World War II Database

German manufacturer Büssing-NAG had much experience in the construction of large multi-wheeled vehicles which dated back to their experimental ZRW (Zehnradwagen, or ten wheeler) armoured car that they had had submitted for trials in 1929. The knowledge obtained from this and their competitors' ARZ (Achtradwagen or eight-wheeler) proposals for the same trial would provide Büssing's design team with invaluable material for the design of a large eight-wheeled cross-country truck (which never appeared), and finally, when the Heereswaffenamt (the German Department responsible for procurement) decided on the sort of armoured car that would be needed by the army, were sufficiently able to provide a suitable chassis that to be utilised as its basis.

While the six-wheeled SdKfz 231 (6-rad) armoured cars were being developed during the 1930s, Büssing-NAG was also approached to prepare a new armoured car design utilising this eight-wheeled chassis. The specification demanded called for a rear-engined vehicle with front and rear driving positions and with drive and steering on all eight wheels. It was to be fitted with an armoured body with a turret to mount a 20mm KwK 30/38 automatic cannon and a co-axial 7.92mm MG34 machine gun and, since it was to take over the functions of the six-wheeled armoured cars, it was originally given the same Sonderkraftfarhzeug (Special Purpose Vehicle) number, SdKfz 231.

The resultant vehicle which many considered to be among one of the most successful German military vehicles of World War II proved to be extremely popular with crews, although it did suffer from the relatively slender chassis (since much of the strength of the vehicle came from the lightly armoured bodywork) and somewhat over complex mechanical layout. On the chassis were mounted two steerable four-wheel bogies with all wheels driven through a series of transfer boxes and differentials from the rear mounted engine. In normal use the front four wheels steered and the rear wheels were locked but, in emergencies, the forward-reverse box was engaged, and the second driver took control to drive off backwards, in which case the former rear bogie was steered and the former front bogie were locked. Originally the SdKfz 231 (8-rad) was powered by a 155bhp 7,913cc Büssing-NAG V-8 petrol engine, but in 1939 the cylinders were enlarged to produce 180bhp engine which provided a better performance.

The armoured hull design drew much from the preceding SdKfz 231 (6-rad) armoured cars. It was of very similar shape (although reversed) to that of the six-wheeler and proved to be of a satisfactory ballistic design. Likewise, the turret was of similar concept, although the face was cleaned up and the co-axial machine-gun was transferred to the left of the 20mm cannon. For their size the SdKfz 231 cars were only lightly armoured and armed, the emphasis being on mobility. The armour plate thicknesses were, in fact, no more than comparable with those of the other German light 4 x 4 armoured cars, although, in some cases, an extra spaced plate was added to improve protection in the field.

Used to the full in every German campaign, from the invasion of Poland onwards, the SdKfz 231 (8-rad) remained in service throughout the war despite production being terminated in 1942 in favour of the improved SdKfz 234 range of armoured cars.

Variants

Three sub-variants of the standard SdKfz 231 (8-rad) armoured car were developed:

The SdKfz 232 Schwere Panzerspähwagen (8-rad) (FU) with additional radio equipment and frame aerial. This was 0.2 tons heavier than the standard armoured car. It had a crew of four and was similarly armed with the 20mm cannon and co-axial machine gun.

The turret-less SdKfz 263 Panzerfunkwagen (8-rad) was a long-range command vehicle. This had the height of the hull raised slightly to protect a five-man crew. A static frame aerial was fitted (being replaced during the war years by simpler rod-aerials, as was the SdKfz 232). Provision was made for the mounting of a single machine-gun, although this was not always carried. The SdKfz 263's were generally employed by the signals section of armoured reconnaissance battalions and also with the Panzer Signals Abteilungs.

Last to appear was another turret-less vehicle, the SdKfz 233 Schwere Panzerspähwagen 75mm. This entered service in 1941 and was used in the close support role. Armed with a short-barrelled 75mm L/24 howitzer in an open-topped fighting compartment with only a limited traverse (and apparently with no other secondary armament) the SdKfz 233 replaced the towed 75mm howitzers in the armoured reconnaissance battalions' heavy weapons squadrons.

Makers

Büssing-Nag, Liepzig-Wahren (Chassis)
Deutsche-Werke AG, Kiel (Body)
F. Schicau, Elbing (Assembly)

SPECIFICATIONS

SdKfz. 232 (8-Rad)

Machinery	One Büssing-NAG L8V-G 8-cylinder gasoline engine rated at 155hp
Suspension	Wheel
Armament	1x20mm KwK 30 L/55 autocannon, 1x7.92mm MG34 machine gun
Armor	8-15mm
Crew	4
Length	5.90 m
Width	2.20 m
Height	2.90 m
Weight	8.0 t
Speed	85 km/h
Range	300 km

Photographs

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