Schwere Wehrmachtschlepper
Encyclopedia
The Schwerer Wehrmachtschlepper (Heavy Military Tractor), or sWS for short, was a German World War II
half-track
flat-bed cargo vehicle used in various roles between 1943 and 1945. The unarmored models were used as supply vehicles and as tractors to haul things. The semi-armored version could mount a medium anti-aircraft gun while the fully armored model carried a 10 barrel rocket launcher (Nebelwerfer
). Less than a thousand were built before the end of the war, but production continued after the war of an improved model in the Tatra plant in Czechoslovakia
.
. Büssing-NAG was selected to develop a new 5 tonne tractor (Zgkw. 5t neuer Art) to replace the earlier 5 tonne Sd.Kfz. 6
and 3 tonne Sd.Kfz. 11
half-tracks as well as the various lesser-known vehicles of the same class. Production started in December 1943 at Büssing-NAG. Early examples used a truck-like, unarmored cabin similar to the earlier Sd.Kfz. half-track
s it replaced, while later examples featured an armored cabin and engine compartment that looked similar to the famous Sd.Kfz. 251 armored personnel carrier. Tatra also joined in production, but both factories produced only 825 in total. Tatra continued production of an improved vehicle after the war as the T809.
In addition to the basic cargo role, the vehicle was also adapted as a mount for the medium 3.7 cm FlaK 43
anti-aircraft gun, which was placed at the front of the cargo area on a mounting with a large gun shield. The sides of the cargo compartment folded down to give the crew more room to maneuver. Ammunition was carried at the rear of the cargo area. The only other known modification was the Panzerwerfer
, a 10-barreled 15 cm (5.9 in) Nebelwerfer
42 rocket launcher placed over an armored ammunition storage compartment built over the cargo area that was intended to replace the 15 cm Panzerwerfer auf Sf (Sd.Kfz. 4/1), commonly called the Maultier.
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
half-track
Half-track
A half-track is a civilian or military vehicle with regular wheels on the front for steering, and caterpillar tracks on the back to propel the vehicle and carry most of the load. The purpose of this combination is to produce a vehicle with the cross-country capabilities of a tank and the handling...
flat-bed cargo vehicle used in various roles between 1943 and 1945. The unarmored models were used as supply vehicles and as tractors to haul things. The semi-armored version could mount a medium anti-aircraft gun while the fully armored model carried a 10 barrel rocket launcher (Nebelwerfer
Nebelwerfer
The Nebelwerfer was a World War II German series of weapons originally designed to deliver chemical weapons. They were initially developed by and assigned to the Wehrmacht's so-called Chemical Troops ...
). Less than a thousand were built before the end of the war, but production continued after the war of an improved model in the Tatra plant in Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia or Czecho-Slovakia was a sovereign state in Central Europe which existed from October 1918, when it declared its independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, until 1992...
.
History
On 7 May 1942 Hitler ordered that development begin of a simple, low-speed, half-track, load-carrying vehicle for use on the Eastern FrontEastern Front (World War II)
The Eastern Front of World War II was a theatre of World War II between the European Axis powers and co-belligerent Finland against the Soviet Union, Poland, and some other Allies which encompassed Northern, Southern and Eastern Europe from 22 June 1941 to 9 May 1945...
. Büssing-NAG was selected to develop a new 5 tonne tractor (Zgkw. 5t neuer Art) to replace the earlier 5 tonne Sd.Kfz. 6
SdKfz 6
The SdKfz 6 was a half-track military vehicle used by the German Wehrmacht during the Second World War. It was designed to be used as the main towing vehicle for the 10.5 cm leFH 18 howitzer. However it proved far too expensive and was phased out in 1941 for more economic halftracks...
and 3 tonne Sd.Kfz. 11
SdKfz 11
The Sd.Kfz. 11 was a German half-track that saw very widespread use in World War II. Its main role was as a prime mover for medium towed guns ranging from the 3.7 cm FlaK 43 anti-aircraft gun up to the 10.5 cm leFH 18 field howitzer...
half-tracks as well as the various lesser-known vehicles of the same class. Production started in December 1943 at Büssing-NAG. Early examples used a truck-like, unarmored cabin similar to the earlier Sd.Kfz. half-track
Half-track
A half-track is a civilian or military vehicle with regular wheels on the front for steering, and caterpillar tracks on the back to propel the vehicle and carry most of the load. The purpose of this combination is to produce a vehicle with the cross-country capabilities of a tank and the handling...
s it replaced, while later examples featured an armored cabin and engine compartment that looked similar to the famous Sd.Kfz. 251 armored personnel carrier. Tatra also joined in production, but both factories produced only 825 in total. Tatra continued production of an improved vehicle after the war as the T809.
3.7 cm FlaK 43
The 3.7 cm Flak 18/36/37/43 were series of anti-aircraft cannon produced by Nazi Germany, which saw widespread service in the Second World War. The cannon was fully automatic and effective against aircraft flying at altitudes up to 4200 meters. The cannon was produced in both towed and...
anti-aircraft gun, which was placed at the front of the cargo area on a mounting with a large gun shield. The sides of the cargo compartment folded down to give the crew more room to maneuver. Ammunition was carried at the rear of the cargo area. The only other known modification was the Panzerwerfer
Panzerwerfer
The German Panzerwerfer is one of two different types of half-tracked multiple rocket launchers employed by Nazi Germany during the Second World War...
, a 10-barreled 15 cm (5.9 in) Nebelwerfer
Nebelwerfer
The Nebelwerfer was a World War II German series of weapons originally designed to deliver chemical weapons. They were initially developed by and assigned to the Wehrmacht's so-called Chemical Troops ...
42 rocket launcher placed over an armored ammunition storage compartment built over the cargo area that was intended to replace the 15 cm Panzerwerfer auf Sf (Sd.Kfz. 4/1), commonly called the Maultier.
Armor
The Panzerwerfer mount itself had armor 10 millimetre (0.393700787401575 in) thick.| Thickness/slope from the vertical | Front | Side | Rear | Top/Bottom |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gun Shield (Flak 43 only) | 10 mm (0.393700787401575 in)/30° | none | none | none |
| Superstructure | 15 mm (0.590551181102362 in)/30° | 12 mm (0.47244094488189 in)/8° | 8 mm (0.31496062992126 in)/30° | 6 mm (0.236220472440945 in)/87° |
| Hull | 15 mm (0.590551181102362 in)/15° | 12 mm (0.47244094488189 in)/15° | 8 mm (0.31496062992126 in)/0° | 6 mm (0.236220472440945 in) |