Gothaer Waggonfabrik
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| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Rail transport |
| Founded | 1880 |
| Defunct | 1997 |
| Headquarters | Berlin, Germany |
Area served | Global |
Gothaer Waggonfabrik (German pronunciation: [ˈɡoːtaɐ̯ vaˈɡɔ̃faˌbʁiːk], literally "Gotha Wagon Factory") was a German company specializing in the production of rolling stock, founded in the late 19th century in Gotha. The firm expanded its operations into aircraft manufacturing during both World Wars.
World War I
During World War I, Gotha produced a notable series of bomber aircraft, originating from a 1914 design by Oskar Ursinus and further refined by Hans Burkhard. Beginning in 1917, the twin-engine pusher biplane bombers designed by Burkhard were capable of conducting strategic bombing raids over England, marking the first use of heavier-than-air planes for this purpose. Multiple variants were manufactured, including the Ursinus-influenced Gotha G.I, followed by the Burkhard-developed Gotha G.II, Gotha G.III, Gotha G.IV, and Gotha G.V. The final model, the G.V, was the most widely produced, with as many as thirty-six aircraft deployed within squadrons simultaneously.
Interwar period
Following the restrictions imposed by the Treaty of Versailles that forbade Germany from producing military aircraft, Gotha reverted to focusing on railway manufacturing. However, with the rise of the Nazi regime and the subsequent abandonment of treaty limitations, the company resumed its aviation activities.
Automobile production from 1921 to 1928
In 1921, Gothaer Waggonfabrik acquired Automobilwerk Eisenach, thereby entering the automobile industry. The Dixi 3/15 DA-1 played a significant role in broadening the German car market by attracting customers who had previously only used motorcycles or no motor vehicle at all. Financial difficulties in 1928 led to the sale of the Dixi automobile division to BMW. Subsequently, the Dixi 3/15 DA-1 was rebranded as the BMW 3/15 DA-2, under which name it is more commonly recognized today.
In 1924, through a series of acquisitions and transfers, Gothaer Waggonfabrik incorporated Cyklon Maschinenfabrik, a company focused on motorcycles and cycle cars. This merger granted Cyklon access to Dixi's effective sales network and ambitions to become a notable automobile manufacturer. Between 1927 and 1929, Cyklon produced the Cyklon 9/40, which was then Germany’s most affordable six-cylinder vehicle. This conservatively styled automobile featured a modern all-steel body crafted by Ambi-Budd's Berlin plant, Germany's leading steel car body manufacturer at that time. Notably, this was Ambi-Budd’s first standard all-steel body production and was shared with the more powerful and higher-priced Adler Standard 6 from one of Germany’s prominent automakers during the 1930s. The sale of Dixi to BMW severed Cyklon's access to an effective sales network and underscored financial challenges within Gothaer’s automotive division, which quickly declined after 1928; although Cyklon did not officially cease operations until 1931.
World War II
Gotha's primary role in the development of the new Luftwaffe was the production of the Gotha Go 145 trainer, with a total output of 1,182 units. Additionally, the company manufactured the Gotha Go 242 assault glider and produced licensed versions of the Messerschmitt Bf 110. However, perhaps the most renowned Gotha aircraft from World War II was one that never saw active service: the Horten Ho 229. This innovative jet-powered, flying wing fighter aircraft was designed by the Horten brothers, who did not possess the capacity for large-scale production. Two prototypes took flight, with the second powered model lost during its third mission due to an accident. The third prototype, featuring a revised design, was nearly finished, and four additional units were at various stages of assembly before the war concluded. The Ho 229 V3 eventually fell into American possession and is currently housed at the NASM's Udvar-Hazy Center, where it is being assessed for restoration.
On 22 February 1944, a formation of American bombers departed from Britain with orders to strike the Gotha factory. However, adverse weather conditions forced cancellation before reaching their destination. Instead, on their return journey, they targeted the Dutch border city of Nijmegen as a 'target of opportunity,' resulting in hundreds of civilian casualties.
Two days later, on 24 February 1944, 239 American B-24 bombers were assigned to attack Gotha, Germany—169 successfully bombed the city. The lead bombardier from the 2nd Air Division suffered oxygen deprivation caused by a malfunctioning mask and mistakenly identified Eisenach as the target. Consequently, 43 additional B-24s released their payloads over Eisenach (44 bombed Eisenach). The operation claimed destruction of approximately 50-10-20 Luftwaffe aircraft; however, losses included 34 B-24s destroyed and 29 damaged. Casualties recorded were three killed in action (KIA), six wounded in action (WIA), and 324 missing in action (MIA).
Post war
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After World War II, VEB Waggonbau Gotha resumed its original focus on manufacturing trams and light rail vehicles within former East Germany.
One of its most notable successes was the G4 model, named for its four axles; production totaled 319 units. The initial prototype, called EGT59, was completed in late 1959 and drew design inspiration from the two-axle T57/B57 models. The G4 adopted a layout similar to the two-rooms-and-a-bath car concept that had gained popularity in West Germany through manufacturers like Credé. These three-section trams measured 21.7 meters in length and had a width of only 2.2 meters. Manufacturing began in 1961; this tram type is sometimes referred to as G4-61, with an updated variant known as G4-65.
Tram production by Gotha ceased in 1967 when East Germany began importing trams from Czechoslovakia's ČKD-Tatra.
Wartburg
Beginning in 1983, components for the Wartburg 535 and 1.3 models were manufactured. Following the cessation of Wartburg production in Eisenach after 1991, the company shifted its focus primarily to producing truck trailers. In 1997, the enterprise underwent division and was subsequently privatized by the Treuhandanstalt.
Trucks
Currently, Schmitz Cargobull Gotha GmbH—a manufacturing branch of Schmitz Cargobull AG—produces approximately 4,000 truck trailers annually. Another successor, Gothaer Fahrzeugtechnik GmbH, specializes in fabricating lattice mast components for mobile cranes as well as various welded parts.
List of aircraft
Aircraft developed by Gotha consist of:
- Gotha B.I/II
- Gotha G.I
- Gotha G.II
- Gotha G.III
- Gotha G.IV
- Gotha G.V
- Gotha G.VI
- Gotha G.VII
- Gotha G.IX
- Gotha G.X
- Gotha LD.1
- Gotha WD.2
- Gotha WD.3
- Gotha WD.7, a seaplane trainer introduced in 1916
- Gotha WD.11
- Gotha WD.14
- Gotha WD.27
- Gotha Go 145, used as a trainer aircraft
- Gotha Go 146, a compact twin-engine transport from 1935
- Gotha Go 147, a prototype STOL reconnaissance plane
- Gotha Go 149, military trainer with two units produced
- Gotha Go 150, classified as a light aircraft
- Horten Ho 229, a flying-wing fighter selected for mass production at Gotha
- Gotha Go 242, designed as a transport glider
- Gotha Go 244, transport aircraft
- Gotha Go 345, assault glider model
- Gotha Ka 430, another transport glider variant
- Gotha Taube, a derivative of the Etrich Taube