In May 1937, Kniepkamp once again sent a letter to Krupp informing them that up to ten other firms had shown interest. However, Krupp did not agree to it initially, as they wanted more freedom for their ideas during the development of the design. In February 1937, Kniepkamp wrote a letter to Krupp proposing a production and development contract. ![]() ![]() However, it could have been useful during fast retreating or advancing situations. In difficult-to-drive-through terrain such as mud, the high speeds were not as useful because the tank had to drive at a medium pace to not get stuck in the mud. Nevertheless, this fixation on high speed was not as valued by the army, as high speed could only be achieved in very favorable conditions and on roads. Additionally, he wanted the latest engine design installed and a power-assisted semi-automatic transmission. In his mind, the requirements for such a tank were the use of large road wheels without return rollers and a torsion bar suspension. To create his ideal tank, Kniepkamp wanted to design a light tank to achieve maximum speed. Heinrich Ernst Kniepkamp played a major role in German tank development over several decades. However, this is not to be confused with other VK projects that had nothing to do with the development of Kniepkamp’s tank. Kniepkamp believed that a tank should maximize firepower and the highest possible speed, while armor protection was less important. The developed chassis were classified as VK ( Vollketten, Eng: fully-tracked) by the Army, which meant they were experimental. In 1937, after Heinrich Ernst Kniepkamp, an engineer at Wa Prüf 6, had already succeeded with the development of half-tracks, he started his next big project that would become in his eyes the best light tank. 1-2 Context: Development of the “Perfect” Tanks – The early VK series Panzer I Ausf.C, VK6.01 in front of the Krauss-Maffei factories in late 1942. They saw action on the Eastern Front and Normandy with partial success due to their excellent mobility but limitations with the armament and armor protection. In the end, they were only used in combat as regular light tanks. With the first tanks completed in late 1942, they came too late to perform their intended role of being an airborne tank. Initially developed by Ernst Kniepkamp, before Krauss-Maffei took over, the Panzer I Ausf.C was based on the concept of a fast and maneuverable light tank that could outperform all other tanks in terms of speed. These documents are also featured in the National Archives Experience: Digital Vaults.The Panzer I Ausf.C was a German light tank prototype that was part of the VK series of tanks. Search our National Archives Catalog for "Joyce Kilmer" for records relating to Kilmer, including a document from his burial file confirming his family's desire that the body remain in Europe for burial (National Archives Identifier 595528).Guide to Record Group 336, Records of the Office of the Chief of Transportation holdings at the National Archives.For Educators and Students: Teaching With Documents - The Great Depression and World War II (1929-1945).Research at the National Archives: WWII Photos.Research at the National Archives: World War II Records.More information on Camp Kilmer and related research topics can be found here: Besides this main game room, three other smaller rooms are set aside for reading and writing. To provide additional recreational facilities for men of the TC Detachment, the unit's day room moved to larger quarters in building 1443. The site also hosted various Allied units before they were sent elsewhere for training. More than 20 divisions with over 1,300,000 servicemen staged at Camp Kilmer before being deployed to Europe. soldiers traveling to and from the European Theater. ![]() The facility covered over 1,500 acres and consisted of 1,120 buildings, including rows of wooden barracks, seven chapels, five theaters, nine post exchanges, a gym, three libraries, four telephone centers, a post office, a 1,000-bed hospital, 28 miles of roadway, and about 11 railheads that fed into the main line.įrom its opening in 1942 through the end of the War, Camp Kilmer was a major transportation hub for U.S. Construction began at Camp Kilmer in January 1942 and was completed in six months. Army during World War I and was killed in action in the Aisne-Marne offensive. They named the camp for the poet Joyce Kilmer, who enlisted in the U.S. Toward the end of 1941, with the threat of war imminent, the War Department chose a site between Edison and Piscataway, New Jersey as a staging area for troops. The 86th was the first divisional unit to return from Europe for redeployment to the Pacific. Greeted by a Women's Army Corps (WAC) band, veterans of the 86th "Blackhawk" division, cramming the troop transport General Brooke, sail up New York Harbor prior to entraining for Camp Kilmer.
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