L121-4 Hawkei was envisaged as an ‘armoured Land Rover’ replacement. As the vehicle was developed it retained its ‘armoured support vehicle’ features, but grew ‘light armoured fighting vehicle’ features. While using the Hawkei as an ‘armoured support vehicle’ is reasonably understood, using it as a ‘light armoured fighting vehicle’ is breaking new ground.

This is the 2nd place winner in the Officer category of Cove Comp '25, whose simple theme was: “Vox Pop: Have Your Say.”

This essay explores, for comparison with the Australian Army, how the German Army’s armoured maintenance system evolved – and ultimately collapsed – under the weight of technological ambition and strategic misalignment during the Second World War.