SdKfz 251

The SdKfz 251 was one of the most widely used half-track armored vehicles in World War II. Although it had entered service with the Wehrmacht by mid 1939, it was not employed during the German invasion of Poland. It would have to wait one year as it first saw combat action during the Battle of France in May and June 1940 as a sufficient number of SdKfz 251s had already been produced. Since then, it would be used on every front of the war; on the Eastern Front, in the Balkan, North Africa, and Italy. SdKfz was the German abbreviation of 'Sonderkraftfahrzeug'. However, it was also officially referred to as the 'Schutzenpanzerwagen'.

Below, the SdKfz 251 in Greece, April 1941, spearheading the infantry.

Although, technically, it was an armored personnel carrier, it was specially employed to carry out reconnaissance missions. Thus, it became the preferred half-track vehicle to be employed to explore and secure enemy ground in advance of the main force. Therefore, every mechanized infantry unit in the vanguard used it. It was designed and developed by Hanomag. It was also massively produced by the firms Horch and Adlerwerke, with more than 15,000 vehicles being made until 1945.

Technical Characteristics

The SdKfz 251 was a half-track personnel carrier for mechanized infantry and Panzergrenadiers. The track section of the vehicle was sturdy and reliable as it was composed of overlapping steel wheels (rollers), with the sprocket or drive wheel located at the front. In order to turn right or left, the driver had to not only turn the steering controlling the two front tire wheels but he also had to block with the brake either the left or right track, depending in which direction he was ordered to go.

The front part of the SdKfz 251 was protected by 14.5-mm-thick steel armor, while the sides were equipped with V-shaped 8-mm steel plates. The V-shape improved the armor protection. The infantry version was usually armed with two MG-34 or MG-42 machine guns, one mounted at the front and the other at the rear. Every version of the SdKfz 251 was powered by a Maybach HL42 6-cylinder gasoline engine, which delivered 100 HP.

Models and Variants

The following models of the SdKfz 251 were manufactured: Ausf. A, B, C, and D. The Ausf C was massively produced and could be recognized by the hexagonal shape frontal armor plates and the rear door or tail gate, which bulged out. The Ausf. D was a simplified model, with less protection, to speed up production for the demanding maws of war.

The SdKfz 251/I was the initial command version, which was made between 1939 and 1940. The SdKfz 251/2 featured a mobile mount for the 8 cm GrW34 mortar, which could be mounted quickly without trouble. The /3 was a communication half-track vehicles fitted with several radio set and antennas; however the /3 Ausf. B was usually fitted with a 2.8 cm Panzerbuchse anti-tank gun. The /4 was used as a towing vehicle to carry the 10.5 cm le FH 18 field howitzer as well was the 7.5cm PaK 40 and the 8.8 cm PaK 43 anti-tank guns employed by the infantry.

The /7 was armed with a 2 cm Flak 38 (a 20mm AA gun). The /9, which was fitted with a 7.5 cm KwK L/24 gun, which was used on the Panther IV tank, to provide fire support to the infantry. Other versions were equipped with different types of guns and equipment. The SdKfz 251/10 was armed with the 3.7 cm PaK anti-tank gun.

Specifications

Length: 19 feet (5.8 m)

Width: 6 feet 11 inches (2.1 m)

Height: 5 feet 9 inches (1.75 m)

Weight: 7.9 tons

Maximum Speed: 33 miles per hour

Below, the SdKfz 251 could drive over rough terrain and overcome many obstacles.

Below, the SdKfz 251 Ausf. C on the Eastern Front in 1942, during Operation Case Blue

The SdKfz 251/4 Ausf. C towing a 7.5 cm PaK 40 anti-tank gun

Below, the SonderKraftFahrzeug 251/9 featuring the 7.5 cm L/24 short-barreled gun

The German Army mechanized infantry troops jumping out the SdKfz 251 during an offensive.