Designed in Czechoslovakia and originally known as the Českomoravská Kolben-Daněk (ČKD) LT vz. 38, the Panzer 38(t) saw extensive service with the German Wehrmacht Heer during World War II in the Polish, French and Soviet campaigns. Production ended in 1942 as its main armament had become inadequate, with over 1,400 of these light tanks produced, although the Marder III and Jagdpanzer 38 - based on its chassis - continued to be built long afterwards.