Sd.Kfz. 251/17D is a German Support unit in Steel Division II.
Background[]
The most widely produced German half-track, Sd. Kfz. 251 was introduced in 1939 and remained in production throughout the war, with at least 15,252 units produced. The popular Hanomag, as it was called by both Allied and Axis soldiers, was distinguished by its heavily angled armored hull and a very large track area with no return rollers, providing good traction and performance. The use of Schachtellaufwerk, overlapping and interleaved road wheels, contributed to it, at the cost of increased maintenance and severe vulnerability to Soviet winters and mud seasons, where they could be frozen solid.
Model 251/17 was armed with a 2 cm KwK38 on a pedestal mounting with a small armored turret to protect the gunner.
In theory a Armored Panzergrenadier company should have three Sd.Kfz.251/17 in a Flak Group that also carries the Machine Gun Group with the three more serving as Platoon Commander's Vehicle replacing Sd.Kfz. 251/10. In theory the Armored Panzergrenadier battalion should have 21. One in regimental engineer company and 7 in the armored reconnaissance company.
The Panzergrenadier Battalion of the Panzer Brigade which were planned to have a flak company of three platoons of 6 half-tracks along with flak platoon in the rifle company.
Strategy[]
These half-track provide transportation for their Panzergrenadier leadership