Borgward IV
German remote-controlled demolition vehicle capable of reusable explosive delivery.
The Borgward IV, known officially as the Schwerer Ladungsträger Borgward B IV, served as a remote-controlled demolition vehicle for Germany during World War II. Among the Wehrmacht’s three remotely operated demolition tanks, it was the heaviest and the sole model that could drop its explosive payload before detonating, which meant the vehicle itself could be used again.
Originally designed by Borgward as an ammunition carrier, the B IV proved unsuitable for that role. It was also tested as a remote minesweeper, but its vulnerability to mines and high cost made it impractical. During the Battle of France, engineers from the 1st Panzer Division converted ten Panzer I Ausf Bs into demolition and mine-clearing vehicles, using them to place timed charges on bunkers or minefields without losing the vehicle. The Waffenamt saw the potential in this concept and ordered the B IV’s development as a remote-controlled demolition vehicle, with the first units delivered in 1942.
Compared to the Goliath, the Borgward IV was significantly heavier and carried a much larger payload. While the Goliath relied on wire guidance, the Borgward IV used radio control, giving it a much longer operational range. To get it close to the target, a driver inside the vehicle would steer it near the objective before dismounting. From there, an operator in an armored vehicle—initially a Panzer III, later a StuG III/G, and finally a Tiger IE—took over via remote control. These command vehicles carried extra radio equipment to guide the B IV to its target, where it would drop its charge and then retreat from the blast zone.
Armor on the Borgward IV was thin: 8mm on the A and B versions, and 20mm on the C version. This was enough to stop small arms fire and shrapnel, but not anti-tank rifles or light anti-tank guns. Its larger size made it far easier to spot and target than the Goliath. Like the smaller unmanned vehicle, the remote operator had to keep both the target and the vehicle in sight to complete the mission.
Three production variants existed: Ausführung A, Ausf. B, and Ausf. C. These differed mainly in armor, weight, and radio equipment. The Ausf. A, the first serial production model, used a 49-horsepower, four-cylinder, water-cooled gasoline engine. It was the most produced variant, with around 616 units built between May 1942 and June 1943. Production shifted to the Ausf.
Quick Facts
- Origin
- Nazi Germany
- Service
- 1942-1945
- Wars
- World War II
- Crew
- 1
- Length
- 3.35 m / 11 ft
- Height
- 1.25 m / 4 ft 1 in
- Weight
- 3.45 t / 7,606 lb
- Armour
- up to 20 mm / 0.787 in
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The Borgward IV was originally developed as an ammunition carrier but found unsuitable; it was also tested as a remote minesweeper but proved too vulnerable to mines and too expensive. During the Battle of France, German engineers from the 1st Panzer Division converted ten Panzer I Ausf Bs into demolition and mine clearing vehicles, placing timed charges on bunkers or minefields without losing the vehicle. The Waffenamt found the idea valuable and ordered the B IV's development as a remote-controlled demolition vehicle, with first deliveries in 1942.
The vehicle was radio-controlled, unlike the wire-guided Goliath, and had a much longer range. A driver inside would drive it close to the final target before dismounting, after which it was controlled from an armored vehicle—first a Panzer III, later a StuG III/G, and finally a Tiger IE. When it reached the target, the vehicle was meant to drop the charge and leave the blast zone. Its armor was only 8 mm in the A and B versions and 20 mm in the C version, protecting against small arms and shrapnel but not anti-tank rifles or light anti-tank guns. Its larger size made it easier to spot than the Goliath.
Three models were produced: Ausf. A (616 made, May 1942–June 1943), Ausf. B (260 made, June–November 1943), and Ausf. C (305 made, December 1943–September 1944). Near the end of the war, about 56 Ausf. Bs and Cs were converted to the Panzerjäger Wanze, armed with six RPzB 54/1 anti-tank rockets, seeing minor skirmishes against Soviet armor and action at the Battle of Berlin. At least one Ausf. B was rebuilt as an amphibious vehicle, and in 1943 one was equipped with a television camera for observation.
Reader's Guide
The Borgward IV was not considered a success; it was unreliable and expensive. However, unlike the Goliath and Springer, it could be reused multiple times if all went to plan. Its production was relatively small—only 1,181 were made, compared to 7,564 of the much smaller Goliath. The vehicle's legacy lies in its role as the heaviest of Germany's remote-controlled demolition vehicles and its unique ability to survive an attack by releasing its explosive charge. Surviving examples are displayed in several museums, including the Heeresgeschichtliches Museum in Vienna, the Kubinka Tank Museum, the American Heritage Museum, and the German Tank Museum in Munster. A working example is at the Overlord Museum in Normandy. In 2010, a well-preserved Borgward IV was uncovered during demolition work at Wien Südbahnhof and restored for display. A full-scale driveable replica was built in Poland for the film Warsaw 44.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Borgward IV?
The Borgward IV, formally designated Sd.Kfz. 301, was a German radio-controlled demolition vehicle built by Borgward during World War II. It was the heaviest of the Wehrmacht's three remote demolition tanks, with 1,181 units produced across three production variants.
What variants of the Borgward IV were produced?
Three variants saw service: Ausf. A, Ausf. B, and Ausf. C. The A and B models carried 8 mm of armor, while the later C model was reinforced to 20 mm.
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