Sonderkraftfahrzeug

In Girl in the Glass, the Clypeate reveals some of the larger treasures they recovered when the Germans fled Antarctica. Nazi military vehicles known as Sonderkraftfahrzeugs, crucial for their mission deep inside German borders. As Bruce explains:

“These authentic Wehrmacht vehicles are called Sonderkraftfahrzeugs. Translates into ‘special strong vehicle’. While the front end resembles any standard pickup truck, the extended backside has benches perched high above tank treads. These transporters carry up to fifteen men,” he explained, “so we’ll have extra room for supplies.”

The Sonderkraftfahrzeug, or special purpose vehicle, was part of a series of half-track vehicles employed by Nazi Germany during World War II. Combining the front wheels of a truck with the rear tracks of a tank, they offered a balance of on-road speed and off-road capability for the German military.  

These vehicles were primarily used as an armored personnel carrier, transporting mechanized infantry units into battle. It could carry a squad of infantry, providing some protection against small arms fire and light artillery, and was armed with at least one machine gun for supporting fire upon disembarkation.