What is kubelwagen?

Kubelwagen is a German military vehicle that was widely used during World War II. The term Kubelwagen means "bucket car" due to its open-topped design, which resembled a bucket. The Kubelwagen was designed to be a lightweight vehicle for transporting troops, equipment, and supplies, and it was used in a variety of roles, including reconnaissance, transport, and command vehicle.

The Kubelwagen was produced by Volkswagen, and it was powered by an air-cooled engine that produced 23 horsepower. It had a top speed of around 50 miles per hour and could travel up to 200 miles on a single tank of fuel. The vehicle was known for its off-road capabilities, which made it highly versatile in rugged terrain.

The Kubelwagen was produced from 1938 until 1945, with over 50,000 units manufactured. It was used by the German army on all fronts, including in North Africa, Europe, and the Eastern Front. Despite being a relatively small vehicle, the Kubelwagen was crucial to the German war effort, and it played a significant role in the Wehrmacht's rapid advances during the early years of the war.