Geschützwagen III/IV für 15cm s.F.H. 18/1 (Sf.)

Overview

Geschützwagen III/IV für 15cm s.F.H. 18/1 (Sf.)
General Data
Type	Self-Propelled Howitzer
Place of Origin	Germany (Deutsches Reich)
Designed by	Alkett Rheinmetall
Manufacturer	DEW (construction) DRW (armour) Deutsche Eisenwerke AG (assembly) Nordbau (engines) Spreewerk (armament)
Serial Numbers	Fgst.Nr. Serie 320001 - 320813 Fgst.Nr. Serie 325001 - 325050
In Service	1943 - ?
Designations
Sd.Kfz. Designation (List)	Sd.Kfz. 165
Development
Developed Into	See variants
Armament
Main Gun	15cm s.F.H. 18/1 (18-rnds)
Main Gun Sights	Rblf.36
Traverse	-13° to +15°
Elevation	-3° to +12°
Crew Weaponry	2 x 9x19mm Parabellum M.P. 38 (384-rounds) 1 x 7,92x57mm M.G. 34 (?-rnds)
Fire Height	2.30m
Misc Specs
Crew	6; • Commander • Gunner • Gunner • Gunner • Gunner • Driver
Internal Communication	Bordsprechgerät
External Communication	Fu.Spr.Ger. "f"
Dimensions
Weight	22,000kg
Length	7.17m (overall)
Width	2.97m
Height	2.81m
Wheelbase	2.52m
Automotive
Engine	Maybach HL 120 TRM V-12, water-cooled 11.9 liter gasoline 285 HP @ 2800 rpm
Power/Weight	11.5hp/t
Transmission/Gearbox	ZF SSG 77
Gears	6 forward, 1 reverse • -1: 5.8km/h • 1: 4.7km/h • 2: 9.0km/h • 3: 15.2km/h • 4: 23.0km/h • 5: 32.6km/h • 6: 42.0km/h
Ground Pressure	0.82kg/cm²
Ground Clearance	0.40m
Fuel Capacity	400 liters
Operational Range	215km (on-road) 130km (off-road)
Speed	42km/h (maximum) 25km/h (on-road)
Trench Crossing	2.30m
Suspension
Suspension	Leaf spring
Maximum Grade	30°
Vertical Obstacles	0.60m
Roadwheels	8
Roadwheel Diameter	470mm
Roadwheel Materials	Rubber tires
Return Rollers	4
Drive Sprocket	Front
Idler Sprocket	Rear
Track Type	Kgs 61/400/120 Dry pin
Pitch	120mm
Track Ground Contact	3.52m
Links	104
Track Width	400mm

The Geschützwagen III/IV für 15cm s.F.H. 18/1 (Sf.) (abbreviated as G.W. III/IV für 15cm s.F.H. 18/1 (Sf.)), also known as Hummel, is a German self-propelled howitzer developed in the early 1940s.

Names

Hummel Suggestivname. Ordered to be discontinued in February 1944. Geschützwagen III K.St.N. 461b, 16 Jan 1943 schwere Feldhaubitze 18/1 (Sf.) auf Geschützwagen IV D 2026, 1 Jul 1943 Geschützwagen III/IV "Hummel" für s.F.H. 18/1 (Sd.Kfz. 165) In 6, 6 Aug 1943 Geschützwagen III/IV K.St.N. 461b, 1 Nov 1943 Geschützwagen III/IV für s.F.H. 18/1 (Sf.) (Sd.Kfz. 165) In 6, 18 Mar 1944 schwere Panzerhaubitze auf Sd.Kfz. 165 K.St.N.431, 1 May 1944 schwere Panzerhaubitze 18/1 auf Fgst.Pz.Kpfw. III/IV (Sf.) (Sd.Kfz. 165) Wa Prüf, Oct 1944

Development

The Grille and Heuschrecke began development in Spring 1942, but were going to take some time before being ready for series production. The OKH decided to develop a new self-propelled howitzer as an interim solution. Rheinmetall and Alkett (together) were awarded contracts to create a new mid-engined chassis utilizing automotive components from the Pz.Kpfw. III and Pz.Kpfw. IV chassis'. The submitted design consisted of the following design choices;

• HL 120 TRM engine, cooling system, suspension, idler, and track tension adjustment system from the Pz.Kpfw. IV.
• Final drive and ZF SSG 77 transmission utilized from the Pz.Kpfw. III.
• Upper superstructure armour consisting of 10mm E11 chrome-silicon plates hardened to 153kg/mm², capable of protection against shell fragments.
• Front hull armour consisting of 30mm E32 face-hardened chrome-nickel plates.
• Rest of the hull armour consisting of SM-Stahl (carbon-steel) hardened to 75 to 90kg/mm², capable of protection against armour-piercing 7,92x57mm ammunition (equivalent of 14.5mm of E11).
• 15cm s.F.H. 18/1 mounted on a base plate above the engine compartment.
• Two M.P. 38 and one M.G. 34 for the crew.
• Fu.Spr.Ger. f radio system, and Bordsprechgerät for internal communication.

Because only 18 rounds were carried by the vehicle, plans were made to make an ammunition carrier based on the same chassis. The Geschützwagen III/IV für Munition was developed, and would take combat models from the factory floor and convert them.

Deutsche Eisenwerke AG was awarded contract SS210-8911/43 to assemble the vehicles. The initial contract called for 500 (including ammunition carriers) was filed. 20 were constructed at Werk Teplitz Schönau, while the remainder were to be constructed at Werk Stahlindustrie (lgt).

Production Numbers

Date	Hummel	Hummel (munition)	Notes
Jan 1943	0	-
Feb 1943	5	-
Mar 1943	26	-
Apr 1943	49	0
May 1943	35	5
Jun 1943	26	9
Jul 1943	30	10
Aug 1943	38	2
Sep 1943	30	19
Oct 1943	43	14
Nov 1943	51	20
Dec 1943	35	17
Jan 1944	32	13
Feb 1944	50	18
Mar 1944	47	13
Apr 1944	35	6
May 1944	29	4
Jun 1944	4	0
Jul 1944	0	0
Aug 1944	50	0
Sep 1944	13	0
Oct 1944	0	0	Shortages of transmissions and engines preventing production.
Nov 1944	5	7
Dec 1944	24	0
Jan 1945	42	0
Feb 1945	5	0
Mar 1945	1	0
Apr 1945	0	0
May 1945	0	0	One unfinished Hummel at the factory on 6 May 1945.
Total	705	157

Actual production didn't end up like this, with Werk Stahindustrie producing the majority. Stahlindustrie produced 705 Hummel and 107 ammunition carrier variants, with Teplitz Schönau not producing any Hummels except for 50 ammunition carriers. Wa J Rue was responsible for reporting the completed vehicles, and had reported only a single Hummel at the factory on 6 May 1945.

Modifications

The Hummel received modifications during production;

• Revised track guards, removal of right-side headlight. (15 May 1943)
• Removal of the exhaust muffler, addition of tow hooks. (23 Jun 1943, enacted Aug 1943)
• Revised driver's compartment and front plate. (6 Dec 1943, enacted Feb 1944 from Fgst.Nr. 320501)
• Strengthened final drive. (July 1944)
• Revised cooling intake and exhaust (7 Dec 1943, enacted Aug 1944)

Conclusion

The Hummel was originally intended to fill the gap in production for the Wespe and Grille, but ended up becoming its own class of self-propelled howitzer. The vehicle was issued to most armoured divisions and a few select artillery units, and saw extensive service.

The Hummel would receive competition in the form of projects to replace it, many such projects were undertaken but ultimately none would enter series production before the war ended.

Variants

Geschützwagen III/IV für s.F.H. 18/1 (Sf.) (Sd.Kfz. 165) "Hummel" Self-propelled howitzer. Geschützwagen III/IV für Munition Ammunition carrier. Derivatives leichter Panzerhaubitze auf Hummel Fahrgestell "Hummel-Wespe" Hummel armed with the 10,5cm le.F.H. 18/40 instead of the 15cm s.F.H. 18/1.

Service History

The Hummel was issued in accordance with K.St.N. 461b as a Batterie schwere Feldhaubitze 18/1 (6 Geschütz) (Sfl.). Six vehicles were assigned to a battery, which would be usually deployed alongside two Wespe batteries, under a Panzer-Division. This was later revised to add two ammunition carriers to the battery, starting May 1943.

For independent artillery units, 14 Hummel and 9 Muni-Kfz. were assigned.

First combat usage of the Hummel was on 5 July 1943 during Operation Zitadelle.

Unit	Amount	Date	Chassis No.	Notes
1. Panzer-Division	6	30 Jun 1943	320020, 320025, 320028, 320029, 320032, 320034
	6	31 Dec 1943
2. Panzer-Division	6	30 Jun 1943	Unknown
	6	31 Dec 1943
3. Panzer-Division	6	31 Dec 1943	Unknown
4. Panzer-Division	6	30 Jun 1943	320095, 320096, 320099, unknown others
	6	31 Dec 1943
5. Panzer-Division	?	?	Unknown
6. Panzer-Division	6	30 Jun 1943	320047, 320067, 320071, 320075, 320081, 320097
	6	31 Dec 1943
7. Panzer-Division	6 (Z)	30 Jun 1943	320106, 320112, 320113, 320115, 320121, 320123
	6	31 Dec 1943
8. Panzer-Division	6	31 Dec 1943	320287, 320303, 320306, 320310, 320314, 320318
9. Panzer-Division	6 (Z)	30 Jun 1943	Unknown
	6	31 Dec 1943
11. Panzer-Division	6	30 Jun 1943	320052, 320069, 320073, 320078, 320094, 320095
	6	31 Dec 1943
12. Panzer-Division	6 (Z)	30 Jun 1943	Unknown
	6	31 Dec 1943
13. Panzer-Division	6 (Z)	30 Jun 1943	Unknown
	6	31 Dec 1943
14. Panzer-Division	6	30 Jun 1943	Unknown
	6	31 Dec 1943
16. Panzer-Division	6	30 Jun 1943	Unknown
	7	31 Dec 1943
17. Panzer-Division	6	30 Jun 1943	Unknown
	7	31 Dec 1943
19. Panzer-Division	6	31 Dec 1943	320164, 320175, 320178, 320182, 320183, 320184
20. Panzer-Division	6 (Z)	30 Jun 1943	Unknown
	6	31 Dec 1943
23. Panzer-Division	6	31 Dec 1943	Unknown
24. Panzer-Division	6	30 Jun 1943	Unknown
	6	31 Dec 1943
25. Panzer-Division	6	30 Jun 1943	320122, 320136, 320157, 320158, 320159, 320160
	6	31 Dec 1943
26. Panzer-Division	6	30 Jun 1943	Unknown
	6	31 Dec 1943
90. Panzergrenadier-Division	6	30 Jun 1943	Unknown
	6	31 Dec 1943
Panzergrenadier-Division Großdeutschland	6	30 Jun 1943	320012, 320018, 320019, 320022, 320026, 320027
	6	31 Dec 1943
II./Art.Rgt.42	4	31 Dec 1943	Unknown
II./Art.Rgt.63	14	31 Dec 1943	Unknown
II./Art.Rgt.71	14	31 Dec 1943	Unknown
II./Art.Rgt.843	14	31 Dec 1943	Unknown
s.Art.Abt.101	14 (Z)	31 Dec 1943	320348, 320387, 320389, 320392, 320400, 320402, 320406, 320408, 320412, 320414, 320415, 320422, 320423, 320425
Art.Abt.536	14	31 Dec 1943	Unknown
s.Art.Abt.845	14	31 Dec 1943	Unknown
Fallschirm-Panzer-Division 1 Hermann Göring	6	31 Dec 1943	Unknown
18.Art.Div.	6 (Z)	30 Jun 1943	320130, 320143, unknown others
	4	31 Dec 1943
1. SS-Panzer-Division "LSSAH"	6	30 Jun 1943	320033, 320035, 320037, 320041, 320042, 320044
	6	31 Dec 1943
2. SS-Panzer-Division "Das Reich"	6	30 Jun 1943	320046, 320051, 320076, 320083, 320084, 320087
	6	31 Dec 1943
3. SS-Panzer-Division "Totenkopf"	6	30 Jun 1943	320049, 320065, 320082, 320089, 320098, 320100
	6	31 Dec 1943
5. SS-Panzer-Division "Wiking"	6	31 Dec 1943	Unknown
9. SS-Panzer-Division "Hohenstaufen"	6	31 Dec 1943	320211, 320213, 320217, 320226, 320228, 320231
10. SS-Panzer-Division "Frundsberg"	6	31 Dec 1943	320200, 320201, 320215, 320216, 320221, 320223

Experience

Various faults were reported during usage;

• Continuous employment lead to poorly trained replacements and usage of spare parts. An issue present for any vehicle.
• An occurrence of a gear breaking off, resulting in the entire mounting shattering.
• Bolts would break off, and as a result the final drive housing would break off. Thought to be a result of turning the vehicle on the spot.
• Numerous failures of the idler wheel mounting. Thought to be a result of turning the vehicle on the spot.
• Reported to be unsuitable in moutainous terrain, such as the southern Eastern Front, and in Italy. The troops even call for their towed artillery back.
• The engine is too weak, compared to motorized artillery the Hummel and Wespe are a third of the speed.
• The final drive would occasionally break down while attempting to steer through tight curves in mountainous environments.
• Brakes, brake linings, and rivets, are overtaxed on poor terrain, resulting in break downs and expenditure of all spare parts.
• Other issues were not seen as a major problem, including loosening rivets, and coolant leaking.

Various strengths were also reported;

• Reported to be successful in both offensive and defensive battles.
• When deployed in accordance to K.St.N. 461b, the ratio of fire from the 1/3 Hummel and 2/3 Wespe is a perfect mixture.
• Reported to excel in the Eastern Front.

Germany (Deutsches Reich) Land Vehicles 1919 - 1945

Half-Tracked Vehicles
Offensive / Defensive	SPAA	2cm Fla.K. 30 auf Fgst. le.Zgkw. 1t • 2cm Fla.K. 38 auf Fgst. le.Zgkw. 1t • 2cm Fla.K. 38 (Sf.) auf le.Zgkw. 1t • 2cm Fla.K. 38 Vierling (Sf.) auf m.Zgkw. 8t • 3,7cm Fla.K. 43/1 auf Sfl. s.W.S. • 5cm Fla.K. 41 (Sf.) auf m.Zgkw 5t • 8,8cm Fla.K. 18 (Sfl.) auf s.Zgkw 12t • 8,8cm Fla.K. 37 (Sfl.) auf s.Zgkw 18t
	Armoured Recon	le.S.P.W. (2cm) • le.S.P.W. (3,7cm) aA • le.S.P.W. (3,7cm) nA • Pz.Spw. RK A
	Fire Support	le.S.P.W. (7,5cm) • le.S.P.W. (s.Pz.B. 41)
	SPM	8cm R-vielfachwerfer auf Fahgestell S 303(f) • leichter Schützenpanzerwagen (schwerer Granatwerfer) • mittlerer Schützenpanzerwagen S307(f)
	SPRA	8cm R.W. auf Fgst. S303(f) • 8cm Reihenwerfer auf Fahgestell S303(f)
	SPATG	5cm PaK 38 (Sf) auf leichter Zugkraftwagen 1t • 7,5cm PaK 40 (Sf) auf Fahrgestell S 307(f) • 8,8cm FlaK 18 (Sf) auf schwerer Zugkraftwagen 12t • 8,8cm FlaK 37 (Sfl.) auf schwerer Zugkraftwagen 18t • leichter Schützenpanzerwagen mit Sfl 5cm PaK 38 L/60 • Panzerjäger S307(f) mit 7,5cm PaK 40 L/46
Utility	Ammunition Carriers	l.gp.Mun.Tr.Kw. • le.Mun.Pz.Wg. (A • B)
	Command	le.Beob.Pz.Wg. n.A.
	Communication & Cable Related	kl.Kett.Krad. f. Fe.Kab. • kl.Kett.Krad. f. s.Fe.Kab. • leichter Fernsprechpanzerwagen • leichter Funkpanzerwagen
	Engineering	m.S.P.W. (Pi)
	Observation, Spotting & Survey	leichter gepanzerter Beobachtungskraftwagen • leichter Beobachtungspanzerwagen Alte • le.Messtrupp-Pz.Wg. • m.S.P.W. (IR)
	Transport & Towing	gepanzerter Transportkraftwagen P380(f) • kl.Kett.Krad • leichter Schützenpanzerwagen Series • leichter Schützenpanzerwagen Alte • le.S.P.W. n.A. • le.S.P.W. U304(f) • le.Zgkw 1t • le.Zgkw 3t • le.Zgkw S307(f) • m.gep.Zgkw S303(f) • m.Zgkw 5t • m.Zgkw 8t • S.P.W. M2(a) • S.P.W. M3(a) • s.Zgkw 12t • s.Zgkw 18t • Zgkw P302(b) • Zgkw P302(f) • Zgkw P304(f)

Sources
Books	Online	Documents
• Panzer Tracts No. 10-1 • Panzer Tracts No. 23