Had you ever heard of the German LWS of World War Two? What did you think? Welcome back! If you are new here make sure to hit subscribe to expand your knowledge on Military History and join the growing Premier History Community!
TY-yes I have. The LWS is known to me since...1980's "Weapons&Warfare " 25 book encyclopedia set.. Even today German bridging troops (Engineers) are top of class in the field. Thanks to bring up this near unknown, yet remarkable craft : a motor boat tug, with the lesser ability to move on land as needed.! We see the tracks, drive sprocket, return rollers, and rear idler are Pzkfw II type 03:33, yet all the road wheels are unknown to me.....maybe foreign half track bits, or something non standard? Some uber buff will know ;)
I ordered one of these from a comic book ad when I was a 10. I was the first kid on my block to have one. But seriously folks -- I was totally unaware of this vehicle. I am guessing none survived the war or if any did, they were scrapped. That would make on hell of a museum piece.
Saying that it was “a sitting duck” because it was unarmed is as irrelevant as calling any supply truck, ambulance, or fuel tanker, “a sitting duck”. Not every military vehicle needs a mounted gun.
@@PremierHistory I must apologize for not including in my comment, that it is a very interesting vehicle, that I had never heard of before. It should have been as useful to the Germans as was the schwimwagon. Thank you for doing a video about it.
It is a sitting duck when on the water as there is no place to take cover. At least trucks on land have a chance to be hidden in a barn, under trees, be covered with camouflage netting or branches, buried in the sand, etc... On the water, unless it is a submarine, it cant hide very well. Thus a sitting duck.
It was intended to tow troop barges for operation Sea lion with troops on board too. But its very slow speed loaded and almost no freeboard, something in the region of 3-4 inches in fairly calm water ruled it out. It used a Panzer 3 running gear for road / over land use. There were just over 100 built during the course of the war, with the bulk of the m used in the eastern theater of the war. They were ideal for use on the steppes and wide russian rivers. The allies did capture one and it was taken for evaluation but as it wasn't of huge interest as it was after all just a transport vehicle it was supposed to have been scrapped or used for target practice.Pity really as none have survived the war
Probably not as well known due to many of their own vehicles being more famous but also because of the Japanese Landships such as the O-I, MI-To, Ka-MI, Ka-Chi, Ka-Tsu, and Type-5 To-Ku. But if you want my personal opinion. Japan just simply made better tank boats. That served more than 1 role. Germany honestly should have studied those vehicles.
Had you ever heard of the German LWS of World War Two? What did you think?
Welcome back! If you are new here make sure to hit subscribe to expand your knowledge on Military History and join the growing Premier History Community!
i suspect these were built for sealion
TY-yes I have. The LWS is known to me since...1980's "Weapons&Warfare " 25 book encyclopedia set.. Even today German bridging troops (Engineers) are top of class in the field. Thanks to bring up this near unknown, yet remarkable craft : a motor boat tug, with the lesser ability to move on land as needed.!
We see the tracks, drive sprocket, return rollers, and rear idler are Pzkfw II type 03:33, yet all the road wheels are unknown to me.....maybe foreign half track bits, or something non standard? Some uber buff will know ;)
Hobby Boss make models of different versions of the LWS. I have one. I've never seen footage of them though. Very informative, thank you.
That’s the first I’ve ever heard of it . Great Presentation.
Thanks Chuck, really appreciate that!
Thanks for showing us this . I never heard of it before .
Thanks for watching David, appreciate it!
This one is new to me, thanks for showing.. interesting.
Glad you learned something Tony! Thanks for watching
I remember seeing these as models in Squadron catalogs. I wouldn't be surprised if they're still there.
I ordered one of these from a comic book ad when I was a 10. I was the first kid on my block to have one.
But seriously folks -- I was totally unaware of this vehicle. I am guessing none survived the war or if any did, they were scrapped. That would make on hell of a museum piece.
Would be a great show piece for a museum for sure!
Saying that it was “a sitting duck” because it was unarmed is as irrelevant as calling any supply truck, ambulance, or fuel tanker, “a sitting duck”. Not every military vehicle needs a mounted gun.
Fair point you have Michael
@@PremierHistory I must apologize for not including in my comment, that it is a very interesting vehicle, that I had never heard of before. It should have been as useful to the Germans as was the schwimwagon. Thank you for doing a video about it.
Ex. Army here I strongly disagree.
Evidence The Burma road.
If I ride the bolt slides.
It is a sitting duck when on the water as there is no place to take cover. At least trucks on land have a chance to be hidden in a barn, under trees, be covered with camouflage netting or branches, buried in the sand, etc... On the water, unless it is a submarine, it cant hide very well. Thus a sitting duck.
Well stated. I'm no expert so i will not comment on if I recognise it as 'correct' or not, but you had a reasoned perspective
Thanks, I'd not heard of it.
It was intended to tow troop barges for operation Sea lion with troops on board too. But its very slow speed loaded and almost no freeboard, something in the region of 3-4 inches in fairly calm water ruled it out. It used a Panzer 3 running gear for road / over land use. There were just over 100 built during the course of the war, with the bulk of the m used in the eastern theater of the war. They were ideal for use on the steppes and wide russian rivers. The allies did capture one and it was taken for evaluation but as it wasn't of huge interest as it was after all just a transport vehicle it was supposed to have been scrapped or used for target practice.Pity really as none have survived the war
Great insight, thanks for your contribution!
Not true that they didn’t really need water vehicles. Europe is full of rivers-some really WIDE rivers!
Bridging equipment did very well in all armies. And standard practice in Germany was securing bridges by hitting both ends at once.
Those German combat engineers were flat out
I'd heard of it, but knew very little until I watched this video.
Nice one David, glad you enjoyed it!
Are there any of them still in operational terms of historic display?
Not any originals, perhaps a replica in private hands
It's new to me I've never heard of it.
Nice one David, glad you found something new!
Nifty Vehicle
For sure!
I would like to know about other landing ships and crafts. 🤗
The Japanese had a few, perhaps an upcoming video!
looks just like Richard Hammonds car-boat from Top Gear
That’s a great shout!
It's the first for me too.!
Nice David
At 65 it's getting harder To Do by the day.
Yes and I have a model of it.
Nice one Pat, an interesting model I’m sure!
Interesting how it is a bit more boat-like then the pointy box US version.
Agreed, looks like a tug boat from the front
It reminds me of the American "Buffalo" amphibious vehicle.
It was used for rescue at the shoreline
Nice info, thanks!
So the Donald Duck Shermans weren't unique after all.
Probably not as well known due to many of their own vehicles being more famous but also because of the Japanese Landships such as the O-I, MI-To, Ka-MI, Ka-Chi, Ka-Tsu, and Type-5 To-Ku.
But if you want my personal opinion. Japan just simply made better tank boats. That served more than 1 role. Germany honestly should have studied those vehicles.
Great point, the Japanese seemed to definitely utilise these a lot better
I like it.😊
Awesome John thanks!
HA!
Indeed