There were scout and recce elements allowed for in the KStN. Given the somewhat extemporised nature of the Panzer Bdes I understand there was a lot of variation in the actual org used.
The Scout Platoon was shown as being equipped with Ketten-krad or motorcycle combinations. One Squad with six machines and drivers carrying eight men and two LMGs, and four smaller Squads, each with five men, one LMG, one light car and one K-Krad or M/C.
The Recce Platoon is shown with seven SdKfz 251 halftracks, interestingly four are shown as 251/5 types and the other three as normal 251/1 types. HQ has a single 251/5 and each of the three Squads a 251/5 and 251/1. Each Squad has two NCOs, eight riflemen (with two LMGs) and two drivers.
As I understand, the Scout Platoon was more for route recce, while the halftrack Platoon was for proper recce work. Its org was a direct lift from the Staff Company of the Tiger Battalion under the July 1944 fG KStN. The preceding KStN from late 1943 had shown the Tiger Bn equivalent with seven 250s rather than 251 halftracks.
I think the absence of a strong recce element has been highlighted as a weakness in the overall organisation of the Panzer Brigades; there was no Recce Pl in the sawn-off Panzer Battalion either, leaving just a handful of halftracks with a modest dismount or a unit specific expedient.
Gary
looks at more open-topped German artillery vehicles.