Legends of Warfare - Ground

German Light Armored Cars of WWII

SD KFZ 221, 222, 223, 247, 260 and 261

Schiffer Publishing’s Legends of Warfare series is noteworthy for its wide range of subjects; aerial, naval and ground combat are all well represented in this line. Previous books that I’ve examined from the Legends of Warfare series all share similar format, physical characteristics and quality of content. This line of books are quite modestly priced, given the quality of the contents.

The subject matter in this volume are the WWII German light armored cars, mostly the four wheeled versions ( Sd Kfz 221, 222, 223, 247, 260, 261) although the 6 wheeled version of the Sd Kfz 247 is included as well.

This range of new armored cars were intended to improve performance from the early 1930’s Sd Kfz 13 and 14, which suffered from very minimal armor protection and poor off road performance. These new, improved armored cars were vital to the new German lightning war philosophy, where reconnaissance vehicles with speed and mobility were essential.

Vital Statistics

Format - hardcover, square format

 Page Count - heavyweight, glossy paper,  112 pages

 Size - 9.25" x 9.25"

Photos - 150+ black and white images, full color images

Tables / Drawings / Diagrams - tables of technical and performance data

All text and photo captions are in English

What's in the Book?

Above, the table of contents

Above is an example of the author’s typical manner of opening chapters in works of this type; very well written informative text, with well chosen photographs embedded on the pages. The book’s opening chapter begins logically with the first of the new series of light armored cars, the Sd.Kfz 221. The author describes quite well the modifications made to this model that field experience demanded.

Above - interesting images are found throughout this volume, including the above image of a Sd Kfz 221 in service during the invasion of Greece.

Another outstanding 221 image above, this one a great view of rather basic winter camouflage applied.

A sort of bonus found in this volume is some coverage of the “squeeze bore” Panzerbuchse 41, a 2.8cm anti-tank gun with a tapered bore designed to produce higher velocities to pierce enemy armor more effectively. Some of these little guns were mounted on Sd Kfz 221’s. Nice images show the gun mounted on the armored car as well as dismounted.

Photographs throughout the volume show many varied details on the armored cars, such as the image above showing the anti-grenade screens intended to protect the crew compartment from close infantry assault using grenades.

Above - a typical two page spread containing four well chosen, interesting images.

Above - an interesting photo of a Sd Kfz 222 being offloaded from a ship, quite likely in North Africa evidenced by the tropical air pressure filter mounted on the body of the vehicle.

Roughly midway through the book, the author treats the reader to a whopping 19 pages of full color images of restored armored cars in both “walk around” and “in detail” styles. These images are both exterior and interior views, the majority are well lit and composed, although a couple of the interior looks are just slightly dark.

Above - What is seen in these images is well described by the author in the photo captions.

Above - some nice images of the Sd Kfz 261 with its frame antenna extended (left side) and stowed (right side). I love seeing the crew seated on the frame antenna, great vignette idea!

The authors photo captioning is very well done, providing a great deal of information on what’s pictured.

Above -There are several quite informative tables of performance and technical data contained in the book. You’ll likely find whatever data or facts that you’re seeking on these vehicles in these tables.

Above - the Sd Kfz 247 was made in both six wheeled and four wheeled versions, both designated 247. These somewhat rare vehicles were produced in much fewer numbers than the other armored cars covered in this volume, being phased out of production in 1942. The huge open top to these vehicles didn’t do any favors to their crews in Russia..

Conclusions

As usual, author David Doyle has produced a highly useful reference work, providing a great deal of very good text work combined with very well selected photographs of his subject matter.

The authors text and photo captioning is crisp and concisely written, and the included photographs are well chosen for quality and interest.

This book isn’t the be all and end all of books on any of these interesting little armored cars, but it’s a wonderful look at “the family” as a whole, providing a good deal of reference material on the group. This book is quite well deserving of a spot on your book shelf.

Highly Recommended! 

Thanks to David Doyle Books for the review copy

Reviewed by Chuck Aleshire, AMPS Chicagoland

AMPS 2nd Vice President, Midwest Region

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