Mittlere Schützenpanzerwagen (Sd.Kfz.251)
The m.S.P.W. (Sd.Kfz.251/1) in combat
The mittlere Schützenpanzerwagen (Sd.Kfz.251/1) was meant as a way to bring the Panzergrenadiere into battle along with the Panzer, so that they could keep up and be protected against small-arms fire and scrapnel. It was allowed for the m.S.P.W. to paticipate in the attack with the ten-man crew inside, however it involved great risk in case of anti-tank guns or fighters and fighter-bombers.
Once the crew dismounted, they were to stay near the m.S.P.W., but not too close. The m.S.P.W. would provide fire support with its two machine guns (one front and one rear). The m.S.P.W.s would make stops of 15 - 30 seconds duration to fire the machine guns, fireing at ranges up to 600 m. When fireing on the move, the range was 400 m. The shots were fired in bursts, of 6 - 8 shots for the MG 42 and 3 - 8 shots for the MG 34.
Technical details of the mittlere Schützenpanzerwagen (Sd.Kfz.251/1)
| Physical specifications |
| Length |
5.8 m. |
| Width |
2 m. |
| Height |
2.1 m. |
| Turning radius |
11 m. |
| Weight |
- Factory weight: 6.8 t.
- Combat ready: 7 t.
- Fully loaded: 8.5 t.
|
| Payload |
1.5 t. |
| Towing capability |
2.7 t. |
| Axel pressure (with full payload) |
- 1.3 t. (on the wheels)
- 7.2 t. (on the tracks)
|
| Engine |
Maybach 6 cylinder four-act water cooled gasoline magnetic ignition |
| Horse powers |
100 @ 2,800 rmp. |
| Armament |
| Main gun |
2 * MG |
| Tracks |
Either
- Zgw 5001/280/140 or
- Zpw 5001/280/140
with W 302 rubber tread pads |
| Number of links per track |
|
| Length of track |
- Left: 7.7 m.
- Right: 7.84 m.
|
| Performance |
| Maximum speed |
52.5 km./h. |
| Road speed |
- 52.5 km./h. (forward)
- 9 km./h. (reverse)
|
| Cross country speed |
- 21.2 km./h. (forward)
- 3.62 km./h. (reverse)
|
| Fuel capacity |
160 l. |
| Additional information |
| Price in Reichmark |
22,560 |
Known names
Known names of the mittlerer Schützenpanzerwagen (Sd.Kfz.251) and variants
| Date |
Full name |
Abbreviation |
Used in |
| 1943-05-15 |
Mittlerer gepanzerter Kraftwagen (Sd. Kfz 251) auf Fahrgestell des Zgkw. 3 t Typ Hkl 6 p (Grundfahrzeug der mittleren Schützenpanzerwagen und Abarten) |
m gp Kw (Sd.Kfz 251) Grundfahrzeug der m Schütz. Pz Wg und Abarten) |
D 660/4 |
| 1943-07-01 |
- mittlerer Schützenpanzerwagen (Sd Kfz 251/1)
- mittlerer Schützenpanzerwagen (Gr W) (Sd Kfz 251/2)
- mittlerer Funkpanzerwagen (Sd Kfz 251/3)
- mittlerer Schützenpanzerwagen (J G) (Sd Kfz 251/4)
- mittlerer Schützenpanzerwagen (Pi) (Sd Kfz 251/5)
- mittlerer Kommandopanzerwagen (Sd Kfz 251/6)
- mittlerer Pionierpanzerwagen (Sd Kfz 251/7)
- mittlerer Krankenpanzerwagen (Sd Kfz 251/8)
- mittlerer Schützenpanzerwagen (3,7 cm Pak) (Sd Kfz 251/10)
- mittlerer Fernsprechpanzerwagen (Sd Kfz 251/11)
- mittlerer Meßtrupp- und Gerätpanzerwagen (Sd Kfz 251/12)
- mittlerer Schallaufnahmepanzerwagen (Sd Kfz 251/13)
- mittlerer Schallaufwertenpanzerwagen (Sd Kfz 251/14)
- mittlerer Lichtauswertepanzerwagen (Sd Kfz 251/15)
- mittlerer Flammenwerferpanzerwagen (Sd Kfz 251/16)
- mittlerer Fernsprechbetriebspanzerwagen (Sd Kfz 251/19)
|
- m SchPzWg
- m SchPzWg (GrW)
- m FuPzWg
- m SchPzWg (JG)
- m SchPzWg (Pi)
- m KdoPzWg
- m PiPzWg
- m KrPzWg
- m SchPzWg (3,7 cm Pak)
- m FspPzWg
- m MT u GerPzWg
- m SchAPzWg
- m SchAwPzWg
- m LAwPzWg
- m FmPzWg
- m FspPzWg
|
D 97/1+ |
Sources
- HAHN, Fritz. Waffen und Geheimwaffen des deutschen Heeres 1933-1943 Band 1 & Band 2. Koblenz : Bernard & Graefe Verlag, 1987.
- Oberkommando des Heeres. Merkblatt 18b/38 "Panzer hilfen Dir" (Was der Grenadier vom gepanzerten Kampffahrzeuge wissen muß). Berlin : Hauptquartier Oberkommando des Heeres, 1944.
- Der Generalinspekteur der Panzertruppe. Merkblatt 75/4 - Merkblatt für Ausbildung im Schießen mit le. MG vom Schützenpanzerwagen.Berlin : Hauptquartier Oberkommando des Heeres, 1943.
- Oberkommando des Heeres. D 660/4 - Mittlerer gepanzerter Kraftwagen (Sd.Kfz.251) auf Fahrgestell des Zgkw. 3t Typ Hkl 6 p (Grundfahrzeug der mittleren Schützenpanzerwagen und Abarten) - Heft I - Gerätbeschreibung und Bedienungsanweisung zum Fahrgestell.Berlin : Oberkommando des Heeres, 1943.
- Oberkommando des Heeres. D 97/1+ - Gerätliste Vom 1. 7. 43. Berlin : Oberkommando des Heeres, 1943.
Additional reading
All contents written by Christian Ankerstjerne unless stated otherwise
