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| Landkreuzer P. 1000 Ratte | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Type | Project super-heavy tank |
| Place of origin |  Nazi Germany |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 1,000 tonnes (1,100 short tons; 980 long tons) |
| Length |
35 m (115 ft) hull 39 m (128 ft) guns forwards |
| Width | 14 m (46 ft) |
| Height | 11 m (36 ft) |
| Crew | 20+, possibly as many as 41 |
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| Armor | 150–360 mm (5.9–14.2 in) |
|
Main
armament |
2x 280 mm 54.5 SK C/34 |
|
Secondary
armament |
1x 128 mm KwK 44 L/55 8x 20 mm Flak38 2x 15 mm MG 151/15 |
| Engine | 8x Daimler-Benz MB501 20-cylinder marine diesel engines or 2x MAN V12Z32/44 24-cylinder marine diesel engines 12,000 to 13,000 kW (16,000 to 17,000 hp) |
| Ground clearance | 2 m (79 in) |
|
Operational
range |
~190 kilometres (120 mi) |
| Speed | 40 km/h (25 mph) |
History
The development history of the Ratte originated with a 1941 strategic study of Soviet heavy tanks conducted by Krupp, the study also giving birth to the Panzer VIII Maus super-heavy tank. The study led to a suggestion from Krupp director Grotte, special officer for submarine construction, who on 23 June 1942 proposed to Hitler a 1,000-tonne tank which he named a Landkreuzer. It was to be armed with naval artillery and armored with 25 centimetres (10 in) of hardened steel, so heavily that only similar weapons could hope to affect it. To compensate for its immense weight, the Ratte would have been equipped with three 1.2 metres (3 ft 11 in) wide treads on each side with a total tread width of 7.2 metres (24 ft). This would help stability and weight distribution, but the vehicle's sheer mass would have destroyed roads and rendered bridge crossings next to impossible. However, it was anticipated that its height, and its ground clearance of 2 metres (6.6 ft) would have allowed it to ford most rivers with relative ease.Hitler became enamored with Grote's concept and ordered Krupp to begin development on it in 1942. As of December 29, 1942 a few preliminary drawings had been completed, by which time the concept had been named Ratte (Rat). Albert Speer canceled the project in 1943 before any were constructed.
Propulsion
The Ratte was to be propelled by two MAN V12Z32/44 24 cylinder marine diesel engines of 6,300 kW (8,400 hp) each (as used in U-boats) or eight Daimler-Benz MB 501 20 cylinder marine diesel engines of 1,500 kW (2,000 hp) each (as used in E-boats) to achieve the 12,000 kW (16,000 hp) needed to move this tank. The engines were to be provided with snorkels also like those used by German submarines. The snorkels were designed to provide a way for oxygen to reach the engine, even during amphibious operations passing through deep water.Armament
The Ratte's primary weapon would have been a dual 280 mm SK C/28 gun turret. The turret was to have been a modified Kriegsmarine triple gun turret, removing one of the guns and loading mechanism.[1]Further armament was to consist of a 128 mm anti-tank gun of the type used in the Jagdtiger or Maus, two 15 mm Mauser MG 151/15 autocannons, and eight 20 mm Flak 38 anti-aircraft guns, probably with at least four of them as a quad mount. The 128 mm anti-tank gun's precise location on the Ratte is a point of contention among historians, most believing that it would have been mounted within the primary turret, with some others thinking a smaller secondary turret at the rear of the Ratte more logical. Some concept drawings exist to suggest a flexible mount on the glacis plate. The tank was to be provided with a vehicle bay that could hold two BMW R12 motorcycles for scouting, and several smaller storage rooms, a compact infirmary area, and a self-contained lavatory system.
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