×
Home Intro People Events Equipment Places Maps Books Photos Videos Other Reference FAQ About
     

World War II Database

Leichter Panzerspähwagen file photo [7367]

Leichter Panzerspähwagen

CountryGermany
ManufacturerEisenwerk Weserhütte, Bad Oeynhausen, Germany
Primary RoleArmored Car

Contributor:

ww2dbaseThe Leichter Panzerspähwagen, or roughly "Light Armoured Reconnaissance Vehicles", were lightly-armored 4x4 vehicles developed in 1935 by the firm Eisenwerk Weserhütte. The chassis were built by Auto Union in Zwickau and assembled by F. Schichau of Elbing, Poland and Maschinenfabrik Niedersachsen in Hanover, Germany. They were used by reconnaissance battalions of armored divisions in the German Army during WW2, largely for use for areas where road networks were extensive, as these wheeled vehicles did not perform well off-road. The SdKfz. 221 variant design was the base model, equipped with a single 7.92-mm MG34 machine gun. The SdKfz. 222 variant design which received a 20-mm KwK 30 L/55 autocannon or 28-mm armor-piercing cannon in addition to the MG34 machine gun. The SdKfz. 223 variant design was developed as a radio car which had a large antenna over the roof of the vehicle.

ww2dbaseSource: Wikipedia.

Last Major Revision: Feb 2009

SPECIFICATIONS

SdKfz. 221
MachineryHorch 3500cc gasoline engine rated at 90hp
Armament1x7.92mm MG34 machine gun
Armor5-8mm, later 14.5mm maximum
Crew2
Speed40 km/h off-road; 80 km/h on-road
Range300 km

SdKfz. 222
MachineryHorch 3500cc gasoline engine rated at 90hp
Armament1x7.92mm MG34 machine gun, 1x2cm KwK 30 L/55 autocannon or 1x28mm armor-piercing cannon
Armor5-8mm, later 14.5mm maximum
Crew3
Speed40 km/h off-road; 80 km/h on-road
Range300 km

SdKfz. 223
MachineryHorch 3500cc gasoline engine rated at 90hp
Armament1x7.92mm MG34 machine gun, radio equipment and roof-top antenna
Armor5-8mm
Crew2
Speed40 km/h off-road; 80 km/h on-road
Range300 km

Photographs

SdKfz. 222 light armored cars of the Chinese 88th Division, China, circa late 1930sChinese troops aboard a German-made SdKfz. 221 armored car with a MG 35 machine gun and an anti-tank gun, China, circa late 1930s
See all 9 photographs of Leichter Panzerspähwagen Armored Car



Did you enjoy this article or find this article helpful? If so, please consider supporting us on Patreon. Even $1 per month will go a long way! Thank you.

Share this article with your friends:

 Facebook
 Reddit
 Twitter

Stay updated with WW2DB:

 RSS Feeds




Posting Your Comments on this Topic

Your Name
Your Email
 Your email will not be published
Comment Type
Your Comments
 

Notes:

1. We hope that visitor conversations at WW2DB will be constructive and thought-provoking. Please refrain from using strong language. HTML tags are not allowed. Your IP address will be tracked even if you remain anonymous. WW2DB site administrators reserve the right to moderate, censor, and/or remove any comment. All comment submissions will become the property of WW2DB.

2. For inquiries about military records for members of the World War II armed forces, please see our FAQ.

Change View
Desktop View

Search WW2DB
Leichter Panzerspähwagen Armored Car Photo Gallery
SdKfz. 222 light armored cars of the Chinese 88th Division, China, circa late 1930sChinese troops aboard a German-made SdKfz. 221 armored car with a MG 35 machine gun and an anti-tank gun, China, circa late 1930s
See all 9 photographs of Leichter Panzerspähwagen Armored Car


Famous WW2 Quote
"Since peace is now beyond hope, we can but fight to the end."

Chiang Kaishek, 31 Jul 1937


Support Us

Please consider supporting us on Patreon. Even $1 a month will go a long way. Thank you!

Or, please support us by purchasing some WW2DB merchandise at TeeSpring, Thank you!