[edwest]

Franck,

From the book, there is a page showing an Opel Blitz 3 To Pritschenwagen mit Imbert-Holzgasanlage. The unit we see at the back of the panzer is very similar to the vertical wood burning unit where air is selectively admitted through controlled vents in the bottom. There was a smaller filter mounted horizontally "filled with oiled cork or wood chips soaked with oil, to collect any ash or other particles from [the] burner." Also, "Hot gasses were baffled through water in this unit, providing both cooling and filtering. Acid collection required frequent flushing." There is a schematic of the "Imbert Gas Generator."

There is a reproduction of a map showing a "Carbato" charcoal supplier list of available fuel stations dated March 1938 for France. The German terms were "Holzgas" and "holzvegaser." Coal was also used.

A photo of an English double-decker bus powered by a coal-burning gas producer on a trailer is shown, along with a fire truck with four tubes stacked inches above the the other.

In 1940, Hitler advocated the use of such vehicles, "saying in part:" 'Vehicles of this sort will also hold a special place after the war. With increasing motorization we will not be so dependent upon liquid, therefore imported fuel. This will benefit our own economic system.' (Quoted in "Generator Jahrbook, 1942," Kasper and Co. Berlin, 1942)."

Manufacturers included Ford, Bussing, Daimler-Benz, M.A.N. and others.

Also shown is an advertisement for a Lanz L-25 tractor. It claims the unit could pull 22 metric tons in first gear. There is a photo of a FAMO tracked tractor.

There is also a photo of an armored personnel carrier, type 251, with such a unit attached in back.

The author tells us he can find no evidence of tanks converted to operate this way and says that if there were, it would have been for training purposes only. I find this to be a nonsense idea. Transports of all types were desperately needed, even if it meant their use was limited to carrying what the average soldier in the field needed: food, ammunition, weapons, medical supplies, doctors, replacements and transport for the wounded.



Best,
Ed