The rivers that criss-cross Eastern Europe appear to have given up more than their fair share of Wehrmacht equipment in recent years. Above and below are images of an SdKfz 8 (Type DB10) that was dredged from the river several years ago.
We believe that only 20-30 such variations were ever built, this is the only one surviving in the world today. It was originally used to tow the 88mm Flak gun as well as transport the supporting crew members and ammunition. It is planned that this vehicle will be restored and exhibited as part of the Museum of the Pilica River in Tomaszow Mazowiecki city. In the photo below you can clearly see the size of this semi-track against the mans legs - this was a behemoth of a vehicle compared with the much smaller 251 Hanomag.
The restoration of this rare German heavy munitions carrier has been a labour of love for the team at the museum in Tomaszow Mazowiecki. Still we receive queries from visitors who confuse the shape of this vehicle with the far more "common" SdKfz 251 half track, a vehicle considerably smaller than the monster shown above. This collage of photos is just a sample of many we've received of the progress of the restoration (which is now complete). What cannot be easily shown is the remarkable state that the vehicle was in when initially recovered. Even though it had been buried in the dark mud of the Pilica river for so many years the surviving metalwork was surprisingly strong. This semi-track would have been fitted with the later HL85TUKRM engine rather than the Maybach overhead valve engine found on the earlier SdKfz 8. Although this was known as the DB (Daimler Benz) variant we believe that some production was carried out by Krauss-Maffei.
Below left: is a rear 3/4 view of another DB10 (this one having been abandoned in May 1945. It was towing an 88mm flak gun at the time. Next to it is a similar view of the Museums restored DB10. A stunning testament to the patient work of the Polish team.
