Sd.Kfz. 234 - ARK Series


    
"GS"
"ARK"

   The SdKfz. 234 series of eight-wheeled armored cars replaced the older SdKfz. 231 series of eight-wheeled armored cars beginning in 1943.
   The easiest way to tell the difference between the 231 series and the 234 series is to look at the side profile of the lower hull. The 231 series had two seperate mudgaurds above the tires. Where as the 234 series had one mudgaurd running the entire length of the body.
   These vehicles were primarily designed for reconnaissance roles, and armament varied from model to model.

SdKfz. 234/1 - 2 cm L/55 KwK 38 - ( June 44 - Jan 45 )
SdKfz. 234/2 - 50mm KwK 39/1 L/60 - ( Sept. 43 - Sept. 44 )
SdKfz. 234/3 - 7.5 cm L/24 StuK 37 - ( June 44 - Dec 44 )
SdKfz. 234/4 - 7.5 cm L/46 PaK 40 - ( Dec. 44 - March 45 )


   The first three production variants of the SdKfz 234 featured 8-wheel steering as well as a forward and separate rear driving position which allowed the crew to drive the vehicle at full speed in either direction. Reverse driving was a very important feature when the vehicle came under fire as it allowed the crew to get out of dangerous situations with far greater chances of success.
   They were very popular amongst crews serving in the extreme terrain and weather conditions encountered on the Eastern Front.
   Nearly 500 SdKfz. 234 (all variants) were built until May of 1945.
   The SdKfz. 234/2 was the first variant to reach the front.
   Two different 7.5cm variants of the vehicle entered production. One mounted the infantry support 7.5cm KwK51 L/24 while the other mounted the 7.5cm PaK40 L/48 antitank gun. The 7.5cm KwK model (Sd. Kfz. 234/3) was produced from June to December of 1944, with a total of 88 rolling off of the assembly lines. Once production of the short-barreled 7.5cm ceased, the production of the long-barreled version (Sd. Kfz 234/4) began. By the time production ended in March 1945, a total of 89 of the PaK 40 armed vehicles had been completed. Both vehicles served with reconnaissance companies until the end of the war, with the Sd. Kfz 234/4 providing valuable antitank support to the other armored cars.

TO&E’s using 234. (Not yet verified)
   Panzerspäh-Kompanie "Typ A"
   Total: 25 - SdKfz 234/2
1 - SdKfz. 234/2 (Staff)
2 - Kübelwagen
4 - Kettenkrad 2x2
I - IV Platoon (Zug)
Each platoon with 6 - SdKfz. 234/2

   Panzerspäh-Kompanie 'Typ B"
   Total: 19 - SdKfz. 234/1 and 6 - SdKfz. 234/3
1 - SdKfz. 234/1 (staff)
1 - Kübelwagen
3 - Kettenkrad 2x2
2 - BMW motorcycles
I - III Platoon (Zug)
Each platoon with 6 - SdKfz. 234/1
IV Heavy Platoon (schwere Zug)
6 - SdKfz. 234/3

   Panzerspäh-Kompanie 'Typ D"
   Total: 6 - SdKfz. 234/3 and 19 - SdKfz. 234/1
1 - SdKfz. 234/1 (staff)
1 - Kübelwagen
I - III Platoon (Zug)
Each platoon with 6 - SdKfz. 234/1
IV Heavy Platoon - (schwere Zug)
6 - SdKfz. 234/3


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