2. Kompanie/Panzer-Abteilung z.b.V. 40

1940-04-09

Germany

Pz Kpfw I Ausf. A (right) and two Pz Kpfw I Ausf. B driving past the Berkelpoort into Valkenburg in the Dutch province of Limburg. In the front is a Pz Kpfw III.

4. Panzer-Division

1940-05

Valkenburg, Netherlands

Another photograph of the column above, taken moments earlier.

4. Panzer-Division

1940-05

Western Europe

Column of German vehicles from 4. Panzer-Division on the Western Front in 1940. In the picture are: a BMW R35 motorcycle, a Pz Kpfw I Ausf. B, a turretless Pz Kpfw I, a Sanitätspanzer I armored ambulance, and a Pz Kpfw II.

4. Panzer-Division

1940-05

Western Europe

Two Pz Kpfw I Ausf. B in pre-war three-tone camouflage. The front tank, chassis number 14541, was manufactured by Grusonwerk.

Three Pz Kpfw I Ausf. B from the same area as the previous two.

Close-up of the tactical number rhomboid sign of a Pz Kpfw I Ausf. B, prior to September 1939.

Panzer-Regiment 11/1. Leichte-Division

Germany

A Pz Kpfw I Ausf. A (rear) and B (front), prior to September 1939.

Panzer-Regiment 11/1. Leichte-Division

Germany

Group of Pz Kpfw I Ausf. A and an Ausf. B (front, center), six Pz Kpfw II, and a Kleiner Panzerbefehlswagen. The photograph was taken prior to September 1939.

Panzer-Regiment 11/1. Leichte-Division

Germany

Pz Kpfw I Ausf. B being pulled out of a pool of mud.

Pz Kpfw I Ausf. B being pulled out of a pool of mud.

Pz Kpfw I Ausf. A in front of garage.

Pz Kpfw I Ausf. A in front of garage. In the background is a Pz Kpfw III.

Pre-war photograph of a group of Pz Kpfw I Ausf. A. Notice the headlights without the blackout covers and pre-war camouflage. Some of the tanks are missing the hose to the muffler, and some have additional armor on the superstructure sides.

Another view of these pre-war Pz Kpfw I Ausf. A. Rhomboid tactical markings painted on the turret rears can just be made out.

Column of Pz Kpfw I Ausf. B.

4. Panzer-Division

Pre-war (most likely 1936 or 1937) Pz Kpfw I Ausf. B. The sign on the turret of the first tank says Fahrschule (driving school).

6. Kompanie/II. Abteilung/Panzer-Regiment 2/1. Panzer-Division

Germany

Column of Pz Kpfw I Ausf. A.

Pz Kpfw I Ausf. A in what appears to be the two-tone Dark Brown on Dark Brown camouflage. Notice the damage to the rubber on the front road wheel.

Pz Kpfw I Ausf. B in a forest.

Additional Reading