History: The Neubaufahrzeug was ordered from
Rheinmetall-Borsig in 1933, and was to be a development of their
earlier Grosstraktor to provide the German Army with a 20 ton
multi-turreted main tank. Tests on two mild steel prototypes in
1934 led to the construction of three armoured vehicles in 1935.
These were fitted with a Kruppdesigned turret and gun mount which
simplified construction and set the 7.5cm KwK and 3.7cm KwK side by
side.
Specific features: Vehicles 1 and 2 had mild
steel armour and the rounded Rh-B turret and vertical gun mount.
Before being used in action in 1940, vehicles 3, 4 and 5 were
refitted with an extra turret similar to that of the Pz Kpfw I, but
armed with only one MG34.
Combat service: The prototypes were used by the
tank training school at Putlos until 1940. The three armoured
vehicles were attached to the Pz Abt z b V 40 (z b V == for special
employment). In April 1940, they were shipped direct to Oslo in
Norway and were used in action during that month. One vehicle was
destroyed and the two surviving Nbfz were returned to Germany at
the end of 1940.
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