Sd.Kfz. 251/22
Overview
SdKfz. 251/22
Left side view of SdKfz. 251/22 tank destroyer armed with 75mm PaK-40 anti-tank gun.
Source: Unknown author -
© Copyright lies with original owner
mittlerer Schützenpanzerwagen mit 7,5 cm Pak 40
Pakwagen (nickname)
Yugoslavia
Description
Introduction
The Sd.Kfz. 251/22 is a self-propelled anti-tank gun of Nazi German origin. It was developed and produced in the late stages of World War 2. Using a powerful anti-tank gun on a halftrack is less than ideal, but did provide much needed mobility for anti-tank guns to support infantry in defensive positions.
Design
All vehicles were based on the Ausführung D version of the widely used Sd.Kfz. 251 halftrack and not on earlier models. These vehicles were produced both as new vehicles and as field conversions. Conversion kits were shipped to field workshops for conversion of late style Sd.Kfz. 251/9 with the shorter 75mm gun. Due to the chaotic final stages of World War 2 the exact production number is difficult to ascertain.
Firepower
Even in the late stages of World War 2 the 75mm PaK-40 was a potent anti-tank gun. It can be accurately used at longer distances and at range it is still effective against the vast majority of Soviet and Allied tanks. The main limitation of the the Sd.Kfz. 251/22 is the limited traverse and elevation of the gun. Unlike many tracked tank destroyers the Sd.Kfz. 251 halftrack cannot pivot. A limited number of shells were carried. Cramped internal arrangement probably reduced the rate of fire compared to the towed variant.
Mobility
The Sd.Kfz. 251/22 provides much needed mobility to anti-tank guns in support of infantry. The mobility allows for quickly setting up defensive positions. Downside of the Sd.Kfz. 251/22 is that it is somewhat overweight. Recoil forces probably increase wear and tear. A downside of the Sd.Kfz. 251 is that it cannot pivot. This is a problem since the armament has a limited traverse. To engage an enemy vehicle from another direction the Sd.Kfz. 251/22 must drive forward or reverse while steering. This takes valuable time, and a moving vehicle is easier to spot than a camouflaged vehicle static in ambush.
Protection
The steel armor of the Sd.Kfz. 251 Ausf D halftrack provides protection against small arms fires, especially at extended range. The Sd.Kfz. 251/22 is an open top vehicle. Aside from the gun shield the gun crew and commander are partially exposed when operating the PaK-40.
Users
The Sd.Kfz. 251/22 was used by Nazi German forces in the later stages of World War 2. It was mostly used with infantry units, such as panzergrenadiers. After World War 2 it was used in quantity by Yugoslavia in the early stages of the Cold War.
Details
Related articles
Sd.Kfz. 251/1
The Sd.Kfz. 251/22 is based on the late production model of the Sd.Kfz. 251 Ausführung D armored personnel carrier.
75mm PaK-40
The Sd.Kfz. 251/22 is fitted with the 7.5 cm PaK-40 anti-tank gun. The carriage is not used, otherwise the PaK-40 is unaltered.
Sd.Kfz. 234/4
The Sd.Kfz. 234/4 can be considered the wheeled equivalent to the Sd.Kfz. 251/22. Both vehicles are armed with a 75mm PaK-40 anti-tank gun.