Krupp Protze

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Krupp Kfv.70 "Protze"
Krupp Kfv.70 on display at Deutsches Panzermuseum, Germany.
Type	Artillery tractor / Utility truck
Place of origin	Nazi Germany
Service history
Used by	Nazi Germany
Wars	World War II
Production history
Designer	Krupp
Manufacturer	Krupp
Produced	1933 to 1942
Number built	7000
Variants	Several, see text
Specifications
Weight	2450 kg
Length	5.10 m
Width	1.93 m
Height	1.96 m
Crew	2 + passengers
Armor	None
Engine	Krupp Boxer motor, 3.3 liters 60 hp
Fuel capacity	110 liters
Operational range	450 km
Speed	70 km/h

The Krupp "Protze" was a six-wheeled German truck and artillery tractor used by German forces in World War II. It was powered by a 60 hp Krupp M 304 4-cylinder engine. Its main purpose was to tow artillery, especially the PaK 36. It was also used to transport infantry and other utility uses.

This vehicle was extensively used on the Eastern Front, North African campaign and in France and Sicily. The Protze, commonly called the 'Boxer' was of simple design, and was mass-manufactured between 1933 and 1942. Total production was about 7000 units.

[edit] Variants

A successful design, the Protze was converted into several variant configurations

• Kfz.19 - Telephone truck
• Kfz.21 - Staff car
• Kfz.68 - Radio mast carrier
• Kfz.69 - Standard configuration for towing the PaK 36
• Kfz.70 - Standard configuration for personnel carrying
• Kfz.81 - Ammo carrier conversion for 2 cm FlaK gun, usually towed
• Kfz.83 - Generator carrier for anti-aircraft spotlight, usually towed
• SdKfz.247 - Armoured personnel carrier, only 20 built

Sometimes antitank and flak guns were mounted directly on the bed of the truck.

[edit] External links

• Pictures of Protzes at Olive-Drab.com
• Pictures and technical data
• Pictures of a Protze carrying a PaK 36
• Info and pictures about Krupp Protze