RSO Radschlepper Ost in Normandy 1944

[Manuferey]

The vehicle on the left of this famous picture taken in the Normandy bocage in 1944 looks like a RSO Radschlepper Ost. What do you think?



Emmanuel

[Sean N]

No, it's got wheels instead of tracks for a start, and the cab's a totally different shape. Is it an old style artillery tractor of some sort?

[kstdk]

Hello

It could be an old French Artillery Tractor - maybe the Latil TAR4?

Notice it looks like steel wheels?

Regards
Kurt
kstdk

[Sander D]

.

It looks more like a Skoda RSO- Radschlepper Ost.

See: http://strangevehicles.greyfalcon.us/SK ... ACTORS.htm

Cheers

Sander

.

[Sean N]

Thanks Sander, I immediately assumed Manuferey was talking about the Steyr RSO, but of course he did say Radschlepper. Senior moment.

Those are the sort of tractors I was thinking of, though.

[diggikid]

rso can mean both "rad"so and "raupen"so. first is translated "wheel", second is translated "tracks".

they were built by steyr, skoda and multiple other companys.

[SIS 5]

Hi Emmanuel,

like You I´m rather sure that this vehicle is the Radschlepper Ost (RSO). I´ve found two pics in the booklet "Waffen-Arsenal Special Band 27: Raupenschlepper Ost" by Wolfgang Fleischer:
pic 1: Raupenschlepper Ost during a test with other vehicles
pic 2: summer 1944 in Normandy.In the background a left Radschlepper Ost. There are some pics which testify the existence of these vehicles on the western front.

Regards

Bert

[jpz4]

Since you guys are digging up this old thread, it might be interesting to get a copy of Panzerwrecks II
http://www.panzerwrecks.com/pw11info.html
Bottom row, 6th photograph. There's a second photo in the book as well.

[Manuferey]

Thanks all for your help. There's no doubt now that there were Radschlepper Ost in Normandy in 1944 !

Emmanuel

[Alanmccoubrey]

Thanks all for your help. There's no doubt now that there were Radschlepper Ost in Normandy in 1944 !

Emmanuel

You mean that YOU have no doubt, they never was any doubt

[Manuferey]

Thanks Alan.

[Manuferey]

Do we know which German units used RSO in Normandy in 1944?

Here is a superb color picture (from LIFE magazine/Getty Images) of a Radschlepper Ost in Avranches in the Summer of 1944:


(Photo by Frank Scherschel/Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images)
Source: http://www.gettyimages.com/license/503121639

Another picture of the same vehicle (see the camouflage on the open door)with the same GI (the net on the helmet would indicate the 79th ID).:


Emmanuel

[J-Feder-504]

Gasp !
I'm currently building the 1/35 model of that ugly thing in Normandy...
What a great find !
One million thanks !

Eric