Sonderkraftfahrzeug Sd.Kfz. 7/1

## Unit Data

 Weapon
 Cost
 HP
 Armour
 Armour Class
 Fire Damage
 Damage Class
 Fire RPM
 Fire Range
 Turret Turn
 Max. Speed

## History

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sd.Kfz.\_7

The most famous German self-propelled anti-aircraft guns (SPAAG) are the Panzer IV based Wirbelwind, Ostwind, Mobelwagen and even Kugelblitz. However, despite being overshadowed by their tank-based counterparts, it was actually the half-track SPAAGs that made up the bulk of the German mobile anti-aircraft fleet. Thousands of such lightly armored vehicles were built, based on different chassis and with different gun combinations.
One of the earliest examples of such a vehicle is the Sd.Kfz.7 / 1, a version of the ubiquitous half-tracked tractor armed with a 2 cm Flakvierling 38 anti-aircraft gun system. The Sd.Kfz.7/1, also known as the ‘Selbstfahrlafette auf m.Zgkw.8t (Sd.Kfz.7/2) mit 2cm Flakvierling 38’, was born shortly after the 2cm Flakvierling 38 was presented to Adolf Hitler in October 1939. The Luftwaffe ordered 100 such weapons systems to be mounted on the Sd.Kfz.7 chassis. Production started in February 1940 and continued until December 1944, by which time between 750 and 800 were manufactured. This made the Sd.Kfz.7/1 one of the most numerous SPAAGs the Germans had at their disposal. The Sd.Kfz.7/1 was used by the Flak Kompanies and Flak Batteries of the Luftwaffe. These were used to accompany the Wehrmacht’s divisions or to protect important locations and installations like airfields. Two or three Sd.Kfz.7/1 SPAAGs formed a platoon. After 1943, a three-vehicle platoon was also added to the HQ unit of each Panzer Abteilung. This gave the tank units their own AA support, without having to rely on the Luftwaffe’s.
These vehicles were very well suited to accompany the German Panzer formations, as they could keep up with the tanks. Also, they could deploy very quickly, immediately providing cover for the troops in case of an unexpected air attack. A towed AA gun would first have to be taken off its trailer and then be placed on its mounting, which would take precious time during an attack. Also, the Sd.Kfz.7/1 could withdraw quickly if the situation required it, with little preparation required. As a trade-off, the Flakvierling could be towed by far smaller vehicles, meaning that the creation of a SPAAG meant the loss of a powerful tractor which could be used to tow a heavier piece of ordnance. This was especially important given the fact that, throughout WWII, the Wehrmacht was reliant on horses to tow their heavy ordnance, as there were never enough heavy tractors.
Their very high rate of fire made them a significant threat to enemy ground attack aircraft. Besides their potential to destroy the attackers, their presence could make enemy pilots hesitate or rush their attack runs, thus lowering their chances of success.
The Sd.Kfz.7/1 had a very high silhouette. Besides obviously making it more visible, this also made it harder to dug-in compared to the towed Flakvierling, as the whole tractor had to be accommodated under cover. Also, for the up-armored vehicles, the guns could not fire directly in front of the vehicle, creating a blind spot.
However, their lack of armor meant that they had to avoid enemy ground forces, as the initial batches of vehicles were vulnerable to all small arms fire and to artillery shrapnel. Even the later vehicles, although up-armored, were only protected against small arms fire coming from the front.
Despite these flaws, the Sd.Kfz.7/1 found itself pressed into a role it was definitely not suited for: fighting against enemy ground forces. In the ground fire support role, the Flakvierling could be a serious threat to enemy infantry and unarmored vehicles due to its high rate of fire and high caliber. Also, when using AP rounds, the Flakvierling could penetrate light armored vehicles such as armored cars or the shields of AT guns. When used in this role, the vehicle was driven in reverse, with the gun having a free field of fire towards the enemy. This did offer the advantage of a quick getaway if needed. Also, the armor of the vehicle was definitely insufficient for the task, with the crew members, especially the loaders, being protected only by the gun shield. The Sd.Kfz.7/1 soldiered for most of the war, serving especially on the Eastern Front, but also in Africa, Italy and the Western Front after 1944. It is, as of now, unclear if these vehicles served in the invasion of France or Norway.
One famous occasion in which an Sd.Kfz.7/1 was used was during operation Market Garden. Then, a vehicle from an SS unit used its guns to fire at airdropped paratroopers while they were still in the air, but also at the supply gliders.

## In the Game

The Sdkfz 7/1 has been there since Demo 3 and is the first mobile anti-aircraft gun for Germany. It is ideal for protecting your own ground units against air attacks, since the Sd.KFz 7/1 can follow them. It can also be used against infantry in an emergency. In terms of price, it costs the same as a Flak 38, which is why you can choose between the two without hesitation, based on the price. The Sd.Kfz. 7/1 has a particular disadvantage: it can withstand even less enemy fire than the stationary Flak 38. With only 50 hit points in total, it is very vulnerable.

The mobile anti-aircraft guns (at least in demo 3/4) show an interesting behavior compared to the other units. While units that have not received an order race towards the enemy, the mobile anti-aircraft guns do not. They either patrol around their own airports / bunkers or other buildings or follow the allied units. So they are not attacking the enemy directly, unless they come within range of their fire. The mobile anti-aircraft guns only drive directly towards the enemy if there are no units to protect.

The Sdkfz 7/1 is not in the game on release, having been replaced by the Flakpanzer I.

### Pro

* mobile anti-aircraft gun
* protects own units against air attacks
* can patrol around their own buildings
* can provide fire support (especially against infantry)
* costs the same as a stationary Flak 38

### Contra

* endures even less damage than a stationary AA
* should not attack the enemy ground units directly
* can't aim directly at targets in front of them because the Driver's cabin is in the way

## Gallery

Sd.Kfz 7/1 patrols around an airfield (Demo 4)2 Sd.Kfz 7/1 open fire on enemy aircraft