Engineer Panzers? Snow Plows?

[arctic fox]

I have been reading some American AARs from winter 1944-1945 and I notice how they used bulldozer tanks to plow roads and even create roads of their own. This made me think how I have seen only one or two pictures of German engineer tanks. Did Germans use engineer panzers (bulldozers, mine-clearers, bridge-layers) in any wider scale? How did they keep roads open during winter?

-AF

[Aldert Louwe]

I have been reading some American AARs from winter 1944-1945 and I notice how they used bulldozer tanks to plow roads and even create roads of their own. This made me think how I have seen only one or two pictures of German engineer tanks. Did Germans use engineer panzers (bulldozers, mine-clearers, bridge-layers) in any wider scale? How did they keep roads open during winter?

-AF

They had there engineer panzers also( think of the Bergepanzer 38, BergePanther and BergeTiger, bridge layers based on panzer I, III and Hanomag 251/i think it was version 8).
I have never seen one with snowplough but the ancor they used for towing could also be used as a plough with maybe a small adjustment?

[arctic fox]

Thanks!

I was able to find information from Google now that I got the correct German term. I will post about my findings (and more questions ) when I have read more.

-AF

[arctic fox]

Here's a list of different types of German engineer vehicles that I could find. Are there any errors? Is something missing? I didn't find any bulldozer or plow type vehicles.

Bergepanzer - Recovery panzer with a winch or crane.

Pionierkampfwagen - Carrier for combat engineers.

Pionierpanzerwagen - Carries combat engineers, their equipment and two light bridges.

Brückenleger - A bridge layer for heavier bridge parts.

Minenräumpanzer - Mine clearing panzer.

Minenräumwagen - Mine clearing vehicle.

Ladungsleger - Explosives carrier?

-AF

[arctic fox]

There was Schneeschaufel auf Bren (e): captured Bren Carriers with snow plows.


Image source: http://beute.narod.ru

There must have been other snow plow vehicles, perhaps trucks. Does anyone know?

-AF

[Patrice]

Hello, a Sd.Kfz 6 with used as snow plows.
From 'Halbkettenfahrzeuge Armour Series n°7.
Patrice.

[arctic fox]

Thanks!

Halftrack would make a great snow plough and apparently it did.


There was a version of Büssing-NAG truck with snow plough:



Source: http://www.autogallery.org.ru/m/buessnag.htm


Some sites tell that there was a snow plough for RSO caterpillar. I also found some individual references for Pz.IV and VI with snow plough.


-AF

[arctic fox]

Jim provided me information (THANKS!) that lead me to this interesting page: http://www.panzermodellbau.com/index_at ... fel.html&1

This page contains a picture of Panther Ausf D mit Räumschaufel:



If I understand German language of that page correctly, these kind of bulldozer panzers were used as parts of fire brigades that cleared rubble created by Allied air raids. Does it mean that these kind of panzers were not usually part of combat units?


I have been reading THE TIGER TRIUMPHS - THE STORY OF THREE GREAT DIVISIONS IN ITALY and it contains this passage that stresses the importance of Allied engineer vehicles:

Among a thousand devices, two were of such paramount importance as to make the difference between defeat and victory. Bulldozers, long the envy of commanders in the desert, multiplied their functions to meet a hundred emergencies. These great scoops and their crews became integral elements of every battlefield. Whatever the malice of the enemy or the whim of nature, if earth and stone could repair the damage the bulldozers speedily would open the way. A brigade of artillery or a heavy concentration of bombers might wreak fantastic destruction on a vital target. Yet in a matter of hours a half-dozen grimy drivers with chugging caterpillars would mend and make workable. The bulldozer was surgeon-on-the-spot to all wounded terrain.

Is anyone aware of German views on this subject? Did they recognize the efficiency of Allied bulldozers? Did Germans utilize bulldozer vehicles with same efficiency? Did German combat troops even have bulldozer vehicles?

-AF

[Bill 13]

Day All
From the for what it's worth files.
Winter 43/44 Pic
As to having bulldozers I have seen one in german service albeit with the workers working on Festung Europa.
Also seen single bladed plows on truck fronts shifting snow.
Who makes these plows I don'nt know.
Bill
:roll:
http://www.members.shaw.ca/pzpflak/19.wmv until 25 May 2006 short clip(9sec675kb)

[FRANCY RITTER]

Panther Ausf D mit Räumschaufel.

Another pic

Sorry unknown source

[MadderCat]

the Panther with the plow was only used in clearing street in probably Nuremberg
it was somwhere speculated that this Panther D was converted by MAN during an overhaul because there's no gun
some other tanks (a few P III and P IV, not the VI, writing error in the german text of the picture)
were also used with a plow, mainly used by fire brigades

as far as I know it there was no usage of such tanks in combat units
but as always with the german Wehrmacht, You learn every day something new about it...


MadderCat

[john1761]

The germans also made a snow plow blade that attached to the front of Tiger 1. Can't find apicture yet. I think in one of Jentz's book on the Tiger had a photo of it.

[bryson109]

The germans also made a snow plow blade that attached to the front of Tiger 1. Can't find apicture yet. I think in one of Jentz's book on the Tiger had a photo of it.

Jentz book on the Tiger tank does have a picture of a Tiger prototype VK 45.01(H) V1 with Vorpanzer (spaced armour) on the front hull. When extended the Vorpaner does look like a snowplow blade. Could this be the oictuer you are referring to?

-Bryson

[bryson109]

Rats can't edit posts anymore

oictuer should be Picture


-Bryson

[john1761]

No , that is not the one. probably another book I will have to check. I know Tank workshop used to make a tiger snowplow.