Leichte Ladungsträger Goliath tracked mine (sdkfz 302)

Leichte Ladungsträger (light demolitions carrier) Goliath tracked mine is much smaller than this photo reveals, about four feet long, but larger than I imagined it to be. Controlled by a spool of wire behind it, this remote mine with a 60 kilogram charge would be guided to its target. This device, while a predecessor of today's wire guided TOW missiles, was a failure in combat. During the Warsaw Uprising, brave Poles ran up and cut its control wires with a shovel. It was also deployed during the Normandy invasion, but its only success was when a soldier attempted to blow open the Goliath with a grenade and the main charge went off, killing thirteen. Right-click and choose "view image" to enlarge.

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Here's a June 1944 photograph of the Goliath, with its top cover off for examination and removal of the explosives. It also shows you how large these things were. Right-click and choose "view image" to enlarge.

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