- Yes
- No
After the Fall of France in May 1940, a lot of French tanks (5000) and other vehicles were captured.
Some beeing scrapped, taken for spareparts, directly used and some modified for a greater and new use.
Such as 16 B2 Bis tanks that were rebuild to carry the 10,5 cm LeFH 18/3.
This vehicle, while very large, would bring a nice, relativly powerfull gun with good armor to the lower ranks.
They were pretty much stock B1 Bis hulls, where the Turret, roof armor, Hull mg and gun, as well as equipment such as the below usefull radios where removed and equipped with german material and a new relativly thick armored but also tall open top casemate put on top of it.
On a directive in 03.1940 by Adolf, 16 vehicles were to be converted to Geschützwagen, as support vehicles for the Flamethrower tanks made on the same chassis, the Pz.Kpfw. B2 (f) Flamm, intended to assault positions on the eastern front. However delays resulted in the Flamm B2 going alone into action and showing its disappointing results, the prospects of the Geschützwagen were also looked down on.
The first 5 were then finally build by 01.1942, 5 more in 02. and 6 in 03.1942. With all 16 completed they were moved to the Artillerie Regiment 93, 1te Abteilung der 26. Panzer Division. While plagued by mechanical problems not long after, allready 2 were counted as not combat ready and instead 12 additional Wespen SPHs were used as an replacement for the unreliable tanks.
Instead they were relocated as training tanks in Italy 1943, were they have prooven usefullness as beeing big enove to teach inside. But the final end is unknown, they were later again moved to frontal unites, to the 90. Panzergrenadier Division as support, which however was destroyed near Bologna in Italy of 04.1945 with no further documentation.
Pictures:
Spoiler
Specifications:
| Dimensions (L,W,H) | 7.62 x 2.4 x 3 m |
|---|---|
| Total weight, battle ready | 32.5 tons |
| Crew | 5 (commander, driver, gunner, 2x loaders) |
| Propulsion | Renault 307 water cooled, 6-cylinder 272 hp |
| Top road speed | 28 km/h |
| Off road speed | 21 km/h |
| Main Armament | 10.5 cm LeFH 18/3 howitzer 40+ rounds |
| Secondary Armament | 7.92 mm MG34 machine gun |
| Armor (chassis) | Front 40-60 mm Sides and rear 55 mm (2.16 in) |
| Armor (casemate) | Front 40-60mm Sides and rear 30-20mm |
The Gun is the 10,5 cm LeFH 18/3, it is performance wise identical to the normal one and to the in game StuH 42, but adapted for turret mounting.
10,5 cm 10 sec reload (aced) -5-7° to +42° and 15-30° traverse each side
Aphe, He and Heat (and by british source also Apcbc Pzgr Rot)
Pzgr. Aphe 14 kg 480 m/s 238g (304,64g aquivalent) filler 72mm/10m
Pzgr. Rot Apcbc 15,56 kg 470 m/s 250g (357,5g) 84mm/10m
F.H. Gr. He 14,81 kg 472 m/s 1,75 kg filler Fp.02 und Np.10 (2,24 kg TnTa)
Gr. 39 Rot Hl/B Heat 12,35 kg 495 m/s 2,53 kg filler aquivalent 105mm/all
Gr. 39 Rot Hl/C Heat 12,35 kg 495 m/s 2,53 kg filler aquivalent 115mm/all
F.H.Gr. F He 14,81 kg 540 m/s 2,21 kg filler Fp.02 und Np.10 (2,83 kg TnTa)
F.H. Gr. Nb. Smoke 14 kg 480 m/s 50g smokestuff dont expect much
And optionally
10,5 / 7,5 cm Pzgr. 39 TS ApcbcDS 6,4 kg 765 m/s 17g H.10 138mm/10m
Source:
2C7 Perforation of Armor by German Projectiles (america)
German Explosive Ordanance Projectiles and Projectile Fuzes
Geschoßringbuch Band I
Merkblatt für die Munition der leichten Feldhaubitze 18
Beute-Kraftfahrzeuge und panzer der deutschen Wehrmacht by Walter J. Spielberger
Beutepanzer der Wehrmacht by Alexander Lüdekes
Die Feldartillerie des Heeres in der Panzerabwehr 1939–1945 (Militärgeschichte” issue 1/1994, page 9–15) by Wolfgang Fleische.
Profile AFV Weapons 55 – German Self Propelled Weapons by Peter Chamberlain and H.L.Doyle.
German Heavy Field Artillery 1934-1945 by Joachim Engelmann
German Artillery at War 1939-45 Vol 1 vy Frank V. de Sisto.