To deal with the indegent road conditions regarding the Eastern front, the Germans built tracked tractors to tow all types of cars and provide to hold different loads from ammunition and meals supplies. The state description of the car ended up being “Raupenschlepper-Ost” (tracked tractor-East).The RSO was built by the Austrian maker Steyr-works. It had a commercial-type pressed steel cab and a wooden cargo human body. The next variations, once the RSO/03 built by Klockner-Humbolt-Deutz AG, had a simpler, soft-top, slab-sided metal cab. It proved perfect for the mud and slush conditions regarding the Russian front. Because of its “off road” abilities it was used as artillery and anti-tank weapon while the mostly utilized 75 mm. Pak 40 towing tractor.
