Appendix
Sd.Kfz.2
Sd.Kfz.7
Sd.Kfz.8
Sd.Kfz.9
Sd.Kfz.10
Sd.Kfz.11
Maultier
Variants of the Sd.Kfz.251
251/1a Schützen Panzer Wg
Versions: Ausf ABCD
Carried ten riflemen and all their equipment, plus a two-man crew consisting of a driver and commander. Two MG34s were fitted.
251/1b Schützen Panzer Wg
Versions: Ausf ABC
Carried nine fully equipped riflemen and a heavy mount for the MG34.
251 Schütz Panzer Wg Wurfrahmen
Versions: Ausf ABCD
Mounted 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.
251/2 Schütz Panzer Wg Granatenwurfer
Versions: Ausf CD
Introduced in early 1941 and carried an 80mm mortar. The mortar could be fired both from inside the vehicle or dismounted outside on a ground plate carried on the superstructure.
251/3 Funk Panzer Wg
Versions: Ausf CD
Designed primarily for light ordnance 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.
251/6 Kommand Panzer Wg
Versions: Ausf ABCD
A commanders vehicle, later equipped with various decoding and deciphering apparatus and a variety of radios and antenna.
251/7 Pioneer Panzer Wg
Versions: Ausf CD
To provide transportation for various engineer sections and their equipment.
251/8 Krankenpanzerwagen
Versions: Ausf BCD
An armoured ambulance which could carry two stretchers and four seated wounded.
Later models had redesigned doors to allow for easy entry and exit.
251/9 Schütz Panzer Wg 75mm K Kanonenwagen
Versions: Ausf CD
Fitted with a forward-firing 75mm KwK 37 L/24 gun and was used to provide armoured reconnaissance units with fire support.
251/10 Schütz Panzer Wg 37mm Pak
Versions: Ausf ABCD
Primarily designed to carry the 37mm PaK 36 which was fitted on top of the armour above the driver and co-driver. Later, a mounting for the gun and an armoured shield were fitted.
251/11 Fernsprech Panzer Wg
Versions: Ausf C
Served as an armoured cable-laying vehicle.
251/12 Messtr u Geräte Panzer Wg
Versions: Ausf BC
Introduced as an artillery survey section vehicle which specialized in artillery observation.
251/13 Schallaufn Panzer Wg
Versions: Ausf C
Equipped with instruments to record and examine the sound of enemy artillery batteries and then locate their position.
251/14 Schallausw Panzer Wg
Versions: Ausf C
Equipped with specialized sound ranging instruments to interpret the sound of enemy artillery and then locate their position.
251/15 Lichtausw Panzer Wg
Versions: Ausf C
Equipped with flash spotting instruments to interpret the flashes of enemy artillery and then locate their position.
251/16 Mittlerer Flammpanzerwagen
Versions: Ausf CD
Fitted with two 14mm Flammenwerfer, one on each side of the superstructure, which were fitted with armoured shields.
251/17 Mittlerer Schützenpanzerwagen (20mm) Flak
Fitted with either a 20mm Flak 30 or Flak 38. Designed primarily for anti-aircraft protection.
251/18 Mittlerer Beobachtungspanzerwagen
Versions: Ausf CD
Used as a mobile observation post and command vehicle, replacing the 251/6.
251/19 Mittlerer Fernsprech-Betriebspanzerwagen
Versions: Ausf D
Served as an armoured telephone relay unit.
251/22 Mittleren Schützenpanzerwagen 75mm Pak 40
Versions: Ausf D
Introduced to carry the 75mm Pak 40.
Variants of the light Sd.Kfz.250
Sd.Kfz.250/1 Schützenpanzerwagen
Introduced for various reconnaissance tasks. It was also used as a platoon and company commander’s vehicle. The command vehicle was equipped with various decoding and deciphering apparatus and a variety of radios and antenna.
Sd.Kfz.250/2 Fernsprechpanzerwagen
Entered service 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.
Sd.Kfz.250/3 Funkpanzerwagen
This vehicle was a communications vehicle and was fitted with a variety of radios and antenna.
Sd.Kfz.250/4 Truppenluftschützpanzerwagen
This vehicle was an air liason and observation vehicle and was used by Luftwaffe forward air controllers to contact aircraft and guide them onto their targets.
Sd.Kfz.250/5 Beobachtungspanzerwagen
This vehicle was a forward observation vehicle for assault gun batteries.
Sd.Kfz.250/6 Munitionspanzerwagen
This vehicle served as an ammunition carrier for assault guns. The vehicle could be fitted internally to carry either seventy rounds for the short 75mm StuK 37 L/24 gun or sixty rounds for the long 75mm StuK 40 L/43 gun.
Sd.Kfz.250/7 Schützenpanzerwagen schwerer Granatwerfer
This vehicle was adapted to carry the 80mm mortar.
Sd.Kfz.250/8 Schützenpanzerwagen 75mm
Fitted with a forward firing 75mm KwK 37 L/24 gun. It was used to provide armored reconnaissance units with integral fire support.
Sd.Kfz.250/9 Schützenpanzerwagen 20mm
Built primarily to replace the wheeled armored cars, which were unsuitable for the terrain conditions in Russia. The turret assembly of the Sd.Kfz.222 was fitted on to the top of the superstructure, which was roofed to accommodate it.
Sd.Kfz.250/10 Schützenpanzerwagen 37mm PaK
Built with the standard 37mm PaK 36 fitted on top of the armor above the driver and co-driver. Later, a mounting for the gun and an armored shield were fitted.
Sd.Kfz.250/11 Schützenpanzerwagen schwere Panzerbüchse
This vehicle replaced the Sd.Kkfz.250/10 as the platoon commanders vehicle.
Sd.Kfz.250/12 Messtruppanzerwagen
This vehicle was built to replace the Sd.Kfz.251/13. It was used as an artillery survey and observation vehicle.