The Cool Looking German Reconnaissance Vehicles in Images And Video

Known as the Leichter Panzerspähwagen series, this was a group of German light-armored vehicles intended for use in reconnaissance missions during the Second World War.

These vehicles were created because there was a need for dependable vehicles that were able to run on various grades of fuel and could perform well on all types of terrain.

The first production of reconnaissance armored tanks based on these requirements began in 1935 and was designated Sd Kfz 221.

However, it was deemed inadequately light for its intended purpose. Consequently, a new variant was built using a standard four-wheel armored car chassis that had a rear-mounted engine. It was designated Sd Kfz 222.

The Sd Kfz 222 went on to become the light armored car of the German Army in World War II. The Sd Kfz 223 was basically the result of adding elements to the Sd Kfz 221 to meet specific requirements.

The Sd Kfz 221

As mentioned above, the Sd Kfz 221 was the first of the group to be produced. It was built using the Einheits-PKW chassis. It possessed a frontal armor of about 14.5mm, which could provide adequate protection against small firearms. For armament, a 7.9mm machine gun was mounted on its turret.

The vehicle had only enough space for a two-man crew—the driver and the commander, who also acted as the gunner. The major challenge encountered with the Sd Kfz 221 was its inability to perform optimally off-road. Since that needed to be improved, the Sd Kfz 221 then became the foundation for the production of the other vehicles in the class.

Invasion of German troops, cheering people with Hitler salute in front of department store Leitner. On the street – armored vehicles (Sd.Kfz. 221)Photo: Bundesarchiv, Bild 183-1987-0922-503 : CC-BY-SA 3.0

 

A Leichter Panzerspähwagen Sd. Kfz. 221 lies knocked out in Bredevad on April 9th, 1940

 

German armored car Sd Kfz 221 during the battle in Tuchola Forest.

 

Panzer Division in movement on unpaved road, in the front: Spähpanzer (Sd.Kfz. 221).              Photo: Bundesarchiv, Bild 101I-216-0401-25 / Dieck / CC-BY-SA 3.0

 

Motorized troops of the Panzergrenadierdivision “Greater Germany”, u.a. light armored infantry fighting vehicle (Sd.Kfz. 250/1, Sd.Kfz. 250/3 radio armored car, Spähpanzer Sd.Kfz. 222, Sd.Kfz. 263).Photo: Bundesarchiv, Bild 101I-748-0100A-16 / Kempe / CC-BY-SA 3.0

 

German armored cars enter the city of Aussig in the Sudeten. 9.10.1938 Aussig. Sudetenland.Photo: Bundesarchiv, Bild 146-1976-033-20 / CC-BY-SA 3.0

 

British soldiers inspecting a captured German SdKfz 222 armoured car, 24 June 1941.

 

German troops and fleet in the newly joined to the Reich Memele, March 1939. In the foreground are German light armored cars Sd.Kfz.222

 

SdKfz. 222 Leichter Panzerspähwagen

 

SdKfz. 222 Leichter Panzerspähwagen

The Sd Kfz 222

A plan was made for improvements on the Sd Kfz 221 in 1936.

The new prototype was built by Eisenwerk Weserhütte. The Einheits-PKW chassis of the Sd Kfz 221 was replaced by the chassis of the Horch 108 standard heavy off-road car. It was given a sloped armored body as well as an angled turret and a rear mounted engine.

In addition to the 7.9mm machine gun, a 2cm KwK 30 L/55 cannon was added to the Sd Kfz 222. The crew number was increased to three men, with the third man being the gunner. The Sd Kfz 222 served the Germans for various purposes during the Second World War.

About 990 units of this vehicle were produced.

Liberated Sudetenland, concrete bunker of the Schöber line with German Strassenpanzerwagen at Karlsbad.Photo: Bundesarchiv, Bild 183-H13396 / CC-BY-SA 3.0

 

Italy, Spähpanzer 222 in the city.Photo: Bundesarchiv, Bild 101I-304-0634-30A Funke CC-BY-SA 3.0

 

Russia, SS-Kavallerie-Divisison, Panzerspähwagen 222.Photo: Bundesarchiv, Bild 101III-Bueschel-022-05 Büschel CC-BY-SA 3.0

 

Sd.Kfz. 222.

 

Turret of SdKfz 222, near Yad Mordechai battlefield reconstruction.Photo: Bukvoed CC BY 2.5

 

Turret of SdKfz 222, near Yad Mordechai battlefield reconstruction.Photo: Bukvoed CC BY 2.5

The Sd Kfz 223

The Sd Kfz 223 was basically the Sd Kfz 221 with some extra features like a frame antenna and a medium range radio.

However, in 1938, the 7.9mm machine gun was replaced by an MG 34 machine gun. Like the Sd Kfz 222, the crew size was three, with one man functioning as the radio operator.

About 567 units of this variant were produced between 1935 and 1944.

An abandoned German SdKfz 223, Leichter Panzerspähwagen (light armoured car) which has been captured by advancing allied troops in North Africa. The vehicle has been fitted with a folding frame antenna for use with a long range wireless set which is fitted inside the vehicle.

 

North Afrika, Spähpanzer 223.Photo Bundesarchiv, Bild 101I-424-0269-17 Böcker CC-BY-SA 3.0

 

Russia, motorized unit of SS Totenkopf Division Recolored.Photo: Wiegand CC BY-SA 4.0

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Russia, motorized Troops Division Großdeutschland.Photo: Bundesarchiv, Bild 101I-748-0100A-19 Kempe CC-BY-SA 3.0