Schwerer Panzerspähwagen Sd.Kfz. 231 and 232 and British armored casualties in Greece in 1941

The heavy Panzerspähwagen was a large but fast addition to the German Army. The original 6-Rad (six wheel) versions were based on a 6x4 truck with an armored body, but by 1937 they were being replaced by 8-Rad (eight wheel) versions. During the replacement phase, the Sd.Kfz. numbers were carried over directly; differentiation was made by the inclusion of 6-Rad or 8-Rad in the vehicle's name.

As the cross-country performance of the 6-wheeled armored cars was deemed insufficient, the Heer Ordnance department (WaPrw 6) signed a contract with Büssing to develop an eight-wheel armored car with all-wheel-drive, all-wheel-steering and two driver positions at front and rear. Deutsche Werke in Kiel were contracted to design the armored body. The turret in the 231/232 series was altered to a hexagonal shape for increased internal volume, it was equipped with a long barreled 2cm KwK 30 L/55 autocannon and a coaxial 7.92mm MG 34 machine gun.

0:00 Sd.Kfz. 231 with 1. SS-Panzerdivision LSSAH negotiating some rough terrain. This vehicle was a veteran of the campaigns in Poland and France. Since then it has been upgraded with a distinctive angled armored plate in the front, in later variants this plate was removed as the hull armor was thickened. The vehicle is named "Laforce" in honor of Karl Laforce, the youngest to die in the November 1923 Beer Hall Putsch, with other armored cars in the unit being named in a similar fashion.

0:17 Sd.Kfz. 232 recognizable by the distinctive "bedstead" antenna for the additional medium range radio sets installed. This vehicle is named "Seydlitz" in honor of Friedrich Wilhelm von Seydlitz, an 18th century Prussian cavalry general who was also the namesake for the WWI battlecruiser. The vehicle served with AufkAbt.8, a reconnaissance detachment with 5. Panzer-Division and is seen passing through the city of Lamia in Greece.

0:24 Behind "Seydlitz" is a Sd.Kfz. 221 armored car as well as what looks like a captured Chevrolet MCP three-ton truck.

1:04 Cruiser Mk IIA CS and Mk IIA tanks belonging to the 3rd Royal Tank Regiment knocked out at Kozani in April 1941 in combat with elements of 9. Panzer-Division. The former vehicle is closest to the camera and is distinguishable by the 2-pounder gun having been replaced with a 3.7 inch howitzer for its assigned Close Support role. The next shot shows a pair of knocked out Mk VIB Light Tanks likely with the 4th Hussars and a Cruiser Mk IIA on its side.

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