Sd.Kfz 251/9 Ausf D (Stummel) half-track

The Sd.Kfz 251 half-track was the ubiquitous German half-track used throughout World War II to transport Panzergrenadiers. The 251 was known by German and Allied soldiers alike as ‘Hanomag’ after its manufacturer Hannoversche Maschinenbau AG. Combining the already proven Sd.Kfz 251 half-track with the short L/24 low velocity 7.5cm gun created the Sd Kfz 251/9, nicknamed the Stummel (‘Stump’) because of the gun’s short length. Stummels were issued to heavy gun companies of Panzergrenadier Regiments providing mobile fire support allowing penetration of enemy defences as StuGs and other fully tracked assault guns could not always be available when the Panzergrenadiers needed them. It carried 52 rounds of ammunition for the 7.5cm as well as two machine-guns for air and close protection.