1942

Two NCOs of the 3rd SS "Totenkopf" Div. both brandishing foreign SMGs, the Suomi KP/-31, and the PPSh-41, date and location unknown.

Foreign SMGs

The Wehrmacht's initial and traumatic experience of Russia's roads (or lack of roads) in Autumn and Winter conditions spurred them to produce a number of half-track conversions based on existing truck types.  The tracked element of the chassis was, more often than not, of the Carden-Loyd type (similar to that used on the British Universal Carrier), but redundant tank chassis types, including those of the PzKpfw I and II tanks were also used, especially on the heavier truck conversions.  The most common conversion seems to have been of the Opel Blitz 3-tonne medium truck, an example of which is seen here along with a Me 323 "Gigant" transport aeroplane.  While each of these half-track adaptations had official designations, they tended to be known by the generic name of "Maultier" ("Mule").  Best regards, JR.