The Sdkfz 250/9 mounted an 2cm kwk 38 l/55 which was a flak anti-aircraft gun used in air and ground operations. The Sdkfz 250/9 was built to replaced the sdkfz 222 armored car. The vehicle carried 100 rounds for the cannon and 2,010 rounds for the 7.92 mm machine gun. The turret cound move full 360 degrees. The first sdkfz 250/9 was produced in 1942 and were very succesfull on the eastern front.
Sdkfz 250 first entered service in 1940. When Germany invaded Russia in June 1941 Sdkfz 250's were used in large numbers. Appalling conditions on the eastern front made wheeled vehicals impossable to operate, requiring the use of half track trucks and Sdkfz 250's.
Development
The SdKfz 250 series was just one in the long line of German-produced halftrack systems in World War 2. The 250 system went on to see much use and success in a variety of base and altered platform states, showing off its versatility and adaptability in wartime. By 1945, some 7,500 examples of the 250 had been produced.
Combat Service
The SdKfz 250 system was a multi-purpose carrier mating a traditional truck-style front end with a tank-like tractor system at rear. Crew accommodation traditionally amounted to the driver plus passengers though this would change depending on the systems intended use and modification. The rearward section was served by a 6-wheeled track system and provided very good off road and muddy terrain performance with good on road performance as well. The driver and passenger sections were mounted at middle and rear, leaving the front room for the 100 horsepower Maybach engine.
SdKfz 250/4 leichte Beobachtungspanzerwagen:
In 1943 this model was to act as an observation vehicle for a Sturmgeschütz detachment. Radios that were installed were the FuG15 and FuG16. It also had a MG34 or MG42. Part of Artillerie Regiment 74 of the 2nd Panzer Division at Kursk in 1943. Passing a Russian 76.2 ZiS-3.
Weserhütte, Deutsche Werke, Wegmann (to 1945), Wumag (to July 1944).2
Chassis #s: 95001-, 201001-, 310001-2
2,3782
Sdkfz 250/ 10 was armed with 3.7cm pak panzerwehrkanone and carried 216 rounds of ammunition
Panzergrenadier units needed extra fire support so a 3.7cm pak replaced the front machine gun.
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Sdkfz 250/ 11 was the same vehicle as the 250/ 10 except the gun changed to the 2.8 cm 41 l61.3. The 2.8cm pak has a higher velocity with a tapered down gun barrel, using a squeezing effect on the round. This enabled the gun to penetrate heaver armor then the 3.7 cm pak. The 250/ 11 carried 168 rounds of 2.8cm ammo, and the carried a portable wheeled gun carrage.
