FRIES 16 TON

Fries 16 Ton (another name: Strabo 16 Ton) is a German gantry crane from the Second World War. The production of this device started in 1942 at the Fries und Son factory in Frankfurt. It is estimated that about 100 such devices of all versions were built in total. The Fries 16 Ton was created as a result of the desire to introduce much heavier tanks into service of the German armed forces, which were used until 1942. I am talking mainly about the Pz.Kpfw.V and the Pz.Kpfw.VI cars. This, in turn, required the German repair and repair units to have appropriate cranes, among others, which would enable effective repairs and lifting heavy elements, e.g. tank turrets. The Fries 16 Ton crane successfully met such needs, what is more, due to the fact that it was foldable, it could be easily transported by rail or road. It is worth adding that it was also used in operations with V2 rockets.