The Flakpanzer "Wirbelwind" was based on a Panzer IV hull on which a nine-sided turret was placed that protected the 20mm Flakvierling and its crew. It was built at the "Ostbau-Sagan" facilities from September 1944 until Macrh 1945. In this time 122 Wirbelwind were completed and issued to Pz.Fla.Züge of Pt.Rgt. and Pz-Brig. The engine was the 272HP Maybach HL120TR112 which allowed a maximum speed of 38km/h on street. The Wirbelwind was 5.92m long, 2.90m wide and 2.76m high. It weighted 22 tons. The s.Pz.Jg.Abt.560. was raised in April 1943 which fought under the command of 7th Army, XXXXII.Korps, 8th Army and 12.SS-Pz.Div. on the Eastern Front, in the Ardennes and Hungary. |