The Panzerkampfwagen I was the first German mass-produced tank. Born in the
early '30s to provide to the German army a light tank, able to stay in line
with the constraints imposed by the Treaty of Versailles, which could be useful
for the training of the crews of future Panzer Divisions and able to support
the operations of the infantry. Armed with two 7.92 mm machine guns mounted in
the turret, it was very maneuverable but characterized by a thin armor. The
Ausf. B version was improved in the powertrain and in the track system. It took
part in the Spanish Civil War and contributed to the first Wehrmacht winning
operations during the Second World War as the invasion of Poland and France.
However, due to its weapons and its armor, the Panzer I’s performance in combat
was limited and became very soon rather old compared to other light tanks of
the era.