'Jochen (Hans-Joachim Marseille) was a practical joker; he was forever playing pranks. He came to see me and my squadron - No. 8 Staffel - one day in his colorful Volkswagen jeep. He called it Otto. After a talk, a cup of sweet coffee and a glass of Italian Doppio Kümmel, he got into his jeep and drove it straight at my tent flattening everything. Then he drove off with a grin stretching across his face.' - Werner Schrör, 8/JG 27, 61 Kills in North Africa

Saturday, October 22, 2011

DAK GUNS - Schwerer Panzerspähwagen Sd.Kfz 231/2 "8Rad"

The crew of a reconnaissance Sd.Kfz 231 resting near a well
German was an early exponent of armoured cars, partly because, unlike tanks, they were not restrited by the Versailes Treaty, and they were a cheap and quick way of mechanising the Army and giving industry experience of building vehicles to military specifications. The multy-wheeled German armoured cars resulted from studies using trucks with drive on four rear wheels to achieve a good cross-country performance.