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Germany's Geschützwagen-Lorraine Schlepper(f), GWLrS(f)
Lorraine Schlepper 10.5 cm FH18 auf GW: |
Lorraine Schlepper 15cm FH13 Self Propelled Gun: |
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.3 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.2 The 90 lb HE shell had a muzzle velocity of 1,250'/sec.2
Conversion
The rear suspension was strengthened to handle the placement of a gun mount in the cargo area.3 A spade was place in the rear of the 15cm FH13 conversion to assist in stabilizing the vehicle when it fired.3
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, Alkett2
- Chassis #s: 731001-1
Variants
- 10.5cm le FH 18 auf GW Lorraine Schlepper (f):
- 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):
Usage
Afrika Korps
Ten Lorraine Schlepper 15cm FH13s were issued to Panzerartillerie Abteilung of the 21st Panzer Division in North Africa in July 1942.3 Eleven were issued to the 15th Panzer Division.3 Used at the Battle of El Alemein.2 By November 1942 all had been destroyed or captured.3
Northwest Europe
There were 54 15cm FH13s and 37 10.5cm FH18s were in service on June 6, 1944, on the Western Front.3
| sFH 13/1 auf Lorraine Schlepper SdKfz 135/1 | Lorraine Schlepper 15cm FH13 | Lorraine Schlepper 10.5cm FH18 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 41,2 | 43 | |
| Radio | FuG Spr f1 | FuG Spr f1 | FuG Spr f1 |
| Physical Characteristics | |||
| Weight | 8.49 tons1, 9.4 tons2 | 8.5 tons3 8,636 kg3 |
|
| Length w/gun | 15.7'2 5.31 m1 |
17' 5"3 5.31 m3 |
|
| Length w/o gun | |||
| Height | 7.2'2 2.23 m1 |
7' 4"3 2.23 m3 |
|
| Width | 6.1'2 1.83 m1 |
6'3 1.83 m3 |
|
| Width over tracks | |||
| Ground clearance | 11.8"2 | ||
| Ground contact length | 108"2 | ||
| Ground pressure | 9.2 psi2 | ||
| Turret ring diameter | |||
| Armament | |||
| Main | 150 mm S.F.H. 13, L/172 | 5.91" sFH13/13 150 mm sFH13/13 150 mm sFH13/1 L/171 |
105 mm leFH18/40 L/281 |
| Secondary | |||
| MG | 1: 0.312" MG343 1: 7.92 mm MG343 |
||
| Side arms | |||
| Quantity | |||
| Main | 82 | 81 | 201 |
| Secondary | |||
| MG | |||
| Side arms | |||
| Armor Thickness (mm) | Front: 0.4"2 Side: 0.4"2 |
103 | |
| 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 Haye2 |
Delahaye3 | |
| Bore / stroke | |||
| Cooling | Water2 | ||
| Cylinders | 61, I-62 | 63 | |
| Capacity | |||
| Net HP | 70@2,800 rpm1 702 |
703 | |
| Power to weight ratio | |||
| Compression ratio | |||
| Transmission (Type) | 5 forward, 1 reverse.1,2 Mechanical with crash type manually operated gearbox2 |
||
| Steering | Clutch brake, controlled differential2 | ||
| Steering ratio | |||
| Starter | |||
| Electrical system | |||
| Ignition | |||
| Fuel (Type) | Gasoline2 | Petrol3 | |
| Octane | |||
| Quantity | |||
| Road consumption | |||
| Cross country consumption | |||
| Performance | |||
| Traverse | 5° left, 5° right.1, ±7°2 | ||
| Max speed | 22 mph2 34 kph1 |
22 mph3 35 kph3 |
|
| Cross country speed | |||
| Road radius | 84 miles2 135 km1 |
84 miles3 135 km3 |
|
| Cross country radius | |||
| Turning radius | |||
| Elevation limits | -0° to +40°1,2 | ||
| Fording depth | 33.5"2 | ||
| Trench crossing | 5.9'2 | ||
| Vertical obstacle | 22"2 | ||
| Climbing ability | 24° (45%) slope2 | ||
| Suspension (Type) | Pairs of road wheels sprung on semi-elliptic springs2 | ||
| Wheels each side | 12x2, 62 | ||
| Return rollers each side | 3, 42 | ||
| Tracks (Type) | Dry pin2 | ||
| Length | |||
| Width | 9.5" (shoe 8.5")2 | ||
| Diameter | |||
| Number of links | 1092 | ||
| Pitch | 3.25"2 | ||
| Tire tread | Rubber | ||
| Track centers/tread |
Sources:
- Encyclopedia of German Tanks of World War Two, Peter Chamberlain and Hilary Doyle, 1999
- Tank Data, Aberdeen Proving Grounds Series, 1968?
- World Encyclopedia of Armored Fighting Vehicles, Jack Livesey, 2006
