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Germany's Geschützwagen 39H(f), GW 39H(f)
10.5cm le FH 18 auf GW 39H(f): |
7.5cm Pak 40 auf GW 39H(f): |
The Germans confiscated many French vehicles after the invasion of France in 1940. Since they were outdated many were used in secondary roles or converted into self propelled vehicles. The 75 mm PaK40 and 105 mm leFH18 were mounted on a modified Hotchkiss Modèle 1935, H-39 chassis.
The engine from the original H-39 was left at the rear of the vehicle.
Production
- 75 mm PaK:1942: 24 converted1
- Conversion: 19421
- 105 mm leFH18:
48 converted1
- Conversion: 19421
Variants
- 75 mm PaK40(Sf) auf Geschützwagen 39H(f), 7.5cm Pak 40 auf GW 39H(f): Had a 75 mm PaK gun installed.
- 105 mm leFH18(Sf) auf Geschützwagen 39H(f), 10.5cm le FH 18 auf GW 39H(f), 10.5cm Panzerhaubitze 18 auf Sfl39H(f): Had a 105 mm leFH18 gun installed.
Usage
Were issued to the 8th Panzerartillerie Abteilung in France and saw action in 1944.
| 105 mm leFH18(Sf) auf Geschützwagen 39H(f), 75 mm PaK40(Sf) auf Geschützwagen 39H(f) |
|
|---|---|
| Crew | 41 |
| Radio | FuG Spr d1 |
| Physical Characteristics | |
| Weight | 12.5 tons1 |
| Length w/gun | |
| Length w/o gun | |
| Height | |
| Width | |
| Ground clearance | |
| Ground contact length | |
| Ground pressure | |
| Turret ring diameter | |
| Armament | |
| Main | 75 mm PaK40 L/461 |
| OR | 105 mm leFH18 L/281 |
| Secondary | |
| MG | 7.92 mm MG341 |
| Side arms | |
| Quantity | |
| Main | |
| Secondary | |
| MG | |
| Side arms | |
| Armor Thickness (mm) | |
| Hull Front, Upper | 20@30°1 |
| Hull Front, Lower | 29-34@30°1 |
| Hull Sides, Upper | 20@40°1 |
| Hull Sides, Lower | 34@0°1 |
| Hull Rear | 10@20°1 & 22@30°1 |
| Hull Top | |
| Hull Bottom | 12@90°1 |
| Turret Front | 20@30°1 Gun shield: 20@30°1 |
| Turret Sides | 20@10°1 |
| Turret Rear | 10@25°1 |
| Turret Top | Open1 |
| Engine (Make / Model) | Hotchkiss1 |
| Cylinders | 61 |
| Net HP | 1201 @ 2,800 rpm1 |
| Transmission | |
| Fuel type | |
| Octane | |
| Capacity | |
| Performance | |
| Traverse | 30° left, 30° right1 |
| Max Speed | 36 kph1 |
| Cross Country | |
| Road radius | 150 km1 |
| Turning Radius | |
| Elevation Limits | -5° to +22°1 |
| Fording depth | |
| Trench crossing | |
| Vertical Obstacle | |
| Suspension (Type) | |
| Wheels each side | |
| Return rollers each side | |
| Track length | |
| Tires | |
| Track width | |
| Track centers/tread |
Sources:
- Encyclopedia of German Tanks of World War Two, Peter Chamberlain and Hilary Doyle, 1999
