Opel Blitz

History of the Opel Blitz

At the end of the First World War, the German war machine was dismantled, losing the ability to make planes, tanks, submarines and most other tools of war. In the 1920s and 1930s, a new movement arose that felt the humiliation of the German nation by the victors of the conflict. The movement soon swept across German life, enabling Fuhrer Adolf Hitler to control the economically depressed populace. War Machine soon went beyond the Versailles Treaty imposed on the Germans after World War II. Tanks were built under the guise of agricultural tractors, and the nascent Luftwaffe - the Luftwaffe - secretly trained its pilots to use gliders.

All is fair game as the Spanish Civil War begins, and the German war machine gets its first taste of actual combat in brand new developments - armored, Messerschmitt, Stukas - all of which Both played an important role in the development of German theory. "Blitzkrieg". war", an overwhelming military advance that results from a coordinated attack on land and in the air.

However, as the German military grew, the influence of the German military would certainly be tested. Given Hitler's desire to conquer Europe - starting in Poland and ending with Britain and the Soviet Union - the problem would be a solid logistical force capable of transporting men, weapons and supplies from one place to another. By the late 1930s, the German military had a large number of these "mobile" vehicles, but there was no one-size-fits-all solution to the war.

The task of integration will fall to General von Schell, who has set out an ambitious plan to increase the number of German military logistics vehicles to a quarter of the original supply, each solution by role and weight class Classification.

Germany's Opel Group has launched a mid-size commercial vehicle dubbed the "Blitzkrieg". The basic 4x2 chassis will evolve into a variety of useful battlefield roles beyond the standard transport model. The vehicle can carry parade supplies, ammunition, medical cars, combat readiness troops, ordinary passengers, artillery shells, fuel depots, laundry rooms, mobile field stores, weapons transport vehicles, etc.

In addition, the truck can be transformed into military forms such as radio stations, command posts and mobile offices for senior officials. The design of the Opel Blitz is a conventional six-wheel system (rear axle wheels doubled in pairs), a front engine bay, the cab directly aft, and a rear cargo/passenger area.

The cabin features automotive-style windows and hinged doors on all four sides for easy entry and exit. The metal parts are made of pressed steel, the body is made of wood, and the two-speed transmission system has no less than ten forward gears.

These 4x2 forms are further known by the common name "Type S" to categorize their 4x2 wheeled nature.

However, the 4x2 wheel arrangement of early Opel trucks left much to be desired in terms of off-road mobility. For the discerning military customer, we created a 4x4x form that includes all-wheel drive performance (now with a front axle added) and promises better off-road traction and speed.

The wheelbase of the original truck design was also further shortened by nearly six engines for better grip. The 4x4 versions are further classified as "Type A" in German inventory to denote their 4x4 character.

Also, for the same reason, these special forms of vehicles are also referred to as "four-wheel drive" vehicles.

Commercial vehicles like Opel are in high demand, especially as the nature of the war intensifies. Production began in 1937 and continued until 1944, when around 70,000 2x4 Opel "Blitzkrieg" trucks were delivered from the German factory. Even Daimler-Benz was ordered to produce the type in raw form, ending production of its own version of the 3-ton competition truck.

The arrival of at least 25,000 4x4 trucks during this period further increased the total. Sources vary, and total production of Blitz units is around 82,000 to 130,000 units. A standardized Wehrmacht version was delivered in 1944, the truck did not have the Opel emblem and was known as the "DB 701".

Opel's 1.5-ton version is also recognized during its production.

Specification

Basics

Years of Operation

1937

Origins

Nazi Germany

Crew

2

Production

95,000

Manufacturer

Opel - Nazi Germany

Operator

Nazi Germany

Roles

Utilities

Generally user-centered design to perform various battlefield missions, usually in an indirect combat fashion.

Designed to play an equally special role on the battlefield.

Dimensions and Weight

Length

19.8 feet

6.02m

width

7.4 feet

2,265 meters

Height

7. 1 ft

2. 175m

Weight

4,630 lbs

2,100 kg

Tonnage

2. 3 tons

Power and Performance

Engine:

1 x 74 hp Opel 6-cylinder petrol engine for driving a conventional 4-wheel arrangement.

Speed

49.7 km/h

(80.0km/h)

Area

254. 8 miles

(410.0 km)

ARMOR

Usually none. If carried, a personal weapon operated by the crew. Occasionally armed with 7.92 machine guns, 20mm or 37mm cannons for anti-aircraft protection (including in mule cart form).

AMMOTION

Not applicable. Depends on the weapon (if any).

VARIANTS

Opel Blitz - name of the base series; 1. 5-ton and 3-ton forms; 70,000 copies made in 4x2 format. Opel Blitz 6700A "Allrad" - 4x4 all-wheel drive model; 25,000 copies produced. Opel "Maultier" ("Mule") - Opel truck chassis and front axle combined with the track system of the outdated Panzer I tank.

DB 701 - Bundeswehr designation of the 1944 production version without Opel license plate.