The Junovicz, named after its designer Lieutenant Junovicz, holds the distinction of being the most widely produced armoured car in the Austro-Hungarian Empire during the First World War. This versatile vehicle emerged from Lieutenant Junovicz's vision of a universal armoured body that could be adapted to fit any available truck chassis. While these armoured cars saw some limited use during the war, many details regarding their deployment remain shrouded in obscurity.
In the early years of World War I, the Austro-Hungarian Army Command and Ministry of War actively sought proposals for the development of armoured vehicles. Among the various designs submitted, Rudolf Junovicz's proposal gained approval for production. The design, characterized by its simplicity, involved adding an armoured superstructure to existing truck chassis without significant alterations. The armoured body comprised flat plates, with the lower section protecting the chassis and drivetrain, while the upper section safeguarded the engine and crew compartment. Constructed with riveted plates, the armour was 7 mm thick at the front, offering enhanced protection, and 5 mm thick on the rest of the vehicle. This armour proved effective against small-arms fire, such as rifles fired from a distance. The front radiator, crucial for engine cooling, featured a unique design—a single armoured plate that could be lifted by a wire from inside the vehicle. When not in combat, the plate could be fully raised, ensuring optimal engine cooling during non-engagement periods.
The Junovicz accommodated a crew of six in its compact yet functional interior. The driver, positioned at the front right, had limited visibility through a small hatch that folded upwards. Beside the driver sat the commander, who operated a machine gun through a front firing port or used it for observation. The vehicle boasted a total of six firing ports, distributed on each side and the front and rear. To the rear of the driver and commander, the compartment housed three gunners, ammunition, crew belongings, supplies, and two to four machine guns.
Following the completion of its inaugural vehicle in 1915, the first Junovicz entered active service, initially deployed to Serbia before being later stationed at the challenging theater of the Isonzo Front. By the close of June 1916, it received assignment to the 1st Army and was relocated to the northern sector of the Eastern Front. While the Junovicz earned praise for its commendable firepower and armored protection, its limitation in negotiating soft terrains due to the two-wheel drive and narrow tires became apparent. It dutifully served on the front lines until March 1, 1918, when it underwent a transfer to the 6th Army and was required to move to Udine, Italy.
Despite the significant quantity of Junovicz vehicles manufactured, their reported action with the Austro-Hungarian forces during World War I was notably sparse. The improvised design, coupled with its suboptimal off-road performance, relegated the Junovicz to a relatively minor role within the army. Nevertheless, the vehicle's firepower and the protection it provided were recognized and valued.
In the aftermath of the war, the fate of all Junovicz units took a less glamorous turn. Both Italy and Romania, the recipients of these armored cars, opted to scrap them. This unceremonious end marked the conclusion of the Junovicz's military service—an unglamorous yet potent vehicle, echoing the complexities of armored warfare during its era.