Sd.Kfz 222 4 Serie - Even Good Documentation Can Lead One Astray - Inside Track | Renault TSF Tank Kent

To research the leichter Panzerspähwagen it is necessary to avail of every source of information possible. Building on the historical outline laid down in Panzer Tracts No13-1 and the reference images and documentation accumulated for that work the Foundation has been able to build an impressive resource. The Foundation’s leichter Panzerspähwagen (2cm) (Sd.Kfz.222) Ausf.A - 4.Serie is unique in the World. This is a great tribute to the mission of the Foundation to locate and restore such rare examples. Only two other leichter Panzerspähwagen (2cm) (Sd.Kfz.222) have survived but these are the much later Ausf.B – 5.Serie and these are a completely different machine in almost every respect. The rarity of the Foundations Ausf.A creates a lot of demands – we must find components that are exclusive for the 4.Serie and we must research the placement of minor fittings, both inside and out, from photographs and documentation - striving always to use the best references. Many long reviews of these images have led us to disregard certain aspects of the finish. For example, why do some of the images of the same Sd.Kfz.222 4.Serie armoured car show an absence and then a reappearance of conical armoured bolts on the side engine hatches (covered by a previous article). To understand this dilemma, we had to unravel the story behind one of the most comprehensive references namely reports on captured enemy vehicles published by the STT (School of Tank Technology) during the war. Their Preliminary Report No.8 “German 4-Wheeled Armoured Car (Sd.Kfz.222) published in February 1943 is a superb reference as it specifically covers a Sd.Kfz.222 4.Serie. The only difference being that the car examined was assembled somewhat earlier than the one under restoration by the Foundation. According to Panzer Tracts No.13-1 a total of 232 Sd.Kfz.222 4.Serie were delivered between September 1940 and December 1941. The one examined by the STT was delivered on 19th February 1941 while the Foundation’s Sd.Kfz.222 went into service about four months later. The major distinguishing external feature between the two is that our example has the redesigned lower grenade protection net 'Low Net' over the gun mount and guards for the Notek light system. Of course, as regular readers of Inside Track will know the research team must minutely examine even the smallest of components to ensure that the original parts we source are correct and are replaced in the correct locations. So, this STT Report and other associated reports with all the images of the captured car (Licence Plate WH 607858) have been studied more comprehensively than can be imagined. Because the Foundation research team must look so closely and so often at this material this forensic study unearthed the clues that give the full story and provide researchers a warning about accepting even the best references without challenge. A report of the 7th Armoured Division tells us that a brand-new Sd.Kfz.222 4.Serie (High net) Licence plate WH 607858 was ambushed at Suleiman, Libya on the 9th June 1941. It was knocked out by a 2-pounder antitank gun. One round entered the air intake cowl on the rear and destroyed the Horch V-8 3,5 liter motor and damaged the chassis member. Another round penetrated the fighting compartment from the rear right and exited through the upper right of the front plate. Remember the armour of these cars was only designed to protect against machine gun fire. Otherwise, it was in excellent condition. The photographs show it had been painted in Tropen colours with the DAK symbol, unit markings and a large Balkankreuz on the rear cowl. The next sighting of WH 607858 was when it appeared, in a rather dilapidated state, with a large V painted to the left of the Balkankreuz and with its right-side engine hatch missing. This was probably taken on the docks at Alexandria before it was shipped to Britain. From the 7th Armoured Division report we also discovered that the engine hatch had been used for firing trials. The Ministry of Supply listed WH 607858 arriving in Britain on the 2nd February 1942. Thereafter, it was sent to ATS Farnborough. The local reference number EW 2069 was allocated. Over the coming year it was examined by the STT team under Major J. D. Barnes R.T.R and Mr. D. M. Pearce B.A. (Cantab). The examiners were impressed with the fighting compartment layout and the ability to use the 2cm gun in an antiaircraft mode. In February 1943 they issued Preliminary Report No.8 “German 4-Wheeled Armoured Car (Sd.Kfz.222). The original licence plate number is mentioned but there is no evidence in the many photos. The other initially puzzling thing is what appears to be a dark colour when compared to when the car was captured. However, we have established that extensive repairs were carried out and the car was repainted in British Green for the tests. The entrance hole of the 2-pounder round on the rear of the fighting compartment has had a patch welded in place. Lights, storage bins and other fittings had all been removed. The report also reveals that as the original Horch engine had been holed by the other 2-Pounder hit characteristics of the engine had to be deduced from this damaged one. But to carry out mobility tests the STT installed a Ford V-8 (In much the same way as recreational replicas are made operational today). . The dates mentioned by the 7th Armoured Division must have been found on the vehicle identification plate. But in the Mediterranean in 1941 was no interest in the all-important Fahrgestell Nr. (Chassis number). This data is not mentioned by the STT inspectors so apparently this plate had disappeared on route which is a great pity as they obviously were also unaware of the location of the back up stamping of this chassis number. The Imperial War Museum had WH 607858 on display on the 1st September 1944 but thereafter it disappeared. The moral of the story is that even the best of references needs to authenticated if one is to achieve 100% accuracy.

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