The following military intelligence report on German armored cars in WWII was originally published in Tactical and Technical Trends, No. 38, November 18, 1943. [DISCLAIMER: The following text is taken from the U.S. War Department publication Tactical and Technical Trends. As with all wartime intelligence information, data may be incomplete or inaccurate. No attempt has been made to update or correct the text. Any views or opinions expressed do not necessarily represent those of the website.]

GERMAN FOUR-WHEELED ARMORED CARS Four-wheeled armored vehicles used by the German army are of three main types, the Sd. Kfz. (Sonder-Kraftfahrzeug)* 221, 222, and 223. (The eight-wheeled types are described in Tactical and Technical Trends, No. 32, p. 8.) Of these the 222 is the most common, the other two models varying slightly in weight, turret arrangement and armament. Model 222 is illustrated in the accompanying sketch. Principal differences between the three types are outlined below: (a) Light armored car 222 (leichter Panzerspähwagen) This carries a 2-cm. gun Kw.K 30 or Kw.K 38 mounted on a central pillar together with a coaxial 7.92-mm M.G. 34 to the left and a telescopic sight for the gunner on the right. The firing mechanism is pedal-operated. Traverse and elevation are controlled by a single handwheel, and elevation is sufficient to permit of antiaircraft use. A submachine gun (M.P. 38 or M.P. 40) may also be carried. The car is equipped with a radio transmitter and receiver with a radius of about 4 1/2 miles. The turret is ten-sided, and its roof is fitted with two hinged frameworks covered with wire mesh which, in the closed position, together form a raised birdcage-cover over the roof of the turret, as a protection against grenades. There is a crew of three: commander-gunner, driver, and radio operator-loader. (1) Specifications Weight    Unloaded               8,288 pounds    Loaded   10,528 pounds Axle loading    Front   4,480 pounds    Rear   8,176 pounds Armor   Rolled armor plated, welded together Turret    Plate Thickness (mm) Angle to vertical    Front 8 35°    Sides 8 35°    Rear 9 35°    Hull    Driver's plate 8 35°    Nose plate 8 35°    Sides (upper) 8 (30° front  (35° center (32° rear      Sides (lower) 8 26°    Rear 8 34°    Glacis 6 72°    Engine cover plate 6 72° Ammunition carried 20 mm 100 rounds A.P. 120 rounds H.E. M.G. 34 2,000 rounds Submachine gun M.P. 38 or 40 up to 12 magazines, each holding 32 rounds. Miscellaneous 8 smoke candles 8 hand grenades Sighting arrangements T.Z.F.** 3 A sighted to 1200 meters. A.A. course and speed sight (Fliegervisier 38). Turret traverse     The turret, being concentric with the gun mounting, is traversed from the mounting through the medium of a linking arm, incorporating a spring shock absorber. It can be traversed through 360°.     Dimensions    Length 15 ft 7 in    Width 6 ft 6 1/2 in    Height (to top of turret) 5 ft 11 1/2 in    Wheel track 5 ft 5 in    Wheelbase 9 ft 3 in    Clearance 10 in Performance    Step 9 in    Fording 2 ft    Radius of action roads: 175 miles cross-country: 125 miles Engine    Maker Auto-Union    Type Horch V-8, gasoline    Bore 78-mm    Stroke 92-mm    Capacity 3.71 quarts    B.H.P.*** 75 at 2,000 rpm Fuel capacity    Two 11 gallon tanks Consumption    Roads 8 mpg    Cross-country 5 mpg Brakes    Mechanical - cable operated    Both hand and foot brakes operate on all four wheels Gearbox    Type crash    Ratios 5 speed and 1 reverse Suspension    Type independent springs -- each assembly consists of two unequal length radius arms and two coil side by side arranged between lower radius arm and chassis frame. Tires    Type low pressure, cord reinforced    Size 8.19 x 18 in Vision    Hull rectangular slotted visor in front plate for driver, hinged at top and opens outward    Turret vision slit in each side plate. All vision devices have provision for fitting laminated glass blocks.   (b) Type 221 The Sd. Kfz. 221 has no radio, but communicates by flag signals. It mounts only an M.G. 34, although a submachine gun M.P. 38 or 40 is carried as auxiliary armament. It has a crew of two. The turret is seven-sided truncated pyramid with a wire-mesh grid over the fore part only. Vehicle weight is 8,848 pounds. Fuel capacity is 24 gallons. Other specifications are the same as for the Type 222.   (c) Type 223 (Radio) This, too, mounts an M.G. 34 as main armament, and carries a submachine gun M.P. 38 or 40, like the Sd. Kfz. 221; but it has radio communication and a crew of three. A horizontal rectangular aerial is supported above the car on four uprights which can be folded downwards and backwards, giving the gunner a clear field of fire. In both positions the grid resembles a railing round the top of the car. (1) Specifications Specifications are the same as Type 222 except the following particulars: Weight            Loaded 9,632 pounds Fuel capacity 24 gallons Turret Roofless forepart covered with wire mesh grid.   *Special motor vehicle **Turmzielfernrohr - turret telescopic sight ***Brake horse-power

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