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Germany's Schwere Panzerspähwagen (SdKfz 231) 8 rad

Schwere Panzerspähwagen (SdKfz 231) 8 rad	Schwere Panzerspähwagen (SdKfz 232) 8 rad	Schwere Panzerspähwagen (SdKfz 232) 8 rad	Schwere Panzerspähwagen (SdKfz 232) 8 rad
Schwere Panzerspähwagen (SdKfz 233) 8 rad	Schwere Panzerspähwagen (SdKfz 233) 8 rad	Schwere Panzerspähwagen (SdKfz 233) 8 rad	SdKfz 233 armored car captured by the allies in North Africa: United States Army in World War II, Pictorial Record, The War Against Germany and Italy: Mediterranean and Adjacent Areas, 1951, pg 50
Schwere Panzerspähwagen (SdKfz 263) 8 rad

Design

There was a need for improved cross-country performance and development was ordered in 1934. Designated Versuchskraftfahrzeug (experimental vehicle) 623 and 624. In mid-1937 was designated SdKfz 233 & 234 and then in October 1939 was called SdKfz 231 & 232 (8 rad). Production stopped in May 1942.

Deutsche Werke of Kiel developed the vehicle, while assembly was done by Schichau.

Steering wheels and controls are provided for each direction. The seats for the commander and gunner were attached to a hand traversed turret. Early in 1940 an 8mm plate was to the front of many of the models.

Production

• Schwere Panzerspähwagen (7.5cm) (SdKfz 231): 600, 607¹
  • Production: 1936 - ? , 1936 - September 1943¹
  • Manufacturer: Deutsche Werke, Schichau¹
• Schwere Panzerspähwagen (Fu) (SdKfz 232) 8 rad:
  • Production: 1936 - September 1943¹
  • Manufacturer: Deutsche Werke, Schichau¹
• Schwere Panzerspähwagen (7.5cm) (SdKfz 233): 109¹
  • Production: 1942 - 1945, December 1942 - October 1943¹
  • Manufacturer: Deutsche Werke in Kiel, Schichau¹
• Panzerfunkwagen (SdKfz 263) 8 rad: 240¹
  • Production: April 1938 - April 1943¹
  • Manufacturer: Deutsche Werke, Schichau¹

Variants

• Schwere Panzerspähwagen (7.5cm) (SdKfz 231):
• Schwere Panzerspähwagen (Fu) (SdKfz 232) 8 rad: Had a large bedstead frame aerial above the turret and body with pivots on the turret so that the turret could still rotate. During 1942 models had aerial replaced with a simple pole aerial. Production ceased in September 1942.
• Schwere Panzerspähwagen (7.5cm) (SdKfz 233): Gave reconnaissance squadrons ability to engage enemy armor. 6 were issued to the Panzerspähwagen squadrons of the Aufklärungs battalions detachments. Used on all fronts during the war.
• Panzerfunkwagen (SdKfz 263) 8 rad: It was based on the SdKfz 231/232 with the turret removed and the side extended higher to make a larger crew compartment. A large frame antenna and a telescoping mast were provided for long-range communications. Issued to Nachrichten detachments of motorized and Panzer divisions. Sometimes were issued to Korps and Army headquarters.

Usage

Issued to heavy Panzerspähwagen squadrons of each motorized Aufklärungs detachments.

Sources:

1. Encyclopedia of German Tanks of World War Two, Peter Chamberlain and Hilary Doyle, 1999
2. The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II, Chris Bishop, 1998