The kleiner Panzerbefehlswagen (English: light armoured command vehicle), known also by its ordnance inventory designation Sd.Kfz.

This vehicle would have to carry extra equipment and personnel to assist the field commander in his duties.

Not entirely satisfactory, significant chassis redesign was required, though this ultimately provided the basis for improvements in the combat tank line as well.

A tall, fixed superstructure was installed which contained space for the commander and radio operator to work, and a single ball-mounted machine gun was mounted in the front armour of this to give the tank a measure of defensive firepower.

While room existed within this structure for map boards, paperwork and other kit required for operational command and radio operation, the vehicle's interior remained small, a factor leading to its rapid replacement by conversions of larger tanks.