Unknown German Ordnance Vehicle

[Stephan H.]

I came across this image in the photographic still collection in Archives II while doing unrelated research. I have never seen this vehicle before and thought others might find it interesting. The back of the photo had a caption that read "Giant Nazi ordnance vehicle." The vehicle was captured by U.S. forces on their way to the Elbe, just west of Magdeburg on 12 April 1945.

Any idea what it was or how it was used?

Cheers,
Stephan

[sniper1shot]

A looooooooong time ago I had read this vehicle was a type of mine clearance machine.
Again, no idea myself.

[Stephan H.]

A looooooooong time ago I had read this vehicle was a type of mine clearance machine.

Thanks for that quick impression! It does seem to have some hallmarks of a mine clearing vehicle. It reminds me of a modern day HEMET.

[michael kenny]

http://www.militarymodelling.com/news/a ... asp?a=4570

[phylo_roadking]

It reminds me of a modern day HEMET

Or a London Bendy Bus! Looks about as manouverable and driver-responsive too!

[phylo_roadking]

You know - since I first saw that, something was bugging me. Then I remembered..."Separated at (still)birth?"

[Stephan H.]

michael kenny - thanks for the link. I figured someone would have made a model by now.

You know - since I first saw that, something was bugging me. Then I remembered..."Separated at (still)birth?"

What 80s post nuclear holocaust move was that photo from?!

Stephan

[phylo_roadking]

The TRULY awful film adaptation of the otherwise wonderful and legendary Damnation Alley by Roger Zelazny. Now almost forgotten outside hardcore SciFi fandom....unless you've a kid into Judge Dredd... - for whom the book AND film were plundered shamelessly and probably litiginously for the Cursed Earth storycycle.

[karltrowitz]

This prototype vehicle was known as the Schweres Minenraumfahrzeug (Mine destroyer vehicle). Another name for it was the Krupp Raumer-S. It was built by Krupp in 1944 and weighed 130 tonnes. It was powered by a Maybach HL 90 engine. I don't know anything about it's history at all.

[Prosper Vandenbroucke]

Hello,
Have a look at the bottom of this page:
http://strangevehicles.greyfalcon.us/Alkett.htm
Regards
Prosper

[sniper1shot]

AWESOME LINK.
Thanks for posting.

[phylo_roadking]

All that...THEN a Pz I turret on the top??? Definition of a "weak spot".....!

[Stephan H.]

Prosper - thanks for that link. I particularly like that Kubinka photo!

Stephan