World’s First ATV – The Kettenkrad
During World War II German inventors would design some incredibly strange-looking vehicles tanks and aircraft. However, perhaps the strangest of all was the Kettenkrad. This half-tank half motorcycle would become a hit with not only German forces but also the Allies. In this article we look at German Kettenkrad tracked motorcycle and its use throughout World War II.
First developed in 1939 the Sd.Kfz. 2 known as the Kettenkraftrad was a light tracked vehicle, known for short as the Kettenkrad.
It is clearly a very different-looking vehicle. Unlike many other tracked vehicles of its time like Sd.Kfz. 251 half-track, the Kettenkrad’s front steering ability utilized a single motorcycle wheel.
It was originally developed for use by the German paratroopers, known as the Fallschirmjägers. The vehicle was small enough to fit inside a plane and could be transported with the airborne troops.
This would allow the paratroopers the ability to have a mechanized vehicle while fighting behind enemy lines. It would carry a driver at the front with two passengers sitting on the back.
It had a 1,478cc engine, also used in some German vehicles. Steering the Kettenkrad was easy with the handlebars doing much of the work. The front tire despite its size difference relative to the tracks was able to make the vehicle turn. However, in rough terrain and north road, the tracks would engage and do most of the work.
Surprisingly it had a top speed of 50 miles an hour or 80 kilometers an hour which is relatively fast considering its appearance.
A small trailer was attached if needed which allowed it to carry more equipment where necessary.
As the war went on The Kettenkrad would see service in every theatre of war Germany operated in.
Troops in North Africa would enjoy its use as it was able to easily traverse the sand and dirt of the desert landscape.
It was also used by the Luftwaffe to tow their aircraft into position on runways.
But it would see most of its service on the Eastern Front against the Russians where its performance in the mud and snow allowed the troops to move across the front with speed.
Once the invasion of Europe took place. The Kettenkrad would become a favorite of the Allied troops.
They would often be seen moving about the front with some using them to relay messages or lay communication cables.
It’s believed nearly 9,000 of these were built with many continuing to be manufactured after the war finished to be used on farms.
Production likely finished somewhere between 1948-1949.
Overall, the vehicle was seen as a success by filling the gap between a motorcycle and a half-track.
