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):
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. 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
Had the FuG Spr f radio installed.1
Was issued to Panzerartillerie Abteilung of the 21st Panzer Division in North Africa. There were 54 15cm sFH in service at the beginning of 1944 on the Western Front.
Used at the Battle of El Alemein.3
10.5cm le FH 18 auf GW Lorraine Schlepper (f):
| sFH 13/1 auf Lorraine Schlepper SdKfz 135/1 | |
|---|---|
| Crew | 41,3 |
| Physical Characteristics | |
| Weight | 8.49 tons1,2, 9.4 tons3 |
| Length w/gun | 15.7'3 5.31 m1,2 |
| Length w/o gun | |
| Height | 7.2'3 2.23 m1,2 |
| Width | 6.1'3 1.83 m1,2 |
| 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 FH13: 150 mm sFH13/1 L/171 FH18: 105 mm leFH18/40 L/281 |
| Secondary | |
| MG | |
| Side arms | |
| Quantity | |
| Main | 83 FH13: 81,2 FH18: 201 |
| Secondary | |
| MG | |
| Side arms | |
| Armor Thickness (mm) | Front: 0.4"3, 102 Side: 0.4"3, 92 |
| 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 |
| Bore / stroke | |
| Cooling | Water3 |
| Cylinders | 61, I-63 |
| Capacity | |
| Net HP | 70@2,800 rpm1 702,3 |
| 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 |
| Octane | |
| Quantity | |
| Road consumption | |
| Cross country consumption | |
| Performance | |
| Traverse | 5° left, 5° right.1,2 , ±7°3 |
| Max speed | 22 mph3 34 kph1,2 |
| Cross country speed | |
| Road radius | 84 miles3 135 km1 |
| 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 roadwheels 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 | |
| Production | Alfred Becker1 Assembled by Alfred Becker of Krefeld, Alkett3 Chassis #s: 731001-1 FH13: 7/1942: 94 converted1 FH18: 1942: 12 converted1 |
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?
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