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Post Info TOPIC: German half-track with anti-tank gun


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German half-track with anti-tank gun
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Hi folks,

I am watching this forum since some years and decided today to become a member.The scan below comes from a German book and displays a half-track lorry with naval gun for anti-tank use as the subtitle claims. I think it could be a Daimler Marienfelde ALZ 13 but I am not so familiar with cars and lorries of WWI. The caliber of the gun seems to be pretty small, maybe 37 mm? Does anybody know more details of this construction?

TIA.

Hannes

Halbketten-PAK_300.jpg



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Commander in Chief

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The weapon would seem to be a 5.2 cm SK L/55 naval gun. The vehicle is a Daimler Marienwagen halftrack, based on the ALZ 13.

The whole arrangement most probably is a mock-up, just put together for the show.

It was later claimed to represent a halftrack made ready for anti-tank work. However, I don't believe in that claim.



-- Edited by mad zeppelin on Thursday 2nd of June 2011 03:46:30 PM

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MZ


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Thank you very much for the fast reply!

Indeed, it looks very improvised and not like a purpose-designed tank buster. However, even a "show" must have had a deeper reason. Reportedly A.O.K. 2 and Heeresgruppe Rupprecht demand and tested (obviously successless) different new vehicles "on wheels or chains" to fight tanks in 1917/18. So, I wonder if this has anything to do with this picture.



-- Edited by K-Flak on Thursday 2nd of June 2011 05:30:38 PM



-- Edited by K-Flak on Thursday 2nd of June 2011 05:31:49 PM



-- Edited by K-Flak on Thursday 2nd of June 2011 05:36:26 PM

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Commander in Chief

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The initial idea was to mount the socle-mounted 5.7-cm gun also used in the A7V tanks and the captured male Mk.IVs on normal lorries - as quick intervention weapons in case of an enemy tank offensive.

But normal lorries were strictly roadbound. Thus, the idea to mount the guns on halftracks, which had a certain ability to move cross-country, arrived quite naturally.

However, nothing got ever ready in time. Decisions were made far too late. - Thus, I suspect this picture was taken just to document (after the war) that something had been done in time. But by placing the wrong gun on the Marienwagen, the makers of the picture betray that they were cheating.



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MZ


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Thank you! This assumption could be reasonable but I think without documental proof it will not make it into the realm of established facts and opponents will probably say the Germans had other problems in 1918/19. Nevertheless, an interesting opportunity. 



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Field Marshal

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mad zeppelin wrote:

. The vehicle is a Daimler Marienwagen halftrack, based on the ALZ 13.



-- Edited by mad zeppelin on Thursday 2nd of June 2011 03:46:30 PM


 Exactly: Daimler Marienwagen II

 

Ex Bermondt-Awalow Army Marienwagen II in Latvian army.

 



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Джорж Дебил-Ю Буш козел вонючий!


Lieutenant

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Extrem cool pictures, Ivan! A joy for the eyes!

So, the Latvian Army captured them after Bermondt-Awalow´s and the Freikorps defeat?

 



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K-Flak wrote:

Extrem cool pictures, Ivan! A joy for the eyes!

So, the Latvian Army captured them after Bermondt-Awalow´s and the Freikorps defeat?

 


 Not captured. Bermondt-Awalow after the dissolution of his Russian-German Freikorps just threw all the equipment, and Latvians have picked up. Altogether Bermondt was 3 or 4 of Marienwagen II 



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Джорж Дебил-Ю Буш козел вонючий!


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Do you know how long the Latvians kept their Marienwagen II in service?

 

(Btw I share your opinion about Bush biggrin)



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K-Flak wrote:

Do you know how long the Latvians kept their Marienwagen II in service?

 

(Btw I share your opinion about Bush biggrin)


 Do not know exactly, colleagues say to the early 30's, after which they were taken to the reserve. Soviets in 1940 they surrendered to scrap.

 



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Lieutenant

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One more wonderful picture! Thank you very much!



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