Hi there, Does anyone out there know which German halftracks were used in North Africa and by whom? I am particularly interested in the OBs for the Crusader battles. Also if anyone knows the makeup of the Panzer Divisions recon bats at that time? Cheers Simon
This might help: http://www.wwiivehicles.com/germany/unitstrength.html As should this: http://www.wwiivehicles.com/germany/index.htm Welcome to the forums Simon.
How long have you got? Very good Graphical Oob's here: http://chrito.users1.50megs.com/kstn/kstnmain.htm never been on there looking for specifically desert Oob's but they give a good visual idea of what was 'standard'.
You'll enjoy it here! There are a lot of resources here and on the web on German halftracks in North Africa. I believe they used that familiar vehicle, the SDkfz 234, but I probably have the number wrong. They also had that huge prime mover to haul around the 88s. North Africa was one of the very few places the Germans did not have horses to move their troops.
Hanomags are fun, smoky and noisy. Not a whole lot of protection compared to the M113. Sd.Kfz.251 version C was used in N.Afrika, but the A and B were also. The Germans used the White Halftrack captured from the Americans. Schtz.Rgt. 155 90.le.Afrika Div. Schtz.Rgt. Stab 200 90.le.Afrika Div. and the 361st the 164th had them IR 433, 440,GR 382 Pz.Gren. 104 15.Pz.Div. Schtz.Rgt. 104 15.Pz.Div. this was attached to the 21st from time to time. Aufklärungs-Abteilung und Kradschutzen-Battalion were equipped with BMW R12s and BMW R75s. Motorcycles were phased out in favor of vehicles with more protection. Rommel had a Sd.Kfz.250 as a command car(smaller Hanomag than the 251) The 252 was used as a leichte Ammunition carrier...They also used the Kettenkrad 2nd FJ.Div.(Saving Private Ryan Rabbit) The Sd.Kfz.232 was the most common armored car the one with 8 wheels and a 2.0cm gun. They also used the older Sd.Kfz222, four wheels with a 2.0cm gun. The 222 was airmobile transported by the Me 323. They also had some French Panhard 178s from the Czech Army. There were some Sd.Kfz.233 7.5cm L/24 gun in Tunisia. Ende
Hi Simon You'll find some good datas about German Reconnaissance Battalion here (including early war structure for those units) http://www.geocities.com/desertfox1891/articles/GermanRecce/GeReccBtl.html
As it seems to be 'Halftrack easter weekend' I just did a very quick survey of pictures i've got of German halftracks in the desert. It's not exhaustive and I haven't gone into variants in armament/arrangement, a quick googling should reveal all of those. sdkfz6 sdkfz7 sdkfz8 sdkfz9 sdkfz10 sdkfz253(artillery obs.) sdkfz252(munitionschlepper) sdkfz250(common in the desert, variety of possible configurations) sdkfz2 250 seems the most common in a reconnaissance setup, also check out http://www.feldgrau.com/ for the best ToE type info but it's much easier to navigate if you've got a specific unit in mind (like the ones HerrOberst suggests above).
