Der Strabokran

[Mike Cecil]

I've just finished reading Volker Ruff's 255 page book 'Der Strabokran German Gantry Crane 1942-45'. (ISBN 978-3-00-034002-4). This is a hard-back book produced on high-quality gloss paper in landscape format, 30 cm x 25 cm.Text is in 'parallel' format - the English text on the left, German text on the right of each page, so overall, the text is not lengthy.

The real strength of the book is the images and diagrams. Fantastic images of workshops in Germany, France and the Russian Front operating Strabokrans of various capacities, to undertake repair and maintenance of Tigers, Elephants and Panthers, with other sections showing the crane's use by V2 rocket companies and by construction units building the Atlantic Wall. There are also many engineering drawings of the crane variants.

Ruff's detailed research is impressive, as is the book's presentation. So if you are into engineering and support equipment, or have a particular passion for German armour, this book is a 'must have' reference.

As an aside, few Strabokrans survive. I saw one recently in the D-Day Museum in Normandy (image below - as a workshop diorama with a Panther), and there is apparently one in the RAF collection at Cosford. Do MLU members know of any other survivors?

Mike