German Forces

German Maultier cargo half-track, Italy, 1943.

Bundesarchiv.

The Wehrmacht's initial and traumatic experience of Russia's roads (or lack of roads) in Autumn and Winter conditions spurred them to produce a number of half-track conversions based on existing truck types. The tracked element of the chassis was, more often than not, of the Carden-Loyd type (similar to that used on the British Universal Carrier), but redundant tank chassis types, including those of the PzKpfw I and II tanks were also used, especially on the heavier truck conversions. The most common conversion seems to have been of the Opel Blitz 3-tonne medium truck, an example of which is seen here along with a Me 323 "Gigant" transport aeroplane. While each of these half-track adaptations had official designations, they tended to be known by the generic name of "Maultier" ("Mule"). Best regards, JR.