| Leichter Panzerspähwagen | |
| Origin: | Nazi Germany |
| Is Vehicle: | yes |
| Is Uk: | yes |
| Designer: | Eisenwerk Weserhütte |
| Production Date: | 1935 - 1944 |
| Number: | 2,394 |
| Weight: | 4000kg (9,000lb) |
| Length: | 4.8m (15.7feet) |
| Width: | 1.95m (06.4feet) |
| Height: | 1.7m (05.6feet) |
| Crew: | 3 |
| Armour: | 5mm14.5mm |
| Secondary Armament: | 1 × Maschinengewehr 34 (for Sd.Kfz 222) |
| Engine Power: | 90PS |
| Suspension: | 4x4 |
| Vehicle Range: | 350km (220miles)[1] |
The Leichter Panzerspähwagen (German: "light armoured reconnaissance vehicle") was a series of light four-wheel drive armoured cars produced by Nazi Germany from 1935 to 1944.
The Sd.Kfz. 221 was the first in a series of light reconnaissance vehicles designed to meet operational requirements including reliability, an ability to run on a variety of grades of fuel, simple construction and good off-road performance. However, this type proved too small and too lightly armed, so in 1936-37 a heavier version was planned, using one of two standard chassis for four-wheeled armoured cars - one with a front-mounted engine, the other rear-mounted. The latter was used in the Sd.Kfz. 222, which then became the standard light armoured car in German army service until the defeat of Nazi Germany.[2]
The vehicles were developed by Eisenwerk Weserhütte of Bad Oeynhausen by using the chassis of the type Horch 108 (one of the Einheits-PKW der Wehrmacht standardised designs of heavy off-road car for the armed forces) with an angled armoured body and turret.
Chassis were built by Horch (Auto Union) in Zwickau and assembled by F. Schichau of Elbing and Maschinenfabrik Niedersachsen in Hanover-Linden.
The rear-mounted petrol engine was originally a 3.5 Litre Horch V8 with 750NaN0 (Ausf. A chassis); from 1942, this was replaced by a 3.8 Litre with 900NaN0 (Ausf. B chassis), giving it a road speed of 80km/h and a cross-country speed of 40km/h. It had a maximum range of 300km (200miles).
Used by the reconnaissance battalions (Aufklärungs-Abteilung) of the Panzer divisions, the type performed well enough in countries with good road networks, like those in Western Europe. However, on the Eastern Front and in the deserts of the North African campaign, this class of vehicle was hampered by its relatively poor off-road performance.
The Sd.Kfz. 222 was fitted with heavier armament and a larger turret than the Sd.Kfz. 221 but it was still comparatively cramped and lacked top protection other than a wire screen designed to allow grenades to roll off, but this made using the main armament problematic. The machine gun was mounted co-axially with the autocannon, and both weapons were pintle-mounted, and fitted with an elevation and traverse mechanism and floor-mounted firing mechanisms. The turret was rotated by the traversing weapons rather than the weapons being fixed to a traversing turret. There was thus no bearing-ring and no turret basket, only a fighting compartment largely obstructed by the breeches of the weapons.
When the limitations of the vehicle were highlighted during the invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941 the Sd.Kfz. 222 was gradually replaced in the reconnaissance role by the Sd.Kfz. 250 half-track, but the turret and armament of the Sd Kfz 222 was sometimes retained, despite its shortcomings (the Sd.Kfz. 250/9 variant was a Sd.Kfz. 250 fitted with a top plate surmounted by the same turret and gun combination of the Sd.Kfz 222 fitted to the half-track) Captured Sd.Kfz 222s were examined by Soviet designers before they created the similar BA-64 light armoured car.
Front and sides were made of 8mm RHA; thinner 5mm plates protected the top, rear, and bottom. Cast vision ports later replaced ports cut into the armour. The open-topped turret was fitted with wire mesh anti-grenade screens. Beginning in 1939, the front armour was increased to 14.5mm. In 1942, the Ausf. B chassis was introduced; this had 30 mm of frontal armour, as well as a more powerful engine.