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German Police Halt Convoy of US Howitzers Over Irregularities

Traffic police in the German state of Saxony have stopped a convoy of six US howitzers, citing multiple irregularities during transportation and noting that both the drivers and the logistics company would be fined.
Sputnik

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — A convoy of six US howitzers was stopped this week while travelling through Germany’s eastern state of Saxony after local traffic police found multiple irregularities in how they were being transported.

The Saxony police said in a Facebook post on Wednesday that the US military transport of self-propelled M109s from Poland had been halted a day before outside the town of Bautzen.

"With regard to a long list of deficiencies, traffic police did not allow the drivers to go ahead until they have suitable vehicles, provide required transport licenses and meet all conditions," the statement read.

The police said the vehicles were too wide, too heavy and overloaded by some 16 tons, while long-haul drivers failed to observe the proper sleep and driving routine. Both the drivers and the logistics company will be fined, they added.

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