| Full Name | Sonderkraftfahrzeug 231 6 Rad Schwerer Panzerspähwagen |
| Class | Light Vehicle |
| Movement | 8 |
| Armor Value | 1 |
| Vs Infantry (RNG / FPR) | 5/4 |
| Vs Vehicle (RNG / FPR) | 4/3 |
| Traits | |
| Period | 1932-1942 |
| Theaters of Service |
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The German Schwerer Panzerspähwagen ('heavy armoured reconnaissance vehicle') family includes various six- and eight-wheeled armoured car designs used during the Second World War. Three families of designs received Wehrmacht designations as Sonderkraftfahrzeug (Sd.Kfz., or 'special vehicle') 231, 232, or 263, with the addition of '6 Rad' for six-wheeled versions and '8 Rad' for eight-wheeled. The 232 differed from the 231 in having radio equipment, while the 263 command variant dispensed with the turret and featured extra long-range radio equipment and an additional radio operator. Their sloped armor made these vehicles similar in outward appearance. This six-wheeed heavy armoured reconnaissance variant was large but fast and versatile. In operational service, however it proved far too heavy for its engine, chassis, and suspension, and had mediocre off-road capabilities. Whereas the German Army used the type for the traditional cavalry missions of reconnaissance and screening, troops would also use these vehicles to engage similar or lighter enemy units and at times attempt to capture enemy patrols. It carried a 2 cm KwK 30 L/55 autocannon and a 7.92 mm MG 13 machine gun in a fully-rotating turret. It had a top speed of 53 mph. The six-wheeled Sd.Kfz. 231 entered service in 1932 and began to be replaced by eight-wheeled variants in 1937. Nevertheless, Aufklärung ('reconnaissance') units used this type extensively during the Invasions of Poland, France, and the USSR. Germany withdrew the type from front line service beginning July 1941 for use in internal security and training. The crew of four consisted of a commander, gunner, driver, and a radio operator/rear driver. German industry produced 928 units.