Krupp Protze

Infobox Weapon
name= Krupp Kfv.70 "Protze"


caption= Krupp Kfv.70 on display at Deutsches Panzermuseum, Germany.
origin= flagcountry|Nazi Germany
type= Artillery tractor / Utility truck
is_vehicle=yes
service=
used_by= flagcountry|Nazi Germany
wars= World War II
designer= Krupp
design_date=
manufacturer= Krupp
unit_cost=
production_date= 1933 to 1942
number= 7000
variants= Several, see text
spec_label=
weight= 2450 kg
length= 5.10 m
part_length=
width= 1.93 m
height= 1.96 m
diameter=
crew= 2 + passengers
armour= None
primary_armament=
secondary_armament=
engine= Krupp Boxer motor, 3.3 liters
engine_power=60 hp
transmission=
payload_capacity=
fuel_capacity= 110 liters
pw_ratio=
suspension=
clearance=
vehicle_range= 450 km
speed= 70 km/h
guidance=

The Krupp "Protze" was a six-wheeled German truck and artillery tractor used by German forces in World War II. It was powered by a 60 hp Krupp M 304 4-cylinder engine. Its main purpose was to tow artillery, especially the PaK 36. It was also used to transport infantry and other utility uses.

This vehicle was extensively used on the Eastern Front, North African campaign and in France and Sicily. The Protze, commonly called the 'Boxer' was of simple design, and was mass-manufactured between 1933 and 1942. Total production was about 7000 units.

Variants

A successful design, the Protze was converted into several variant configurations

*Kfz.19 - Telephone truck
*Kfz.21 - Staff car
*Kfz.68 - Radio mast carrier
*Kfz.69 - Standard configuration for towing the PaK 36
*Kfz.70 - Standard configuration for personnel carrying
*Kfz.81 - Ammo carrier conversion for 2 cm FlaK gun, usually towed
*Kfz.83 - Generator carrier for anti-aircraft spotlight, usually towed
*SdKfz.247 - Armoured personnel carrier, only 20 built

Sometimes antitank and flak guns were mounted directly on the bed of the truck.

External links

* [http://www.olive-drab.com/idphoto/id_photos_krupp.php3 Pictures of Protzes] at Olive-Drab.com
* [http://us.geocities.com/sturm45/protze.htm Pictures and technical data]
* [http://www.geocities.com/Pentagon/3620/37protze.htm Pictures of a Protze carrying a PaK 36]
* [http://www.autogallery.org.ru/m/krupppr.htm Info and pictures about Krupp Protze]