This Engineer vehicle, the Sd.Kfz.251/7 Pionierpanzerwagen, is a Medium Armored Assault Engineer Vehicle, based on a German Halftrack developed by Hanomag, the Sd.Kfz. 251 ausf. D. The Pioneers halftrack is in running condition. It is photographed in the German Panzermuseum in the city of Munster. Another article with more information on Sd.Kfz. 251/7 Pionierpanzerwagen – German Medium Armored Assault Engineer Vehicle can be found here.
Sd.Kfz. 251/7 Pionierpanzerwagen
The Sd.Kfz. 251/7 Pionierpanzerwagen was a specialized variant of the Sd.Kfz. 251, a German half-track armored vehicle used during World War II. The 251/7 variant was specifically designed as a pioneer (engineering) vehicle, providing support for combat engineers (pioneers) in the battlefield. Its primary role was to assist with fortifications, demolitions, and other combat engineering tasks, improving mobility and effectiveness in supporting infantry and armor units.
The Sd.Kfz. 251/7 was equipped with specialized tools and equipment, including flame throwers, mine clearing gear, and bridge-laying equipment. This made it essential for breaching obstacles, clearing minefields, and providing mobility across difficult terrain. The vehicle’s 8-ton weight was carried by its 6-wheel drive system, powered by a Maybach HL 42 TUKRM V8 engine, which produced 100 horsepower, giving it a top speed of around 50 km/h (31 mph).
The armor on the 251/7 was similar to other Sd.Kfz. 251 variants, with 14-30mm of steel protection, making it resistant to small arms fire and shrapnel. It could carry a crew of up to 7 soldiers, including engineers, and had ample space for carrying tools, explosives, and other engineering equipment.
Used extensively on the Eastern and Western fronts, the Sd.Kfz. 251/7 proved invaluable in supporting German forces with tactical battlefield engineering, offering both mobility and firepower in difficult conditions.
