Germany's Maschinengewehrkraftwagen, M.G. Kw Kfz 13, Funkkraftwagen, Kfz 14 armored car
Nickname: badewannen "bath tubs"

Photos

Design

The German Heer (Army) had issued requirements for a light four wheeled armored car in the early 1930s.⁶

Daimler-Benz developed a standard 4x2 car chassis that had an armored body added.⁵ The superstructures were produced by Deutsche Edelstahl.

Maschinengewehrkraftwagen means machine gun truck.⁵

The Kfz 13 had poor cross country capabilities as it only had two wheel drive and a high center of gravity.⁴

Chassis

The chassis of the Alter Standard 6 passenger car was used.⁴

Body

The body had an open top and was made from all welded construction.⁴

Engine

The engine and a 4 speed gear box were mounted in the front.^4,6

Crew

The driver was at the front and the commander was behind him.⁴

Armament

The machine gun had a limited field of fire to the front.⁴ The machine gun had a small shield.⁶

Production

• Kfz 13: 147², 150
  • Production: 1932 - 1934, 1932-1941, 1933³, late 1933⁴
  • Manufacturer: Daimler-Benz², Alder³
• Kfz 14: 40²
  • Production: 1932 - 1934, 1932 - 1941
  • Manufactured by: Daimler-Benz²

Variants

• M.G.-Kraftwagen, Kfz 13: Machine gun carrier.^5,6 Had a shield for the machine gun.⁵
• Funkkraftwagen, Kfz 14: Radio car with frame aerial and long range radio.^4,5,6 The aerial could be folded down when not in use.^4,6 The range of the radio was around 20 miles.⁶

Usage

Typically a section of Kfz 13s would operate with a Kfz 14.⁴

Early War Use

The Kfz 13s and Kfz 14s were used in Poland⁵, the low countries, and France.⁴ Some were still being used in non-motorized infantry units during the invasion of the Soviet Union.⁴