German Halftracks
It was recognized by the German High Command that the infantry
should be as equally mobile as the panzers they were to support. A fully
tracked vehicle seemed too costly and wheeled vehicles with the required
cross-country performance were not available. In 1937 development of a
half tracked armoured infantry carrier began. The vehicle finally went
into production in early 1939 and was designated SdKfz 251.
Despite numerous variations the vehicle was produced in four main models.
The initial model was the Ausf A. This was the prototype and each subsequent
model was gradually adapted and simplified to improve ease of construction.
The vehicles frontal armour was 14.5mm thick. It weighed 9 tons and its
top speed was 52.5kmh on the road and 10kmh across country. The vehicle
had a range of 300km on road and 150km cross-country. The tracks and suspension
were a revolutionary design, which provided long track life and excellent
traction, however due to their engineering they were vulnerable to extremes
of cold weather.
Various improvements were incorporated in the Ausf B version that was
produced from 1939 until late 1940. An armoured shield was added to each
of the MG mounts. The two-piece front-plate was replaced with a single
sheet construction. The outside tools were relocated and the seats received
backrests, which were used as lockers for weapons and equipment.
In mid 1940 the Ausf C version was introduced and saw major changes to
the design. Most noticeable was a body construction that was all bolted
instead of almost all welded. Problems with the complicated production
of this model led to the final and most numerous version, the Ausf D.
This model had a greatly simplified design, which eliminated many angles
and curves. The design proved so effective that it stayed in production
until the end of the war.
Numerous sub variants were created to fulfil specific roles, which are
listed as follows:
251/1a Schützen Panzer Wg
Versions: Ausf ABCD
The basic vehicle was designed to carry 10 riflemen and all their equipment
plus a two-man crew consisting of a driver and commander. Two MG34's were
fitted, one sweeping the front and one on a more movable arm at the rear
of the vehicle. The introduction of the Ausf B version saw the introduction
of a protective MG shield. The MG34 was later replaced by the MG42 with
all Ausf D versions having MG42's.
251/1b Schützen Panzer Wg
Versions: Ausf ABC
The same as version 251/1a, but this vehicle only carried 9 fully equipped
rifleman. In addition a heavy mount for the MG34 was fitted.
251 Schütz Panzer Wg Wurfrahmen
Versions: Ausf ABCD
In 1941 a simple tubular frame was fitted to enable the mounting of launch
crates containing "Wurfrahmen" rockets. Six of these heavy 280mm
HE or 320mm napalm rocket launched projectiles could be carried. The rockets
were launched with the crew outside the vehicle. When the vehicle was
moving the control box and cable reels were carried in the vehicle.
251/2 Schütz Panzer Wg Granatenwurfer
Versions: Ausf CD
This version, introduced in early 1941, was designed to carry an 80mm
mortar. The mortar could be fired both from inside the vehicle or dismounted
outside on a ground plate carried on the superstructure. When mounted
in the vehicle the mortar could only fire forward and so the front MG
was omitted. Some of the seats in the crew compartment were also removed
to accommodate 66 rounds of ammunition for the mortar. The vehicle could
carry a 6-man mortar team plus a driver and commander. The SdKfz 250/7
subsequently took over the role of the 251/2 because its smaller size
was more suited to the role.
251/3 Funk Panzer Wg
Versions: Ausf CD
This vehicle was introduced in mid 1940 to act as a prime mover for the
leIG 18 light infantry gun. The vehicle was fitted with a specially strengthened
towing mount. It could also carry 120 rounds of ammunition for the gun.
The towing mount was later adapted to accommodate various AT guns such
as the 37mm PaK 36, 50mm PaK 38, 75mm PaK 40 and the heavier infantry
gun the 105mm leFH 18. In early 1943 the 251/3 reverted to a communications
role. The vehicle was refitted with a variety of radios and antenna.
251/6 Kommand Panzer Wg
Versions: Ausf ABCD
Initially, this vehicle was only used by divisional commanders. However
as more vehicles became available they were used more extensively. The
vehicle was equipped with various decoding and deciphering apparatus and
a variety of radios and antenna. The vehicle carried a crew of up to 8
and was armed with one forward firing MG34.
251/7 Pioneer Panzer Wg
Versions : Ausf CD
This vehicle was introduced to provide transport for engineer sections
and their equipment. Two metal bridge-arcs could be carried on the sides
of the vehicle. In addition assault boats and demolition stores were also
carried.
251/8 Krankenpanzerwagen
Versions : Ausf BCD
This vehicle was introduced as an armoured ambulance. It could carry 2
stretchers and 4 seated wounded. Later models had redesigned doors to
allow for easy entry and exit. Had a FuG5 when it was issued to HQ Company
or Panzer detachment.
251/9 Schütz Panzer Wg 75mm K Kanonenwagen
Versions: Ausf CD
This Vehicle was introduced in mid 1942 and remained in production until
late 1944. The vehicle was fitted with a forward firing 75mm KwK 37 L/24
gun and was used to provide armoured reconnaissance units with integral
fire support. The crew area was rearranged to accommodate the gun and
its ammunition with most of the benches being removed. Later vehicles
also had a slightly higher silhouette following the fitting of extended
armour sides. The vehicle carried a crew of 3 and 52 rounds of 75mm ammunition
for the gun.
251/10 Schütz Panzer Wg 37mm Pak
Versions: Ausf ABCD
This vehicle was introduced in 1940 as a platoon leaders vehicle. Initially
the standard 37mm PaK 36 was simply fitted on top of the armour above
the driver and co-driver. Later a mounting for the gun and an armoured
shield were fitted. The vehicle carried up to 6 men and 168 rounds of
37mm ammunition for the gun.
251/11 Fernsprech Panzer Wg
Versions: Ausf C
This vehicle was introduced in mid 1942 to serve as an armoured cable-laying
vehicle. In the crew compartment a cabinet with cable reels and equipment
replaced the right hand benches. Three cable laying units were fitted
in the vehicle and the crew used poles to hang the cable in trees. The
vehicle carried a crew of 5.
251/12 Messtr u Geraete Panzer Wg
Versions: Ausf BC
This vehicle was introduced in early 1942 as an artillery survey section
vehicle. Specialised artillery observation units were equipped with this
vehicle to carry their equipment. The vehicle carried a crew of 6.
251/13 Schallaufn Panzer Wg
Versions: Ausf C
This vehicle was equipped with specialised instruments to record and examine
the sound of enemy artillery batteries and then locate their position.
251/14 Schallausw Panzer Wg
Versions: Ausf C
This vehicle was equipped with specialised sound ranging instruments to
interpret the sound of enemy artillery and then locate their position.
251/15 Lichtausw Panzer Wg
Versions: Ausf C
This vehicle was equipped with flash spotting instruments to interpret
the flashes of enemy artillery then locate their position.
251/16 Mittlerer Flammpanzerwagen
Versions: Ausf CD
This vehicle was introduced in early 1943. It was fitted with two 14mm
Flammenwerfer, one on each side of the superstructure, which were fitted
with armoured shields. The rear of the vehicle housed two tanks each containing
700 litres of fuel. Each flamethrower had a range of about 40m and could
fire about eighty bursts of up to 2 seconds each. The vehicle carried
a crew of 5.
251/17 Mittlerer Schützenpanzerwagen (20mm) Flak
This vehicle was introduced in mid 1942. It was fitted with either a 20mm
Flak 30 or Flak 38. Vehicles mounting the Flak 38 often had a bulging
superstructure with drop down sides to enable a better traverse of the
gun. Although designed for anti aircraft protection the weapons could
also be use in the ground role.
251/18 Mittlerer Beobachtungspanzerwagen
Versions: Ausf CD
This vehicle was introduced in mid 1943. It was used as a mobile observation
post and command vehicle, replacing the 251/6.
251/19 Mittlerer Fernsprech-Betriebspanzerwagen
Versions: Ausf D
This vehicle was introduced in mid 1942 to serve as an armoured telephone
relay unit. The vehicle carried a crew of 5 and operated in unison with
the 251/11.
251/22 Mittleren Schützenpanzerwagen 75mm Pak
40
Versions: Ausf D
Introduced in late 1944, this vehicle provided a crude mobile carriage
for the 75mm Pak 40. However the additional weight and effects of the
gun recoil overloaded the chassis, which lead to frequent mechanical breakdowns.
An improvised mount for the gun was fitted above and behind the driver.
The gunner sat on a folding wooden seat to the left of the gun. The vehicle
carried a crew of 5 and carried 22 rounds of ammunition for the gun.
In 1939 it was decided to introduce a light half track to complement the SdKfz 251. It was decided to utilize the existing SdKfz 10 tractor and add an armored superstructure. In addition the suspension was shortened to enable the engine to cope with the additional weight. It was introduced in early 1940 and designated as the SdKfz 250. The vehicle was able to take over some of the tasks being performed by the SdKfz 251, to which a smaller vehicle was more suited. The vehicles frontal armor was 14.5mm thick. It weighed 5.3 tons and its top speed was 37mph (24kmh) on the road and 7mph (10kmh) across country. The vehicle had a range of 217 miles (300km) on road and 100 miles (150km) cross-country. In 1943 the design of the superstructure was simplified to ease production. Again like the SdKfz 251 there were a large number of sub variants designed to fulfill specific roles.
SdKfz 250/1 Schützenpanzerwagen
Introduced in early 1940 the basic model was used to carry a half section
for reconnaissance tasks. It was also used as a platoon and company commanders
vehicle. The command vehicle was equipped with various decoding and deciphering
apparatus and a variety of radios and antenna. It was equipped with either
one or two MG 34's on pivot mounts. The vehicle could carry a crew of
six.
SdKfz 250/2 Fernsprechpanzerwagen
Introduced in early 1941 this vehicle was introduced as an armored telephone
cable layer and was also used as an observation vehicle. The vehicle could
lay up to three cables at a time. The vehicle carried a crew of 4.
SdKfz 250/3 Funkpanzerwagen
Introduced in early 1941 this vehicle was a communications vehicle. The
vehicle was fitted with a variety of radios and antenna. The vehicle carried
a crew of 4.
SdKfz 250/4 Truppenluftschützpanzerwagen
Introduced in early 1941 this vehicle was an air liason and observation
vehicle. The vehicle was used by Luftwaffe forward air controllers to
task aircraft and then talk them onto their targets. The vehicle carried
a crew of 4.
SdKfz 250/5 Beobachtungspanzerwagen
Introduced in mid 1941 this vehicle was a forward observation vehicle
for assault gun batteries. The vehicle carried a crew of 4.
SdKfz 250/6 Munitionspanzerwagen
Introduced in early 1941 this vehicle served as an ammunition carrier
for assault guns. The vehicle could be fitted internally to carry either
70 rounds for the short 75mm StuK
37 L/24 gun or 60 rounds for the long 75mm StuK
40 L/43 gun.
SdKfz 250/7 Schützenpanzerwagen schwerer Granatwerfer
Introduced in early 1941 this vehicle was adapted to carry the 80mm mortar.
More suited to the role than the SdKfz 251 it largely replaced that vehicle
in this role. Like the SdKfz 251 the mortar could be fired both from inside
the vehicle or dismounted outside on a ground plate carried on the superstructure.
When mounted in the vehicle the mortar could only fire forward and so
the front MG was omitted. Some of the seats in the crew compartment were
also removed to accommodate 42 rounds of ammunition for the mortar. The
vehicle could carry a 5-man mortar team plus a driver and commander.
SdKfz 250/8 Schützenpanzerwagen 75mm
This vehicle introduced in early 1943 was fitted with a forward firing
75mm KwK 37 L/24 gun in a similar fashion to the SdKfz 251. It was used
to provide armored reconnaissance units with integral fire support. The
crew area was rearranged to accommodate the gun and its ammunition with
most of the benches being removed. The vehicle carried a crew of 4.
SdKfz 250/9 Schützenpanzerwagen 20mm
This vehicle was introduced in mid 1942 to replace the wheeled armored
cars, which were unsuitable for the terrain conditions in Russia. The
turret assembly of the Sdkfz 222 was fitted on to the top of the superstructure,
which was roofed to accommodate it. The vehicle carried a crew of 3.
SdKfz 250/10 Schützenpanzerwagen 37mm PaK
This vehicle, introduced in late 1940, had the standard 37mm PaK 36 simply
fitted on top of the armor above the driver and co-driver. Later a mounting
for the gun and an armored shield were fitted. The vehicle carried a crew
of 3.
SdKfz 250/11 Schützenpanzerwagen schwere Panzerbüchse
This vehicle, introduced in late 1942, replaced the SdKkfz 250/10 as the
platoon commanders vehicle. The 37mm Pak was replaced with the tapered
bore 20mm Panzerbusche 41. The vehicle carried a crew of 6.
SdKfz 250/12 Messtruppanzerwagen
This vehicle was introduced in early 1942 to replace the SdKfz 251/13.
It was used as an artillery survey and observation vehicle. The vehicle
carried a crew of 4.
