Danke Schoen Kubel Korps!

A convoy of WWII German vehicles patrols the trails of northern Ohio during the 2022 Kubel Korps reunion.

Besides all of the great shows around the country in our hobby, there are some smaller events that aren’t very well known but are extremely interesting. High on this list would have to be the annual Kubel Korps reunion, which marked its thirty-fourth anniversary in 2022 in Pioneer, OH. The Kubel Korps USA is a group of military vehicle collectors from across the country who share a strong interest in German WWII military vehicles. To be very clear, this is not political or ideological group, and in fact is likely very similar to any vehicle collector’s club to which you may belong. The biggest difference is that this club is centered around a type of vehicle, and not a geographic location.

For over ten years now the reunion has been held on the expansive grounds of a Boy Scout camping facility in north-western Ohio. The park features miles and miles of paved roads, gravel roads, two-tracks, and open field, along with streams to ford, and small lakes for the Schwimmwagens. You may have noticed that this event is a club reunion, and not a show. It is not open to the public, however anyone with an interest in WWII German vehicles can join the club, and therefore attend. The ownership of a German, (or any) military vehicle is not required, and as can be seen, some members own both German and American MVs. Other members also bring their non-German MVs just to be able to participate in the road/trail rides.

David Lawhead’s 1942 Kubelwagen is seen parked in font of his period-correct weekend HQ.

This brings me to one of my personal favorite things about this event, which is the general lack of “trailer queens”. A great majority of the military vehicles that attend will also hit the trails. It’s somewhat interesting that most members have no issues putting their rather unique, seventy-plus year old vehicles to the test on the roads and trails, and even rivers and lakes of the park.

The schedules for these annual reunions have always been very similar, and for 2022, things were only slightly rearranged. New for this year, after morning registration, members positioned their vehicles on the hill for the annual group pictures, which was earlier than usual. This actually worked out well because the Sun went away not too long after. This was followed by the early road ride, which toured mostly paved local roads surrounding the camp. As the ride progressed, the skies darkened until a light rain commenced, prompting the column to take a pause to erect their canopies. The ride finished in the rain, which continued off and on through lunchtime, even delaying and shortening the scheduled water events to follow.

The water events typically happen around 2PM, with the first half-hour or so slated for members and guests to have a peaceful ride in a vintage amphibious vehicle. This is generally followed by an all out “water-war”, where attendees would return to the lake armed with super-soakers, and pound the crap out of each other, reminiscent of great naval battles from the age of sail. Nobody would win, but everyone got wet! Unfortunately, with the rain this year, things were limited to a shortened period of “easy” water rides.

Luckily things dried up just in time for the afternoon trail ride, which thoroughly explored the camp’s miles of gravel, dirt, and two-track trails, some even extending into Michigan. However due to high water levels, the popular creek crossing was deemed problematic and avoided. The trail ride was still extra-long this year, covering some areas of the camp not typically seen. It seems like we didn’t make it back to camp until after 5PM, which meant it was time to get ready for dinner. After dinner, the reunion culminated with the annual member meeting and group awards, followed by a campfire.

James Newman, from Michigan displayed his 1945 Kubelwagen at this year’s event.

The Kubel Korps was formed in 1989 and to this day still includes a number of charter members. The group’s longtime leader, Randy Smith, also known as “Doc Von Kubel”, really is the “heartbeat” of the organization, and his steady hand is undoubtedly the reason for the club’s success and prolonged existence. He is also well known for re-creating German Sd.Kfz. 251 halftracks from post-war OT-810 units.

There are several other people who have had a hand in the group’s longevity. The first would be membership and reunion coordinator Paula Saft, who we sadly lost earlier this year. Paula worked tirelessly to keep things organized and make sure the reunions were successful. She will surely be missed. Her predecessor was Fran Wigginton, who set the bar for the position, and in many ways helped mold the club into its present form. Unfortunately, she too left us several years ago. A group like this also requires technical knowledge to be feasible, otherwise it would probably be a club of broken vehicles. To this end, charter member Dave Crompton has been an invaluable resource for owners or restorers of German WWII vehicles. Dave’s shop has rebuilt or restored many vehicles over the years, even reproducing the unavailable parts needed for the job, and it is not unreasonable to say that he has had some hand in a great deal of the WWII German restorations around today.

This year’s event featured sixteen military vehicles total, with 11 of them German.

This is a great club and a wonderful event, which over the years has become one of my annual favorites. It is a tight nit but friendly, welcoming group, which feels refreshingly free of club politics. Plus, besides the fact it offers an opportunity to see a collection of rare and truly historic vehicles, they can also be experienced performing as they were designed to, on trails, cross-country, or even in water. You can read about vehicles, and you can see them firsthand, but that isn’t the same as an hour or so of eating dust and feeling every bump in the back of a Kubelwagen. I can’t wait to do it again! Danke Schoen Kubel Korps!

Charter member and long-time group leader Randy Smith from Ohio was eager to hit the trails with his 1943 Schwimmwagen.

Steve & Karen Roersma from Michigan reported for duty with their 1944 Kubelwagens.

This 1942 Kubelwagen owned by Mark & Nancy Ballas, from Virginia, is equipped with the semaphore style turn indicators, typical for early models.

This 1943 Schwimmwagen was displayed by Richie Saft. It belonged to his beloved wife, Paula, who we very sadly lost earlier this year.

Mike Saltsgaver drives his reproduction Kubelwagen on this year’s early ride, which was peppered with a light rain, prompting the canopy to be deployed.

Michigander Erick Smith brought his later model Kubelwagen to join the festivities.

Rich and Helga Foulk make the trip from Pennsylvania with their 1943 Schwimmwagen most every year.

This 1944 Kubelwagen is owned by charter member, Gerhardt Wigginton from Indiana.

Matt and Kimberly Benne, from Indiana, attend the reunions with their 1940 BMW R71 w/ sidecar.

James Pringle, from Ottawa, Canada informed me that his German WWII military bicycle was made by Stricker in 1943. Stricker was one of 36 known manufacturers of bicycles for the German war effort. Pringle said he pretty much left his truppenfahrrad as “barn found.”

The early ride enjoyed some dips and turns before a light rain moved in. From left is a 1943 Schwimmwagen, 1940 BMW R71 w/ sidecar, and Dodge WC51.

Richie Saft’s recent favorite trail ride mount would appear to be his Dodge 3/4-ton WC51.

Alan and Chelsie Wise, and son Max attended the reunion with their M718A1.

Richie Saft’s 1943 Ford GPA may not be a speedboat, but it is certainly faster than the Schwimmwagens.

Saft owns several American military vehicles, including this 1943 Ford GPA.

Intermittent rain impacted the scheduled water activities at this year’s reunion, limiting things to just a few vehicles taking leisurely rides. This included Randy Smith, who took some guests on a lake tour in his 1943 Schwimmwagen.

The Schwimmwagen is stable in the water, but as seen here, there is not a lot of freeboard.

Rich Foulk demonstrates the technique of lifting the propeller to come ashore. The propeller must be lowered into place after entering the water, and lifted as the vehicle reaches land.

George Gantzler enjoys a test ride on Matt Benne’s 1940 BMW R71 w/ sidecar.

Gerhardt Wigginton and Erick Smith get back up to speed in their Kubelwagens after the column paused to erect their canopies when the early ride encountered light rain.