SdKfz 138/1 Panzerkampfwagen 38(t) Grille

History

The First World War told all armies of the world that tanks would soon replace cavalry. Such developments, in turn, require entirely new combat tactics. During the war, some mechanical tractors were used to help resupply troops on the front lines, but the tried and true wheeled wagons remained the primary mode of supply transport - even in the postwar period.

The arrival of tanks and their swift tactics made war planners aware of the need for reliable mobile supplies and support. Horse-drawn cannons and caissons simply could not keep up with the pace of the motorized mechanized army of the time, as tanks and accompanying infantry needed to be ready for artillery support at all times.

During World War II, the Germans were well aware of this need and developed the "15cm Heavy Infantry Gun 33/3 auf Selbstfahrlafette 38(t) (Sf) Ausf. M" - designated "SdKfz 138/1" in German Army inventory ". And better known as "Cricket" (or "Cricket").

Artillery can now maneuver in front of or between advancing Allied tanks and provide long-range support for infantry maneuvers.

During a brief production period from 1943 to 1944, the grille appeared in two different versions. The type is based on the chassis of the Czech Panzer 38(t) light tank, although its turret was completely removed and replaced by a three-sided five-piece open-air armored superstructure with a 15 cm heavy infantry field gun (150 mm) heavy infantry gun mounted 33. The armor thickness of the structure is 10mm to 15mm. Both the top and rear fairings of the superstructure remain open to allow the necessary space for managing weapon functions as well as ejecting spent 150mm cartridge cases or receiving new ammunition through the rear.

A total of 493 grid cars were completed, including their associated ammunition carriers. The 120 ammunition carrier model was developed from the existing Czech Panzer 38(t) tank and had to support the grid system on-site as there was little storage space on the tank to store the required 150mm ammunition. The vehicle is defended by a 7.92mm MG34 general purpose machine gun and is piloted by a crew of four including driver, commander, gunner and loader. The driver is the only protected occupant in the hull.

Since the superstructure was fixed to the Panzer 38(t) roof, the entire vehicle had to be turned in the direction of the intended fire, as even the movement/height of the gun mounts was limited.

The first production variant was the grille, which later became the "Ausf.H" brand (based on the Czech Panzer 38(t) Ausf.H body), which differed from the subsequent production form as it had the engine mounted in the rear of the body. The crew compartment is lower, in the front of the fuselage, with the cannon in the front. The hull armor is 50 mm thick at the front and 25 mm thick at the sides.

The grille "Ausf. M" variant (based on the Panzer 38(t) Ausf. M hull) moved the engine to the center of the design and relocated the mounts, superstructure and battery to the rear on top of the hull. Both versions are done with the same field gun.

Its suspension is leaf-spring-type and is powered by a Praga AC 6-cylinder 147-horsepower petrol engine. This gives the mount a top speed of 22 mph and a range of 120 miles. From February 1943, BMM produced 90 Ausf. H models, and from April 282 Ausf. M models.

In total, about 493 grill guns and ammo racks were built. The ammunition carriers are done in such a way that they can be converted to the gun version if necessary.

The Type 33 heavy infantry gun used in the grille design was developed in the late 1920s and became one of the best guns of its time, and became the standard heavy gun for the German Army in WWII. The gun itself weighs nearly 4,000 pounds when removed from the included two-wheeler.

This weight, combined with the required armor protection, ammunition and a four-man crew, increases the operating weight of the grille to 8.5 tons (16,500 lbs).

The grill retains some distinct advantages and disadvantages in its design. Compared to the slower towed base Type 33 field gun, the German Army can now deploy the 150mm field howitzer along the front and transport it at speed.

It also has the tactical ability to fire a bullet and position itself in the "Shoot" and Scoot" method into a new position to counter any expected backfire. What the grille design lacks is its rather thin armor protection for rifle occupants and Its open superstructure.

The open-air nature of the setting exposes rifle personnel to battlefield elements such as small arms fire and battlefield spray, as well as harsh weather conditions and direct attack from enemy infantry.

The Bundeswehr used the 15cm sIG 33 Ausf. M to good effect in fire support missions with armoured formations and infantry units during campaigns in Poland, France, Greece and the USSR.

Such systems are proving to be cost-effective solutions that help extend the life of seemingly obsolete military equipment.

Specification

Basic

Roles

Dimensions

Performance

Performance

Armor

The 150mm shell depends on the ammunition carrier.

Changes