[DISCLAIMER: The following text is taken from the U.S. War Department Technical Manual, TM-E 30-451: Handbook on German Military Forces published in March 1945. — Figures and illustrations are not reproduced, see source details. — As with all wartime intelligence information, data may be incomplete or inaccurate. No attempt has been made to update or correct the text. — Any views or opinions expressed do not necessarily represent those of the website.] CHAPTER VII. WEAPONS Section VI. ARMORED VEHICLES 5. Armored Cars a. GENERAL. Two main types of armored cars still are in use in the German Army; the light four-wheeled, and heavy eight-wheeled vehicles. These have persisted almost without modification throughout the course of the war, and are vehicles entirely satisfactory in their role. A series of six-wheeled armored cars which existed before the outbreak of war apparently was unsatisfactory or redundant, for this type never has been met in action. b. FOUR-WHEELED ARMORED CAR (Leichter Panzerspähwagen 2 cm). (1) General. In addition to the normal four-wheeled armored car, which is armed with a 20-mm automatic cannon and an M.G. 34, there is a model (Sd. Kfz. 221) mounting a machine gun only, and a radio vehicle (Sd. Kfz. 223), also mounting one machine gun and having a rectangular, overhead, folding, frame aerial. (2) Specifications. Specification number   . . . . .   Sd. Kfz. 222. Weight in action   . . . . .   5.25 tons. Crew   . . . . .   3 men. Dimensions, Length   . . . . .   15 feet 7 inches.     Width   . . . . .   6 feet 3 1/2 inches.     Height   . . . . .   5 feet 11 1/2 inches.     Ground clearance   . . . . .   7 3/4 inches. Armor   . . . . .   8 mm. Armament   . . . . .   One 2 cm Kw.K. 30 or 38 and one 7.92 mm M.G. 34 coaxially mounted. c. EIGHT-WHEELED ARMORED CAR (Schwerer Panzerspähwagen 8 Rad). (1) General. The eight-wheeled armored car has appeared in a variety of subsidiary roles. In addition to the principal version (Sd. Kfz. 231), there are two radio vehicles (Sd. Kfz. 232 and 263), an armored car mounting the 7.5 cm Kw.K. 38 and having no turret, and the eight-wheeled armored car mounting a 5 cm Kw.K. 39 in a turret (Sd. Kfz. 234/2). The radio vehicles have large, rectangular, folding, frame aerials. (2) Specifications. Specification number   . . . . .   Sd. Kfz. 231. Weight in action   . . . . .   8.35 tons. Crew   . . . . .   4 men. Dimensions, Length   . . . . .   19 feet 1 inch.     Width   . . . . .   7 feet 3 inches.     Height   . . . . .   7 feet 10 inches.     Ground clearance   . . . . .   12 inches. Armor, Turret front   . . . . .   15 mm.     Turret sides and rear    . . . . .   8 mm.     Superstructure front   . . . . .   18 mm.     Superstructure sides   . . . . .   8 mm.     Hull front nose plate   . . . . .   18 mm.     Hull sides   . . . . .   8 to 10 mm.     Tail plate   . . . . .   10 mm. Armament   . . . . .   One 2 cm Kw.K.30 or 38 and one 7.92-mm M.G.34 coaxially mounted. Engine   . . . . .   8 cylinders 155 BHP Gasoline. Road speed   . . . . .   51 miles per hour Cross-country speed   . . . . .   19 miles per hour. Range on roads   . . . . .   165 to 190 miles. Range cross-country   . . . . .   110 miles. Suspension   . . . . .   8 single wheels. (8-wheel drive). Performance,     Trench crossing   . . . . .   5 feet.     Step   . . . . .   1 foot 7 inches.     Fording   . . . . .   2 feet.     Maximum grade   . . . . .   27°. d. HALF-TRACKED ARMORED CAR (Le. Schtz. Pz. Wg. 2 cm). (1) General. This half-tracked armored car is armed with 20-mm automatic cannon and machine gun in a turret. (2) Specifications. Specification number   . . . . .   Sd. Kfz. 250/9. Weight in action   . . . . .   6.5 tons. Crew   . . . . .   3 men. Dimensions, Length   . . . . .   15 feet     Width   . . . . .   6 feet 4 1/2 inches. Speed   . . . . .   40 miles per hour.

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