The term Schwere Panzerspähwagen (Heavy Armoured Vehicle), covers the 6 and 8 wheel armoured cars Germany used in World War II.

In the German Army, armoured cars were intended for the vital role of reconnaissance, scouting ahead of the Panzer tank units to assess enemy strength and intentions.

History

The heavy Panzerspähwagens were a large and ungainly but a very fast addition to the German mobile arsenal of the early war years. The original 6-rad (6 wheels) versions were based on a 6x4 truck with armoured body, but by 1937 they were being replaced by the 8-rad versions. During the replacement, the SdKfz numbers were carried directly over; differentiation is made by the addition of 6-Rad or 8-Rad (Ger: "6 wheel" or "8 wheel") in the vehicle name.

These vehicles first tasted combat with the campaign against Poland and in the Battle of France. The radio communication cars proved their ability in infantry support, especially during street fighting. Later they saw use in both Russia and North Africa. Extreme climatic conditions in both these areas proved too severe for the vehicle. In Russia, adverse grond conditions immobilized 150 SdKfz 232s during the first wet season of the campaign. In the desert, heat and sand created serious maintenance problems. Still, the eight-wheeled cars turned out to be the best vehicles that Rommel had for long raids in across the wide desert territory .

6 wheeled

All 6-rad versions were produced from 1932 to 1937.

SdKfz 231

The first of the German armored cars, the SdKfz 231 was based on a modified 6x4 truck chassis. The 231 was armed with a 20 mm cannon and had a second driver in the rear so that the vehicle could be driven either forwards or backwards with relative ease. The 231 was introduced into service in 1932 and was replaced in 1937 when the German Army switched to 8-wheeled armoured cars instead of 6-wheeled. While they were used by Aufklärungs (SS reconnaissance) during the Polish September Campaign and in the Battle of France, they were withdrawn afterwards for use in internal security and training. The crew consisted of a commander, gunner, driver, and a radio operator/rear driver.

SdKfz 232

The 232 carried a Fu.Ger.11 SE 100 medium range radio and a Fu. Spr. Ger. "a" short range radio. This model was visually distinctive because of the heavy "bedstead" antenna over the body of the car. At the point where the antenna was connected to the turret a special joint was installed which supported the aerial but still allowed the turret a full 360 degrees rotation.

SdKfz 263

A radio vehicle "Funkspahwagen" equipped with extra radio equipment and an addition radio operator. To support the additional equipment, the turret had to be fixed in position.

8 wheeled

SdKfz 231

SdKfz 232

SdKfz 232 (8-Rad) production was stopped in 1943 with the appearance of the SdKfz 234 Puma. The 232 were not withdrawn from service; many of the old vehicles were upgraded with new radio communication equipment, replacing the "bedstead" with more modern and compact wire antennae. These vehicles are often referred to as SdKfz 232 (Fu) (8-Rad) (Fu; Funkapparat; radio, Rad;wheel)

SdKfz 233 "Stummel"

Converted 232's, adding the short barrelled 75 mm KwK L/24 gun in an open fixed superstructure.

SdKfz 263

An 8 wheeler with a fixed superstructure and a single 7.92mm MG34 machine gun. A dedicated radio vehicle with the bedstead frame aerial. This was based on the SdKfz 232/3 series.

SdKfz 234

The SdKfz series were all eight wheel drive, of a similar size and appearance to the SdKfz 232/3 series which they replaced. The most obvious visible difference is the single-piece mudguards compared to the two-piece mudguards on the 232/3 series.

SdKfz 234/1

The SdKfz 234/1 was fitted with a 20mm KwK38 gun and coaxial 7.92mm MG34 machine gun in a rotating six-sided open turret (the open turret was protected from grenades by a mesh-covered frame).

SdKfz 234/2 "Puma"

This version, which some sources rank as the best armoured car of World War II, was armed with a 5 cm KwK 39/1. It weighed nearly 12 tons but was capable of 85 km/h (53 mph).

SdKfz 234/3 "Stummel"

This version, like the SdKfz 233, carried the short 75mm KwK L/24 gun, in a raised open superstructure.

SdKfz 234/4

Another variant of the 8 wheeler, but mounting a 75mm PaK 40 (antitank) gun in a fixed mount.

See also

• Leichter_Panzerspahwagen