Panzerzug BP.42

The BP 42 (long form: "Behelfsmäßiger Panzerzug 1942" where Behelfsmäßiger means "makeshift") was a German armored train class in the Second World War, used by the Wehrmacht. It represented several armored trains produced to be used mosty on the eastern front at the end of December 1942 and replaced by the BP-44. The history, composition, design, organization, tactics, and specific elements of the train will be seen here over the next months with regular updates.

History of the BP-42

Under the authority of the Railway Pioneers, the Wehrmacht took over old railway protection trains in 1937, and converted them into armored trains. Following the annexation of part of Czechoslovakia and invasion of Poland, many moe trains were captured and converted as additional armored trains. Thus, by 1941, the Wehrmacht had a colorful collection of 18 differently configured armored trains. These armored trains differed in almost every respect: By length, number of vehicles, vehicle types, and equipment. With Operation Barbarossa against the Soviet Union, differences even increased further due to the change in track gauge that forced the adoption and conversion of local trains. Due to the immensity of the territory conquered, armoured trains on this flat country would take a special place to cover track-based supply lines to the front and patrol the rear, infested with partisans from 1942-43.

In the end, all armored trains were placed under the control of the high-speed troops in August 1941, and Inspectorate 6 (Inspectorate for Army Motorization) took over the development of armored trains with a single idea in mind, standardization. This approach for unified solution for the future, to ensire the safety of the newly conquered territory and quell increasing partisan activities fuelled the need for a more homogenous and better organize approach to armored trains.

In its initial requirements, Inspectorate 6 attempted to reconcile all aspects, insisting on a large infantry crew equipped with machine guns and grenade launchers, and capable of operating "dismounted", outside the armored train. To support the infantry, two Panzerkampfwagen 38 (t) tanks mounted on their own carrier vehicles needed to assist them. Furthermore, there was to be an engineer squad to take care of necessary repairs to the armored train and the track. The equipment for all repairs was to be carried on dedicated vehicles. The engineers were to be equipped with a flamethrower and explosives for attacks on fortified positions or for removing obstacles on the tracks if needed.

Development of the BP.42

The BP.42 as its design was finalized that year was to be a class of armored train, armed exclusively with captured material. Each armored train was to be equipped with two ex-Soviet 7.62 cm 295/1 field guns, two 10 cm 14/19 field howitzers, and two German 2 cm Flak-Vierling 38 (four-gun) AA guns. The latter had enough negative elevation to fend off air attacks as well as providing ground combat support. The vehicles were to be built exclusively on two-axle chassis, of the Ommr Linz type which were 6 meters in wheelbase). Only the armored personnel carriers were special designs with an extended wheelbase of 7 meters. All vehicles could only be fitted with 30 mm (1.2 inches) of armor, to keep the overall weight manageable, notably top cross bridges.

It was estimated largely sufficient to deal with anything partisans and even lightly equipped troops could throw at these. However they were not supposed to face tanks. This meant that only shells up to the light antitank rifles of the PTSD would be not enough to penetrate the armor. The requirements of Inspection 6 stated the new train class would be called the "Makeshift Armored Train 1942, SmK-proof". This designation "Makeshift Armored Train 1942" (BP 42) and limited armor suggested this was only a development stage and that plans were being made for later, improved armored trains with better armament and protection.

Design of the BP.42

Development of the BP 42 started in January 1942, under a contract awarded to the Linke-Hofmann company, in Breslau. Design documents were completed by June 20, 1942, with a wooden mockup already built. The design process of all armoured wagons received the same care as any tank. According to the original plan, this armored train consisted of ten vehicles:

Two combat and infantry vehicles
Two command vehicles, one equipped with a built-in kitchen and the other with a first-aid room
Two anti-aircraft and gun vehicles
Two armored personnel carrier vehicles
Two engineering vehicles

Production of the BP 42

Design of the BP.42

Armored train locomotive BP 42

Kommandowagen BP 42 (Command Vehicle)

Haubitzwagen BP 42 (Artillery Wagon)

Kanonen- und Flakwagen BP 42 (Combined gun/FLAK wagon)

Panzerträgerwagen BP 42

FULL ARTICLE

BP 42 Marking

⚙ Markings and Composition
Armored Train No.	Vehicle No.	Vehicle Type	Marking
61	Armored Carrier Vehicle	936	012
3	Cannon and Anti-Aircraft Vehicle	936
4	Command Vehicle	936	014
5	Howitzer Vehicle	936	015
6	Howitzer Vehicle	936	016
7	Command Vehicle	936	017
8	Cannon and Anti-Aircraft Vehicle	936	018
9	Armored Carrier Vehicle	936	019

The BP.42 in Action:

Succession: BP.44

Gallery

Kommandowagen BP 42

Haubitzwagen BP 42 (to come)

Kanonen- und Flakwagen BP 42 (to come)

Panzerträgerwagen BP 42 with Pz.38t

Wolfgang Sawodny: Deutsche Panzerzüge im Zweiten Weltkrieg. Podzun-Pallas, Friedberg 1986
Wolfgang Sawodny: Die Panzerzüge des Deutschen Reiches, 1904 – 1945. EK-Verlag, Freiburg 1996

commons.wikimedia.org
de.wikipedia.org BP 42