Remotely controlled blasting machines of the Borgward Sd.Kfz.301 family (Germany)

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Since 1939, German specialists have been working on remote-controlled equipment for ground forces. The first model of such a system brought to mass production was the mine sweeper Sd.Kfz.300, created by Borgward. Based on general ideas and solutions, several machines were developed, one of which was built in the number of 50 units. Also at that time, the possibility of creating a remotely controlled subversive machine was considered. For certain reasons, work on such a project began only in the 1941 year. This project received the designation Sonderkraftfahrzeug 301.

The aim of the new project, the development of which was entrusted to Borgward, was to create a relatively large armored vehicle with remote control, designed to transport subversive charge. Even during the French campaign, German troops used Landusleger I vehicles of this purpose, built on the basis of a light tank Pz.Kpfw.I. Such a technique could deliver a relatively heavy explosive charge to the enemy fortifications, however, it had a number of serious drawbacks. In the new project, it was required to get rid of all the negative features and provide a complete solution to the tasks. The design of the new demolition vehicle received the official designation Sd.Kfz.301. Also known as Gerät 690, Schwere Ladungstrager and Sonderschlepper B IV.


Museum car Sd.Kfz.301 in Münster. Photo of Wikimedia Commons


The developer company was required to create a tracked vehicle capable of transporting small loads or transporting a special blasting charge to the installation site. In this regard, there were some specific requirements. So, the car had to be as simple as possible and be cheap to manufacture. In addition, it was necessary to provide control both from their own cabin (for movement on the march and when used as a vehicle), and with the help of a remote control from another machine. Such requirements led to the formation of the original design. It is noteworthy that in the new project Sd.Kfz.301 it was decided to use some of the developments from the previous Sd.Kfz.300.

The development of the blasting machine began in October 1941. By this time, a new tracked ammunition carrier Borgward B III was put into production. In order to save time, effort and resources, it was decided to build remotely controlled equipment based on the existing conveyor. The latter "shared" with the new project of the power plant, chassis and other units. In this case, part of the nodes for the new machine should be developed from scratch due to the new tactical role.

First of all, a new special case was developed. It was proposed to transport a destructive charge of large mass and corresponding dimensions on the front sheet of the hull, in a special recess of the desired shape. For this reason, the forehead of the Sd.Kfz.301 case had characteristic outlines with raised sides and a recessed center. In this case, all parts of the frontal part were located at an angle to the vertical, and their upper part at the same level converged with the roof.

Remotely controlled blasting machines of the Borgward Sd.Kfz.301 family (Germany)
Machine in the fields. The cabin is not used. Photo Aviarmor.net


The hull also received vertical sides and a horizontal roof. The feed consisted of several sheets at an angle to each other. In the front right side of the roof four flaps were installed, mounted on hinges. If necessary, the driver could raise them, making a small cabin, and thus provide protection against some threats. In the stowed position and when using the remote control, the logs should be laid on the roof of the hull and thereby reduce the overall height of the machine.

Front hull sheets and logs were 10 mm thick. The sides were supposed to be made from 5-mm sheets. The roof and the bottom should have been 3-4 mm thick. With such protection parameters, the car could withstand small-arms bullets. weaponsand also not to be afraid of splinters of artillery shells. At the same time, the maximum possible reduction in the cost of construction and operation was achieved.

The body of the blasting machine Sd.Kfz.301 was distinguished by its relatively small size, due to which a rather dense layout of the internal units and volumes was used. In front of the hull, directly behind the front sheets, were placed transmission units. Behind them, at the right board, there was a small office of management with a workplace of the driver. The stern contained the engine in itself, tied to the transmission with the help of a propeller shaft.


Sd.Kfz.301 Ausf.A as a trophy of the allies. Photo Aviarmor.net


The car received a carburetor engine Borgward 6M RTBV horsepower 49. A single-speed manual transmission was used to transmit torque to the front drive wheels.

The chassis included five dual track rollers on each side. The rollers had an individual torsion bar suspension. Due to the relatively low mass and low load on the suspension, it became possible to use short torsion bars and position them on the same axis. In front of the hull, with noticeable excess over the rollers, drive wheels were located, in the stern - guides. A caterpillar 205 mm width with tracks equipped with rubber pads was used.

It was proposed to control a new type of blasting machine with the help of equipment at the driver’s workplace or using a remote system. In the first case, the driver, using levers and pedals, could fully control the operation of the systems and the behavior of the car. For remote control, the EP3 system was used, which provided control from a remote control. With the help of a remote control, it was possible to start and stop the engine, control the movement of the vehicle, and also enter commands into the subversive charge and reset it.


The driver uses only side shields. Photo of Chamberlain P., Doyle H. "Complete reference book of German tanks and self-propelled guns of the Second World War"


The blast charge for Sd.Kfz.301 was a large metal container with the necessary amount of explosive, a fuse and other systems. In the transport position, a metal box with 500 kg of explosives was to be located on the front sheet of the hull and enter its recess. When reaching the charge stacking point, the car had to open the locks, after which the container could slide to the ground along an inclined front sheet. The charge fuse had the ability to set the time after which it was necessary to produce an explosion. In addition, a fuse was provided that did not allow the fuse to operate at a certain distance from the operator. It was possible to install a fuse at a distance of 900 m.

The first version of a new type of blasting machine had a length of 3,65 m, a width of 1,8 m and a height of 1,19 m. The combat weight with 500-kg charge was determined at the level of 3,6 t. The car could reach speeds of up to 38 km. Remote control systems provided control of the machine within the line of sight.

The proposed method of applying the new technology was as follows. Driven by the driver, the Sd.Kfz.301 was supposed to arrive in the area of ​​combat work. Then she should be controlled by radio from a remote control mounted on another armored vehicle. At the command of the operator, the car had to go to the place where the blasting charge was installed, for example, to the enemy’s long-term firing point. Reaching the goal, the car had to drop the charge, ready to undermine, and go back. Next, an explosion was to occur that could destroy the enemy’s fortifications. Returning back, the blasting machine could get a new container with a warhead.


Blasting machine, rear view. Photo of Chamberlain P., Doyle H. "Complete reference book of German tanks and self-propelled guns of the Second World War"


The development of the project Sd.Kfz.301 took several months. The construction of the first prototype of such technology started at the beginning of 1942. Next, tests were conducted at one of the landfills, in which various features of the new model were tested. In particular, the management of the state bodies and with the help of the radio system was practiced. In general, the tests were successful, after which the new blasting machine was recommended for adoption.

In May, 1942, the company Borgward began to fulfill an order for the construction of serial equipment of a new type. In view of the modernization plans, the first version of the blasting machine received an updated designation Sd.Kfz.301 Ausf.A. Production of variant “A” lasted just over a year - until June 1943. During this time, 12 prototypes and 616 serial machines went off the assembly line. It should be noted, starting with a certain series, the technician received additional reservations. To improve the protection applied invoice armor plates of thickness 8 mm.

Serial blasting machines Sd.Kfz.301 Ausf.A were supplied to the troops and were limitedly used on the Eastern Front. According to the experience of using such a technique, the military has compiled a list of the necessary modifications of the design, which made it possible to increase the efficiency of its work. It was necessary to rework the chassis and change the design of the hull. In addition, it was planned to introduce some other innovations.


Reset charge. Photo of Chamberlain P., Doyle H. "Complete reference book of German tanks and self-propelled guns of the Second World War"


In the framework of the new project, which received the designation Sd.Kfz.301 Ausd.B, it was proposed to slightly change the design of the case. Thus, the thickness of the sides and the stern was increased to 10 mm, which allowed in some measure to increase the level of protection against small arms and debris. In addition, the tracks lost their rubber pads, and the hinge connecting the tracks was redesigned. Finally, the EP3 remote control system was upgraded.

The tests of the second modification of the blasting machine were completed at the beginning of the summer of 1943. In June, began assembling the first production machines. Until November, the 1943 Sd.Kfz.260 Ausf.B was built by 301. Like the machines of the first modification, the equipment with the letter “B” was sent to the front and was used in various operations.

Sonderkraftfahrzeug 301 blasting machines of the first modifications were put into service and were mastered by the troops shortly before the start of the Battle of Kursk. The 301 and 302 tank battalions were the first to receive this technique. In the course of these battles, remote-controlled equipment was used for making passages in minefields, as well as for undermining fortifications. For some time, new special machines successfully coped with the tasks and inflicted damage to the enemy. Nevertheless, in the future, the Red Army found ways to combat the enemy new.


Blasting machine next to other equipment. Photo Aviarmor.net


It quickly became clear that German remote-controlled vehicles did not have sufficiently powerful reservations, which is why they "fear" not only artillery, but also anti-tank guns. In addition, 5-mm armor sides of the hull could even penetrate 7,62-mm armor-piercing bullets at distances of no more than 50-70 m. An additional disadvantage of Sd.Kfz.301 was the small range of the remote control system. In some cases, the operator could lose visual contact with the machine, with corresponding consequences for its effectiveness.

Losses during the Battle of Kursk forced the German command to withdraw part of the blasting machines from the front and send them to other tasks. Thus, in 1944, Sd.Kfz.301 was actively used during the suppression of the Warsaw Uprising. A big problem for the German troops were the numerous barricades built by the rebels. For the demolition of debris that interfere with the movement of troops, remotely controlled vehicles were used. Due to the limited firepower of the enemy, such an application of technology was not associated with large losses.

The second result of the losses in the first battles was the order to develop the next modification with improved booking. When developing the Sd.Kfz.301 Ausf.C project, it was necessary to significantly enhance the protection of the machine, as well as to make some other changes to its design, primarily related to the expected increase in mass.


Modification of Sd.Kfz.301 Ausf.C. Photo of Chamberlain P., Doyle H. "Complete reference book of German tanks and self-propelled guns of the Second World War"


In version “C”, the blasting machine was to receive frontal and side plates with a thickness of 20 mm. Other body parts should be made of 6-mm armor. The driver has shifted to the left side. According to calculations, the combat mass of the updated equipment should have reached 4850 kg. To compensate for the increase in weight, it was proposed to use a new engine of increased power. Now, the Borgward 6B carburetor power 78 hp should be located in the hull rear. Such a power plant allowed not only to compensate for the increase in mass, but also slightly increase the mobility of the machine. Maximum speed increased to 40 km / h.

According to some information, during the Sd.Kfz.301 Ausf.C project it was planned to solve the problem of full control over the operation of the machine at a long distance. For this it was proposed to use a television camera that transmits a signal to the operator’s console. However, the technologies of that time were not perfect, because of which such a project ended in failure. Serial machines of the new type had to be monitored visually, using optical instruments available.

Sonderkraftfahrzeug 301 Ausf.C machines were manufactured from December 1943 to November 1944. During this time, Borgward was able to assemble and transfer 305 machines to a customer. The equipment was again sent to the customer in the face of the armies. Thus, from 1942 to 1944 years, a little less than 1200 armored vehicles of three modifications were built. Some of this technology was used in battles, while others met the end of the war at temporary storage sites.


Sd.Kfz.301 Ausf.A at the Museum of Vienna. Photo Avstrija.at


It should be recalled that the requirements for the Sd.Kfz.301 project emphasized the need to reduce the cost of production, which, it was believed, made it possible to reduce the economic consequences of equipment losses. As it turned out later, this approach was fully justified. According to reports, by 1 March 1945, the German army had only 397 demolition machines of three modifications of the 1200 built. At the same time, only 79 machines were used in the army units, while the remaining 318 remained in storage and waited in the wings. Thus, a total of two-thirds of the machines were lost in certain circumstances.

It should be noted that the loss of blasting machines were not only associated with their destruction. For example, in January 1945, the advancing Red Army managed to capture a large number of various German military equipment loaded onto railway platforms, but never evacuated. Among the trophies were a number of machines Sd.Kfz.301.

In the last months of the war in Europe, the German military attempted to use the existing remote-controlled vehicles as “manned” carriers of anti-tank weapons. By the spring of 1945, a little more than fifty Sd.Kfz.301 received a new weapon, which allowed them to participate in the ongoing battles in the new role. However, such machines, known under the general name Wanze, could not have a noticeable effect on the course and outcome of the war.


Red Army soldiers study Wanze self-propelled gun based on Sd.Kfz.301. Photo of Armourbook.com


Remote-controlled armored vehicles of the Sd.Kfz.301 family of three modifications were used with varying success by the German troops for several years. This technique made it possible to solve the assigned combat missions, however, it suffered serious losses and quickly broke down under enemy fire. As a result, work efficiency was constantly decreasing, and losses were increasing. Attempts to give technology a new role, taken at the end of the war, were also unsuccessful.

By the time of the surrender of Hitler's Germany, the troops had no more than 350-400 subversive machines Sonderkraftfahrzeug 301 in different versions. All this technique later became the Allied trophy. The vast majority of these machines in the postwar period, went for recycling. For display in museums, only a few copies of different degrees of preservation were preserved. One of them is in the exposition of the armored museum in the Russian Kubinka.


Based on:
http://achtungpanzer.com/
http://aviarmor.net/
http://lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/
Chamberlain P., Doyle H. Complete reference book of German tanks and self-propelled guns of the Second World War. - M .: AST: Astrel, 2008.
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  1. +1
    April 29 2016 09: 37
    Dear, in spite of the bad luck of the project, all the same, the Germans should be given their due, the new remotely controlled equipment with pretty good performance, why the Germans did not go further and did not begin to expand the use of this technique is a mystery, for example, put the barrels of a jet mortar on the carrier, here you and an anti-tank installation for battles in the city, the same engineering vehicles, ambulances, as time shows it will be in the future. And about the "Goliaths" will be?, because they were the ones on the Kursk Bulge
  2. +1
    April 29 2016 10: 34
    In some cases, the operator could lose visual contact with the machine with corresponding consequences for the effectiveness of its use.

    It turns out that you can either smoke a bomb or just set fire to straw and everything will not reach the place, nor will it return, because it is not visible where it goes and where. Use only during the day in sunny weather.
  3. +1
    April 29 2016 18: 36
    Nevertheless, the lack of cameras really greatly limited the range of these machines.
  4. 0
    April 30 2016 07: 54
    The action of this machine (as well as the goliath) is well shown in the Polish film "City 44", about the Warsaw uprising. Effective footage ...

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