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Versailles - name, which in the 1920s. It was also associated primarily not with a luxurious palace complex in the vicinity of Paris, and with the peace treaty of 1918. One of the results of the First World War was the elimination of the military power of Germany. The winners took care of this. Special attention was paid artillery. Germany was forbidden to have a heavy artillery, and in the park field left only two types of artsystem - 77-mm guns F.K. 16 and 105-mm Light Gaubes Le.f.h. 16. The number of the latter was limited to 84 units (at the rate of 12 units per seven divisions of the Reichsver), and the wip to them should not exceed 800 shells on the trunk.
Gaubitiza le.f.h. 18, manufactured in 1941
A similar decision contradicted the experience of the accumulated German army during the Great War. By the beginning of hostilities, the field artillery of the German divisions (as well as French and Russians) consisted mainly of light guns, ideal for a maneuverable war. But the transition of hostilities in the positional phase opened all the disadvantages of these artillery systems, primarily the flooring of the fire and the lowest power of the projectile, which in the aggregate did not allow effectively to affect field fortifications. The German command quickly learned lessons, quickly equipped with the troops with field warmts. If the ratio of the number of guns to the Gaubits in 1914 was 3: 1, then in 1918 - only 1.5: 1. Versailles the same treatise meant rollback back not only in the absolute number of leaders, but also in the specific weighing of these guns in the Rayxver Artillery Park. Naturally, such a situation was in no way satisfied with the military leadership of Germany. Already in the mid-1920s. It was clearly aware of the need if not quantitative, then high-quality improvement of artillery, especially since LE.F.H.16 Gaubice gradually obsolete.
Versailles Agreement allowed Germany's current production of a certain number of artsystem to replenish losses due to wear. Regarding 105-mm Gaubitz, this amount was determined in 14 guns per year. But important were not quantitative indicators, but the principal opportunity to maintain the artillery industry. In the focus "Krupp" and "Reinmetall" there were design bureaus, but their activities were shot by the presence of inspectors of the Inter-Unionic Military Control Commission. This commission officially completed its work on February 28, 1927. Thus, the path to the creation of new artsystem was opened, and on June 1 of the same year, the arms department of the land forces (Heerswaffenamt) decided to start the development of an improved version of Le.F.h. sixteen.
Work on the Gaubitz was conducted by Reinmetal Concern. Almost immediately it became clear that the tool would be truly new, and not just a modification of the previous sample. The main improvements were dictated by the requirements of the military to increase the range of shooting and the angle of horizontal tip. To solve the first problem, the trunk of greater length was applied (initially 25 calibers, and in the final version of 28 calibers). The second task was solved by applying a new design booster, based on a similar node that did not go into a series of 75 mm long-range WFK gun.
By 1930, the development of a new warmness was completed, and tests began. Both design and tests were carried out in a strict secrecy atmosphere. In order to disguise the fact of creating a new artsystem, she was given the official name of 10.5 cm Leichte Feldhaubitze 18 - 10.5-cm light field warmness arr. 1918, or abbreviated LE.F.H. 18. The official instrument was adopted on July 28, 1935.
First option
Gross production of Haubitz Le.F.h. 18 began in 1935 at first it was carried out by the Rainmetallal-Borzig plant in Düsseldorf. Subsequently, the release of Gaubitz was established at enterprises in Borsigwald, Dortmund and Magdeburg. By the beginning of World War II, Wehrmacht received over 4000 le.f.h. 18, and the maximum monthly production amounted to 115 units. It seems interesting to compare the complexity of manufacturing and the cost of field guns produced at the time in Germany.
As you can see, on economic indicators Le.f.h. 18 significantly exceeded not only heavier artsystems (which is quite logical), but even 75-mm cannon.
The trunk of the new warmness was longer than the predecessor (Le.f.h.16), on 6 calibers. Its length was 28 caliber (2941mm). That is, according to this indicator Le.f.h. 18 It is possible to attribute to the Gaubes-guns. In constructive respect, the trunk was a monoblock with a screwdriver. Shutter - wedge horizontal. Right-sided trunk cut (32 cut). Anti-tooth device - hydraulic (swares - hydropneumatic).
Due to the longer trunk, it was possible to significantly improve the ballistic characteristics: the initial rate of the projectile when using the most powerful charge was 470 m / s against 395 m / s at Le.F.h. 16. Accordingly, the shooting range has increased - from 9225 to 10675 m.
As noted, in Le.f.h. 18 Used rafhes with sliding beds. The latter had a riveted construction, a rectangular cross section and equipped with coulters. The use of such a boiler allowed to increase the angle of horizontal filter compared to Le.f.h. 16 at 14 (!) Once - from 4 to 56 °. The angle of horizontal (so in the text, we are talking about the angle of vertical tip, approx. Air Force), up to + 42 ° counter + 40 °. In the prewar years, such indicators were considered quite acceptable to the Gaubitz. As you know, for everything you have to pay. So for improving fire data I had to pay weighing. Mass LE.F.h. 18 in the marching position increased compared with the predecessor more than six centners and reached almost 3.5 tons. For such an instrument, it is impossible to suitably suitable mechanical traction. But the automotive industry did not sleep for the grew, as if on yeast, Wehrmacht. Therefore, the main means of transporting most of the lungs was a six-pointed harness.
Crossing Hubitsa Le.f.h. 18 Pontoon Bridge, Western Europe, May-June 1940
The first serial Le.f.h. 18 was completed with wooden wheels. Then they were changed by cast wheels from a light alloy with a diameter of 130 cm and 10 cm wide, with 12 relief holes. The wheel was tight and equipped with a brake. The wheels of the haubs, towed by the equestrian tower, were supplied with steel tires, on top of which rubber tapes sometimes put on top. For batteries, wheels with solid rubber tires were used for batteries. Such an instrument towed (without an advance) by half-sized tractor at a speed of up to 40 km / h. Note that for artillery on horseback, there was a whole day march to overcome the same 40 km.
In addition to the basic version for the Wehrmacht, the export modification, ordered in 1939, was also prepared by the Netherlands. The Dutch Gaubitz was different from the German slightly smaller weight and even more increased shelling angles - to + 45 ° in the vertical plane and 60 ° in horizontal. In addition, it was adapted to firing the ammunition of the Dutch sample. Due to the production of enterprises Rainmetall, the production of Gaubitz to export was carried out by the factory of the Krupp concern in Essen. After the occupation of the Netherlands in 1940, about 80 Gaubitz was captured by the Germans as trophies. After changing the trunks, they were adopted by the Wehrmacht under the designation of Le.f.h. 18/39.
MotoPlet.
For shooting from 105-mm Maubitsa Le.f.h. 18 were applied six charges. The table shows the data when shooting with a standard fragmentation fugasal shell weighing 14.81 kg.
In the ammunition, the Gaubitsa included a rather wide range of shells of various purposes, namely:
- 10.5 Cm FH GR38 - a standard fragmentation-fuzkan trap weighing 14.81 kg with a charge of trinitrotoluola (TNT) weighing 1.38 kg;
- 10.5 cm pzgr - the first version of the armor-piercing projectile weighing 14.25 kg (weight TNT 0.65 kg). For shooting, a charge No. 5 was applied for firing. The initial velocity was 395 m / s, the effective range of the direct shot was 1500 m;
- 10.5 CM PZGR Rot - a modified armor-piercing shell with a ballistic tip. The weight of the projectile is 15.71 kg, explosive - 0.4 kg. When shooting charge No. 5, the initial velocity was 390 m / s, the armoredness at a distance of 1500 m at the corner of the meeting 60 ° - 49 mm;
- 10.5 cm GR39 Rot HL / A- cumulative shell weighing 12.3 kg;
- 10.5 Cm FH Gr Nb is the first version of the chimney weighing 14 kg. When the explosion gave a cloud of smoke with a diameter of 25-30 m;
- 10.5 CM FH GR38 NB - improved smoke shell weighing 14.7 kg;
- 10.5 CM SPR GR Br - incendiary shell weighing 15.9 kg;
- 10.5 cm Weip-Rot-Geshop - campaigning shell weighing 12.9 kg.
Improved modifications
The experience of the first months of World War II clearly showed that LE.F.H.18 lightweight Maubes are quite effective. But at the same time, in reports from the front there were complaints about insufficient shooting range. The simplest solution to this problem was an increase in the initial speed of the projectile by using a more powerful throwing charge. But this led to the need to reduce the power of kickback. As a result, in 1940, the production of a new Gaubitz version, equipped with a two-chamber mural brake. This system was designated le.f.h.18m (M - from Mündungsbremse, i.e. muzzle brake).
The length length le.f.h.18m with a muzzle brake was 3308 mm against 2941 mm at the base model. The weapon weight has increased - by 55 kg. Especially for the shooting at the maximum range developed a new fragmentation-fuchic shell of 10.5 CM FH GR FERN weighing 14.25 kg (TNT mass - 2.1 kg). When shooting charge No. 6, the initial velocity was 540 m / s, and the shooting range was 12325 m.
Production le.f.h. 18m continued until February 1945, a total of 6933 such guns were manufactured (in this number and a certain amount of Gaubice of the basic model released after the start of World War II). In addition, during the repair of the new trunk with the muzzle brake and the leaders of LE.F.H. eighteen.
The appearance of the next option was also dictated by the experience of hostilities - this time on the eastern front, where in roads of off-road relatively heavy le.f.h.18 lost their mobility. Even three- and five-tailed half-barrel tractors could not always overcome the autumn dismotection of 1941, what to talk about horse harvesters. As a result, in March 1942, a technical task was formulated for the design of a new, easier fauthete for 105-mm warmness. But the creation of it and the introduction of production required time. In such a situation, the designers went to improvisation, imposing the Gaubitis Le.f.h.18m trunk to the yoke of 75-mm anti-tank gun 40. The resulting "hybrid" was adopted under the designation of Le.f.h.18 / 40.
A new tool had almost a quarter ton of smaller weight in a combat position than Le.f.h.18m. But the flaws of the anti-tank cannon due to the small diameter of the wheels did not allow to introduce fire at the maximum elevation angles. I had to apply new wheels of larger diameter. The design of the muzzle brake was changed, since the old, "inherited" from le.f.h.18m was strongly damaged during the shooting of new pyline cutters 10.5 cm SPRGR 42 TS. All this delayed the beginning of the serial production of Le.f.h.18 / 40 until March 1943, when they released the first batch of ten units. By July, there were already 418 new leaders, and in total by March 1945, 10245 le.f.h.18 / 40 were manufactured (only in 1944 7807 such guns were released!). Production of Le.f.h.18 / 40 was carried out by three plants - "Shikhau" in Elbing, "Menk Und Hambrock" in Hamburg and "Krupp" in Marcstadt.
Estimated replacement
The adoption of the Gaubice Le.f.h.18 / 40 was considered as Palliatives: Still used in it, the boots were developed for a gun weighing 1.5 tons, and with the imposition of a warm barrel it turned out to be overloaded, which led to the numerous breakdowns of the chassis during operation. Over the new Gaubes caliber 105 mm continued the works of Krupp and Rainmetal-Borzig designers.
The prototype of the Kruppovskaya Gaubitsa, who received the designation Le.f.h.18 / 42, was distinguished by an elongated to 3255 mm barrel with a new dool brake. The shooting range increased slightly - up to 12700 m. Also slightly (up to 60 °), the horizontal angle of shelling increased. The weapons department of the land forces rejected this product, noting the lack of a fundamental improvement in fire characteristics compared with Le.f.h.18m and unacceptable increase in the weight of the system (over 2 tons in combat position).
The "Rhinemetal" prototype looked more promising. The gun le.f.h.42 had a shooting range 13000 and a horizontal angle of shelling 70 °. At the same time, weight in combat position was only 1630 kg. But in this case, the arms department decided to refrain from the serial release. Instead, the development of even more "advanced" projects "Krupp" and "Skoda" continued. In these warmts, completely new boilers were used, providing a circular shelling. But in the end, the Kruppov system was never embodied in the metal.
In Plzen, the Skoda plant was more successful. There were built a prototype of the new Gaubita Le.F.h.43, but did not have time to introduce into production. Thus, Le.f.h.18 and its modifications were destined to remain the basis of the Werchite field artillery until the end of the war.
Combat application
As already noted, the supply of Le.f.h.18 to the system parts began in 1935. In the same year, a fundamental decision was taken on withdrawal from the divisional artillery of guns. From now on, the artpoles of divisions were equipped with only Gaubes - 105-mm light and 150-mm heavy. It should be noted, then this decision seemed not indisputable. On the pages of a specialized press, an acute discussion was carried out about this. Supporters of the guns led, in particular, the argument that with the same caliber, the Gaubic shells are much more expensive than cannon. The opinion was also expressed that the divisional artillery with the withdrawal of guns will lose tactical flexibility. Nevertheless, management listened to the opinion of the "Gobichnaya fraction", seeking to standardize weapons, avoid multitility in production and in the troops. The essential argument in favor of Gaubitz was the desire to ensure a firing advantage over the army of neighboring countries: in most of them, the base of the divisional artillery was the cannon of a caliber of 75-76 mm.
In the pre-war period, each infantry division of the Wehrmacht had two artplods in its composition - light (three divisions of 105-mm leads on horse rod) and heavy (two divisions of 150-mm Haubitz - one on equestrian traction, another motorized). With the transition to the states of military time, heavy shelves from divisions were withdrawn. In the future, almost all of the war, the organization of the artillery of the infantry division remained unchanged: the regiment in the composition of three divisions, and in each of them there are three four-refinery batteries of 105-mm Haubitz on horse riding. The staff of the battery is 4 officers, 30 unter-officers and 137 ordinary, as well as 153 horses and 16 wagons.
Gaubitiza le.f.h.18 on position.
Ideally, the artpol of the infantry division has 36,05-mm Gaubitz. But during the fighting, not every division has had such a number of guns. In some cases, part of the Gaubitz was replaced by the trophy Soviet 76.2-mm cannons, in others - reduced the number of guns in the battery from four to three or we were replaced by a part of the Gaubic batteries by the batteries of 150 mm reactive mortars NEBELWERFER 41. Therefore, it should not be surprised by the fact that What, despite the mass production of Le.Fh18, she could not fully displace their predecessor from the troops - the LE.FH16 Gaubitsa. The latter was applied until the end of World War II.
A somewhat differed from the standard organization of the artpolkov of the VolksgrianDaderian divisions, which have been formed from the summer of 1944, there were only two divisions of the two-fourth composition, but the number of guns in the battery increased to six. Thus, the Volksgrianader division had 24 105-mm warmness.
In motorized (since 1942 - Barcerergrenaders) and tank divisions, all artillery was on mechanical traction. The four-refinery motorized battery of 105-mm Gaubice demanded a significantly less personal composition - 4 officers, 19 Unter-Officers and 96 ordinary, and only 119 people against 171 in the battery on horse riding. Moving means included five half-sized tractors (of which one spare) and 21 cars.
German Lightweight LEFH18 Caliber Caliber Light Wallside in an ambush, set for shooting direct vending.
The artillery regiment of the motorized division on the eve of the war and during the Polish campaign corresponded under the structure of the regiment of the infantry division - three three-four-four divisions (36 Gaubitz). In the future, it has been reduced to two divisions (24 guns). In the tank division initially had two divisions of 105-mm warm, since it was also a heavy division (150-mm warmness and 105-mm guns in its artpol). Since 1942, one of the lungs of the Gaubitz was replaced by a division of self-propelled artillery with the Installations "Vsezpe" and "Hummel". Finally, in 1944, a division of light haubits remained in tank divisions was subjected to reorganization: instead of three four-refinery batteries, two hexorudines were introduced into its composition.
In addition to the division artillery, part 105-mm Gaubitz came to the Artillery of the RGC. For example, in 1942, the formation of individual motorized divisions of 105-mm Haubitz began. Three divisions of lightweight Gaubitz (a total of 36 guns) were part of the 18th artillery division - the only connection of this type in the Wehrmacht, which existed from October 1943 to April 1944, at the end of 1944, the formation of folksarthlor buildings began, One of the variants of such a housing provided for the presence of a motorized division with 18 le.fh18.
German lightweight walled 105 mm lefh18 caliber, view of the government unit. Summer-autumn 1941
The standard type of tractor in motorized divisions of 105-mm Gaubitz was a three-tone half-barrel tractor SD. KFZ.11 (Leichter Zugkraftwagen 3T), less frequently used five-tailed SD. Kfz. 6 (Mittlerer Zugkraftwagen 5T). Formulated since 1942, RGK divisions were completed with the RSO tracked tractors. This machine, simple and cheap in the manufacture, was a typical "Erzats" of wartime. The maximum rate of towing the Gaubitz was only 17 km / h (versus 40 km / ch of half-sized tractors). In addition, RSO had only a double cabin, so the Gaubits were towed with an advance on which the calculation was placed.
As of September 1, 1939, there were 4845 lungs of caliber 105 mm in the Wehrmacht. The main mass was accounted for to implement Le.f.h.18, with the exception of a certain number of old systems le.f.h.16, as well as former Austrian and Czech warmness. By April 1, 1940, the Lungs Park of the Gaubitz increased to 5381 units, and by June 1, 1941 - to 7076 (this number already included systems Le.f.h. 18m).
By the end of the war, despite the huge losses, especially on the Eastern Front, the number of 105-mm Gaubitz continued to remain very large. For example, on May 1, 1944, Wehrmacht had 7996 Gaubes, and on December 1 - 7372 (though, in both cases not only towed tools, but also the self-propelled 105-mm Haubes "Vsezpe").
In addition to Germany, Le.f.h.18 and its options were armed with several more countries. Above already mentioned the supply of modified guns to Holland. The remaining foreign customers received the Gaubits in standard performance. In particular, the combat baptism of Le.f.h.18, like many other samples of weapons and military equipment, passed in Spain, where a certain amount of these guns was delivered. Even before the start of the war, such muscles were delivered to Hungary, where they received the designation 37m. During the war, Le.f.h.18 fell into Finland, as well as in Slovakia (last in 1943-1944. Received 45 leaders Le.f.h.18 for batteries on horseback and eight LE.F.H.18 / 40 for motorized batteries).
After the war, the leaders Le.f.h.18, Le.f.h.18m and Le.f.h.18 / 40 for a long time (up to the beginning of the 1960s) were in service with Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Albania and Yugoslavia. Interestingly, in the artillery parts of the same Hungary until the end of the 1940s. Used equestrian thrust. In Czechoslovakia, the German Gaubes modernized, impoverished by Le.f.h.18 / 40 trunk on the Soviet 122-mm M-30 Woods. Such an instrument received the designation Le.f.h.18 / 40n.
Total assessment
Light leaders le.f.h.18 and their improved options, beyond any doubt, played a huge role in the fighting of the Wehrmacht during World War II. It is difficult to call at least one battle in which the divisions of these guns would not take part. Gaubitiza was distinguished by reliability, a large barrel vitality, which made 8-10 thousand shots, and ease of service. At the beginning of the war, the ballistic characteristics of the gun were satisfactory. But when the Wehrmacht collided with a more modern enemy weapon (for example, with English 87.6-mm Gaubes-guns and Soviet 76,2-mm divisional guns), the situation was able to improve the deployment of mass production of LE.FH18M warm production, and then le. FH18 / 40.
. German troops used a wide range of anti-tank funds during the war: Some got from the enemy, others were the result of their own promising developments. In 1939, the standard anti-tank gun, with which the Wehrmacht entered the war was 37-mm Cancer 35/36.
Anti-tank vermachlet artillery anti-tank Pak gun 36 photo
Cancer name - standard abbreviation from Panzerabwehr Kanon - anti-tank gun. Small, with a slight weight and relatively easy-to-use gun Cancer 35 was far from ideal for meetings with heavy, protected anti-frekest armor with cars that were commissioned by the Allied Army.
photo 3,7-cm Pak 36 France close-up, June 1940
Standard German anti-tank 37-mm gun at the beginning of war cancer 35. Designed in 1920, it was easy and convenient in the battle of weapons, but in 1940 after applied at the European Theater, her calculations understood that it could not cope with Tolstoy British and French tanks armor. In fact, artilleryrs with sympathy dubbed her "Knock on the door" Because of their weak characteristics. Attempts to improve armoredness included the use of tungsten core shells and cumulative grenades with stabilizers, which were charged with the muzzle - StielGranate 41. We look at a small video, the deployment of the gun, the shelling of the elevator in Stalingrad and the death of the German calculation, as a result of attacks with tank support.
German soldiers pull an artillery tool to the river
Cancer 35 has a maximum shooting range of 4025 meters with a fuhashntal shell and could break through an angle of 30 ° C 500 meters with a regular shell or 180-mm armor with a 300 m grenade StierGranate 41. During the war, more than 20,000 of these guns were made during the war. Conscious of the shortcomings of cancer 35/36, the Wehrmacht demanded a larger gauge. Cancer Cancer 38, developed since 1938, was commissioned in 1940. Cancer 38. There was a maximum shooting range of 2652 m fugasal shell. Shell with a tungsten core she could have been pierced 55-mm armor with a distance of 1 km.
Antitank guns Wehrmacht 50mm pak 38 at the time of invasion of the Soviet infantry division of the state had 72 anti-tank guns from them 14 pieces pak 38 50-mm and 58 pcs cancer 35/36 37 mm
Anti-tank artillery of the Wehrmacht in World War II photo , guns of Skoda. The Germans also used the 47-mm anti-tank gun of the Czech company "Skoda", which was given after the annexation of Czechoslovakia in 1939. It was designated as 4.7 cm Cancer 36 (T). It weighed 400 kg in a combat position, shot 1,45-kg armor-piercing projectile with an initial speed of 900 m / s. The gun could break through 51-mm armor with 500 m.
47-mm anti-tank gun of the Czech company Skoda 4.7 cm Cancer 36 T
Another prey, which was in Austria and capitulating Poland and Denmark was the Austrian 47-mm anti-tank gun "Bole" (inlet). In Germany, she was designated 4.7 cm cancer or "Bole" and attached to mountain divisions.
47-mm Austrian Anti-Tank Bowler Photo
The appearance of KV-1, protected by thick armor, gave the urgency of the need to develop a new anti-tank gun. As a result, two new 75-mm guns were designed. Cancer 40.Produced "Rheinmetall-Borsig» (Pheinmetall-Borsig), and Cancer 41, manufactured in factories "Krupp" soon came to the army.
anti-tank wechite guns 7.5 cm Pak 40 photos
Both are quite powerful, although Cancer 40 is more efficient, increased modification of cancer 38.
German 7.5 cm Pak 40 disguised in snowy areas, Russia, February 1943 Photo
75-mm Cancer 40 gun - one of the most effective and numerous anti-tank weapons of the time of war; Cancer 40 was used on all fronts after its admission to armared in 1941. Until 1945, more than 23 LLC cannons were produced.
Moving 7.5 cm Pak 40 anti-tank gun on dirty roads of Northern France, October 1943
Gun cancer 41, with significantly improved characteristics, was a new development. The design of "Krupp" is one of the first guns with an "elongated trunk" of the commissioned. The inner opening of the barrel was gradually narrowed from the executed part to the dulley cut. Pressure for armor-piercing projectile with a tungsten core Pzgr Patr 41 (NK) increased with the movement of the projectile in the barrel, allowing a projectile exit velocity 1125 m / s.
anti-tank gun 42-mm Cancer 41 photo
The shell had a lightweight aerodynamic fairing, followed by a core of tungsten carbide. The core was the outer shell with protrusions in the center and the ground. The protrusions kept the pressure of gases while driving in the trunk. The armoredness of the newly represented improved weapon was wonderful: shells released from cancer 41 could have been pounding 145-mm armor with a range of 1 km. Fortunately for the Allies, in Germany lacked tungsten. Another problem is the replacement of the trunks: high pressure meant that gun trunks should be replaced after 500 shots. Ultimately, only 150 cannons of Cancer 41 were made.
In Germany, experimented with two narrowing trunks during the war. Little SPZ in 41 entered into service in 1942 and was considered by the German army as a heavy anti-tank gun, more preferable than gun.
Heavy anti-tank SPZ Wehrmacht rifle in 41 photos
Soldiers from Division "Great Germany" 2.8cm Anti-tank SPZB 41 rifle installed on an armored personnel SD.KFZ.250
It shot 28 mm shell of a barrel, narrowing from 28 mm in a vented part up to 20 mm on a cut, resulting in a terrible speed of 1402 m / s and a maximum range of 1km. Airborne version sPz The gun 41 - le Feldlafette 41 - weighing only 118 kg in the firing position, but as the basic variant, it could break only 50 mm armor at an angle of 30 ° to 500 m.
Adntant SPZ Gun Version in 41 - Le Feldlafette 41Photo
With a quick look of 42-mm Cancer 41 looked like a 35/36 cancer with an elongated barrel. In reality, its barrel was joined from 42 to 28 mm. The gun had a maximum shooting range of 1 km and made water 70-mm armor at an angle of 30 "with 500 m and 50mm armor with 1 km. It was not used widely, but it is known that it was used in some landing divisions in 1942-1943.
Anti-tank artillery of the Wehrmacht in World War II photo .
In 1944, Reinmetallal Plant (Rheinmetall) introduced 80-mm PAW 600 gun with a bodily charging, shooting a 2.7-kg with a cumulative charge, with a cumulative charge. It was a very advanced development for that time, the gun pierced 140-mm armor at an angle of 30 ° C 750 m, but could not open fire on the enemy outside this distance.
Sample 80 mm PAW 600 guns exhibited in Aberdeen Museum
Anti-tank gun 8.8 cm Pak 43 was developed on the basis of krupp Gerät. 42, mentioned in the article. A new cruciform bootheet is used, with a lower location, now it is much easier to hide it, the lower silhouette makes it difficult to enter the gun. To ensure the best sewn, the thicker and angular armor of the shield is used. Then to simplify the design and reduction of dimensions Pak 43. Mounted on the yoke from 105 mm field warmness.
Various modifications of PAK 43 based on 88 millimeter anti-aircraft articles Flak
Standard weapons tiger, KWK 43 tank gun, was essentially Pak 43. Several modified to arrange it in the tower.
- Models Pak 43 88 mmappeared
- in "Elephant" (the former name "Ferdinand"),
A strongly armored "elephant" was discovered, too cumbersome and mechanically unreliable. "Rhino" too slow chassis; His armor provides protection only against the fragments of shells and bullets of the caliber 30. In total, there were about 900 pieces.
88 mm Pak 43-41 anti-tank wechite tool
All versions of guns 8.8 cm Pak 43 could punch about 200 mm armor at a distance of 1000 m, which allows Pak 43. and its modifications, it is guaranteed to hit any tank opponent of the period. The projectile model 1943g 88-mm cannon has a very high initial speed, which allows artilleryrs to affect, even distant moving targets.
Ukraine, December 1943 PAK 43
The trajectory of the projectile was so flat that with some modifications, the gunner could make their own calculations of the heights of 3400 meters range for explosive shells and 4,400 meters for armor-piercing shells. The trajectory is flat, naturally, means that artilleryrs can open fire on tanks and other armored machines without prior calculation. Model 8.8 cm Pak 43,but as we have 88 mm,had certain disadvantages. With increasing the speed of the projectile, the Germans tried to reduce the weight of the gun. The result of the trunk with a significantly reduced security coefficient. Thus, the German calculations of the guns were warned not to use high-speed ammunition in gun models 1943, after shooting 500 shells, the trunk demanded a replacement. To preserve the gun barrel from erosion, they could shoot 1080 feet with fragration and 1080 feet shells per second. This ammunition gives the maximum range of only 7765 meters.
Bulky but efficient anti-tank gun PAK 43/41
Pak. 43/41 verysilent (9660 pounds) 4,381 kilograms, completely equipped weighs almost as much as the 150-mm Gaubita SFH 18. This weight eliminates the rotation of the instrument manually, the main cause of the death of the gun and the calculation, the attack of the position is not the shelling sector. Loading, led to great losses as servants of the guns and the material part. Entry into battle battle meant either victory on the battlefield, or defeat, without maneuvering capabilities. In one article it is impossible to describe the diversity of artillery weapons of the Wehrmacht used against tanks, namely antitank artillery caused the most significant damage to the tank of the allied forces.
west Kiev 41-42, shelling villages
An interesting photo, if the fire leads a machine-gunner, but the shot from the gun can cause irreparable damage to the farm, machine gunner.
Contrary to the problem, formed by artistic films, literature and computer games such as the "World of Tanks", the main opponent of Soviet tanks on the battlefield was not the tanks of the enemy, but anti-tank artillery.
Tank duels, of course, regularly happened, but not so often. Large oncoming tank battles can be counted at all over the fingers.
After the war, Abtu conducted a study on the reasons for the defeat of our tanks.
About 60% of the anti-tank artillery accounted for about 60% (from PT Sau and Zenitito), 20% lost in battles with tanks, the rest of the artillery destroyed 5%, 5% were injured on mines, the share of aviation and anti-tank infantry accompanies accounted for 10%.
The numbers are certainly strongly rounded, as it is impossible to determine exactly what each tank was destroyed. On tanks on the battlefield led fire all that could shoot. So during the battle near Kursk recorded the destruction of heavy PT Sau "Elefiant" by direct hit of 203 mm projectile. Accident of course, but the random is very indicative.
37 mm anti-tank gun RAK. 35/36.it was the main anti-tank instrument with which Germany entered the war.
The development of this gun, bypassing the restrictions imposed by the Versailles Agreement, was completed at Reinmetall Borzig in 1928. The first samples of the gun that received the name so 28 (Tankabwehrkanone, that is, the anti-tank gun is the word Panzer entered the use of later) entered the tests in 1930, and since 1932, deliveries began in troops. Reichsver received a total of 264 such guns. The gun so 28 had a barrel of 45 caliber length with a horizontal wedge shutter, providing sufficiently high rapidity - up to 20 SET / min. Rafting with sliding tubular beds provided a large angle of horizontal fitting - 60 °, but the chassis with wooden wheels was calculated only on horse rod.
By the end of the 20s, this instrument, perhaps, was the best in his class, much ahead of development in other countries. It was supplied to Turkey, Holland, Spain, Italy, Japan, Greece, Estonia, USSR and even Abyssinia. 12 such guns were delivered to the USSR, and another 499 was manufactured under license in 1931-32. The weapon was adopted as "37 mm anti-tank gun arr. 1930. " The famous Soviet "sorokapyatka" - is descended from just 29. But so German military gun did not meet because of too low mobility - sample gun in 1932. Therefore, in 1934, it was upgraded, having received a wheel with pneumatic tires allowing tugging by a car, improved faucets and an improved sight. The designation 3,7 cm Pak 35/36 (Panzerabwehrkanone 35/36) received on the instrument Wehrmacht as the primary anti means.
The horizontal shelling of the gun was 60 °, the maximum exaltation angle of the barrel is 25 °. The presence of a mechanism for automatic closing the shutter of a wetting type provided the rapidity of 12-15 shots per minute. An optical sight was used for guns.
Shooting was carried out by unitary shots: fragant and armor-piercing. 37-mm Armor-piercing projectile of this tool pierced 100 m with a thickness of 34 mm to the range. The 1940 podkalibal shell had armored airproof at this distance of 50 mm, and in addition, a special supercaliber cumulative ammunition was developed for the RAK.35 / 36 gun, with a limit range of 300 m. A total of about 16 thousand guns were built. 35/36.
Punches of RAK.35 / 36 were in service with anti-tank mouth of infantry regiments and battalions of fighters of tanks in infantry divisions. In total, the state of the infantry division has 75 37-mm anti-tank guns.
In addition to the towed variant, cancer 35/36 was established on SD armored personnel carriers. Kfz. 250/10 and SD. Kfz. 251/10 - commander machines, intelligence and motor vehicles.
In the troops used and various kinds of improvised self-propelled guns with such guns were used - on the chassis "Krupp", the trophy French tanks "Renault" UE, the British armored personnel carriers "Universal" and the Soviet semi-bronged tracked tractors "Komsomolets".
A combat baptism was received in Spain, where he demonstrated high efficiency, and then successfully used during the Polish campaign against weakened tanks and light tanks.
However, it turned out to be ineffective against the new French, British and especially Soviet tanks with anti-frequency booking. German soldiers due to low efficiency called Pak 35/36 "door hammer" or "clapper".
As of September 1, 1939, the Wehrmacht had 11,250 guns of cancer 35/36, by June 22, 1941 this quantity increased to a record 15,515 units, but in the future it was steadily decreased. By March 1, 1945, 216 cancer 35/36 were still in the troops of the Wehrmacht and SS, and 670 such guns were stored in warehouses. Most infantry divisions moved to more powerful weapons in 1943, but in a parachute and mountain divisions they remained until 1944, but in the occupying units and formations of the second line (training, spare) - until the end of the war.
In the Wehrmacht used the same 3.7 cm Pak 38 (t) - anti-tank 37-mm tool produced by the Czech company Skoda. At a distance of 100 m, the podkalibar shell had armored airproof by normal 64 mm.
The gun was made by Skoda by order of the German army, in 1939-1940, 513 guns were issued.
In 1941, BEILERER & KUNZ was developed 4.2 Cm Pak 41- anti-tank gun with a conical channel of the trunk.
It was generally similar to the Pak 36 anti-tank gun, but possessed higher initial speed and armor-proof.
The diameter of the stem channel changed from 42 mm in the executioner to 28 mm in the muzzle cut. The shell with fermented leading belts weighing 336 g broke the armor with a thickness of 87 mm from a distance of 500 m at a right angle.
The gun was produced in minor quantities in 1941-1942. Causes termination of production was the lack deficit in Germany which is made of tungsten projectile core, the complexity and high cost of production, as well as low survivability barrel. A total of 313 guns were released.
The most effective made of trophy light anti-tank cannons was 47-mm Czechoslovak Gun Rub.1936, which received the name in Germans 4,7-cm Pak36 (T).
The characteristic distinction of the gun was the muzzle brake. The shutter is a semi-automatic wedge, a hydraulic rolling brake, a spring sweatshrill. The gun had a somewhat unusual design for that time, for transportation, the trunk unfolded at 180gr. And attached to the beds. For more compact laying, both birds could be folded. The wheeled gear of the gun is tight, metal wheels with rubber tires.
In 1939, 200 units of 4.7-cm Pak36 (t) was made in Czechoslovakia and in 1940 - 4.7 cm-Pak (t) (Kzg - even 73, whereupon the production modification obr.1936g gun was started .), And for self-propelled installations - 4.7-cm Pak (T) (sf.). Production continued until 1943.
Mass production of ammunition to 4.7-cm Czechoslovatsky anti-tank guns was also established.
In the ammunition of the gun 4.7-cm Pak36 (T) included fragmentary and armor-piercing projectiles of Czech production, and in 1941. The German subcalace projectile OBR.40 was adopted for service.
The caliber armor-piercing projectile had an initial speed of 775 m / s, the effective shooting range is 1.5 km. According to the normal, the shell pierced 75-mm armor at a distance of 50 meters, and at a distance of 100 meters of 60-mm, at a distance of 500 meters of 40 mm armor.
The subcalibered projectile had an initial speed of 1080 m / s, an effective firing range of up to 500 meters. On the normal at a distance of 500 meters, he pierced 55-mm armor.
In the German army, in addition to Czech, guns captured in other countries were actively used.
By the time of the entry of Austria, the Austrian army had 357 units of 47-mm anti-tank guns M.35 / 36, created by Bochler (in a number of documents, this cannon was called infantry). In Germany it got a name 4.7-cm Pak 35/36 (O).
It consisted in the amount of 330 units in service with the Austrian army and went to the Germans as a result of "anchlus". At the request of the German army in 1940, another 150 units were released. Advanced the anti-tank mouth of the regiments of infantry divisions instead of 50-mm guns. The gun was not too high characteristics, at the initial velocity of the armor-piercing projectile -630 m / s, the armoredness at a distance of 500 m was 43 mm.
In 1940 In France, a larger number of 47-mm anti-tank guns arr.1937g was captured. Schinaera systems. Germans assigned them name 4.7cm Pak 181 (F).
The Germans used 823 French 47-mm anti-tank guns.
Gun barrel - monoblock. The shutter is a semi-automatic vertical wedge. The gun had a tight stroke and metal wheels with rubber tires. In the ammunition of the guns sent to the Eastern Front, the Germans introduced the German armor-piercing rolling shells of OBR.40.
In the ammunition of the guns 4.7-cm Pak181 (F), a French armor-piercing solid shell with a ballistic tip was included, at a distance of 400 meters along the normal calibered shell pierced 40 mm armor.
Anti-tank 5 cm Pak 38reigned by Rainmetall in 1938. However, due to a number of technical and organizational difficulties, the first two guns entered the troops only in early 1940. Large production began only at the end of 1940. A total of 9568 guns.
50-mm anti-tank guns, together with 37-mm guns, were part of the anti-tank mouth of infantry regiments. Armor-piercing projectile with a muzzle velocity of 823 m / s, at a distance of 500 meters, at right angles past 70 mm armor and Subcaliber at the same distance of 100 mm provided the penetration of armor. These guns could have to effectively deal with the T-34 and KV, however, since 1943 began to be replaced by more powerful 75-mm guns.
In 1936, the company "Reinmetal" began designing a 7.5-cm anti-tank gun, called name 7.5 cm Pak 40. However, the first 15 guns Wehrmacht was only in February 1942. In gun ammunition were both caliber armor-piercing projectiles, and piercing shells and cumulative.
It was a very effective instrument that was in production until the end of the war, it turned out to be the most numerous. A total of 23,303 guns were produced.
The armor-piercing projectile at the initial speed - 792 m / s, had armored airproof by normal at a distance of 1000 meters - 82 mm. Podcalibe with a speed of 933 m / s, pierced from 100 meters - 126 mm armor. Cumulative with any distance, at an angle of 60 degrees - 60 mm thick armor spots.
The gun was widely used to install on the chassis of tanks and armored tractors.
On March 1, 1945 The arms remained 5228 units of 7.5-cm Pak 40 cannons, of which 4695- on the wheeled flares.
In 1944 An attempt was made to create a lighter 7.5-cm anti-tank gun, called name 7.5 cm Pak 50. To create it, a 7.5-cm Pak 40 guns were taken and rooted it on 16 calibers. The muzzle brake was replaced by more powerful three-chamber. All projectiles from Pak 40 remained in the ammunition, but the length of the sleeve and the charge were reduced. As a result, the shell weighing 6.71 kg had an initial speed of about 600m / s. Reducing the weight of the trunk and the rate of return gave the opportunity to use the yoke from 5 cm Pak 38. However, the weight of the gun decreased not much and did not meet the deterioration of ballistics and armoredness. As a result, the release of 7.5 cm Pak 50 was limited to a small series.
In the course of the Polish and French company, the Germans captured several hundred 75-mm divisional guns of OBR.1897. Poles purchased these guns in France in the early 20s. Only in France, the Germans captured 5.5 million shots to these guns. Initially, the Germans used them in the original form, assigning the name of the Polish cannon 7.5 cm f.k.97 (p), and french - 7.5 cm f.k.231 (f). These guns were sent in the division of the "second line", as well as to the coastal defense of Norway and France.
Use guns arr.1897g. To combat tanks, in its original form, it was not possible because of the small angle of guidance (6 GD.) allowed by a single-ribbing faucet. The absence of a subressing did not allow anything at a speed of more than 10-12 km / h even on a good highway. However, the German designers have found output: swinging part of the 75-mm French Gun gun. 1987 was superimposed on the boat of the German 5-cm anti-tank Pak 38 guns. So it turned out the anti-tank gun 7.5 cm Pak 97/38.
The crane shutter of the gun provided relatively greater rapidness - up to 14 shots per minute. In the ammunition, German guns introduced their caliber armor-piercing projectile and three types of cumulative shells, only French were used.
The armor-piercing projectile with the initial speed of the flight - 570 m / s, according to normal, at a distance of 1000 meters, pierced -58 mm armor, cumulative, at an angle of 60 degrees - 60 mm armor.
In 1942 Wehrmacht received 2854 units of 7.5-cm Pak 97/38 cannons, and next year 858 more than 858. In 1942. The Germans made a small number of anti-tank plants, overlapping a rotating part of 7.5 cm Pak 97/40 on the chassis of the T-26 trophy tank.
These tools started the second world war, hitting the lenses of the camera duringassault post office in Danzig . They were major in the field artillery of the Wehrmacht during the Second World War, were supplied by the allies of Germany, and after the war they went through the "hot points" of the whole world - some samples and today can be seen in frames from the Middle East and Africa. Reproduced in a variety of modifications, 105 mm Gaubitalefh. 18 was a modern efficient tool, easy to maintain, which could be installed on various flaws and tracked technique. Let's try to figure it out in the history of its creation and serial release.
History of the appearance of Lefh 18
To begin, it is immediately necessary to discuss one extremely common mistake that many lovers of military history make that the number "18" in the designation of Lefh 18 is the year of adoption of the Gaubitian for weapons. This is not true. The index was assigned to hide from Western observers for compliance with Versaille restrictions a new sample of weapons - in fact, Lefh 18 was adopted on July 27, 1935. Production began slightly earlier, in 1934.
At the top of the FH 98/09 Gaubita (http://www.landships.info), at the bottom of the lead LEFH 16 (https://commons.wikimedia.org)
The impetus to the creation of Lefh 18 was the desire of the Reich master command to modernize the well-proven behavior in the battles of the First World War LEFH 16 - 105-mm light field warmness of the 1916 sample, the next gun from the line of the Gaubitz company "Krup".
In 1909, a 105-mm field leader 98/09 was adopted by the German army (Feldhaubitze 98/09), which was produced by Krupp, which, in turn, was the modernization of the field warmness of the sample of 1898 (Feldhaubitze 98). This tool had a box of a box cross section with inspirement beds, an earthen couch and shield, the trunk was a small length - 1.68 m. In addition to the German army, this Gaubita was supplied to the Allied Turkey and Bulgaria. By the beginning of World War II, in the German army there were 1144 Gaubitsa FH 98/09, and by the end of the war 1260. However, the shooting range of this tool was small, just more than 6000 m. The troops demanded a larger range, it was particularly relevant after the start of hostilities.
The use of a boiler from 12 cm Haubitze 12, developed by order of Switzerland, and lengthening the trunk to 20 calibers, which caused an increase in the mass of the gun by 275 kg, allowed to increase the initial speed of the projectile at 130-150 m / s and increase the firing range of up to 10 km. This instrument received the designation of Lefh 17, 294 of these kinds were released. However, the changes were made only by 1917 and were late - the Rainmetall Firm developed its own sample that turned out to be more successful.
Lefh 18: Front view, Maximum exaltation angle of the trunk (TsAMO)
At the beginning of 1914, Rainmetallal on the basis of FH 98/09 created his Gaubitsa, satisfying the requirements of the Artillery Test Commission, in the summer of 1916 the first experimental battery was prepared, and in September of the same year, the manufacture of guns, which received the designation Lefh 16, was expanded at the factory "Reinmetal". The tool should have completely replaced outdated FH 98/09. By 1918, 3004 leaders lefh 16 were used on all fronts.
Due to the military situation, LEFH 16 fauthes was unified with FH 98/09. When it was created, they tried to use as many parts as possible from the roaf of the Gaubitis of the company "Krupp". Earths, charging sleeves and powder charges were the same. The trunk was longer than that of FH 98/09 - its length was 2.29 m, weight in combat position was less than 120 kg. The firing distance of the FHGranate 98 upgraded projectile ("cigar-like", C-GESCHOSS) reached 9,700 m.
Gubitsa Lefh 18 in combat position. Good visible beds (TsAMO)
In fact, Lefh 16 was not a new design, it was rather a temporary solution that served to quickly achieve the result with accessible tools and proven perfectly. Until the end of the 20s, experts considered Lefh 16 an excellent gun with excellent ballistic characteristics, efficient and enough mannere. It was possible to obtain these estimates at a number of small changes that were embodied in guns, which received the designation 10.5 CM Lefh 16 Na (Neuer Art - a new sample). Before adopting on armament, Lefh 18 it was she who was the standard Gaubius of the Division artillery and was widely used until 1945.
In 1933, there were only 28 light Gaubitz Lefh 16, in 1934 - 496, in 1935 - 568, in 1936 - 728, and in 1937 - already 980. The basic structure of the Wehrmacht division artillery was formed taking into account the production of Lefh 16 .
In June 1927, the Test Management Department of the Land Army demanded the development of a new light field warmness. The project was assigned the second degree of ingredion - "priority work / priority work". In 1928, preparation of calculations and projects began - first for a barrel of 25 caliber length, then 28 calibers. At the beginning of the 30s, Rainmetall began production Lefh 18.
LEFH 18M Gaubita on wooden wheels. The weapon of release of 1934
Almost all the main characteristics of Lefh 16 were significantly surpassed:
- the length of the trunk was increased by 6 calibers (63.1 cm) - up to 294.1 cm;
- the initial speed of the projectile increased by 79 m / s - to 470 m / s;
- the maximum range of shooting increased by 1400 m - to 10,675 m.
Finally, it was possible to go beyond the limits of the military required shooting range - 10 km. For this, the weight of the projectile was reduced by almost 1 kg with a slightly increased weight of the explosive - up to 1.845 kg. The price of all improvements that were carefully calmed and thoughtful was an increase in weight of approximately 500 kg compared to LefH 16 - weight Lefh 18 in a combat position was slightly more than 2000 kg.
Device Lefh 18.
A fundamentally new, different from Lefh 16, was a boat with sliding beds with a wedge-shaped shutter lock and large folding coulters, as well as the pendant of the boiler. The combat axle was equipped with springs, and in the event of a breakdown in an emergency, it could be consolidated and used for a slow march at a speed of no more than 8 km / h.
Lefh 18 Wheels: Left Light Alloy, On Right Wooden With Rubber Tire
Thanks to three points of the support, the boys with sliding beds became much more stable, which was important with the increasing starting rate of the projectile. Significantly increased the angle of horizontal shelling - 28 ° on each side, which has become a big advantage when shooting direct vending.
In 1936, the production of 130 cm with a diameter of 130 cm was introduced into production with a diameter of 130 cm, with a rim 10 cm wide and steel ball bearings. Prior to that, used wheels with wooden spokes and rubber tires. New wheels were stronger and ensured ease of course. Instead of the previously used cable, a more efficient brake was introduced with the inner layout of the pads and brake drums. With mechanical damage due to an increase in speed and traction, an additional pneumatic brake was used. Nevertheless, wooden wheels continued to be used in the troops, in some cases wooden wheels from LefH 16 could be installed.
At the top of the lefh 18, towed by a tractor, on the wheel of a light alloy, weathered rubber tire (http://www.warrelics.eu), at the bottom of Lefh 18 on horseback (http://historywarsweapons.com)
The use of mechanical traction had significant advantages over the equestrian: the distance of the daily transition in the first case was 6-10 times more, the speed of movement was up to 40 km / h, above was the mobility during the battle, it was not necessary for a firm for horses, less people were required. When transporting, the gun was clinging directly without an almighty to an easy or medium half-sized tractor.
The shield cover of the new warmness was no longer rectangular, but acquired a complex trapezoidal shape with an uneven big base at the top. From the bottom to the bootheette attached a folding flap, used on a combat position to protect the legs of the calculation from bullets and fragments. New was the trunk title, located on top of the trunk, which by the help of compressed air after the rollback returned the trunk in the combat position. The device consisted of a pneumatic cylinder, compression cylinder and piston with a rod.
Gubitsa Lefh 18m. The gun, upgraded from Lefh 18, was used in the Army of Finland
The upper machine in the faucet cradle had a brake rolling back with a casing and a hydraulic compensator containing 6.2 liters of fluid for a rollback brake. On the top of the trunk was mounted, filled with 3 l compressed air and 5.4 liters of fluid under pressure 55 atmospheres, which immediately after the shot returned the trunk in the combat position. The guides of the climb / edge of the cradle were lengthened back - first of all, for the sake of the increase in the vertical angle of the shelling to 42 °. At maximum load on the trunk during the shot, the guides periodically "departed".
The prismatic wedge shutter with a crank on the treason part of the barrel was equipped with a locking mechanism / fuse and the ejecting mechanism.
LEFH 18/40 Gaubice (http://hobby-games.com.ua)
The gun was located on the left and carried out a tip along the horizon, the vertical vertical layer was not rigidly connected with the barrel: the 2nd number of the calculation carried out vertical vertical and answered the production of the shot. The aiming adaptation with this method of guiding the gun would have a complex design, but was simplified by the introduction of an indicator sight with a pointer of remote scales of sight and a gun arrow, which allowed the gun to install the vertical tip regardless of the barrel, and the 2nd calculation number it was necessary only to align the arrows on Indicator, rotating the flywheel vertical tip. There was also a possibility of fast tanks on moving goals, including tanks, which made it possible to effectively use Lefh 18 with trained calculation on a straight press.
The barbed monoblock kept from 8,000 to 10,000 shots.
LEFH 18 modifications on a wheel fault
By order of the Government of the Netherlands in 1939 at the Krupp plant in Essen, the export version of LefH 18 was produced, differing from the German barrel and small constructive differences: with a slightly smaller weight of the guns were increased vertical (+ 45 °) and horizontal (60 °) angles Shelling The trunk was adapted for shooting with projectiles used in the Netherlands army. In 1940, after the seizure of the Netherlands, the exporting leaders in the amount of about 80 pieces became the trophies of the Wehrmacht and were adopted by the Army of Germany as Lefh 18/39.
Gaubita Lefh 18 on combat position. Camouflated tools (TsAMO)
In 1941, another modernization was proposed: a replaceable lein was installed on the Gaubitz, which improved the characteristics of the trunk and increased the shooting range by 1700 m (up to 12 325 m). Also began to be installed a cutting brake of 60 cm long, which prevented a rollback of the trunk. When shooting, the flow of gases fell into two chambers of the muzzle brake and scattered a lobby and backward, which was quenched a significant part of the rolling back energy, and thus decreased trunk. The initial rate of the projectile at the same time increased by 70 m / s. This modification has become denoted by Lefh 18m.
In March 1942, Hitler personally demanded to combine Lefh 18 with a yoke from 7.5 cm Pak 40. On the same day, Rainmetall-Borzig received the task to work this modification. On October 15, she was ready for running into production. After in March 1943, the first 10 Gaubitz were adopted by Wehrmacht, in April 1943 their mass release began, and from September 15 of the same year - and systematic delivery in the troops. This hybrid received the designation Lefh 18/40.
By the time of the battle under the Kursk, the number Lefh 18/40 reached 418, and in the aggregate, the release of this modification was more than half of all the production of lung field warmness over all time.
LEFH 18 Gaubita on combat position, front view (TsAMO)
The LEFH 18/40 modification was one of the forced solutions taken under pressure from war times. In view of the large number of existing yokes for 7.5 cm Pak 40 produced by Rainmetall-Borzig and a lot of demand for Lefh 18 Engineers and production technologists in order to simplify and unification joined the upper Machine Machine with a slightly modified bottom machine from Pak 40. This change has redesigned the role. Lefh 18/40 calculation numbers: lifting mechanism and descent (Lefh 18 they were right) moved from the right side to the left, to the gunpod.
The tool received a double subressing of the combat axis due to the use of the torsion, which, when spreading, the mills were automatically disconnected (leading to the gun in the combat position). The efficiency of the muzzle brake (by the changed structure) was increased and the permeability is improved by increasing the wheel width (weight of Lefh 18/40 more than PAK 40). Since the weight of the tools in the battle position decreased by 240 kg (in comparison with Lefh 18), the tool resistance also decreased, despite the fact that the height of the fire line decreased. The angle of horizontal shelling was increased to 60 °. Nevertheless, the fauna's beds were too weak and bent at large elevation angles and the maximum charge.
LEFH 18 GABICS on the shooting of direct vendor. Nizzov, August 20, 1942 (TsAMO)
In addition, Rainmetall, Krupp and Skoda and Skoda have developed several improved projects and prototypes, which first of all were aimed at an increase in the maximum shooting range and the transition from the previous wheel faucet to the boiler on the rotating platform.
Gaubitz Lefh 18/42 Production of Kruppi with a barrel length 31 Caliber in fact was an improved model of the LEFH 18M warm-up model with a barrel of 28 calibers, due to which the shooting range increased to 12,700 m.
The LEFH 42 Gaubice was an improved sample of the LEFH 18/40 warmness with the initial maximum shooting range of 13,000 m, but with less than 170 kg weighing (1630 kg), electric volume and jacket under the trunk in the cradle, which made it possible to reduce the tool profile, and a wide rim wheels.
On the left, the workplace of the gunner, on the right, the overall for the sight for shooting over the shield (TsAMO)
True revolutionary projects under the designation of Lefh 43 Krupp and Skoda firms used the crusading faucets by type 8.8 cm Flak and 8.8 cm Pak 43 for circular shelling, and after the war were used in France and Sweden. Sample I of the company "Krupp" with a length of a barrel 28 of calibers at the initial rate of the projectile in 720 m / s showed on polygon tests The maximum shooting range of 15,000 m. Sample II of the company "Krup" had a length of 35 calibers, which brought the barrel to the barrel 100 MM guns, and shot reactive projectiles to a range of 16,500 m.
Production Lefh 18.
In 1939, there were 4862 leaders of Lefh 18 in the German army. The number of Lefh 18 on the wheel laphant from September 1939 to February 1945. Mounted 6933 units, the maximum amount was taken in 1940 and 1943.
From March 1943 to March 1945 10 245 leaders Lefh 18/40 were adopted, of which 7807 - in 1944. In addition to wheel beats, Lefh 18 was installed on various self-propelled chassis, so when calculating the total number of produced, the Gaubitz must also be taken into account.
Lower Machine Hubitsa Lefh 18 (TsAMO)
The instruments of the modification of Lefh 18/2 installed on the Vespe, SD.KFZ. 124, Geschützwagen II für le.f.h.18 / 2 (SF.) Wespe) was released from February 1943 to May 1944. 662 units. From March 1943 to March 1945 1264 STURMHAUBITZE 42 (STUH 42, 105-mm self-propelled gabitz sample 1942) was also released.
Reinmetalla and Krupp lacked their own production facilities for the performance of other contracts, therefore in 1942 they transferred all the production of Lefh 18 six firms in Pilsen, Alton (district of Hamburg), Elblag, Magdeburg, Dortmund and Borzigwalde.
In total, the industry was adopted 19,104 leaders Lefh 18 in 24 different versions, while Lefh 18 remained a standard Wehrmacht gun until 1945.
Study of trophy Lefh 18 in the USSR
The first LEFH 18 samples were captured by the Red Army at the beginning of the war, but before a full study of the main artillery management (GAU), the case was reached only in 1942. From the preserved archival documents, it is clear that unrealized Lefh 18 early editions on wheels made of light alloy. Studies were held independently from each other in the Gorokhovetsky Artillery Research Polygon (Aniop) and on the scientific and test anti-aircraft artillery polygon GAU (NAP).
In the documents, no head of the Gaubitz is indicated as "105-mm light field warmness of the 1934 sample" - i.e., called the tool by the beginning of production, and not adopted. In the course of research, the guns were sought up to the screw and were described. The result of research was the report on research and development and a brief description of the gun. The report on the NIR is the greatest interest: it marks the design details that attributed the attention of Soviet artilleryrs, while some technical solutions were subsequently applied in Soviet artsystems.
LEFH 18 GABYS, view from the calculation (TsAMO)
In the conclusions, according to the results of studying Lefh 18, it indicates that the Gaubice defined as a divisional can be transported both equestrian and mechanical burden, and its permeability and maneuverability are estimated as satisfactory. The overall layout and design of the system are also considered satisfactory and interest. The system of the system, disassembly and assembly are considered simple, in the production of the Gaubitz should also be simple. Substitutes and amperate defective metals in the system are not marked, the use of welding, cocks and casting is estimated as uniform. It is noted that stamping is widely used.
The design of the trunk caused interest in the front capture and fastening of the pipe in the treasury, which was distinguished by significant ease of processing. Due to the considerable simplicity of pipe processing and disassembly, in the case of a ripping, ledging was not required - it was noted that it was cheaper to replace the pipe. It was indicated that the shutter in operation is convenient, its disassembly and the assembly is simple. The design of the combat tile and plug-in sleeves, which were performed complex on the configuration of the opening were made.
In the design of the cradle, its welded hem was noted, the mounting on the front end end of the jacket and the design of the pointer line.
A compensator and water cooling of the rollback brake are named in counter-type devices. It was noted that the compensator is very simple on the device and is much easier than spring compensators used in Soviet artillery. In addition, sealing devices in places of hermetic compounds, the design of the traffic jams, the location of the valve, caused interest.
The top machine of the tool caused interest in its simplicity and ease, and the sight was the design of the panorama basket and the extension to it, which makes it possible to make a tip over the shield cover.
Reliable attention was paid to the bottom machine - the running part was carefully studied, the automatic switching on and off the subressing and bringing the gun to the three points of the support, fixing the station in combat, the connection of the station in the marching position, summer folding coulters.
According to the results of the research on the GAU polygons, the following tactical and technical characteristics of the gun were obtained:
- stem length - 28 calibers;
- number of cuts - 32;
- steep slicing - 15 °;
- rollback length - 1150 mm;
- system length in combat position - 5750 mm;
- the width of the system in a combat position is 4800 mm;
- the height of the system in combat position (angle of filter 0/40 °) - 1800/2850 mm;
- height of the fire line - 1180 mm;
- clearance - 390 mm;
- stroke width - 1560 mm;
- the weight of the system in combat position - 1980 kg;
- the weight of the system in the march position (for equestrian traction) - 3265 kg;
- the angle of vertical shelling - from -5 to + 40 °;
- the angle of horizontal shelling - 56 °;
- earth weight - 14.81 kg;
- the calculation of the gun - 6-7 people;
- figure - 4-6 shots per minute.
It is important that the Polygons LEFH 18 got everything with one charge, and that the charge of the variable and the shooting range and the initial speed of the projectile depends on it, they learned only a few later. A total of five main charges and one special was envisaged to the tool. For Lefh 18, a wide range of shells (more than 20 types) was developed: fragantive-fugasal, armor-piercing, cumulative, agitation, learning and practical.
Conclusion
The leader Lefh 18 was intended to destroy and suppress the living force, located openly or behind the lightweight shelter, to suppress firepoints and the destruction of light field shelters, for action on tanks or armored vehicles, to combat artillery. This article does not apply for completeness - it only tells about the history of the appearance and creation of Lefh 18. The number of modifications and installation options of the gun on different flaps and self-propelled chassis opens up huge opportunities for learning. This tool turned out to be very successful, technologically advanced in production and easy to maintain and repair and rightfully can be considered one of the achievements of German weapons.
Sources and literature:
- Documents of the Fund Gau, TsAMO
- Joachim Engelmann. Deutsche Leichte Feldhaubitzen 1935-1945. ARBEITSPFERDE DER DIVISIONSARTILLERIE - Podzun Pallas Verlag, 1990
- Joachim Engelmann. German Light Field Artillery 1935-1945 - Schiffer Publishing, 1995
- Handbook of Germanic artillery - M.: Milivdat, 1945
- Amillery ammunition of the former German army. Handbook of GAU Sun USSR - M.: Milivdat, 1946
Heavy Gaubes
Again the list will start with the products of Skoda.
15 cm SFH 15 (T) - 150 mm Gaubitiza of the First World War. Wehrmachut got 42 such systems used in curriculum.
15 cm SFH 25 (T) - 150 mm of the Gaubice, produced from 1925 to 1933. Weight in combat position 3740 kg, the weight of the projectile is 42 kg. 18 caliber barrel length. The angle of vertical fitting is from -5 ° to + 70 °, horizontal - only 7 °. Maximum firing range -
11,800 m. The Wehrmacht used 219 units. In particular, in recent months of war, they were used by the 1147th, 1149th and 1162th stationary artdivizions.
15 cm SFH 37 (T) - a modern 150-mm Gaubita (branded designation to 4). In contrast to the previous sample there was a boat with sliding beds, due to which the angle of horizontal tip is increased to 45 °. Weight in combat position - 5230 kg. Stem length - 24 caliber. The maximum shooting range is 15,750 m. Wehrmacht in 1939 118 such systems were obtained, another 60, Skoda, manufactured on the German order from April to August 1940
15 cm SFH 400 (I) and 15 cm SFH 401 (I) - former Austro-Hungarian Gaubes arr. 1914 and 1914/16, which became Italian trophies, and in 1943 the captured by the Wehrmacht (several dozen copies).
15 cm SFH 402 (j) - Yugoslav Gaubita M 36. Designed in 1933 by Skoda and except Yugoslavia was supplied to Turkey and Romania. Stem length 27 calibers. Weight guns in a combat position of 5020 kg. The angle of vertical fitting is from -5 ° to + 70 °, horizontal - 45 °. Maximum range of shooting - 15 100 m.
LE.F.H.18 Hubic Scheme
Wehrmacht exploited more than a thousand 155-mm Gaubitz French Development. Among them were the following samples:
15.5 cm SFH 414 (F) - Gubitsa arr. 1917 Development of the company "Schneider". In the 30s. These systems have been upgraded, having received a subressing and metal wheels instead of wooden. The weight of the wrestlers in the battle position is 3300 kg, the weight of the projectile is 44 kg. Stem length 15 calibers. The angle of vertical fitting is from 0 ° to + 42 ° horizontal -60 °. The maximum range of shooting is 11,200 m. By March 1944, there were 782 such muscut and military SS forces, of which 342 - in France, 275 - on the Eastern Front, 110 - in Norway, 36 - in the Balkans and 19 - in Italy . They were used in a number of separate artdivizions - 929th, 1140-m, 1180-m, 1181-m, 1182th, etc.
15.5 CM SFH 17 (P) - modernized in Poland "Schnederovskaya" Gaubita arr. 1917. Polish designation - arr. 17/38. The tool received a new boat with sliding beds, thanks to which the corners of the shelling increased significantly. The angle of the vertical fitting was from 0 ° to + 55 °, horizontal - 50 °. In September 1939, the Wehrmacht was captured by about 220 units.
15.5 cm SFH 415 (F) - Gubitsa arr. 1915 Development of the company "Saint-Shamont". Outdated system with a small shooting range and frost on wooden wheels without a subressing. Wehrmacht used 198 such systems.
Pretty much was captured by the Wehrmacht of 152-mm Gaubitz "Vickers" of the sample of 1915
15.2 cm SFH 412 (E), SFH 412 (F) and SFH 412 (I) - captured, respectively, at the British Expeditionary Corps (220 units), in the French and Italian armies.
Soviet 152-mm musitics and guns and gubitsa should be mentioned.
15.2 CM SFH 445 (R) - Gubitsa arr. 1909/30
15.2 CM SFH 443 (R) - Gubitsa M-10 arr. 1938
15.2 CM KH 433/1 (R) - Gaubita-gun ML-20 arr. 1938
15.2 cm to 433/2 (R) - GRA gun. 1910/34, whose ballistic data was almost identical to ML-20. Both systems - RH 433/1 (R) and 433/2 (R) - were captured in the amount of 974 units. They were used mainly in motorized Divisions of the RGC. So, the 985th, 992th and 997th divisions had three batteries of such guns, and the 456th, 457th and 460th - two, as well as one battery 122-mm cannons.
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