The following intelligence report on the German Sdkfz 254 wheel-and-track artillery observation vehicle was originally published in Tactical and Technical Trends, No. 11, Nov. 5, 1942. The original article is incorrect in labelling the vehicle Sdkfz 259. [DISCLAIMER: The following text is taken from the U.S. War Department publication Tactical and Technical Trends. As with all wartime intelligence information, data may be incomplete or inaccurate. No attempt has been made to update or correct the text. Any views or opinions expressed do not necessarily represent those of the website.]

GERMAN LIGHT ARMORED OP VEHICLE A description has been received of a light armored OP vehicle (Sd Kfz 259) mounted on a wheel-and-track suspension. (See accompanying sketch.) The four wheels can be raised or lowered by means of arms, so that the vehicle may run on its tracks over rough ground, or on its wheels along roads. Front, side, and rear plates are sloped to the vertical, while the top is horizontal. An observation hatch is fitted in the roof; slit openings, together with slit opening flaps, are located in the sides and front. A door is fitted in the back for the crew, while a small door, probably for the driver, is to be found on the right side. LIGHT ARMORED O.P. VEHICLE Radio is fitted for communication with the gun positions, but there is no evidence of armament or optical instruments, although it has been reported that a BC scope is fitted. This instrument has an azimuth scale. There is a crew of five, believed to consist of a battery commander, radio operator, observer, chauffeur, and one NCO.

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