Railroad pioneers, a rare armored locomotive equipped by the Germans during World War II, a sworn enemy of the Soviet guerrillas

The number of armored armed trains equipped by the German army during World War II was second only to the old rival Soviet army, becoming one of the countries with the most armored trains equipped and used. From the first use of armored trains left over from World War I to the development of brand-new armored trains on its own, the German army’s equipment development and tactical use of railway armored trains has embarked on a unique development path. Let’s talk about the little-known armored locomotives on the Eastern Front.

German armored locomotive

Before the battle, Hitler had never thought that the German army would be trapped in the Eastern Front and unable to extricate himself. According to his thoughts, the powerful German armored forces could end the Eastern Front in a short period of time. However, the reality did not develop according to his vision. The Germans on the Eastern Front were in a strategic stalemate with the Soviets. Germany had to mobilize a large amount of materials from the rear and transport them through a long railway line to meet the needs of the front-line troops. The Soviet guerrillas posed a huge threat to the German army on the long railway transportation line on the Eastern Route. They often smashed the railroad tracks and caused great troubles to the rear railway transportation of the German army. Sometimes the Soviet guerrillas even attacked the German army directly and seized military materials to supply themselves. The Germans urgently needed to find a countermeasure.

German armored train

Before the outbreak of World War II, the first German armored train in service was the escort train of the German railway department. The armored carriage was modified by adding 10mm bulletproof steel plate to the original freight carriage. It used a locomotive cockpit with a small amount of protective armor 57 type steam. Locomotive towing.

Early German armored train

The German army began to develop light and heavy armored reconnaissance locomotives used on railway lines in 1943. These armored locomotives can perform tasks alone and can also be connected in series to form an armored train fleet. They quickly maneuver along the rear railway line and once became the most popular Soviet guerrilla. Difficult goals.

Armored platoon at the end of World War II

German heavy armored trains usually consist of 12 different types of armored locomotives. The armored platoon is equipped with an armored command vehicle, two or three tactical armored carriages carrying machine guns, mortars, and infantry in series, and four are equipped with a No. 3 tank turret. Heavy reconnaissance armored locomotives, as well as other supporting anti-aircraft vehicles, flatbed trucks carrying motorized tanks, and so on.

Motorized Tank Lifting Platform Truck

The heavy reconnaissance armored locomotive weighs about 18 tons. The main weapon is a KwK L/24 short-tube 75mm artillery on the turret of a No. 3 or No. 4 tank. In addition to the turret coaxial machine gun, it also installs 4 MG34 machine guns. The car body is covered with 20mm thick steel armor, with inclined angles on all sides. Access hatches and observation windows are set on both sides of the car body. The crew members can also use light weapons to shoot outwards, and they can also leave the armored car for pursuit operations. This armor protection and firepower are already sufficient to withstand the attacks of the Soviet guerrillas.

German heavy armored locomotive

The engine of the armored locomotive is a 76-horsepower Steyr air-cooled gasoline engine, which can only reach 40 kilometers per hour on its own power. If it cruises at a slow speed of 20 kilometers per hour, its maximum range is about 700 kilometers.

Armored locomotive formation

The heavy armored reconnaissance locomotive also has a certain ability to fight alone. There are 7 crew members, including the commander, driver, loader and 4 gunners. In addition to daily patrols on transportation lines, it is generally organized to take the lead in front of freight vehicles to deter the Soviet guerrillas. It is more powerful in marshalling with other armored train tactical carriages, and can perform more combat tasks, and cooperate with the infantry to encircle and suppress Soviet guerrillas along the railway.

German armored train mobile defense

As a railway mobile armored vehicle, the heavy armored locomotive can rely on the railway for fast maneuvering. The railway itself limits its maneuvering route and range. However, it does greatly threaten the Soviet guerrillas and achieves this to the maximum. Weapons and equipment were designed for the purpose of the overall situation in the late World War II. If the overall situation was not good for the German army, the original production plan was not completed as scheduled. The actual quantity of this armored locomotive equipment is unknown, and it can still play a strong defensive role until Germany finally surrenders. .

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