- Raupenschlepper, Ost
Infobox Weapon
name=Raupenschlepper Ost (RSO)
caption=Raupenschlepper Ost (RSO)
origin=flagicon|Nazi GermanyNazi Germany
type=Tracked
is_vehicle=yes
length=
width=
height=
weight=
suspension= Fully Tracked
speed= 30 km/h (12 mph)
vehicle_range=
primary_armament= None
secondary_armament=
armour= None
engine= Steyr V8 3.5l / 8-cylinder Petrol/ 85hp (RSO/01)5.5l / 4cyl Deutz diesel / 66hp (RSO/03)
crew=2 (including Driver assistant)
engine_power=66/85 hp
Raupenschlepper Ost, literally "Crawling Tractor - East", is more commonly abbreviated to RSO. This fully tracked, lightweight vehicle was conceived in response to the poor performance of wheeled or half-tracked vehicles in the mud and snow during the Wehrmacht's first winter on the Eastern Front.
The RSO eventually served in a wide variety of roles. The original version had a pressed steel cab with a truck-like configuration. This was used for general transport duties. A drop-sided wooden-cab tractor designated the RSO/03 was also produced.
Germany's desperation for mobile artillery led to the RSO being fitted with a 7.5cm PaK 40/1 anti-tank gun. The result was a lightweight, mobile but highly exposed anti-tank weapon. The RSO/PaK 40 combination was manufactured during 1943/44 and was primarily used to support anti-tank infantry units on the Eastern Front.
Approximately 23,000 of all versions were produced.
ee also
*
Schwere Wehrmachtschlepper
*SdKfz 4 External links
* [http://www.geocities.com/athens/acropolis/8141/halftracks.html ]
* [http://www.wwiivictory.org/node/61 |www.wwiivictory.org/node/61]
* [http://www.clubhyper.com/reference/rsoph_1.htm |www.clubhyper.com/reference/rsoph_1.htm]
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