The L 2 H 43 and L 2 H 143 "Krupp-Protze" (unofficial designation) was a six-wheeled 6x4 German truck and artillery tractor produced between 1934 and 1941 and heavily used in World War II. It was powered by a 55 hp or, from 1936, 60 hp Krupp M 304 4-cylinder petrol engine. Its main purpose was to tow artillery, especially the PaK 36, and transport motorized infantry.
This vehicle was extensively used on the Eastern Front, during the North African campaign and in France and Sicily. The "Krupp-Protze" was of relatively advanced design. Its fuel consumption was relatively high (24 Litres / 100 km on road) in comparison to the comparable Opel Blitz 1.5 t truck (16.5 liters / 100 km, produced 1938 - 1942). Total production was about 7,000 units.
A successful design, the Krupp-Protze was converted into several variants:
Kfz.19 - Telephone truck
Kfz.21 - Staff car
Kfz.68 - Radio mast carrier
Kfz.69 - Standard configuration for towing the 3,7 cm PaK 36
Kfz.70 - Standard configuration for personnel carrying
Kfz.81 - Ammo carrier conversion for 2 cm FlaK gun, usually towed
Kfz.83 - Generator carrier for anti-aircraft spotlight, usually towed
Sometimes anti-tank (37 mm Pak 36) and anti-air (2 cm Flak) guns were mounted directly on the truck bed. Note on troop carrying capacity: Kfz.69 carried 2 in front with 4 in a pair of forward and rear facing seats (2+2+2); Kfz.70 carried 2 in front with 10 seated in the rear bed benches (2+10). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krupp_Protze
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