Aufklärer auf Panzerkampfwagen 38(t)

Photo from German Armored Rarities 1935-1945

With the termination of Panzerkampfwagen Luchs production after the completion of only 100 units, a new reconaissance vehicle was required by the Wehrmacht. Unfortunately, no replacement design was ready for production. Therefore a makeshift solution was employed. Bohemian-Moravian Motor Works (BMM) was to convert 118 Panzerkampfwagen 38(t), which had been returned for repair, to Aufklärer. The overwhelming majority of these were completed with the 2cm KwK38 and Hängelafette 38 turret used for the Sd. Kfz. 250/9, 251/23, and 234/1. Only two were completed with the 7.5cm KwK L/24 gun. Though the performance of the Aufklärer was not as good as the Luchs, production of a 38(t) based recon vehicle was to be undertaken alongside Jadgpanzer 38(t) and Jagdpanzer 38(d) production from mid 1945. The vehicle was issued to reconnaissance companies on both fronts from April 1944.

• Encyclopedia of German Tanks of World War II
• German Armored Rarities 1935-1945
• Tech Intel Volume 1

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