Sd.Kfz.223 in the German Road Before the War

It was not uncommon to see armored vehicles on the roadways of prewar Germany, either on exercise or simply to test road worthiness after repairs or maintenance, as seems to be the case with this Sd.Kfz. 223 (Fu).

Source :

Book "Scouts Out: A History of German Armored Reconnaissance Units in World War II" by Robert Edwards, Michael H. Pruett and Michael Olive

Training of SS Aufklärer

Among the earliest motorized assets of the Leibstandarte and the SS-Verfügungstruppe were reconnaissance sections. Many of the early soldiers were detached to army schools for advanced and professional training. In this image, we see scouts training on an Sd.Kfz. 222, one of the more readily identifiable German armored cars of the Second World War. This appears to be a relatively early image as the scouts wear what appear to be modified army Panzer uniforms, which was done in the years prior to the start of the war, when the SS started fielding its own armored vehicle uniforms. The caps are also modified Allgemeine SS black caps, worn prior to the introduction of an overseas cap specifically for SS-Verfügungstruppen and the Leibstandarte in 1938.

Source :

Book "Scouts Out: A History of German Armored Reconnaissance Units in World War II" by Robert Edwards, Michael H. Pruett and Michael Olive

Little Girl Posed with Sd.Kfz.232

The daughter of a soldier is given a martial background for a posed photograph. It is not known why the white silhouettes of the armored cars are painted on the superstructure of the Sd.Kfz. 232 (Fu) vehicles.

Source :

Book "Scouts Out: A History of German Armored Reconnaissance Units in World War II" by Robert Edwards, Michael H. Pruett and Michael Olive

Panzer III Loaded with Infantry in the Rzhev Salient

This Panzerkampfwagen III Ausf.J moves towards the front loaded down with almost 20 infantrymen. Note the new-style drive sprocket (introduced on the Ausf.H) and idler wheel as well as the hull extensions, which are drilled to accept tow hooks. There is a Notek head-lamp beneath the soldier perched on the near fender; note that both fenders lack their mud flaps. The picture was taken in the Soviet Union in 21 March 1942 during Battles of Rzhev by Kriegsberichter Böhmer from Propaganda-Kompanie (PK) 697

Source :
Book "Panzer Vor: German Armor At War 1939-45" by Frank V. De Sisto
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Bundesarchiv_Bild_101I-269-0240-11A,_Russland,_Panzer_mit_aufgesesssener_Infanterie.jpg

Panzer III with Mounted Infantry

A Panzerkampfwagen III Ausf.J is shown here. The sides of the hull were extended and drilled for tow hooks and the armor basis was increased to 50mm. Note also that lengths of track were stored on any surface possible as extra protection against Soviet anti-tank rifles. This panzer seems to have some friends in the infantry who appreciate its presence in their area of operations.

Source :
Book "Panzer Vor: German Armor At War 1939-45" by Frank V. De Sisto