Armament of SPW's

MICHAELM82 · #1

Hi
Wondering if anyone could provide me with the armament used on these SPW's?Also, what were these vehicles used as(i.e., rocket launcer, transport, etc.....)
251
251/1
251/2
251/3
251/8
251/9
251/10
251/11
251/16
251/22
Any info would be much apprecited!!
Thanks so much
Mike

Fredrik · #2

Variants
SdKfz 251/1 Standard APC for Panzergrenadiers. Crew + 10. Two 7.92mm MG34 or 42.
SdKfz 251/2 Mortar vehicle. Crew + 6. 80mm GrW34 (66 rounds) and MG34 or 42. Mortar range - 2,625 yds. Issued to the heavy platoon of mechanized infantry companies.
SdKfz 251/3 Command vehicle. Crew + 5. Two MG34 or 42.
SdKfz 251/7 Engineer vehicle. Crew + 7 or 8. Carried small assault bridges, mines and other heavy equipment of a panzer engineer company. Two MG34 or 42 and one 7.92mm anti- tank rifle (Panzerbuechse PzB39).
SdKfz 251/9 Support vehicle. Crew + 3. Armed with 7.5cm KwK37(L/24) Infantry Support Gun and two MG34 or 42. Issued to the heavy company of a panzergrenadier battalion.
SdKfz 251/10 Platoon Commanders vehicle. Crew + 5. Armed with 3.7cm PaK35/36(L/45), a MG34 or 42 and a PzB39. Discontinued in 1944.
SdKfz 251/17 Anti-Aircraft vehicle. Crew + 4. Armed with 2cm FlaK KwK38 and two MG34 or 42.
Various other variants, such as SdKfz 251/16, equipped with two Flamethrowers, and SdKfz 251/22, equipped with a 7.5cm PaK40, or the SdKfz 251/8 ambulance vehicle were in service throughout the war.
The SdKfz 251 was the standard half-tacked vehicle of the German Army which was used by artillery, engineer, anti-aircraft, medical and communications units as well as by the mechanized battalions of the panzergrenadier regiments.
It consisted of a three-quarter track chassis with a pair of normally steered front wheels, combined with track brakes to assist steering. The top was open and covered only by a canvas tilt against the elements.
In spite of many shortcomings - complications, open-topped and lack of power - it served as an example for vehicles built by many other nations and established itself as one of the most important AFVs of its time.

Source: http://www.fischers-design.de/asl/spw.html

Regards,
Fredrik

Christian Ankerstjerne · #3

Try http://www.panzerworld.net/Sdkfz.htm

Christian

MICHAELM82 · #4

Hi
Fredrik, wow, thanks for that detailed information on the SPW's!
Ferdinand, I will check out that link you provided.
Reading everything I can on the SPW's, so this is another great lead!
Best
Michael