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Leichter Panzerspähwagen

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Leichter Panzerspähwagen
A knocked-out Sd.Kfz 222 armoured car
TypeArmored car
Place of origin Nazi Germany
Service history
Used byGermany, China
Production history
DesignerEisenwerk Weserhütte
ManufacturerAuto Union, F. Schichau
Produced1935 - 1944
Specifications
Crew3
Armor5 - 14.5 mm
Main
armament
1 × Maschinengewehr 34 (for Sd.Kfz 221)
1 × 2 cm KwK 30 L/55 autocannon (for Sd.Kfz 222)
Secondary
armament
1 × Maschinengewehr 34 (for Sd.Kfz 222)
EngineHorch 3.5 petrol
67 kW (90 hp)
Operational
range
300 km (186 mi)
Maximum speed road: 80 km (50 mi)
cross-country: 40 km (25 mi)
SdKfz. 222 in private collection.
British soldiers inspect a captured SdKfz 222, North Africa, 1941.

The Leichter Panzerspähwagen (German: roughly "Light Armoured Reconnaissance Vehicle") were a series of light four-wheel drive armoured cars produced by Nazi Germany from 1935 to 1944.

They were developed by Eisenwerk Weserhütte of Bad Oeynhausen. Chassis were built by Auto Union in Zwickau and assembled by F. Schichau of Elbing and Maschinenfabrik Niedersachsen in Hanover-Linden.

It used the standard sPkw I Horch 801 (heavy car) chassis with an angled armoured body and turret.

The rear mounted engine was a 67 kW (90 hp) Horch 3.5 petrol engine, giving it a road speed of 80 km/h (50 mph) and a cross-country speed of 40 km/h (25 mph). It had a maximum range of 300 km (186 mi).

Used by the reconnaissance battalions (Aufklärungs-Abteilung) of the Panzer divisions, the type performed well enough in countries with good road networks, like those in Western Europe. However, on the Eastern Front and North Africa, this class of vehicle was hampered by its relatively poor off-road performance. In those theaters, it gradually found itself replaced in the reconnaissance role by the Sdkfz 250 half-track. The Sdkfz 250/9 was the Sdkfz 250 with the same turret as the Sdfkz 222.

The Sdkfz 222 was examined by Soviet designers before they created the similar BA-64 light armoured car.

Front and sides were made of 8 mm (0.3 in) steel; thinner 5 mm (0.2 in) plates protected the top, rear, and bottom. Cast vision ports later replaced ports cut into the armour. The open topped turret was fitted with wire mesh anti-grenade screens.

Variants

SdKfz. 221

Base model and first production series of light armoured car built on a standardized chassis for military use. The Sdkfz. 221 was armed with a single 7.92 mm Maschinengewehr 34 (MG34) machine gun, manned by a two man crew, and had 4-wheel drive. Armour protection was originally 8 mm thick, but increased to 14.5 mm later in production.

SdKfz 221 mit 2.8cm

A 28 mm sPzB41 in a modified turret.

SdKfz. 222

This version of the vehicle was armed with a 2 cm KwK 30 L/55 autocannon and a 7.92 mm MG34 machine gun. The third crew member was the gunner, relieving the commander of that task. Some versions included a 28 mm armored piercing cannon. A prototype version included a 50 mm cannon. Two armored prototype versions were completed.

SdKfz. 223
Deutscher Panzerspähwagen

A radio car version, armed like the 221 with a 7.92 mm MG34 machine gun. Included additional radio equipment, and had a large "bed-frame" antenna over the vehicle. Over 500 of the SdKfz 223 were produced.

Kleine Panzerfunkwagen SdKfz 260
Kleine Panzerfunkwagen SdKfz 261

Notes and references

  • "Germany's Panzerspähwagen SdKfz 221 Armored Cars". World War II Vehicles, Tanks and airplanes.
  • "Germany's Panzerspähwagen SdKfz 222, Panzerfunkwagen SdKfz 223 Armored Cars". World War II Vehicles, Tanks and airplanes.
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