Batch production began at the end of 1943 and continued up to the end of 1944. In total there was the opportunity to build only 88 units of the Sd.Kfz.234/3, as in 1944 the German war industry experienced widespread destruction from Allied bombing strikes, and any areas which had escaped, directed their efforts towards repairing the damage of existing armor and equipment. The overwhelming majority of the 88 completed Sd.Kfz.234/3 served with the 116th Panzer Division which was at war in Normandy. Data on the operational efficiency of this type was not kept, but at least one Sd.Kfz.234/3 was captured by the British Army. This armored car was examined at one of the allied testing grounds, and then it was sent to the Tank Museum in Bovington, in Dorset in Southern England, where it is exhibited today. |
