Daimler-Benz was charged with modifying the Panzer I to the command tank forms and managed a total of 190 vehicles from the period spanning 1935 to 1937 - just in time for training maneuvers leading up to World War 2. The vehicle's first-actions took place during the Polish invasion beginning September 1st, 1939 and the SdKfz 265 stood as the standard command tank of Panzer formations into 1940 until they were given up for more modern solutions built upon the framework of the latest German tanks. The vehicle underwent the usual upgrades following their initial use such as added armor for improved survivability and some lost their ball-mounted machine guns altogether to help with the restrictive space in the fighting compartment. They were then used in the invasions of the Low Countries and France, leading to the Fall of France in June of 1940. From there, the tanks managed a service record in the Balkans and the North African campaigns during 1941 until the line was ultimately pulled from frontline service before the start of 1943. Those that remained functional were pressed into service as trainers and operated until the end of the war in Europe which came in May of 1945.
Hungary marked the only other operator of the SdKfz 265 Panzerbefehlswagen and this only in very limited numbers.
As finalized, the SdKfz 265 design showcased a length of 4.4 meters, a width of 2 meters and a height of 1.7 meters. Armor protection ranged from 6mm to 13mm across its various facings. A quarter-elliptical leaf-sprung suspension system allowed for cross-country travel and in keeping up with the rest of the mechanized forces. Operational range reached out to 180 miles and road speeds peaked at 25 miles per hour.
Content ©MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.