Germany's schwerer Wehrmachtsschlepper, sWS, Gerät 71 half track

Design

Several months after the start of the invasion of the Soviet Union, the Germans began to realize that some of their half tracks were too expensive or too complex to produce and a cheaper one was needed.

Büssing-NAG came up with the design for the sWS.

On May 7, 1942, Hitler ordered a simple low-speed semi-track vehicle be produced for use in Russia. Up until mid-1944 they had a truck like cab, and then was replaced with an armored cab.

It was intended for infantry units which would act as a general purpose and supply vehicle.

Crew

There was no cab for the crew so as to reduce costs.

Hull

There was almost no armor.

Tracks

Used all-steel tracks which reduced costs.

Prototype

The 1st prototype appeared in the spring of 1943.

Production

The sWS was never produced in large quantities as it never got priority for production. Production of the sWS was also interrupted by Royal Air Force raids.

• schwerer Wehrmachtsschlepper, sWS, Gerät 71: 381
  • Production: December 1943 - September 1944
• Total: 825
  • Manufacturer: Büssing-NAG in Berlin, Ringhoffer-Tatra in Czechoslovakia
  • Production: December 1943 - March 1945

Variants

• schwerer Wehrmachtsschlepper, sWS, Gerät 71:
• leWS: Lighter design that wasn't manufactured.
• 37 mm Flak 43 auf sWS, 3.7cm Flak 43 auf Schwerer Wehrmachtsschlepper: 37 mm Flak43 L/89 mounted.
• 150 mm Panzerwerfer 42 (Zehuling) auf sWS; 15cm Panzerwerfer 42 (Zehnling) auf Schwerer Wehrmacht-Schlepper: Mounted 10 barrel 150 mm Nebelwerfer 42 rocket launcher.

Usage

Post World War II

Some of the sWSs were used by the Czech Army after World War II.