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Germany's 15-cm schwere Infantriegeschütz 33^1,2,
15-cm sIG 33^1,2

The German army issued requirements in the early 1920s for a 15 cm howitzer.¹ Development started in 1927 by Rheinmetall-Börsig and was approved for service in 1933.¹ They were issued to infantry battalions starting in 1936.¹

Design

It was a short barreled gun set on a box trailed carriage.¹ Early production had steel wheels with metal rims for use with horses.¹ The rims were later replaced with rubber for towing by motorized vehicles.¹

Use in the Field

Some complaints were that it was too heavy as a large team of horses had to be used to tow it.¹ Once it was in place it was also hard to get it ready to move out.¹

Often the sIG 33 was towed by horses, but trucks and half tracks were used when available.¹

Special Ammunition

For use against strong points a muzzle loaded stick bomb, the Stielgranate 42, was used.¹ It has a short rage.¹

Sources:

1. The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II, 1998, Chris Bishop
2. The Encyclopedia of Weapons from World War II to the Present Day, 2006, Chris Bishop