CHAPTER VII. WEAPONS Section V. SELF-PROPELLED ARTILLERY 1. General a. DEVELOPMENT.

German self-propelled artillery has now developed to a point where there is scarcely any artillery piece up to and including 150-mm caliber which has not appeared on at least one self-propelled chassis. Some of these have been experimental, but others have been standardized and have appeared in large numbers. b. PRODUCTION METHODS. Self-propelled artillery has been produced in three different ways. First, there are the gun-chassis combinations which have been designed and engineered carefully to fill a particular role. These were produced in quantity by major armament factories in Germany and exist in large numbers. The 75-mm and 105-mm assault guns are examples of this type. Second, there are the standard guns fitted on standard tank chassis. Conversion has been carried out in accordance with well-engineered designs at considerable expense of time and skill. Among these are the 10.5 cm. le. F. H. 18/2 on the Gw. II (Wespe) and the 15 cm s. F. H. 18/1 on the Gw. III/IV (Hummel). Third, there is a large class of selfpropelled guns produced by field conversion, carried out in unit or base workshops, and requiring little skill, time, or material. An example of this is the 15 cm s. I. G. 33 mounted on the chassis of the Pz. Kpfw. I. c. TACTICAL USES. German self-propelled artillery may be divided into four types from a tactical point of view, but the line of demarcation often is not clear, as many self-propelled artillery pieces have dual missions. These types are: close-support artillery, including assault guns; field and medium artillery; tank destroyers; and antiaircraft artillery. (1) Close-support and assault guns. The development of close-support and assault guns was begun about 1940. Assault guns are designed for the close support of infantry, and normally consist of a gun of limited traverse on an armored self-propelled chassis carrying heavy frontal armor. They are inclined to be slower and less maneuverable than tanks but are suited particularly well for attacks on enemy infantry heavy weapons and main point of resistance. (2) Field and medium self-propelled artillery. Field and medium self-propelled artillery was introduced first about the middle of 1942. Both types of howitzers (10.5 cm le F. H. 18 and 15 cm s. F. H. 18) in the division artillery now may be found on self-propelled chassis. (3) Self-propelled antitank guns. The first self-propelled antitank gun was the 4.7 cm Pak. (t) mounted on the then (1941) obsolescent chassis of the Pz. Kpfw. Ib. Antitank guns now form the numerically largest class of self-propelled artillery weapons. (4) Self propelled antiaircraft artillery. Self-propelled antiaircraft artillery actually was developed before any attempt was made to apply this principle to other types of weapons, but so far no serious effort has been made to mount antiaircraft guns larger than 37-mm on motor-driven carriages. d. GUN AND CHASSIS MODIFICATIONS. Guns with the exception of assault guns, are mounted normally on their self-propelled carriages without any major alteration. Assault guns usually are fitted with electric firing devices and modified recoil systems. The chassis,

however, particularly in cases where they are those of existing tanks, have undergone considerable modification. Not only have the superstructures been altered, but in some cases the engine has been moved from the rear to a central position, to enable the gun crew to stand on the floor of the hull to serve the gun. 2. Close Support and Assault Guns a. 75-MM ASSAULT GUN ON Pz. Kpfw. III CHASSIS (Stu. G. III fr 7.5 cm Stu. K. 40 (L/48)). (1) General. The 7.5 cm Stu. K. 40 (L/48) is the latest assault gun to be mounted on the chassis of the Pz. Kpfw. III. The 7.5 cm Kw. K. (L/24) and the 7.5 cm Stu. K. 40 (L/43), which previously were mounted on this chassis, now have been superseded and are tending to go out of service. The 7.5 cm Kw.K. (L/24) also has been mounted on an armored half-tracked vehicle and on the modified eight-wheeled armored car. The 7.5 cm Stu. K. 40 (L/48) has an antitank role, as well as its anti-personnel role as a close-support weapon. It fires both high explosive and armor-piercing ammunition. (2) Specifications. General . . . . . Stu. G. III fr 7.5 cm Stu. K. 40 (L/48). . . . . . Stu. G. III, Sd. Kfz. 142/1. . . . . . 22 feet 5 1/2 inches. . . . . . 17 feet 9 1/2 inches. . . . . . 9 feet 8 inches. . . . . . 7 feet. . . . . . 26.35 short tons. . . . . . 4 men. Gun . . . . . 7.5 cm Stu. K. 40 (L/48). . . . . . APCBC 2,300 feet per second. . . . . . -6 to +17. . . . . . 10 each way. . . . . . Yes. . . . . . Hydraulic. . . . . . Hydropneumatic. . . . . . APCBC HE HC AP 40 Smoke ..... 22 27 5 ..... 2,300 1,800 1,475 3,248 1,771 ..... 15 12.7 11 9 13.7 Carriage ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... 6. Small rubber tired. 3. 9 feet 2 1/2 inches. 8 feet 2 1/2 inches. 1 foot 3 3/4 inches.

Nomenclature Type of carriage Length over-all, Including gun Excluding gun Width over-all Height over-all Weight Crew Type Muzzle velocity Elevation Traverse Muzzle brake Buffer Recuperator Ammunition: Types fired Rounds carried Muzzle velocity (feet per second) Projectile weight (pounds) Suspension: Number of bogies Type of bogies Number of return rollers Track, length Track, width Width of link Hull armor:

Front Sides Rear Belly Fighting compartment armor: Front Sides Engine: Type Cylinders Fuel Location Horsepower Transmission Drive

..... ..... ..... .....

81 mm at 52. 31 mm vertical. 51 mm at 23. 20 mm.

. . . . . 53 to 71 mm at 15. . . . . . 30 mm vertical. Power

. . . . . Maybach HL 120 TRM. . . . . . V-12 at 60. . . . . . Gasoline. . . . . . Rear. . . . . . 295 at 3,000 rpm. . . . . . Synchromesh, 6 forward, 1 reverse. . . . . . Front sprocket. Performance Trench crossing . . . . . 8 feet 6 inches. Fording . . . . . 2 feet 9 inches. Step . . . . . 2 feet. Gradient . . . . . 30. Maximum speed . . . . . 20 miles per hour. Armament Type . . . . . One M.G. 34. Location . . . . . Carried. Remarks Penetration of homogeneous armor at 30, APCBC projectile: 500 yards . . . . . 84 mm. 1,000 yards . . . . . 72 mm. b. 75-MM ASSAULT-ANTITANK GUN ON Czech 38 (t) TANK CHASSIS 7.5 cm le. Stu. G. 38 (t). (1) General. The gun mounted on this carriage, the 7.5 cm Pak 39 (L/48), has the same ballistic characteristics and is very similar to the 7.5 cm Stu. K. 40 (L/48). Despite the difference in nomenclature the guns are employed in exactly the same way in both antitank and assault roles. The 7.5 cm Pak 39 (L/48) is mounted low in a thick, sloping front plate. Previous guns mounted on this chassis, the 7.5 cm Pak 40 and the 7.62 cm Pak 36 (r), were fitted in a high superstructure which gave poor protection to the crew. In this case, however, the armor layout has been completely redesigned, and the vehicle has taken on the aspect of an assault gun. (See Paragraph 6 of this section for other vehicles on which the 7.5 cm Pak 40 and 7.62 cm Pak 36 (r) have been mounted.) (2) Specifications. General . . . . . 7.5 cm le. Stu. G. 38 (t). . . . . . Pz. Jag. 38 (t). . . . . . 20 feet 7 inches. . . . . . 15 feet 11 inches. . . . . . 8 feet 7 1/2 inches.

Nomenclature Type of carriage Length over-all: Including gun Excluding gun Width over-all

Height Weight Crew Type Muzzle velocity Elevation Traverse Muzzle brake Buffer Recuperator Ammunition: Types fired Rounds carried Muzzle velocity (feet per second) Projectile weight (pounds) Suspension: Number of bogies Type of bogies Number of return rollers Track, length Track, width Width of link Hull armor: Front Sides Rear Belly Fighting compartment armor: Front Sides Engine: Type Cylinders Fuel Location Horsepower Transmission Drive Fording Radius of action Maximum speed Type Location Ammunition carried

..... ..... ..... Gun ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... .....

6 feet 10 1/2 inches. 17.65 tons. 4 men. 7.5 cm Pak 39 (L/48). APCBC 2,300 feet per second. -8 to +20. 10 each way. No. Hydraulic. Hydropneumatic.

. . . . . APCBC HE HC AP 40 Smoke ..... 41 ..... 2,300 1,800 1,475 3,248 1,771 ..... 15 12.7 11 9 13.7 Carriage ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... 4. Christie. 1. 12 feet 10 3/4 inches. 6 feet 10 1/2 inches. 1 foot 1 3/4 inches. 60 mm at 60. 20 mm at 15. 20 mm at 15. 10 mm horizontal.

. . . . . 60 mm at 60. . . . . . 20 mm at 40. Power . . . . . Czech EP4. . . . . . Six, in-line. . . . . . Gasoline. . . . . . Rear. . . . . . 150. . . . . . Preselective, 5 forward, 1 reverse. . . . . . Front sprocket. Performance . . . . . 2 feet 11 1/2 inches. . . . . . 124 miles. . . . . . 23 miles per hour. Armament . . . . . One M.G. 34. . . . . . Superstructure roof. . . . . . 600 rounds. Remarks

Penetration of homogeneous armor at 30, APCBC projectile: 500 yards . . . . . 84 mm. 1,000 yards . . . . . 72 mm. c. 75-MM ASSAULT-ANTITANK GUN ON Pz. Kpfw. IV CHASSIS (Pz. Jg. IV fr 7.5 cm Pak 39 (L/48)). (1) General. In this case the 7.5 cm Pak 39 (L/48), has been mounted on a modified Pz. Kpfw. IV chassis. It again is an assault gun in form, with a dual mission: antitank and anti-personnel. (2) Specifications. General . . . . . Panzer Jger IV fr 7.5 cm Pak 39 (L/48). . . . . . Panzer Jger IV. ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... 18 feet 2 inches. 10 feet 4 inches. 6 feet 5 inches. 27 short tons. 4 men. Gun 7.5 cm Pak 39 (L/48). APCBC 2,300 feet per second. -8 to +22. 12 left, 10 right. No. Hydraulic. Hydropneumatic. APCBC 79 2,300 15 Carriage Suspension: Number of bogies ..... Type of bogies ..... Number of return rollers . . . . . Track, length ..... Track, width ..... Width of link ..... Hull armor: Front ..... Sides ..... Rear ..... Top ..... Belly ..... Fighting compartment armor: 8. Small rubber tired. 4. 11 feet 6 inches. 7 feet 11 inches 1 foot 3 inches. 60 mm at 45. 30 mm vertical. 22 mm at 12. 20 mm. 12 mm. HE 1,800 12.7 HC 1,475 11 AP 40 3,248 9 Smoke 1,771 13.7

Nomenclature Type of carriage Length over-all: Excluding gun Width over-all Height over-all Weight Crew Type Muzzle velocity Elevation Traverse Muzzle brake Buffer Recuperator Ammunition: Types fired Rounds carried Muzzle velocity (feet per second) Projectile weight (pounds)

Front Sides Engine: Type Cylinders Fuel Location Horsepower Transmission

. . . . . 60 mm at 50. . . . . . 30 mm at 30. Power ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... .....

Maybach HL 120 TRM. V-12 at 60. Gasoline. Rear. 295 at 3,000 rpm. Manual synchromesh, sliding dog type, 6 forward, 1 reverse. Drive . . . . . Front sprocket. Performance Trench crossing . . . . . 9 feet. Fording . . . . . 3 feet. Radius of action . . . . . 160 miles. Step . . . . . 2 feet 6 inches. Gradient . . . . . 30. Maximum speed . . . . . 24 miles per hour. Armament Type . . . . . Two M.G. 42 with mounts. Location . . . . . From superstructure. Remarks Penetration of homogeneous armor at 30, APCBC projectile: 500 yards . . . . . 84 mm. 1,000 yards . . . . . 72 mm. d. 75-MM ASSAULT GUN ON Pz. Kpfw. IV CHASSIS (Pz. Jg. IV fr 7.5 cm Stu. K. 42 (L/70)). (1) General. This extremely long-barreled gun, in an assault gun mounting on the chassis of the Pz. Kpfw. IV is a development from the 7.5 cm Stu. K. 40 (L/48), which has been mounted on the same chassis but is only 48 calibers long instead of 70. The longbarreled gun has the dual role of antitank and assault gun. (2) Specifications. General . . . . . Panzer Jger IV fr 7.5 cm Stu. K. 42 (L/70). . . . . . Panzer Jger IV, Sd. Kfz. 162. ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... 28 feet 2 1/2 inches. 19 feet 9 1/2 inches. 10 feet 4 3/4 inches. 6 feet 5 inches. 27 short tons (approximately). 5 men. Gun 7.5 cm Stu. K. 42 (L/70). APCBC 3,068 feet per second. -5 to +15. 10 each way.

Nomenclature Type of carriage Length over-all: Including gun Excluding gun Width over-all Height over-all Weight Crew Type Muzzle velocity Elevation Traverse

Muzzle brake Buffer Recuperator Ammunition: Types fired Muzzle velocity (feet per second) Projectile weight (pounds) Rounds carried

. . . . . Not encountered. . . . . . Hydraulic. . . . . . Hydropneumatic. ..... ..... ..... ..... Carriage APCBC 3,068 15 HE 2,300 12.7 AP 40 3,674 10.7

Total of 55 rounds.

Suspension: Number of bogies ..... Type of bogies ..... Number of return rollers . . . . . Track, length ..... Track, width ..... Width of link ..... Hull armor: Front ..... Sides ..... Rear ..... Belly ..... Fighting compartment armor: Front ..... Sides ..... Top ..... Engine: Type Cylinders Fuel Location Horsepower Transmission

8. Small rubber tired. 4. 11 feet 6 inches. 7 feet 11 inches. 1 foot 3 inches. 80 mm at 45. 30 mm vertical. 20 mm, 10 undercut. 10 to 20 mm. 80 mm at 50. 40 mm at 30. 20 mm. Power

Maybach HL 120 TRM. V-12 at 60. Gasoline. Rear. 295 at 3,000 rpm. Manual, synchromesh, sliding dog type; 6 forward, 1 reverse. Drive . . . . . Front sprocket. Performance Trench crossing . . . . . 9 feet. Fording . . . . . 3 feet. Radius of action . . . . . 160 miles (estimated). Step . . . . . 2 feet 6 inches. Gradient . . . . . 30. Maximum speed . . . . . 20 miles per hour. Armament Type . . . . . Machine gun on ball mounting. Location . . . . . Superstructure front. Remarks Penetration of homogeneous armor at 30, APCBC projectile: 500 yards . . . . . 141 mm.

..... ..... ..... ..... ..... .....

1,000 yards

. . . . . 121 mm.

e. 105-MM ASSAULT HOWITZER ON Pz. Kpfw. III CHASSIS (Stu. G. III fr 10.5 cm Stu. H. 42). (1) General. This close-support weapon has the usual characteristics of the assault guns mentioned in previous paragraphs, but is confined to a purely antipersonnel role and does not fire armor-piercing ammunition. Like most German howitzers, however, it is supplied with hollow-charge ammunition to give it some anti-armor performance. (2) Specifications. General . . . . . Stu. G. III fr 10.5 cm Stu. H. 42. . . . . . Stu. G. III, Sd. Kfz. 142/2. ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... Gun ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... 20 feet 2 inches. 17 feet 9 inches. 9 feet 8 inches. 6 feet 5 inches. 25.8 short tons. 4 men.

Nomenclature Type of carriage Length over-all: Including gun Excluding gun Width over-all Height over-all Weight Crew

Type 10.5 cm Stu. H. 42. Muzzle velocity HE 1,540 feet per second. Maximum range 8,530 yards. Elevation -6 to 20. Traverse 10 each way. Muzzle brake Yes. Buffer Hydraulic. Recuperator Hydropneumatic. Ammunition: Types fired ..... HE HC Smoke Muzzle velocity (feet per second) . . . . . 1,540 Projectile weight (pounds) ..... 32.6 25.9 32.4 Rounds carried ..... Total of 36 rounds. Carriage Torsion Bar Suspension: Number of bogie wheels . . . . . 6. Type of bogie wheels . . . . . Small rubber tired. Number of return rollers . . . . . 3. Track, length . . . . . 9 feet 2 1/2 inches. Track, width . . . . . 8 feet 2 1/2 inches. Width of link . . . . . 1 foot 3 3/4 inches. Hull armor: Front . . . . . 50 mm at 52. Sides . . . . . 30 mm vertical. Rear . . . . . 50 mm. Belly . . . . . 30 mm. Fighting compartment armor: Front . . . . . 80 mm at 10. Sides . . . . . 30 mm vertical.

Power Engine: Type Cylinders Fuel Location Horsepower Transmission Drive Trench crossing Fording Radius of action Step Gradient Maximum speed . . . . . Maybach HL 120. . . . . . V-12. . . . . . Gasoline. . . . . . Rear. . . . . . 295 at 3,000 rpm. . . . . . Synchromesh; 6 forward, 1 reverse. . . . . . Front sprocket. Performance . . . . . 8 feet 6 inches. . . . . . 2 feet 9 inches. . . . . . 105 miles. . . . . . 2 feet. . . . . . 27. . . . . . 25 miles per hour.

3. Field and Medium Self-Propelled Artillery a. WASP (Wespe), 10.5 cm le. F. H. (18/2) ON THE MODIFIED Pz. Kpfw. II CHASSIS. (1) General. The Wasp is the most common self-propelled version of the standard German light field howitzer, 10.5 cm le. F. H. 18. With a maximum elevation of 42 degrees, it has only slightly less maximum range than the field-mounted version. Other modified versions of the 10.5 cm le. F. H. 18 may be found mounted on the French "Lorraine" chassis, the Hotchkiss 39 tank chassis, and the Pz. Kpfw. IV B chassis. (2) Specifications. General . . . . . Wespe . . . . . Gw. II (Wespe), Sd. Kfz. 124. ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... Gun ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... 15 feet 9 inches. 7 feet 3 1/2 inches. 7 feet 10 1/2 inches. 12.33 tons. 5 men. 10.5 cm le. F. H. 18/2. HE 1,772 feet per second. 13,500 yards. -5 to +42. 10 each way. Yes. Hydraulic. Hydropneumatic. HE HC Smoke 22 8 1,772 (supercharge)

Nomenclature Type of carriage Length over-all: Excluding gun Width over-all Height over-all Weight Crew

Type Muzzle velocity Maximum range Elevation Traverse Muzzle brake Buffer Recuperator Ammunition: Types fired ..... Rounds carried ..... Muzzle velocity (feet per second) . . . . .

Projectile weight (pounds) Suspension: Number of bogie wheels Type of bogie wheels Number of return rollers Track, length Track, width Width of link Hull armor: Front Sides Fighting compartment armor: Front Sides Engine: Type Cylinders Fuel Horsepower Transmission Drive Trench crossing Fording Radius of action Step Gradient Maximum speed

..... Carriage ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... .....

32.6

25.9

32.4

5. large. 3. 7 feet 10 1/2 inches. 6 feet 2 inches. 11 3/4 inches.

. . . . . 30 mm. . . . . . 20 mm. . . . . . 10 mm. . . . . . 10 mm. Power . . . . . Maybach HL 62 TR. . . . . . 6. . . . . . Gasoline. . . . . . 140. . . . . . Synchromesh; 6 forward, one reverse. . . . . . Front sprocket. Performance . . . . . 6 feet. . . . . . 3 feet. . . . . . 127 miles. . . . . . 1 foot. . . . . . 30. . . . . . 25 miles per hour.

b. GRIZZLY BEAR (Brummbr) or Stu. Pz. 43 (15 cm Stu. H. 43 (L/12) on Pz. Kpfw. IV CHASSIS). (1) General. This is essentially a close-support weapon and mounts a very shortbarreled howitzer in a high, armored superstructure. The 150-mm infantry gun (s. I. G. 33) performs a similar role on its various self-propelled mountings: the chassis of Pz. Kpfw. IB, Pz. Kpfw. II, and the Czech 38 (t). The Grizzly Bear gives much better protection to the crew than any of these. (2) Specifications. General . . . . . Brummbr or Stu. Pz. 43. . . . . . Stu. G. IV, Sd. Kfz. 166. ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... 19 feet 4 inches. 19 feet 4 inches. 9 feet 8 inches. 8 feet 2 inches. 30.4 tons. 5 men.

Nomenclature Type of carriage Length over-all: Including gun Excluding gun Width over-all Height over-all Weight Crew

Type 15 cm Stu. H. 43 (L/12). Muzzle velocity HE 790 feet per second. Maximum range HE 5,000 yards (approximately). Elevation -8.5 to +30. Traverse 8 each way. Muzzle brake No. Ammunition: Types fired ..... HE HC Smoke Muzzle velocity (feet per second) . . . . . 790 902 780 Projectile weight (pounds) ..... 83.6 55 85.7 Rounds carried ..... Total of 38 rounds. Carriage Suspension: Number of bogie wheels . . . . . 8. Type of bogie wheels . . . . . Small rubber tired. Number of return rollers . . . . . 4. Track, length . . . . . 11 feet 6 inches. Track, width . . . . . 8 feet 1 inch. Hull armor: Front . . . . . 45 plus 50 mm armor at 15. Sides . . . . . 30 mm vertical. Rear . . . . . 20 mm. Fighting compartment armor: Front . . . . . 101 mm at 38. Sides . . . . . 50 mm at 18. Roof . . . . . 22 mm at 82. Power Engine: Type . . . . . Maybach HL 120 TRM. Cylinders . . . . . V-12. Fuel . . . . . Gasoline. Horsepower . . . . . 295 at 3,000 rpm. Transmission . . . . . Synchromesh; 6 forward, 1 reverse. Drive . . . . . Front sprocket. Performance Trench crossing . . . . . 9 feet. Fording . . . . . 3 feet. Radius of action . . . . . 130 miles. Step . . . . . 2 feet 6 inches. Gradient . . . . . 30. Maximum speed . . . . . 25 miles per hour. Armament Type . . . . . One M.G. 34, ball mount. Location . . . . . Left of main armament. c. BUMBLE BEE (Hummel) 15 cm s. F. H. 18/1 ON Gw. III/IV. (1) General. This selfpropelled medium howitzer employs a hybrid chassis made up of the suspension of the Pz. Kpfw. IV and various components of Pz. Kpfw. III. This gun has the same mission in its selfpropelled version as in its field version. The 15 cm S. F. H. 13, an older medium howitzer

Gun ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... .....

(obsolete on its field mount), may be found in the same role, mounted on the French "Lorraine" chassis. (2) Specifications. General . . . . . Hummel. . . . . . Gw. III/IV, Sd. Kfz. 165. ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... Gun ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... 21 feet 3 7/8 inches. 20 feet 4 1/8 inches. 9 feet 8 1/8 inches. 9 feet 7 3/4 inches. 25.2 tons. 6 men.

Nomenclature Type of carriage Length over-all: Including gun Excluding gun Width over-all Height over-all Weight Crew

Type 15 cm s. F. H. 18/1. Weight 2.07 tons (barrel and breech). Muzzle velocity HE 1,705 feet per second. Maximum range HE charge eight 14,570 yards. Elevation 0 to 39. Traverse 16 each way. Muzzle brake No. Buffer Hydraulic (under tube). Recuperator Hydropneumatic (over tube). Ammunition: Types fired ..... HE HC Smoke Rounds carried ..... 12 6 Muzzle velocity (feet per second) . . . . . 1,705 Projectile weight (pounds) ..... 95.9 86 Carriage Suspension: Number of bogie wheels . . . . . 8. Type of bogie wheels. . . . . . Small rubber tired. Number of return rollers . . . . . 4. Track, length . . . . . 11 feet 6 inches. Track, width . . . . . 7 feet 10 7/8 inches. Width of link . . . . . 1 foot 3 inches. Hull armor: Front . . . . . 30 mm at 22. Sides . . . . . 20 mm vertical. Rear . . . . . 20 mm at 9. Top . . . . . 17 mm horizontal. Belly . . . . . 17 mm horizontal. Fighting compartment armor: Front . . . . . 10 mm at 37. Sides . . . . . 10 mm at 16. Top . . . . . 10 mm at 12. Power Engine:

Type Cylinders Fuel Location Horsepower Transmission Drive Trench crossing Fording Radius of action Step Gradient Maximum speed 4. Tank Destroyers

. . . . . Maybach HL 120 TRM. . . . . . V-12. . . . . . Gasoline. . . . . . Center. . . . . . 295 at 3,000 rpm. . . . . . Synchromesh; 6 forward, 1 reverse. . . . . . Front sprocket. Performance . . . . . 9 feet. . . . . . 2 feet 7 1/2 inches. . . . . . 160 miles. . . . . . 2 feet 6 inches. . . . . . 30. . . . . . 25 miles per hour.

a. RHINOCEROS (Nashorn), FORMERLY HORNET (Hornisse), 8.8 cm Pak 43/1 ON THE Gw. III/IV. (1) General. This is one of the versions of the 8.8 cm Pak 43, the latest 88-mm antitank gun, mounted on the hybrid chassis of the Pz. Kpfw. III and IV. The vehicle's silhouette is very high and the armor protection given to the crew by the thin-skinned superstructure is very poor. The gun, however, is able to engage tanks at very long ranges. (2) Specifications. General . . . . . Nashorn. . . . . . Gw. III/IV, Sd. Kfz. 164. . . . . . 27 feet 8 1/4 inches. . . . . . 20 feet 4 1/8 inches. . . . . . 9 feet 8 1/8 inches. . . . . . 9 feet 7 3/4 inches. . . . . . 27 tons. . . . . . 5 men. Gun . . . . . 8.8 cm Pak 43/1 (L/71). . . . . . APCBC 3,280 feet per second. . . . . . -5 to +20. . . . . . 15 each way. . . . . . Yes. . . . . . Hydraulic. . . . . . Hydropneumatic. ..... ..... APCBC 3,280 HE 2,400 HC 1,968 AP 40 3,705 16

Nomenclature Type of carriage Length over-all: Including gun Excluding gun Width over-all Height over-all Weight Crew Type Muzzle velocity Elevation Traverse Muzzle brake Buffer Recuperator Ammunition: Types fired Muzzle velocity (feet per second) Projectile weight (pounds) Rounds carried

..... ..... Carriage

22.4 20.7 16.8 Total of 48 rounds.

Suspension: Number of bogie Type of bogies Number of return rollers Track, length Track, width Width of link Hull armor: Front Sides Rear Top Belly Fighting compartment armor: Front Sides Engine: Type Cylinders Fuel Location Horsepower Transmission

..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... .....

8. Small rubber tired. 4. 11 feet 6 inches. 7 feet 11 inches. 1 foot 3 inches. 30 mm at 12. 20 mm vertical. 22 mm. 17 mm. 17 mm.

. . . . . 10 mm at 30. . . . . . 10 mm at 16. Power ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... .....

HL 120 TRM. V-12. Gasoline. Center. 295 at 3,000 rpm. Maybach synchromesh; 6 forward, 1 reverse. Drive . . . . . Front sprocket. Performance Trench crossing . . . . . 9 feet. Fording . . . . . 2 feet 7 1/2 inches. Radius of action . . . . . 160 miles. Step . . . . . 2 feet 6 inches. Gradient . . . . . 30. Maximum speed . . . . . 25 miles per hour. Remarks Penetration of homogeneous armor at 30, APCBC projectile: 500 yards . . . . . 184 mm. 1,000 yards . . . . . 169 mm. b. ELEPHANT (Elefant), FORMERLY FERDINAND, 8.8 cm Stu. K. 43 OR Pak 43/2 ON THE Panzer Jgger Tiger P. (1) General. This is another version of the latest model, long 88-mm antitank gun. The gun is mounted on the Tiger P chassis, a discarded early version of the Tiger, incorporating twin gasoline generating units with direct electric drive. Although protected by heavy armor, this vehicle has been relatively unsuccessful because it is ponderous and difficult to maneuver. (2) Specifications. General . . . . . Elefant. . . . . . Pz. Jg. Tiger P, Sd. Kfz. 184.

Nomenclature Type of carriage

Length over-all: Including gun Excluding gun Width over-all Height over-all Weight Crew Type Muzzle velocity Elevation Traverse Muzzle brake Buffer Recuperator Ammunition: Types fired Rounds carried Muzzle velocity (feet per second) Projectile weight (pounds) Suspension: Number of bogie wheels Type of bogie wheels Number of return rollers Hull armor: Front Sides Rear Top Belly Fighting compartment armor: Front Sides Engines: Type Location Horsepower Transmission Drive

..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... Gun ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... .....

26 feet 10 inches. 23 feet 4 inches. 11 feet 3 inches. 9 feet 10 inches. 73 short tons. 6 men. 8.8 cm Stu. K. 43 (L/71) or Pak 43/2. APCBC 3,280 feet per second. -6 to +25. 12 each way. Fitted. Hydraulic. Hydropneumatic.

. . . . . APCBC HE HC AP 40 ..... 20 70 ..... 3,280 2,400 1,968 3,705 ..... 22.4 20.7 16.8 16 Carriage . . . . . 6, in pairs. . . . . . Large. . . . . . None. ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... 200 mm at 32. 80 mm vertical. 80 mm vertical. 30 mm horizontal. 20 mm horizontal.

. . . . . 170 mm at 30. . . . . . 90 mm at 30. Power

. . . . . Two Maybach HL 120 TRMs. . . . . . Center. . . . . . 590. . . . . . Electric drive. . . . . . Rear sprocket. Performance Fording . . . . . 2 feet 4 inches. Radius of action . . . . . 62 miles. Gradient . . . . . 30. Maximum speed . . . . . 12.5 miles per hour. Remarks Penetration of homogeneous armor at 30, APCBC projectile: 500 yards . . . . . 184 mm. 1,000 yards . . . . . 169 mm.

c. Jagdpanther, 8.8 cm Pak 43/3 OR 43/4 (L/71) ON THE PANTHER CHASSIS. (1) General. This tank destroyer is intended for engaging armored targets at long ranges from stationary positions. A single, heavy, sloping plate protects the front of both hull and superstructure. The gun is mounted centrally in this plate, giving the vehicle the appearance of an assault gun, with the gun rather high. (2) Specifications. General . . . . . Jagdpanther. . . . . . Pz. Jg. Panther, Sd. Kfz. 173. ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... Gun ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... 32 feet 4 inches. 22 feet 9 inches. 10 feet 9 inches. 8 feet 3 inches. 51.25 short tons. 5 men.

Nomenclature Type of carriage Length over-all: Including gun Excluding gun Width over-all Height over-all Weight Crew

Type 8.8 cm Pak 43/3 or 43/4 (L/71). Muzzle velocity APCBC 3,280 feet per second. Elevation -8 to +14 Traverse 13 each way. Muzzle brake Yes. Buffer Hydraulic. Recuperator Hydropneumatic. Ammunition: Types fired . . . . . APCBC HE HC AP 40 Rounds carried ..... 28 29 Muzzle velocity (feet per second) . . . . . 3,280 2,460 1,968 3,705 Projectile weight (pounds) ..... 22.4 20.7 16.8 16 Carriage Suspension: Number of bogies . . . . . 8. Type of bogies . . . . . Double. Number of return rollers . . . . . 1. Track, length . . . . . 13 feet 5 1/2 inches. Track, width . . . . . 8 feet 7 1/2 inches. Width of link . . . . . 2 feet 2 inches. Hull armor: Front . . . . . 80 mm at 55. Sides . . . . . 30 mm vertical. Rear . . . . . 40 mm at 30. Fighting compartment armor: Front . . . . . 80 mm at 55. Sides . . . . . 45 mm at 30. Power Engine: Type . . . . . Maybach HL 230 P30. Cylinders . . . . . V-12.

Fuel Location Horsepower Transmission Drive

. . . . . Gasoline. . . . . . Rear. . . . . . 690 at 3,000 rpm. . . . . . Synchromesh; 7 forward, 1 reverse. . . . . . Front sprocket. Performance Trench crossing . . . . . 8 feet. Fording . . . . . 5 feet 1 inch. Radius of action . . . . . 87 miles. Step . . . . . 3 feet. Gradient . . . . . 30. Armament Type . . . . . One M. G. 34, ball mount. Location . . . . . Glacis plate. Remarks Penetration of homogeneous armor at 30, APCBC projectile: 500 yards . . . . . 184 mm. 1,000 yards . . . . . 169 mm. d. Jagdtiger, 12.8 cm Pak 44 (L/55) ON THE Pz. Jg. Tiger MODEL B. (1) General. The 12.8 cm Pak 44 (L/55) is the largest caliber antitank gun the Germans have produced so far. It is only found in a self-propelled version, mounted on the Pz. Jg Tiger Model B, which is an adaptation of the King Tiger chassis. The superstructure in which the gun is mounted, is very heavily armored. The Jagdtiger supersedes the 12.8 cm K. 40 mounted on a hybrid chassis, which was employed in Russia and will probably not be encountered in the future. (2) Specifications. General . . . . . Jagdtiger. . . . . . Pz. Jg. Tiger Model B, Sd. Kfz. 186. ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... 32 feet 2 inches. 23 feet 10 inches. 11 feet 9 1/2 inches. 9 feet 3 inches. 77.2 short tons. 6 men. Gun . . . . . 12.8 cm Pak 44 (L/55). . . . . . APCBC 3,020 feet per second. . . . . . Yes. ..... ..... ..... ..... Carriage Torsion Bar Suspension: APC 2,890 APCBC 3,020 HE 2,886 57

Nomenclature Type of carriage Length over-all: Including gun Excluding gun Width over-all Height over-all Weight Crew Type Muzzle velocity Muzzle brake Ammunition: Types fired Muzzle velocity (feet per second) Projectile weight (pounds) Rounds carried

58.1 62.5 Total of 40 rounds.

Number of bogie wheels Type of bogie wheel Number of return rollers Track, length Track, width Width of link Hull armor: Front Sides Rear Fighting compartment armor: Front Sides Rear Engine: Type Cylinders Fuel Location Horsepower Transmission

..... ..... ..... ..... ..... .....

9. Twin. None. 13 feet 4 inches. 9 feet 2 inches. 2 feet 8 1/2 inches.

. . . . . 150 mm at 50. . . . . . 80 mm vertical. . . . . . 80 mm at 30. . . . . . 250 mm at 15. . . . . . 80 mm at 25. . . . . . 80 mm at 10. Power ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... .....

Maybach HL 230 P30. V-12. Gasoline. Rear. 595 at 2,600 rpm. Preselector, hydraulic operation; 8 forward, 4 reverse. Drive . . . . . Front sprocket. Performance Fording . . . . . 5 feet 9 inches. Radius of action . . . . . 106 miles. Gradient . . . . . 35. Maximum speed . . . . . 26 miles per hour. Armament Mounted . . . . . One M.G. 34. Carried . . . . . One M.G. 42. Remarks Penetration of homogeneous armor at 30: APC APCBC 500 yards ..... 172 mm 212 mm. 1,000 yards ..... 148 mm 200 mm. 5. Self-Propelled Antiaircraft Guns a. GENERAL. The growth of Allied air power and the decline of the Luftwaffe have forced the Germans to devise self-propelled antiaircraft guns to defend transport columns from lowlevel air attack. b. Flakpanzer. Light antiaircraft guns of 20-mm or 37-mm caliber mounted on half-tracked vehicles have been in existence for some time, but the appearance of the so-called Flakpanzer or antiaircraft tanks is a new development. These consist essentially of a tank with turret removed and replaced by a light antiaircraft gun protected by an armored shield. The following types of Flakpanzer have been identified so far:

(1) The 2 cm Flak 38 mounted on the chassis of the Czech 38 (t) tank. (2) The 3.7 cm Flak 43 mounted on the Pz. Kpfw. IV chassis. (3) The 2 cm Flakvierling 38 (four-barreled antiaircraft automatic cannon) mounted on the Pz. Kpfw. IV chassis with a thin eight-sided shield. c. HALF-TRACK CARRIAGES. The 15-mm or 20-mm M. G. 151, a standard aircraft machine gun, has been recently mounted on the 3-ton, lightly armored, half-tracked vehicle, Sd. Kfz. 251/21, in a triple mounting with maximum elevation of 49. The maximum cyclic rate of fire for the three guns is 2,100 rounds per minute. (Details of antiaircraft weapons are given in Section IV.) 6. List of Self-Propelled Artillery a. CLOSE SUPPORT AND ASSAULT SELF-PROPELLED ARTILLERY. Gun 7.5 cm Kw.K. (L/24) 7.5 cm Kw.K. (L/24) 7.5 cm Kw.K. (L/24) 7.5 cm Kw.K. (L/24) 7.5 cm Stu.K. 40 (L/43) 7.5 cm Stu.K. 40 (L/48) 7.5 cm Stu.K. 40 (L/48) 7.5 cm Stu.K. 42 (L/70) Carriage Pz. Kpfw. III chassis (Sd. Kfz. 142) Half-track (Sd. Kfz. 251/9) 8-wheeled armoured car (Sd. Kfz. 233) Half-track (Sd. Kfz. 10) Pz. Kpfw. III chassis (Sd. Kfz. 142) Pz. Kpfw. III chassis (Sd. Kfz. 142) Pz. Kpfw. IV chassis Pz. Kpfw. IV chassis (Sd. Kfz. 162)

b. FIELD AND MEDIUM SELF-PROPELLED ARTILLERY. Gun 10.5 cm Stu.H. 42 (L/28) 15 cm s.I.G. 33 (L/12) 15 cm s.I.G. 33 (L/12) 15 cm s.I.G. 33/1 (L/12) 15 cm Stu. H. 43 (L/12) 10.5 cm le.F.H. 18/2 10.5 cm le.F.H. 18/4 10.5 cm le.F.H. 18 10.5 cm le.F.H. 18/1 15 cm s.F.H. 13 15 cm s.F.H. 18/1 c. TANK DESTROYERS. Gun 2.8 cm Pak 41* 3.7 cm Pak* 3.7 cm Pak* 4.7 cm Pak (t)* Carriage Half-track (Sd. Kfz. 250) Half-track (Sd. Kfz. 251) Renault "Chenillette" (French) armored carrier Pz. Kpfw. I chassis Carriage Pz. Kpfw. III chassis (Sd. Kfz. 142) Pz. Kpfw. I B chassis (Sd. Kfz. 101) Pz. Kpfw. II chassis (Sd. Kfz. 121) Gw. 38 (Sd. Kfz. 138/1) Pz. Kpfw. IV chassis (Sd. Kfz. 166) Gw. II (Sd. Kfz. 124) Lorraine (French) chassis Pz. Kpfw. II 39 chassis Pz. Kpfw. IV B chassis Lorraine (French) chassis Gw. III/IV (Sd. Kfz. 165)

4.7 cm Pak (t)* 4.7 cm Pak (t)* 5 cm Kw.K. 39/1** 7.5 cm Pak 40 7.5 cm Pak 40/3 7.5 cm Pak 39 L/48 7.5 cm Pak 40 7.5 cm Pak 40 7.5 cm Pak 40 7.5 cm Kw.K.* 7.5 cm Pak 40/1 7.5 cm Pak 40 7.5 cm Pak 40 7.5 cm Pak 40 7.5 cm Pak 39 (L/48) 7.62 cm Pak 36 (r)* 7.62 cm Pak 36 (r) 7.62 cm Pak 36 (r) 7.62 cm Pak 36 (r) 7.62 cm Pak 36 (r) 7.62 cm Pak 36 (r) 7.62 cm F.K. (r) 8.8 cm Pak 43/1 (L/71) 8.8 cm Pak 43/3 or Pak 43/4 8.8 cm Stu.K. 43/1 (L/71) or Pak 43/2 (L/71) 12.8 cm K.40 12.8 cm Pak 44 (L/55)

Pz. Jg. I Renault R.35 (French) tank chassis 8-wheeled armored car (Sd. Kfz. 234) Pz. Kpfw. 38 (t) chassis Pz. Jg 38 (Sd. Kfz.138) Pz. Jg 38 (t) Pz. Kpfw. II chassis Pz. Jg. II (Sd. Kfz. 131) Pz. Jg. II (Ausf. D/E) (Sd. Kfz. 132) Half-track (Sd. Kfz. 251/9) Pz. Jg. Lr. S. (Sd. Kfz. 135) Truck Schneider Kegresse Armored Car chassis (modified) Hotchkiss H. 39 tank chassis Panzerjger IV (Sd. Kfz. 162) Half-track (Sd. Kfz. 6) Pz. Kpfw. 38 (t) chassis Pz. Jg. 38 (Sd. Kfz. 139) Pz. Kpfw. II chassis Pz. Jg. II (Sd. Kfz. 131) Pz. Jg. II Ausf. D/E. (Sd. Kfz. 132) Pz. Jg. II Ausf. D/E (Pz. Kfz. 132) Pz. Jg. III/IV (Sd. Kfz. 164) Pz. Kpfw. Panther chassis (Sd. Kfz. 173) Tiger (P) chassis (Sd. Kfz. 182) Hybrid chassis Tiger II chassis

d. SELF-PROPELLED ANTIAIRCRAFT GUNS. Gun 2 cm Flak 30 or 38* 2 cm Flak 38* 2 cm Flakviering 38* 3.7 cm Flak 18 or 36* 5 cm Flak 41* M.G. 151/15 or M.G. 151/20 Flakdrilling 2 cm Flak 38 3.7 cm Flak 43 2 cm Flakvierling 38 * Obsolete ** See "Armored Cars" for description Carriage Half-track (Sd. Kfz. 10) Half-track (Sd. Kfz. 10) Half-track (Sd. Kfz. 7) Half-track (Sd. Kfz. 6) Half-track (Sd. Kfz. 251/21) (3-ton halftrack) Pz. Kpfw. 38 (t) chassis Pz. Kpfw. IV chassis Pz. Kpfw. IV chassis