- For the Steel Division: Normandy 44 unit see SD:Sd.Kfz. 7/1
Sd.Kfz. 7/1 is a German Anti-air unit in Steel Division II.
Background[ | ]
An improvised air defense vehicle, created by mating a Flakvierling 38 20mm autocannon with the proven Sd.Kfz. 7 artillery tractor. Introduced in April 1940, the Flakvierling's performance against aircraft was limited due to its relatively short range, it was lethal against lightly armored ground vehicles and concentrations of enemy troops. Beginning in 1942, the halftrack was outfitted with armor plating to protect the engine and driver against small arms fire and shrapnel. Although superseded by the superior Sd.Kfz. 7/2 , existing 7/1 models remained in use until the end of the war.
Sd.Kfz. 7/1 along with other anti-aircraft vehicles were used in panzer abteilung's anti-aircraft platoon.
Usage[ | ]
Elements of 20. Panzer supported 1 Blindata "România Mare" during the its counter-attack in Soviet Jassy-Kichinev operation.
5 Cavalerie Motorizata was supported by Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 325 which had some Sd.Kfz. 7/1 issued.