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Germany's 15-cm schwere Feldhaubitze 181
15-cm sFH 181
In 1933 Krupp was selected to make the carriage and Rheinmetall the carriage for the 15 cm gun.1,3 This became the standard field howitzer for the army.1,3
The early version was made to be towed by horses and was split into two loads.1 Soon it was designed to be towed by a half track.1
Use in Russia
When compared to the Soviet 152 mm, it was outclassed by the range.1,3 Attempts were made to increase the 15-cm's range by adding two additional propellant charges, but these were found to cause excessive wear on the gun and the carriage.1
Use in Self-Propelled Guns
Was placed in the Hummel.1
Use in the Atlantic Wall
Naval units were given sFH 18s to be used in the Atlantic Wall defences.1
Other Country Use
Italy (obice da 149/28) and Finland (m/40) were supplied with some models.1,3
15-cm sFH 18(M)1,3
These had muzzle brake installed to help reduce coil but wasn't a great success and few were modified.1,3
| 15-cm schwere Feldhaubitze 18 | |
|---|---|
| Caliber | 5.87"3 149 mm1,3, 150 mm2 |
| Length of gun | 14' 6.8"1,3, 14.75 '2 4.44 m1,3, 4.495 m2 |
| Length of bore | 13.53'2 4.125 m2 |
| Rifling | 40 grooves2 Right hand twist, 1/36 to 1/182 |
| Weight traveling | 13,898 lb1,3 6,304 kg1,3 |
| Weight in action | 12,152 lb1,3, 12,154 lb2 5,512 kg1,2,3 |
| Elevation | -3° to + 45°1,2,3 |
| Traverse | 60°1,3, 64°2 |
| Muzzle Velocity | 1,706'/sec1,3 520 m/sec1,3 |
| Range of shell | 14,490 yards2, 14,570 yards1,3 13,250 m2, 13,325 m1,3 |
| Shell weight | 95.9 lb1,3 43.5 kg1,3 HE: 95.92 lb2 HE: 43.5 kg2 |
| Breech mechanism | horizontal sliding block, percussion fired2 |
Sources:
- The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II, 1998, Chris Bishop
- German Artillery of World War Two, 1997, Ian V. Hogg
- The Encyclopedia of Weapons from World War II to the Present Day, 2006, Chris Bishop
