Why the Germans didn't extensively use gun trucks?

[bertamingo]

Hi folks, this question just came to me. Both the Germans of WW2 and the Americans in Vietnam/Iraq faced significant resistance activities against their transport convoys, but it seems the Germans never adopted gun trucks on a large scale as convoy escorts like Americans did. Why is that?

From the experience of Vietnam, a simple gun truck could be made from a truck + weapons + sandbags, it's not that complex or demanding. And at least in the Soviet Union, there were probably tons of derelict armor plates from wrecked armor as well.

Why were there only isolated examples of armored/unarmored German gun trucks in WW2?

[Sheldrake]

Several reasons

There is a big difference between the US situation in Vietnam and Iraq and the German situation in WW2.

Iraq and Vietnam were 90+ % insurgency. 5%> of German activity was counter insurgency.

Gun trucks were a luxury for armed forces that were short of trucks and manpower. It made sense to for the Germans to protect railway trains when they could, but not road convoys.

[bertamingo]

Several reasons

There is a big difference between the US situation in Vietnam and Iraq and the German situation in WW2.

Iraq and Vietnam were 90+ % insurgency. 5%> of German activity was counter insurgency.

Gun trucks were a luxury for armed forces that were short of trucks and manpower. It made sense to for the Germans to protect railway trains when they could, but not road convoys.

Thanks for the opinion, I think the difference in focus between the Americans and the Germans is quite true, probably the Germans were more focused on the ever stressing frontlines than partisans and thought security and collaborationist formations were enough for dealing with them, so no need for modifying many gun trucks.

[Cult Icon]

german kubelwagens/bikes could be mounted with machineguns

[bertamingo]

german kubelwagens/bikes could be mounted with machineguns

Yes, but I'm under the impression that the MG mounted kubelwagens and motorbikes were infrequently used as convoy escorts, with the former being more of a self-dense nature and the latter usually used for recon. I could be wrong though, as I haven't studied it extensively.

[Cult Icon]

Yes, but I'm under the impression that the MG mounted kubelwagens and motorbikes were infrequently used as convoy escorts, with the former being more of a self-dense nature and the latter usually used for recon. I could be wrong though, as I haven't studied it extensively.

I have read of elements being peeled off (armored recon) to provide security for supply columns but other than that I think the supply columns defended themselves with their small arms since IIRC their TOEs don't show much. There is a bit in Weidinger's Das Reich series about that.

There is also the possibility of MPs escorting them, have you looked into it?

[bertamingo]

Yes, but I'm under the impression that the MG mounted kubelwagens and motorbikes were infrequently used as convoy escorts, with the former being more of a self-dense nature and the latter usually used for recon. I could be wrong though, as I haven't studied it extensively.

I have read of elements being peeled off (armored recon) to provide security for supply columns but other than that I think the supply columns defended themselves with their small arms since IIRC their TOEs don't show much. There is a bit in Weidinger's Das Reich series about that.

There is also the possibility of MPs escorting them, have you looked into it?

Thank you for the clues, now I recall seeing some armored cars in the Balkans escorting normal convoys. Other than those, the convoys were probably on their own. For the MP, I haven't studied them yet, will search for some information.