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The formation driving required the most utmost vigilance, not least because we did not wish any ‘fender-benders’. Adopting an ‘inverted wedge’, with the two SPW (SdKfz 250/1 and SdKfz 251/1d) up front and the Demag/PaK40 between and to the rear, we quickly learnt that the Demag was the slowest of the three tracked vehicles, and considerable self control was required of the 251 and 250 drivers to keep down their speed. This demonstrated that an armoured unit wishing to maintain a tactical formation in the face of enemy opposition are restricted by the speed of their slowest vehicles. |
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It was soon apparent that the Demag was also deficient in that the tractor driver and PaK crew had little protection from enemy fire whilst deploying. It is little wonder that this type of weapon system was gradually replaced by SPW-mounted A/T weapons; a combination of equipment that gave the crew some better protection, but also negated the time needed to unlimber, prepare, load, range and fire a towed PaK. |
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In truth, the PaK40 is extremely heavy, and it took a minimum of five to manhandle it into and out of action on a level, rut-free surface. The Demag had to be backed up to the PaK to ‘limber up’, a process that involves giving the driver direction as he cannot see behind him. |
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