Nahkampfkanone 1

Nahkampfkanone 1

Nahkampfkanone I at Panzermuseum Thun
Type Light tank destroyer
Place of origin   Switzerland
Service history
In service 1944 - 1947
Used by Switzerland
Production history
Designed 1943
Manufacturer Berna at Olten & Saurer
Number built 1
Specifications
Weight 12.5 tonnes
Length 6.45 m (254 in)
Width 2.60 m (102 in)
Height 2.50 m (98 in)
Crew 5
Armour up
Main
armament
 75-millimeter cannon, later a 10.5-cm howitzer
Engine 6 cylinder engine four-stroke Saurer CT1D
123 hp
Suspension leaf spring
Operational
range
 200km, 120km off-road
Speed 55 km/h (34 mph), off-road:25 km/h (16 mph)

The Nahkampfkanone 1 was an experimental Swiss tank destroyer that saw service between 1944 and 1947. Only one was ever built.

History and Development

The designed heralded from early experiments made between 1943 and 1944 in Switzerland in the design and construction of an armoured vehicle. The Nahkampf cannon 1 was built onto the chassis of the armoured car Panzerwagen 39, Panzer 38(t) type LTL-H CSSR armoured fighting vehicle. The chassis was extended by a roller produced by the company Berna in Olten. Since only a few parts were available, it was partially constructed using parts of armoured cars, mainly the chassis and transmissions. The armour consisted of only thin sheet metal and, in initial experiments, only a 75-millimeter cannon was installed, before future designs sported a 10.5-cm howitzer. The prototype was used by the Swiss Army with the car plate (M + number 7236).

References

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