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Germany's Geschützwagen-Lorraine für 15 cm S.F.H. 13, SdKfz 135/1,
15cm sFH 13 Selbstfahrlafette Lorraine SdKfz 135/1,
15cm sFH 13 auf GWLrS(f):
Lorraine Schlepper 15cm FH13 Self Propelled Gun |
Lorraine Schlepper 10.5 cm FH18 auf GW |
Design
In May 1942, Hitler ordered that 40 Lorraine Schlepper chassis be converted to mount a 15cm sFH for use in North Africa. The superstructure came from Alkett and assembly was done in Paris.4 In July 78 more were made available and Keitel ordered 30 to be fitted with the 15cm SFH at Krefeld while the remainder were to become Panzerjäger and 15cm sFH. In May 1942, 60 10.5cm leFH18/4 were ordered to be mounted on the Lorraine Schlepper, but only 12 were completed.
The 150 mm had a range of 9,432 yards.3 The 90 lb HE shell had a muzzle velocity of 1,250'/sec.3
The Lorraine Schlepper had the FuG Spr f radio installed.1
Conversion
The rear suspension was strengthened to handle the placement of a gun mount in the cargo area.4 A spade was place in the rear of the 15cm FH13 conversion to assist in stabilizing the vehicle when it fired.4
Prototype
Production
- Lorraine Schlepper 15 cm FH13: July 1942: 94 converted1
- Lorraine Schlepper 10.5cm FH18: 1942: 12 converted1
- Assembled by Alfred Becker1 of Krefeld, Alkett3
- Chassis #s: 731001-1
Variants
- Lorraine Schlepper 15cm FH13 Self Propelled Gun:
- 10.5cm le FH 18 auf GW Lorraine Schlepper (f):
Usage
Afrika Korps
Ten Lorraine Schlepper 15cm FH13s were issued to Panzerartillerie Abteilung of the 21st Panzer Division in North Africa in July 1942.4 Eleven were issued to the 15th Panzer Division.4 Used at the Battle of El Alemein.3 By November 1942 all had been destroyed or captured.4
Northwest Europe
There were 54 15cm FH13s and 37 10.5cm FH18s were in service on June 6, 1944, on the Western Front.4
| sFH 13/1 auf Lorraine Schlepper SdKfz 135/1 | Lorraine Schlepper 15cm FH13 | Lorraine Schlepper 10.5cm FH18 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 41,3 | 44 | |
| Physical Characteristics | |||
| Weight | 8.49 tons1,2, 9.4 tons3 | 8.5 tons4 8,636 kg4 |
|
| Length w/gun | 15.7'3 5.31 m1,2 |
17' 5"4 5.31 m4 |
|
| Length w/o gun | |||
| Height | 7.2'3 2.23 m1,2 |
7' 4"4 2.23 m4 |
|
| Width | 6.1'3 1.83 m1,2 |
6'4 1.83 m4 |
|
| Width over tracks | |||
| Ground clearance | 11.8"3 | ||
| Ground contact length | 108"3 | ||
| Ground pressure | 9.2 psi3 | ||
| Turret ring diameter | |||
| Armament | |||
| Main | 150 mm sFH132 150 mm S.F.H. 13, L/173 105 mm2 |
5.91" sFH13/14 150 mm sFH13/14 150 mm sFH13/1 L/171 |
105 mm leFH18/40 L/281 |
| Secondary | |||
| MG | 1: 0.312" MG344 1: 7.92 mm MG344 |
||
| Side arms | |||
| Quantity | |||
| Main | 83 | 81,2 | 201 |
| Secondary | |||
| MG | |||
| Side arms | |||
| Armor Thickness (mm) | Front: 0.4"3, 102 Side: 0.4"3, 92 |
104 | |
| Hull Front, Upper | 9@35°1 | ||
| Hull Front, Lower | 12@round1 | ||
| Hull Sides, Upper | 9@10° & 9@35°1 | ||
| Hull Sides, Lower | 9@0°1 | ||
| Hull Rear | 9@11°1 & 9@36°1 | ||
| Hull Top | 6@90°1 | ||
| Hull Bottom | 5@90°1 | ||
| Superstructure Front | 10@8°1 gun shield: 10@8°1 |
||
| Superstructure Sides | 9@12°1 | ||
| Superstructure Rear | 7@12°1 | ||
| Superstructure Top | Open1 | ||
| Engine (Make / Model) | DelaHaye 103 TT1 De la Haye3 |
Delahaye4 | |
| Bore / stroke | |||
| Cooling | Water3 | ||
| Cylinders | 61, I-63 | 64 | |
| Capacity | |||
| Net HP | 70@2,800 rpm1 702,3 |
704 | |
| Power to weight ratio | |||
| Compression ratio | |||
| Transmission (Type) | 5 forward, 1 reverse.1,3 Mechanical with crash type manually operated gearbox3 |
||
| Steering | Clutch brake, controlled differential3 | ||
| Steering ratio | |||
| Starter | |||
| Electrical system | |||
| Ignition | |||
| Fuel (Type) | Gasoline3 | Petrol4 | |
| Octane | |||
| Quantity | |||
| Road consumption | |||
| Cross country consumption | |||
| Performance | |||
| Traverse | 5° left, 5° right.1,2 , ±7°3 | ||
| Max speed | 22 mph3 34 kph1,2 |
22 mph4 35 kph4 |
|
| Cross country speed | |||
| Road radius | 84 miles3 135 km1 |
84 miles4 135 km4 |
|
| Cross country radius | |||
| Turning radius | |||
| Elevation limits | -0° to +40°1,2,3 | ||
| Fording depth | 33.5"3 | ||
| Trench crossing | 5.9'3 | ||
| Vertical obstacle | 22"3 | ||
| Climbing ability | 24° (45%) slope3 | ||
| Suspension (Type) | Pairs of road wheels sprung on semi-elliptic springs3 | ||
| Wheels each side | 12x2, 63 | ||
| Return rollers each side | 3, 43 | ||
| Tracks (Type) | Dry pin3 | ||
| Length | |||
| Width | 9.5" (shoe 8.5")3 | ||
| Diameter | |||
| Number of links | 1093 | ||
| Pitch | 3.25"3 | ||
| Tire tread | Rubber | ||
| Track centers/tread |
Sources:
- Encyclopedia of German Tanks of World War Two, Peter Chamberlain and Hilary Doyle, 1999
- Jane's World War II Tanks and Fighting Vehicles The Complete Guide, Leland Ness, 2002
- Tank Data, Aberdeen Proving Grounds Series, 1968?
- World Encyclopedia of Armored Fighting Vehicles, Jack Livesey, 2006
