German Tank Transporters WW2

The Germans had an interesting take on their tank transporters in WW2

From what I can work out the rear unit not only assisted with propulsion and steering but it drove off to allow the tank to drive onto the trailer. The bottom one here has about 50 tons to drag, not bad for 1942.

I surprised to learn in recent times just how un mechanized the German Army was in WW2

Oil or lack of it was the main reason apparently

Very interesting transporters

Paul

Not many people know that the greatest use of horses in any military conflict in history was by the Germans in WWII: 80% of their entire transport was equestrian. Despite all the propaganda about Blitzkreig, formidable German R&D, industrial design and production, the day to day mechanics of that fighting force involved an average of 1.1 million horses throughout the war. Of the 322 German divisions in the middle of the war - 1943 - only 52 were armored or motorized.

The great bulk of the German combat strength—the old-type infantry divisions—marched into battle on foot, with their weapons and supply trains propelled almost entirely by four-legged horsepower. The light and mountain divisions had an even greater proportion of animals, and the cavalry divisions were naturally mainly dependent on the horse.

I've always been interested in the German side of vehicles and planes, just because they were so complex and difficult to manufacture.

Your comments really opened my eyes to how primitive the Wehrmacht were.

A good topic to Google and read up on rather than watch TV.