Tag: sdkfz 138

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German

Gw. für 15 cm s.I.G. 33/1 (Sd. Kfz. 138/1): S.P. Heavy Infantry Howitzer (on Czech Chassis)

Grille: Gw. für 15 cm s.I.G. 33/1 (Sd. Kfz. 138/1): S.P. Heavy Infantry Howitzer (on Czech Chassis)

The vehicle is the result of a combination of the 15 cm heavy infantry howitzer and the Pz. Kpfw. 38 (t) tank chassis. Its road performance will approximate that of the Pz. Kpfw. 38 (t) tank.

The howitzer, from which the trail has been removed, is mounted well forward on the chassis within a box-like, open top shield, the front plates of which overlap the original gun shield. The box shield has a thickness of 25 mm in front, 15 mm at the sides, and 15 mm at the rear. A further plate, fitted over the barrel and recuperator, is elevated and depressed with the howitzer, which also retains its original traversing and elevating mechanisms. Sighting is done through the aperture in the howitzer shield, by dial sight. Six metal sheets in the shape of a 3/4 circle are fitted to the sides of the fighting compartment, four vertically at the rear on the right, and two horizontally forward on the left. These may house a shell each, thus making a total of twelve rounds, corresponding to the 12 lockers for cartridge cases and charges. AW/T set is carried. This is mounted on the left wall of the fighting compartment. A folding type rod aerial is mounted on the left. The general appearance suggests that the equipment is overloaded. The silhouette is high.

The piece, a standard German infantry support weapon, has a length of 64.57 inches, a muzzle velocity of 790 f.s., and a maximum effective range of 5140 yards. Its field mounting traverse is reported as 11°, its elevation 0° to plus 73°. Its recoil mechanism, which consists of both buffer and recuperator, is housed in a casing underneath the barrel and extends almost the entire length of the latter. The gun fires an 83.6 lb. H.E. shell, and an 84.7 lb. smoke shell.

SPECIFICATIONS

Weight         (approx.) 12 tons
Length 15 ft., 3 ins.
Width 7 ft.
Height
Ground clearance 15 ins.
Tread centers 5 ft., 9 1/2 ins.
Ground contact 8 ft., 6 3/4 ins.
Width of track 11 ins.
Pitch of track 4 1/2 ins.
Track links 89
Fording depth 3 ft.
Theoretical radius of action
     Roads 140 miles
     Cross-country 100 miles
Speed
     Roads 25 m.p.h.
     Cross-country 15 m.p.h.
Armor
     Front plate 25 + 25 mm
     Sides 30 mm
Armament 15 cm. s.I.G. 33
Ammunition (rds.) 12
Engine Praga 6-cyl., 125 h.p., gasoline
Transmission 5 speeds forward, 1 reverse
Steering Epicyclic clutch brake
Crew 3

German: p. 20

Categories
German

Pz. Jäg. 38 für 7.5 cm Pak 40/3 (Sd. Kfz. 138): S.P. Antitank Gun (on Czech Chassis)

Pz. Jäg. 38 für 7.5 cm Pak 40/3 (Sd. Kfz. 138): S.P. Antitank Gun (on Czech Chassis)

The equipment consists of the 7.5 cm Pak 40 mounted on a turretless chassis of a Pz. Kpfw. 38 (t) tank of Czech origin, formerly known as the L.T.H. This mount was used by the Germans in large numbers on the Russian front. It usually moves just in the rear of the first wave of tanks. Its road performance approximates that of the Pz. Kpfw. 38 (t) tank.

Due to the bolted construction of the parent vehicle the removal of the turret, superstructure top plate and the engine access hatches of the original tank is readily accomplished and the mounting of the anti-tank gun is speedily performed. The turntable of the anti-tank gun is bolted to the angle section formerly carrying the superstructure top plate of the original tank. The gun shield is constructed from 10-15 mm plate. It is open at the top and rear. The protection afforded the crew is little better than would be found on a field piece.

The gun, which projects well beyond the front of the hull, is of monobloc, loose barrel construction, and is fitted with a double baffle muzzle brake. The breech ring is rectangular and is secured to the barrel by a loose screwed collar. The recoil mechanism is attached underneath the ring by a detachable lug. The elevating and traversing mechanisms are controlled by hand wheels. The gun has the following muzzle velocities: HE 1800 f.s.; A.P.C., 2525 f.s; hollow charge 1476 f.s. The A.P.C. shell will penetrate homogeneous armor as follows: 500 yards 4.0 ins. at 30° obliquity, 4.8 ins. normal—1000 yards 3.6 ins. at 30°, 4.3 ins. normal—2000 yards 2.8 ins. at 30°, 3.4 ins. normal—2500 yards 2.5 ins. at 30°, 3.0 ins. normal. The gun has a traverse of 65° and an elevation of -5° to + 22°.

SPECIFICATIONS

Weight         (approx.) 11 tons
Length 15 ft., 3 ins.
Width 7 ft.
Height 7 ft., 2 ins.
Ground clearance 15 ins.
Tread centers 5 ft., 9 1/2 ins.
Ground contact 8 ft., 6 3/4 ins.
Width of track 11 ins.
Pitch of track 4 1/2 ins.
Track links 89 ins.
Fording depth 3 ft.
Theoretical radius of action
     Roads 140 miles
     Cross-country 100 miles
Speed
     Roads 25 m.p.h.
     Cross-country 15 m.p.h.
Armor
     Front plate 25 + 25 mm
     Sides 30 mm
Armament 7.5 cm. Pak 40
M.G. 37 (t)
Ammunition (rds.)
Engine Praga 6-cyl., 125 h.p., gasoline
Transmission 5 speeds forward, 1 reverse
Steering Epicyclic clutch brake
Crew Probably 4

German: p. 19