1945 NSU Kettenkrad

Considerable care is necessary on steep slopes. The driver is flanked by the tracks and sits ahead of the engine; he’s not likely to escape if the vehicle flips

by Paul Duchene

The Kettenkrad was typical of vehicles designed and manufactured for the German Wehrmacht during WWII—innovative, well made, and generally superior to equipment used by their enemies. Designated “SdKfz 2” by the German army, the Kettenkrad was an ingenious half motorcycle, half tracked vehicle, hence its name—“ketten” meaning tracks, “krad” meaning Krafttrad, or motorcycle.

It was created by NSU designer Ernst Kniepcamp in 1939, after the Nazis had standardized industrial production and forced NSU out of the large motorcycle business. It was designed for German airborne forces as a light, multi-terrain, towing vehicle and was the only gun tractor small enough to fit inside the hold of the Junkers Ju 52 transport aircraft.

Steering was accomplished by turning the handlebars. If little movement was used then the wheel alone would steer the vehicle; however, if the bars were turned further, the track brakes would be engaged (just like a tank) to turn...