Goliath (tank)

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Goliath explosive tank
Copy in the Technik-Museum Sinsheim
Copy in the Swiss Military Museum Full

A small German tank was called the Goliath and was able to direct explosive charges into enemy positions by radio or cable control in the last years of the Second World War . As an explosive tank, it is a forerunner of the military robot . As a light load carrier, it received the official designation (special motor vehicle) Sd.Kfz. 302, later versions 303a and 303b.

history

In 1940 a small explosive charge carrier developed by the French company Kégresse was sunk in the Seine and recovered by the Germans. After a detailed investigation, the order was placed in November 1940 with the Borgward company to develop a small tracked vehicle that could be controlled remotely via cable and that could carry at least 50 kilograms of explosives .

The purpose was to be able to blow up bunkers , bridges, enemy positions or even tanks from a safe distance with the help of the car. Since the explosive charge could not be deposited, the entire vehicle was blown up with it.

In 1940, Borgward had also developed the heavy load layer " Borgward B IV " (Sd.Kfz. 301), which was steered by a driver and only remotely controlled shortly before the destination. With this, an explosive charge of up to 500 kilograms could be dropped via a device in the target, after which the load carrier could be used again.

The unmanned "Goliath" was first used by the German Wehrmacht in April 1942 in the electric version and from April 1943 in the version with a combustion engine, including in February 1944 in Italy . The unmanned radio-controlled vehicle is actually a rolling explosive charge that could be steered covertly into the target.

In the case of Anzio in particular , the device was successfully used militarily against the advancing allies during the invasion. The load carriers were also used in the suppression of the Warsaw Uprising in 1944 and in the Battle of Breslau .

Of the types 302 and 303, 2650 and 5079 pieces were produced. The unit price for the type 302 with an electric motor was 3000  Reichsmarks , for the combustion engine models around 1000 Reichsmarks.

Museum reception

Goliaths are exhibited in the following museums :

Data

"Goliath E"
Sd.Kfz. 302
"Device 67" 		"Goliath V"
Sd.Kfz. 303a
"Device 671" 		Sd.Kfz. 303b
"Device 672"
General
Manufacturer Borgward Borgward, Zündapp & Zachertz
Manufacturing period April 1942 to January 1944 April 1943 to September 1944 from November 1944
number of items produced 2650 4604 325
Unit price ~ 3000 RM ~ 1000 RM
Technical specifications
Weight 370 kg 365 kg 430 kg
Explosive charge 60 kg 75 kg 100 kg
Length Width Height 1.50 m / 0.85 m / 0.56 m 1.62 m / 0.84 m / 0.60 m 1.63 m / 0.91 m / 0.62 m
drive Two electric motors with 2.5 kW each
( Bosch MM / RQL 2500/24 ​​RL2) 		2-cylinder two-stroke engine ; 703 cm³ / 4500 rpm, 9.2 kW (12.5 PS)
(Zündapp SZ7)
speed 10 km / h 11.5 km / h
Tank capacity not applicable 6 l
Driving range 0.8-1.5 km 6–12 km (6–8 km in the field)
Ground clearance 11.4 cm 16 cm 16.8 cm
Trench crossing ability 60 cm 85 cm 100 cm
Armor (front) 5 mm steel 10 mm steel

Others

During the First World War in November 1915, the Imperial Navy designed an explosive device . It was wire-controlled and was called a remote control boat ( FL for short ).

Towards the end of the Second World War the Luftwaffe considered using a manned Focke-Wulf Ta 154 to steer an unmanned Ta 154 with a 2500 kg shaped charge on board into an enemy bomber by means of wire control. If it reached a suitable position, the wire should be cut and the aircraft should be blown up by radio signal. The plan was not implemented.

photos

See also

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Army History Museum / Military History Institute (ed.): The Army History Museum in the Vienna Arsenal . Verlag Militaria , Vienna 2016, ISBN 978-3-902551-69-6 , p. 145
  2. ↑ Hans Redemann: Focke-Wulf Ta 154. Part II, p. 56.

literature

  • OKH : Service regulation D 654/10 Light load carrier Sd.Kfz. 303 Device Description and Operating Instructions. from April 1, 1943.
  • OKH: Service regulation D 654/11 Light load carrier Sd.Kfz. 303 Spare parts list. from April 1, 1943.
  • Markus Jaugitz: The German remote control group. Part 1: 1940-1943 . Podzun-Pallas, Wölfersheim-Berstadt 1994, ISBN 3-7909-0502-X , ( Waffen-Arsenal Special 10).

Web links

Commons : Goliath  - collection of images, videos and audio files