Self-propelled artillery

In Guderian’s theory, the perfect panzer formation wnuld contain its own artillery on self-propelled mounts, thus prodding rapid and mobile fire support when required by the assaulting panzers. Unfortunately for the Germans, such equipment remained rare; most of the artillery still had to be towed. Nonetheless, a number of self-propelled guns did provide very usefi. il artillery support in some formations.

It was soon clear that the small Pz Kpfw II was obsolete, but as it was in production and quite reliable, it was selected

Right: A well dug-in battery of 10.5cm leFH(m)-armed Wespe self-Dropelled guns fire in support of a divisional attack. These were ;he standard self-propelled guns of a panzergrenadier division for nuch of the war.

As a carrier for self-propelled artillery. A 10.5cm leFH 18 howitzer was mounted on the chassis behind an open-topped armoured shield. The result, known as the Wespe, proved very successful, with a reputation for reliability and mobility.

¦  Wespe

Crew: 5; Weight: 11,000kg (10.8 tons); Length: 4.81m (14.6ft); Width: 2.28m (6.9ft); Height: 2.3m (7ft); Armament: 105mm leFH 18 howitzer, 1 x 7.92mm machine-gun; Powerplant: 1 Maybach 6 cylinder engine - 140 hp; Performance: Speed (road): 40kmh, Range (road) 220km

Wlien it came to mounting a larger howitzer on a self-propelled chassis, the Germans were forced to use a hybrid of the Pz Kpfw III and IV tanks. It used a lengthened Pz Kpfw IV suspension and running gear, combined with the final drive assemblies and track and transmission of a Pz Kpfw III. Mounting a 15cm FH18 field howitzer, the Hummel formed the heavy field artillery element of panzer and panzergrenadier divisions from about 1942 onwards, when available. It was probably the best example of German purpose-built self-propelled artillery. Here at last was an artillery piece which could fight at the pace of the Panzers.

¦  Hummel

Crew: 5; Weight: 24,000kg (23.6 tons); Length: 7.17m (22ft); Width: 2.87m (8.7ft); Height: 2.81m (8.6ft); Armament: 1 x 15cm FH18 howitzer, 1 x 7.92mm MG; Powerplant: Maybach V12 engine - 265 hp; Performance: Speed (road): 42kmh, Range (road) 215km