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{{No footnotes|date=August 2010}}
{{No footnotes|date=August 2010}}
⚫
[[Image:Bundesarchiv Bild 146-1980-053-53, Sprengpanzer "Goliath".jpg|thumb|right|The Goliath remote-controlled tracked mine.]]
{{Infobox Weapon
{{Infobox Weapon
|is_vehicle=yes
|is_vehicle=yes
|name=Goliath Sd.kfz302
|name=Goliath Sd.kfz302
|origin={{flagicon|Nazi Germany}} [[Nazi Germany|Germany]]
|origin={{flagicon|Nazi Germany}} [[Nazi Germany|Germany]]
⚫
|image =[[Image:Bundesarchiv Bild 146-1980-053-53, Sprengpanzer "Goliath".jpg|300px]]
|caption=An ''SdKfz.'' 303, the petrol powered version of the ''Goliath''
|type= [[engineered demolition vehicle]]
|type= [[engineered demolition vehicle]]
<!-- Service history -->
<!-- Service history -->
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|number=7564
|number=7564
<!-- General specifications -->
<!-- General specifications -->
|weight= {{convert|370|kg|ST|lk=on}}
|weight= {{convert|370|kg|lb|lk=on}}
|length= {{convert|1.5|m|ft|abbr=on}}
|length= {{convert|1.5|m|ft|abbr=on}}
|width= {{convert|0.85|m|ft|abbr=on}}
|width= {{convert|0.85|m|ft|abbr=on}}
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[[Image:Sdkfz302elektr.jpg|thumb|Goliath, electric driven version (Sd.Kfz. 302)]]
[[Image:Sdkfz302elektr.jpg|thumb|Goliath, electric driven version (Sd.Kfz. 302)]]
[[Image:Sd.Kfz. 303a Goliath Muzeum Wojska Polskiego w Warszawie.JPG|thumb|Goliath 303a captured by the Polish troops during [[Warsaw Uprising]] on display in the [[Polish Army Museum]] in [[Warsaw]]]]
[[Image:Sd.Kfz. 303a Goliath Muzeum Wojska Polskiego w Warszawie.JPG|thumb|Goliath 303a captured by the Polish troops during [[Warsaw Uprising]] on display in the [[Polish Army Museum]] in [[Warsaw]]]]
In late 1940, after recovering the prototype of a miniature tracked vehicle developed by the French vehicle designer [[Adolphe Kégresse]] near the [[Seine]], the Wehrmacht's ordnance office directed the Carl F.W. [[Borgward]] automotive company of [[Bremen]], Germany to develop a similar vehicle for the purpose of carrying a minimum of 50&nbsp;kg of explosives. The result was the SdKfz. 302 (''Sonderkraftfahrzeug'', ‘special-purpose vehicle’), called the ''Leichter Ladungsträger'' (‘light charge carrier’), or Goliath, which carried 60&nbsp;kg of explosives. The vehicle was steered remotely via a joystick control box. The control box was attached to the Goliath by a triple-strand cable connected to the rear of the vehicle, for transmitting power to the electric driven version. Two of the strands were used to move and steer the Goliath, while the third was used for detonation. The Goliath had 650 m of cable. Each Goliath was disposable, being intended to be blown up with its target. Early model Goliaths used an electric motor but, as these were costly to make (3000 ''Reichsmarks'') and difficult to repair in a combat environment, later models (known as the SdKfz. 303) used a simpler, more reliable gasoline engine.
In late 1940, after recovering the prototype of a miniature tracked vehicle developed by the French vehicle designer [[Adolphe Kégresse]] near the [[Seine]], the Wehrmacht's ordnance office directed the Carl F.W. [[Borgward]] automotive company of [[Bremen]], Germany to develop a similar vehicle for the purpose of carrying a minimum of 50&nbsp;kg of explosives. The result was the SdKfz. 302 (''Sonderkraftfahrzeug'', ‘special-purpose vehicle’), called the ''Leichter Ladungsträger'' (‘light charge carrier’), or Goliath, which carried {{convert|60|kg|lb}} of explosives. The vehicle was steered remotely via a joystick control box. The control box was attached to the Goliath by a triple-strand cable connected to the rear of the vehicle, for transmitting power to the electric driven version. Two of the strands were used to move and steer the Goliath, while the third was used for detonation. The Goliath had {{convert|650|m|ft}} of cable. Each Goliath was disposable, being intended to be blown up with its target. Early model Goliaths used an electric motor but, as these were costly to make (3000 ''Reichsmarks'') and difficult to repair in a combat environment, later models (known as the SdKfz. 303) used a simpler, more reliable gasoline engine.


Goliaths were used on all fronts where the Wehrmacht fought, beginning in early 1942. They were used principally by specialized [[Panzer]] and [[combat engineer]] units. Goliaths were used at Anzio in Italy in April 1944, and against the Polish resistance during the [[Warsaw Uprising]] 1944. A few Goliaths were also seen on the beaches of [[Normandy]] during [[Normandy Landings|D-Day]], though most were rendered inoperative due to artillery blasts severing their command cables.
Goliaths were used on all fronts where the Wehrmacht fought, beginning in early 1942. They were used principally by specialized [[Panzer]] and [[combat engineer]] units. Goliaths were used at Anzio in Italy in April 1944, and against the Polish resistance during the [[Warsaw Uprising]] 1944. A few Goliaths were also seen on the beaches of [[Normandy]] during [[Normandy Landings|D-Day]], though most were rendered inoperative due to artillery blasts severing their command cables.


Although a total of 7,564 Goliaths were produced, the single-use weapon was not considered a success due to the high unit cost, low speed (only just above 6&nbsp;mph, or 9.5&nbsp;km/h), poor ground clearance (just 11.4 centimeters), vulnerable command cables and thin armour which failed to protect the remote bomb from any form of antitank weapons. The Goliath did help lay the foundation for post-World War II advances in remote-controlled vehicle technologies.
Although a total of 7,564 Goliaths were produced, the single-use weapon was not considered a success due to the high unit cost, low speed (only just above {{convert|6|mph|kmh}}, poor ground clearance (just 11.4 centimeters), vulnerable command cables and thin armour which failed to protect the remote bomb from any form of antitank weapons. The Goliath did help lay the foundation for post-war advances in remote-controlled vehicle technologies.


==Surviving examples==
==Surviving examples==
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* [http://www.cavaleriemuseum.nl Dutch Cavalry Museum] has a Goliath-tank in its collection.
* [http://www.cavaleriemuseum.nl Dutch Cavalry Museum] has a Goliath-tank in its collection.
* [http://forums.relicnews.com/showthread.php?148255-Goliath-Tracked-Mine-History Relicnews.com] has some additional pictures and info that may be of interest. Copyright of the pictures cannot be confirmed so they are linked rather than lifted.
* [http://forums.relicnews.com/showthread.php?148255-Goliath-Tracked-Mine-History Relicnews.com] has some additional pictures and info that may be of interest. Copyright of the pictures cannot be confirmed so they are linked rather than lifted.
* [http://www.achtungpanzer.com/leichte-ladungstrager-goliath-sdkfz302-e-motor.htm]
* [http://www.achtungpanzer.com/leichte-ladungstrager-goliath-sdkfz302-e-motor.htm Leichte Ladungsträger Goliath Sd.Kfz.302 (E-Motor)]
* [http://www.achtungpanzer.com/leichte-ladungstrager-goliath-sdkfz303a-sdkfz303b-v-motor.htm]
* [http://www.achtungpanzer.com/leichte-ladungstrager-goliath-sdkfz303a-sdkfz303b-v-motor.htm Leichte Ladungsträger Goliath Sd.Kfz.303a / Sd.Kfz.303b (V-Motor)]


{{DEFAULTSORT:Goliath Tracked Mine}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Goliath Tracked Mine}}

Revision as of 21:59, 6 March 2014

Goliath Sd.kfz302
An SdKfz. 303, the petrol powered version of the Goliath
Typeengineered demolition vehicle
Place of originNazi Germany Germany
Service history
In service1942-1945
Used byNazi Germany,
Production history
Designed1942
ManufacturerBorgward and Zundapp.
Produced1942–1944
No. built7564
Specifications
Mass370 kilograms (820 lb)
Length1.5 m (4.9 ft)
Width0.85 m (2.8 ft)
Height0.56 m (1.8 ft)
Crewnone
Armor5mm
Main
armament
60kg Sprengladung
Engine2 x Electric Motors
2 x 2.5 kw
Operational
range
1.5 km (0.93 mi) on-road; 0.75 km (0.47 mi) off-road.
Goliath Sd.kfz303b
Typeengineered demolition vehicle
Place of originNazi Germany Germany
Service history
In service1942-1945
Used byNazi Germany,
Production history
Designed1942
ManufacturerZundapp and Zachertz
Produced1943–1945
No. built4929 both a&b versions
Specifications
Mass460 kilograms (0.51 short tons)
Length1.69 m (5.5 ft)
Width0.91 m (3.0 ft)
Height0.62 m (2.0 ft)
Crewnone
Armor10mm
Main
armament
100kg Sprengladung
EngineZündapp SZ7 / 2-cylinder
12.5hp
Operational
range
12 km (7.5 mi) on-road; 7 km (4.3 mi) off-road.

The Goliath tracked mine - complete German name: Leichter Ladungsträger Goliath (Sd.Kfz. 302/303a/303b) - was a remote controlled German-engineered demolition vehicle, also known as the beetle tank[citation needed] to the Allies.

Employed by the Wehrmacht during World War II. It carried 60–100 kilograms (130–220 lb) of high explosives and was intended to be used for multiple purposes, such as destroying tanks, disrupting dense infantry formations, and demolition of buildings and bridges.

Development and use

British soldiers with captured German Goliath tracked mines.
Goliath, electric driven version (Sd.Kfz. 302)
Goliath 303a captured by the Polish troops during Warsaw Uprising on display in the Polish Army Museum in Warsaw

In late 1940, after recovering the prototype of a miniature tracked vehicle developed by the French vehicle designer Adolphe Kégresse near the Seine, the Wehrmacht's ordnance office directed the Carl F.W. Borgward automotive company of Bremen, Germany to develop a similar vehicle for the purpose of carrying a minimum of 50 kg of explosives. The result was the SdKfz. 302 (Sonderkraftfahrzeug, ‘special-purpose vehicle’), called the Leichter Ladungsträger (‘light charge carrier’), or Goliath, which carried 60 kilograms (130 lb) of explosives. The vehicle was steered remotely via a joystick control box. The control box was attached to the Goliath by a triple-strand cable connected to the rear of the vehicle, for transmitting power to the electric driven version. Two of the strands were used to move and steer the Goliath, while the third was used for detonation. The Goliath had 650 metres (2,130 ft) of cable. Each Goliath was disposable, being intended to be blown up with its target. Early model Goliaths used an electric motor but, as these were costly to make (3000 Reichsmarks) and difficult to repair in a combat environment, later models (known as the SdKfz. 303) used a simpler, more reliable gasoline engine.

Goliaths were used on all fronts where the Wehrmacht fought, beginning in early 1942. They were used principally by specialized Panzer and combat engineer units. Goliaths were used at Anzio in Italy in April 1944, and against the Polish resistance during the Warsaw Uprising 1944. A few Goliaths were also seen on the beaches of Normandy during D-Day, though most were rendered inoperative due to artillery blasts severing their command cables.

Although a total of 7,564 Goliaths were produced, the single-use weapon was not considered a success due to the high unit cost, low speed (only just above 6 miles per hour ([convert: unknown unit]), poor ground clearance (just 11.4 centimeters), vulnerable command cables and thin armour which failed to protect the remote bomb from any form of antitank weapons. The Goliath did help lay the foundation for post-war advances in remote-controlled vehicle technologies.

Surviving examples

Surviving Goliaths are preserved at:

See also

Notes

Defense against the German Goliath was reenacted in the 1957 Polish film Kanal, documenting the final days of the Warsaw uprising.

References

  • Chamberlain, Peter, and Hilary Doyle (1999). Encyclopedia of German Tanks of World War Two, 2nd ed. London: Arms & Armour. ISBN 1-85409-214-6.
  • Jaugitz, Markus (2001). Funklenkpanzer: A History of German Army Remote-and Radio-Controlled Armor Units, trans. David Johnston. Winnipeg, Manitoba: J.J. Fedorowicz Publishing, Inc. ISBN 0-921991-58-4.
  • Jentz, Thomas L. Panzer Tracts, No. 14: Gepanzerte Pionier-Fahrzeuge (Armored Combat Engineer Vehicles, Goliath to Raeumer). S. Darlington, Maryland: Darlington Productions. ISBN 1-892848-00-7
  • Morison, Samuel Eliot (1957). History of United States Naval Operations in World War II vol. 11. Boston, Mass.: Atlantic Monthly Press.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Borgward "Goliath".


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