Recon vehicles in a 2. Welle division, 1939-1940

[CNE503]

Hello,

A 2. Welle infantry division (52., 56., 57., 58., 61., 62., 68., 69., 71., 73., 75., 76., 78., 79., 86. and 87. Infanterie-Divisionen) had, according to its theoretical table of organization and equipment, a platoon of three light armored recon vehicles (Panzerspäh-Zug) in its recon battalion (Aufklärungs-Abteilung).
Could anyone tell me what was the type of these three vehicles in 1939-1940? SdKfz. 222?

Thank you!
Regards,

CNE503

[GregSingh]

Hi, Kfz 13 and 14 were used in infantry divisions in that time frame.

[CNE503]

Hello,

Thank you for your answer. I didn't think about these obsolete vehicles at all! Do you know whether these Kfz 13 and 14 (I suppose two of the first type and one of the last one) were those attributed to 78. Infanterie-Division in 1939-1941?

Thanks again.
Regards,

CNE503

[CNE503]

Additional question about this topic: In his very detailed Complete Organizational and Statistical Analysis of Operation Barbarossa, Nigel Askey evokes two SdKfz. 221 armored cars for the 78. Infanterie-Division in June 1941.
On the Kriegsgliederung for early June 4th, 1941, I found that indeed two armored cars were equipping the heavy squadron of the Aufklärungs-Abteilung 178. Does anyone know whether the type of these cars were SdKfz. 221 at this time?

Thank you.
Regards,

CNE503

[CNE503]

No one on this one?
Were the German infantry divisions (at least those of the 2. Welle) provided with SdKfz. 221 prior to "Barbarossa", or did they still rely on the obsolescent Kfz. 13 and 14 for their armored cars platoon at this time?

Many thanks!
Regards,

CNE503

[Knouterer]

I don't think any Kfz 13/14 were left in frontline divisions by June 1941, although some may have been in use with Sicherungs-Divisionen and such.
As with other AFVs, production of the SdKfz 221/222/223 was slow, but the Wehrmacht had taken over 190 French Panhard 178 armoured cars as the P 204 (f). These were modern and well-armed vehicles (25 mm gun).
As of 1 July 1941, 947 "leichte Panzerspähwagen" (SdKfz 221/222/223) were in service, plus a number of "kleine Panzerfunkwagen" (SdKfz 260/261).

[CNE503]

It is highly probable, but I need a positive answer for at least the 78. Infanterie-Division. I still don't know what type of vehicles were in its armored car platoon. Some very credible secondary sources state that it was SdKfz. 221 indeed.

Thank you for your answer.
Regards,

CNE503