German Prime Movers

Weight: 11 tons.

Speed: Road 49kmh (31mph).

Range: Road 250km (156 miles).

The SdKfz 7 was introduced in 1938 and was designed as a gun tractor for heavier German artillery guns, such as the sFH 18, the sK 18 and the 88mm Flak. Several versions were introduced including the KM m10 and the KM m11, both fitted with improved power plants and various minor changes. Other variants were introduced including the SdKfz 7/1, self-propelled mount for the quad 20mm Flak gun and the SdKfz 7/2, self-propelled mount for the 37mm Flak gun.

Weight: 2.5 tons.

Speed: Road 65kmh (40mph).

Range: Road 300km (187 miles).

This vehicle was introduced in 1937 as a half-tracked gun tractor. The vehicle had a complex transmission, which complicated maintenance in the field. Despite this, these machines proved rugged and simple to operate, with good cross country prformance. The vehicle carried a crew of eight and was used to tow light artillery weapons. Later versions were modified to carry various anti-aircraft guns. The SdKfz 10/4 was mounted with a 20mm Flak 30, while the SdKfz 10/5 was mounted with a 20mm Flak 38. The sides and rear of the vehicle were modified to fold down to create a firing platform for the gun and crew. Production of the vehicle ended in 1944 but it remained in service until the end of the war.

Weight: 3 tons.

Speed: Road 85kmh (53mph).

Range: Road 320km (200 miles).

The Opel Blitz was introduced in 1938. The vehicle was diesel-engined, to cater for Germany's petroleum shortage. The vehicle had a conventional layout in an effort to eliminate over-elaborate and costly designs and as far as possible adopt designs which had both military and commercial applications. The vehicle had a pressed steel cab and bonnet, and suspension was provided by conventional leaf springs. In 1940 the Type A, an all wheel drive variant went into production. It featured a house-type body which could be fitted out for a variety of different uses. The box-like house body was constructed from wood and compressed card, partly for ease of production and also to save the use of costly raw materials. The Opel-Blitz remained in production until the end of the war.

Weight: 7 tons.

Speed: Road 48kmh (30mph).

Range: Road 440km (275 miles).

Another successful variant of the Opel Blitz was the Maultier (Mule). Developed for use on the eastern front, where wheeled vehicles performed poorly in the harsh ground conditions, it entailed mounting the complete track assembly from obsolete PzKfw I light tanks to the rear chassis frames. The drive shaft was reduced in length and the axle was moved forward to line up with the sprocket wheels. The existing brake drums were retained for steering at the rear. The greatly improved cross-country performance led to the Maultier being adopted as a standard type. In mid 1943, production ceased in favour of purpose-built tractors for the eastern front. The conversion reduced the carrying capacity to 2 tons. The vehicle was also converted to provide a mobile launch platform for the 150mm rocket launcher. This variant, the SdKfz 4/1 Panzerwerfer 42, was an armoured Opel Maultier chassis, mounted with a ten barrel rocket launcher.

Weight: 1175kg.

Speed: Road 83kmh (51mph).

Range: Road 400km (250 miles).

The Kubelwagen, meaning "bucket seat car" was introduced in 1941. Carrying a crew of 4 men it could also be mounted with an MG34 for local protection. The vehicle was rear wheel driven, but due to its light weight and good traction capabilities, it performed well in most conditions, especially the cold weather experienced on the eastern front. The vehicle did not adapt well to the use of low-octane fuels experienced in Russia and suffered from damage to the suspension if overloaded. The vehicle remained in production until the end of the war.

Weight: 1362kg.

Speed: Road 80kmh (50mph) in water 10kmh.

Range: Road 520km (325 miles).

The type 128 Schwimmwagen (swim car) was a 4 wheel drive, amphibious vehicle introduced in 1941. It was designed as an all terrain vehicle based on the Kubelwagen, but the chassis was modified to be hull shaped. A smaller version, the type 166 was introduced in 1942. When the car was afloat, the crankshaft, leading through the back of the vehicle, propelled the three bladed propeller. In water, as on land, steering was effected by the conventional steering wheel. For starting under winter conditions, a specially volatile starting fuel, contained in a small auxiliary fuel tank was used. Production of the vehicle ended in 1944, due to its complicated production and the high material usage, but the vehicle remained in use until the end of the war.

Weight: 180kg.

Speed: Road 100kmh (62mph) with sidecar 85kmh (53mph).

Range: Road 230km (143 miles).

The restraints imposed on Germany by the Treaty of Versailles, lead to the introduction of many vehicles not previously used by the German Army. This medium motorcycle was introduced in 1935 for use by reconnaissance and mechanized units. It was used with or without the sidecar, although it was slightly underpowered for use with the sidecar. The sidecar could be mounted with an MG34 for local protection or a 50mm light mortar. The bike was a reliable machine and remained in production until 1941, seeing service during the early part of the campaign.

Weight: 185kg.

Speed: Road 100kmh (62mph) with sidecar 85kmh (53mph).

Range: Road 230km (143 miles).

This heavy motorcycle was introduced in 1941 and replaced the BMW R12. It was a rugged machine and displayed good mobility. Again it could be used with or without the sidecar, which could be mounted with an MG34 for local protection or a 50mm light mortar. Production of the motorcycle ended in 1944, but it remained in service for the remainder of the war.

Weight: 1560kg.

Speed: Road 80kmh (50mph).

Range: Road 250km (156 miles).

The 'HK 101' SdKfz 2 Kettenkrad was originally conceived as a light prime mover for mountain and airborne troops, to be used for towing light mountain guns, mortars and other equipment. Introduced in 1941, it found favour with all troops, especially those on the eastern front, where it's excellent cross-country ability allowed it to manoeuvre on the mud-bogged roads and in the mountainous Caucasus region. The vehicle could carry a crew of three and had limited load carrying and towing capability, often being utilised as a supply vehicle. A sub variant, the SdKfz 2/1, was modified as a cable laying tractor for field telephones. Production of the vehicle ended in 1944, but it remained in service until the end of the war.