Sd.Kfz. 252

The Leichter Gepanzerter Munitionstransportwagen (Sd. Kfz. 252) was a light armoured ammunition carrier used by Nazi Germany during World War II as early as the Battle of France in June 1940.

Sd.Kfz. 252
Type	Ammunition Carrier
Place of origin	Nazi Germany
Service history
In service	1940
Wars	World War II
Production history
Designer	Demag AG
Manufacturer	Demag, Wegmann and Deutsche Werke
Produced	June thru December 1940 (Demag and Wegman), January thru September 1941 (Deutsche Werke)
No. built	413
Specifications
Mass	5.73 tons
Length	4.7 meters
Width	1.95 meters
Height	1.8 meters
Crew	2
Armor	18 mm (0.7 in) (see chart)
Main armament	7.92mm MG 34 machine gun
Engine	Maybach HL42 TRKM 110 hp (82 kW)
Operational range	320 km (200 mi) (road), 175 km (109 mi) (off-road)
Maximum speed	65 km/h (40 mph)

History

The Sd. Kfz. 252 was based on the Sd.Kfz. 250 half-track and used the same chassis. Initially built by the Demag and Wegmann firms from June through to December 1940, production shifted to Deutsche Werke from January to September 1941.^[1] 413 vehicles were manufactured, all of which were issued as ammunition resupply vehicles to Sturmartillerie batteries and saw operation on both European fronts.

As additional load capacity was required, the Sonder-Anhänger (Sd. Ah.) für Munition (7,5 cm) (Sd. Ah. 32/1) was developed as an ammunition transport trailer for towing behind the Sd. Kfz. 252. This trailer carried an additional 36 rounds of 75mm ammunition.^[2]

During the Battle of France, Sd.Kfz. 252s were used by Sturmartillerie Batteries 640 and 659. Due to production delays with the new Sd. Kfz. 252, Sturmartillerie Batteries 660 and 665 went into battle using “turretless” Panzerkampfwagen I munitions carriers.^[3]

On the Eastern front, units using the Sd. Kfz. 252 included the Sturmgeschütz-Abteilung 184, 190, 191, and 210.

The Sd.Kfz.252 was eventually replaced by the Sd.Kfz.250/6.^[4]

Armour breakdown

Armour Chart

Upper Front Hull	Lower Front Hull	Upper Hull Sides	Lower Hull Sides	Rear Hull	Top Hull	Bottom Hull
18 mm at 30 degrees	18 mm at 12 degrees	8 mm at 30 degrees	8 mm at 30 degrees	8 mm at 45 degrees and 8 mm at 55 degrees	8 mm at 90 degrees	8 mm at 90 degrees

Miscellaneous facts

• Used the FuG15 or the FuG16 radio system
• Transmission had 7 forward and 3 reverse gears
• Was armed with a 7.92 MG34
• Six-cylinder, water-cooled, 3000 RPM, engine

Gallery

• 
  Rear view, Russia, January 1942.
• 
  Side view, rear, Russia, August 1943.
• 
  On the ground, in Russia, August 1943.
• 
  German soldiers loading ammunition from a Sd.Kfz 252, Crimea, June 1942.

References

1. "Leichte Gepanzerte Munitionskraftwagen Sd.Kfz.252". Achtung Panzer. Retrieved 2012-11-15.
2. "Anhänger (1 achs.) für Munition (7,5cm) (Sd. Ah. 32/1)". Kfz. der Wehrmacht. Retrieved 2012-11-15.
3. "Sturmgeschütze vor!". Retrieved 2012-11-15.
4. "leichter gepanzerter Munitionstransportwagen (Sd. Kfz. 252)". Kfz. der Wehrmacht. Retrieved 2012-11-15.

Sources

• World War 2 Vehicles
• Axis History Forum