GERMANY'S HIGH HOPI OF LORRIED INFANTRY
Page 30
Page 31
Page 32
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
Describing the Design, Construction and Uses Particular Attention is Paid to Details of Feature in Service Has Been A
'arno" 18-ton Semi-track Transport Vehicle. -bearing Track Links, and the Value of this )nstrated by Prolonged Field Use Aspart of the new system of " blitzkreig " warfare inaugurated by the Germans, speed and mass of movement of fighting personnel in planned, overwhelming force, form integral parts of a carefully preconceived and scientihc method of attack. Lorried infantry (not merely foot-sloggers transpOrted in converted chars-a-bancs), with the distinguishing grass-green piping around their shoulder straps, constitute an essential unit in a broad strategy.
The scheme of lightning warfare, which we have now mastered and have employed with remarkable success in North Africa, presents three aspects. First, penetration. This is often the task of the engineers, which, in the German Army, frequently function as shock troops.
Next, initial obstacles having been cleared, comes the break through. Tanks of various types act as wedges to open up gaps cut during the penetration phase. Finally, attack in full force develops. Armoured vehicles and lorried infantry strike from the front and on the flanks, fanning out and closing in on the enemy from the rear. Speed is clearly the essence of this form of attack and infantry support to heavy armour must, obviously, move at a rate commensurate with that of the machines in front, hence the importance of lorried infantry. Ordinary lorries or semi-track vehicles may be used. Amongst the latter is the " Famo," " s2gkw.1.8t," a semi-track, heavy-duty transport vehicle now being produced in great numbers for the German Army.
Although lighter types exist, this particular model has a deadweight of 18 metric tons and is the heaviest representative of its class. The vehicle, which should be distinguished from the full-track Tank and haulage models, is, itself, designed to carry not only especially heavy loads, but, furthermore, to draw trailer loads up to a total weight of
18,000 kg. Its cruising speed is about 35 kin./hr., whilst its maximum road speed is about 50 km./hr. •
The tracks deserve particular mention. They weigh approximately 2,000 lb. apiece. Joints between the links operate on grease-lubricated needle bearings, each bearing being surrounded by a specially shaped grease-box containing about l lb. lubricant. As a result of this innovation, it has been fOund that track life is increased by as much as 10 times, whilst, of course, apart from this fact, power losses in transmission are enormously decreased.
In this respect, the .track construction system adopted must be carefully distinguished from that commonly used on full or semi-track vehicles employed in agricultural work, where operating conditions and smoothness of running differ markedly from those which the lorry we are describing is likely to encounter.
Similarly, also, the rubber treads provided for the track links are intended to give not only a shock-absorbing effect (designed to protect the power unit) , and to provide a firm grip for the tracks, but, in addition, have the object of promoting smooth and comfortable transit far the personnel.
The•links themselves are in the form of steel castings, the working faces of which are precision ground. It is interesting to note that, of the total number of operations involved in the production of a complete track, 18 are fully mechanized; thus manufacturing costs for what would, otherwise, be an extremely costly unit are reduced to a minimum, whilst output is maintained at the highest possible level
Track drive is from a pair of wheels in the front part of the vehicle and the tracks themselves take the greater part of the load. The power unit consists of a Maybach 230 h.p.
motor; both track wheels and road wheels run on roller bearings. Each track wheel is attached to the chassis by means of a single-arm crank axle and is sprung by mean% of a torsion-bar spring housed in the tubular cross-members of the frame.
Especially worthy of note is the winch built into the centre of the frame ; this, by means of a worm drive, enables the stationary vehicle to pull loads up to 7,000 kg.
In the construction of the frame of the " s.Zgkw.1.8t,'t two longitudinal members, fabricated by welding, are joined by transverse U and tubular members welded into po'sition. During fabrication, jigging is so arranged that approach to the assembly is possible from every side.
After welding, the next operation consists in clamping the frame, which is 7.5 m. long, in a giant boring machine provided with four boring heads.
In another part of the factory the heavy driving wheels are produced, together with the tracks and their complicated needle-bearing links. Elsewhere, the driving wheels are east and machined, and the winch and its various components assembled.
In the tinsmith's shop, the steel bodywork is made. This consists of an open structure with two rows of seats. It is made in separate units to facilitate assembly and taking down.
So, along the assembly line, piece by piece, stage by stage, the complete vehicle takes shape. The front axle is of the fully floating type and is carried on the front crossmember of the chassis. The front wheels are provided with massive Buns tyres. Steering and braking mechanisms for this giant lorry are good instances of German practice.
Finally, into the chassis are incorporated the winch with its special cable feed mechanism and the drawbar for the trailer. Then the bodywork is lowered on to the completed chassis and the special lubricated tracks are attached, after which the vehicle is ready to drive off.
This vehicle forms an excellent example of quantity production methods as applied to a highly specialized type of machine.