SdKfz 232 Communications Vehicle
Because of the vast distances at play during the war, it became commonplace for all sides to field "special mission" vehicles dedicated to the role of long-range battlefield reconnaissance communications. These vehicles, often modified from existing combat models, featured additional equipment and noticeable aerial arrays while possessing some level of self-defense armament (if any at all). Thus came about the SdKfz 232 model which was the dedicated communications version of the SdKfz 231 and distinguished by their large antenna array network affixed over the rear and middle sections of the hull. At least three SdKfz 232 vehicles were assigned to each German Army armored reconnaissance company (reconnaissance battalion) heavy platoon.
The need for the vehicle was already apparent even while the SdKfz 231 was in its design phase which meant that the SdKfz 232 was concurrently developed and had its production also start in 1936. With its origins in the SdKfz 231, the SdKfz 232 shared commonality of parts with the earlier mark which eased production and logistics. Early vehicles were outfitted with the Fu 11 SE100 radio kit coupled to large aerial frames while later models appeared with Fu 12 SE 80 systems coupled to smaller aerial frames. A short-range radio was brought along for increased reach. To use the full strength of the radio sets, it was required that the vehicle be completely stopped. Despite the installation of the aerial frame, the turret retained its full 360-degree traversal and armament suite. The usefulness of the SdKfz 232 mark was proven in its production run which spanned from 1936 into 1943.
SdKfz 233 Heavy Scout Vehicle
With losses of German vehicles mounting, and the inherently light-armored nature of the SdKfz 231/232, it was forced upon the German Army to request an upgraded heavy-class scout variant which became the SdKfz 233. This mark introduced an open-topped turret mounting the powerful 7.5cm (75mm) StuK L/24 tank-killing gun. Only 32 x 75mm projectiles were carried due to storage restrictions aboard the vehicle. This gun was selected due its now-growing availability (and proven capability) as Sturmgeschutz gun carriers were upgraded to more formidable weapons in the long-barreled StuK L/43 series. The SdKfz 233 would carry a crew complement of four and the concern of Schichau was charged with its production which led to 129 examples appearing from July 1942 to October 1943. Some vehicles were formed from the alternative SdKfz 263 communications carrier design (detailed below) while others were new-build offerings. SdKfz 233s carried radio kits as standard, featured a maximum road speed of 53 mph, and an operational road range out to 186 miles. Like the SdKfz 231 and SdKfz 232 before it, the SdKfz 233 saw service until the end of the war in 1945.
SdKfz 263 Communications Vehicle
To go along with the earlier SdKfz 232 battlefield communications vehicle, the SdKfz 263 was developed to serve rear-area Panzer tank forces directly with production vehicles coming about during 1937 from Schichau lines. The vehicles mimicked the general form of the SdKfz 231 line but featured a now-fixed upper hull superstructure and lacked a turret and its standard armament. Armament was just a single, ball-mounted 7.92mm MG34 machine gun intended purely for self-defense as the vehicle was intended to operate away from frontline action. Armor protection remained the same as in previous marks while the vehicle crew was increased from four to five. A large antenna framework was erected over the rear and middle sections of the SdKfz 263. The radio fit of these cars was considerable, requiring the services of two dedicated radiomen, and a telescoping antenna was also part of the standard equipment. Beyond these changes, the SdKfz 263 utilized the same internal makeup of the previous marks allowing for commonality of parts to continue.
Production of the SdKfz 263 lasted until January 1943 until the focus changed to more 75mm-armed SdKfz 233 heavy scouts as the threat of more Allied tanks increased.
SdKfz 234 "Puma"
Another 8-wheeled German wartime armored car model, the SdKfz 234, was also developed for service in World War 2. However, this family of vehicles is sufficiently different from the SdKfz 231 line to warrant its own entry in the Military Factory database. As such, it is detailed elsewhere on this site.
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