SdKfz 231/234 8-rad: 8 X 8 Armored Car (Military Vehicles in Detail, Vol. 2)

As a valuable part of its Blitzkrieg tactics, the German army deployed light armored cars in the forward reconnaissance role. The success of these vehicles led to the requirement for a heavy armored car - the SdKfz 231 series. These advanced design eight-wheel drive and steering vehicles entered service in 1938 and were unique in another way: they were the first military vehicles to have two - a front and a rear - driving positions. Development continued through the war years and in 1942 the 234 series entered service. These were much-improved vehicles with better armor and more powerful armament. The 231/234 series spurred the US Army to develop its own eight-wheel armored car, the Boarhound. A direct descendent of the 8 Rad, the Schwerer Panzersphäwagen Luchs, remains in service with the German Army of today.