Landwasserschlepper

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Landwasserschlepper
Place of origin Flag of Germany Germany
Specifications
Weight 34 t (74,957 lb)
Crew 2 plus 20 passengers
Armor none
Primary
armament		 none
Engine Maybach HL120, V12, petrol, 11,867 cc (724in3)
300 hp (224 kW) at 3000 rpm
Suspension tracks
Speed 35 km/h (21 mph) road, 12 km/h (7½ mph) water

Landwasserschlepper was an amphibious tractor produced by Germany during World War Two.

Ordered by the Heer Waffenamt,[1] the Landwasserschlepper was intended as a lightweight river tug with some capacity to operate on land.[2]

Designed by Rheinmetall-Börsig of Dusseldorf,[3] the hull was very like a motor launch, and it resembled nothing more than a tracked boat, down to twin the rear-mounted tunnelled propellors.[4] On land, it rode on steel-shod tracks and four pairs of bogies per side.[5] It was intended to aid river crossing and bridging operations.

Due to protracted development,[6] Landwasserschlepper did not enter service until 1942, remaining operational until 1945, with some success.[7] It never served in large numbers.[8]

[edit] References

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Hogg, I.V., & Weeks, J.W. Illustrated Encyclopedia of Military Vehicles (London: Hamlyn, 1980), p.307, "Landwasserschlepper Light River Tug".
  2. ^ Fitzsimons, Bernard, ed. Illustrated Encyclopedia of 20th Century Weapons and Warfare (London: Phoebus, 1978), Volume 16, p.1704, "Landwasserschlepper".
  3. ^ Hogg & Weeks, p.307.
  4. ^ Fitzsimons, Volume 16, p.1704, "Landwasserschlepper".
  5. ^ Hogg & Weeks, p.306.
  6. ^ Hogg & Weeks, p.307.
  7. ^ Hogg & Weeks, p.307.
  8. ^ Hogg & Weeks, p.307; Fitzsimons, Volume 16, p.1704, "Landwasserschlepper".

[edit] Sources

  • Fitzsimons, Bernard, ed. Illustrated Encyclopedia of 20th Century Weapons and Warfare, Volume 16, p.1704, "Landwasserschlepper". London: Phoebus, 1978.
  • Hogg, I.V., & Weeks, J.W. Illustrated Encyclopedia of Military Vehicles, p.306-7, "Landwasserschlepper Light River Tug". London: Hamlyn, 1980.