Germany's Panzerfeldhaubitze 18M auf GW III/IV SdKfz 165 Hummel "Bumble Bee"; 15 cm S.F.H. 18/1 (sf) Auf GW IV, "Hummel", SdKfz 164

Photos

Hummel


Hummel


Hummel


Hummel

Hummel in a SS Artillery Regiment


Hummel


Hummel on February 15, 1944 in Russia⁷:


Hummel self propelled gun⁷:

Hummel self propelled gun⁷:

Warpics

Hummel


Hummel self propelled gun:


Destroyed Hummel self propelled gun:

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60190:

Design

The Waffenamt wanted to provide artillery support to armored units. They had proposed putting an 105 mm leFH to be mounted on a PzKpfw III or IV chassis but it was found a 15cm gun could be mounted instead.⁴ On July 25, 1942, this was changed to mount a 15 cm sFH, since the PzKpfw II could mount the 105 leFH.

Was originally nicknamed the Hummel (bumble bee), but Hitler order that the name be dropped on February 27, 1944.⁵

Armament

Early vehicles had muzzle brake installed but it was found that these were unnecessary and were removed from production in 1944.^4,7

The 96 lb HE shell was fired at a muzzle velocity of 1,706'/sec and had a maximum range of 14,490 yards.⁶

Chassis

Built on the Geschützwagen III/IV chassis, which was a hybrid of the PzKpfw III and IV.^5,7,8 Developed on a PzKpfw IV chassis that was lengthened and used the drive assemblies, track, and transmission from a PzKpfw III. The engine was moved to the center as the fighting compartment was in the rear.

Crew

Early models had the glacis plate extended and a compartment for the driver was made on the left side.⁴ From early 1944 the crew compartment went all the way across the front and the radio operator was also placed in it.^4,7

The gun crew was exposed to the elements and some would place canvas covers over them.⁴

Prototype

Alkett presented a prototype to Hitler in October 1942.⁴ An order was then placed to have 100 ready by May 12, 1943, in time for the Kursk offensive.⁴

Production

Armor was supplied by Stahlindustrie (Deutsche Röhrenwerke) of Mülheim/Ruhr and Deutsche Edelstahl in Hanover.

• Hummel: >600⁸, 666^4,5, 714¹
  • Production: 1941 - ?¹, 1942⁷, December 1942 - June 1944⁵
    • December 1942: 12
  • Manufacturer: Alkett², Deutsche-Eisenwerke^2,5, Krupp-Alkett⁶
• Munitionsträger Hummel: 150 converted⁸, 157 converted⁴

Variants

• Hummel:
• Oskette: Had wider tracks for use in the winters on the Eastern Front.⁸
• Munitionsträger Hummel: Had no gun and used as ammunition carriers as trucks weren't as able to keep up with the Hummels.^4,8 Carried 40 rounds.⁴

Usage

Issued to artillery formations of the Panzer and Panzergrenadier divisions from 1942 on.⁸

Well Liked

The crews of the Hummel liked the vehicle as it has lots of room and was able to keep up with the other vehicles in the division.⁸

Kursk

The Hummels were first used in combat at the Battle of Kursk in July 1943.⁸

Specifications