- Yes
- No
After the 8-12 10,5 cm LeFH 16 L/22 auf G.W. FCM 36(f) were build certain drawbacks became noticable and overall more were needed. While the FCM 36 was more of a rare tank the H.39 was not, while it was also an overall better tank. With the previous build on the FCM, the 39.H recived a stronger gun, the LeFH 18 L/28 instead of LeFH 16 L/22, more armor on the supersructur mirroring the hull armor (as well as even having overlapping plates), a bit more ammo, space and beeing overall faster. And even been produced 48 times.
With greater sucess at least 24 (inclunding 10,5 cm LeFH 16 L/22 vehicles) Geschützwagen 39H went into action in 06.1944. They were part of the Sturmgeschütz Abteilung 200 in the 21te Panzer Division.
Sadly there isnt more detailed mentioning of their actions, except that the last batch were knocked out in the Falaise Pocket under intence bombing and shelling in 08.1944. Other 2 users where the 1/155 Motorisiertes Artillerie Regiment and the 8te Panzerartillerie Abteilung. All used in Normandy and only on the Western Front. Photographic evidence shows, that some also got the LeFH 16 L/22 isntead, propably to get rid of old stock. However one last vehicle survived till this day and is in the Musee des Blindes in France.
Its place in game would be to boost the lower ranks with a fun powerfull gun (with of course the drawback of having a far longer reload than the common 37 mm and 40 mm guns found at the lower ranks) and having some armor possibly enove (with perhaps add on track armor) to stop rounds from greater distances.
Pictures:(Click to show)
The vehicle can also be in its tank version be found in game, where you can drive it around a bit to see how it would handle in game.
Characteristcs:
Dimensions:
Length: 4,56 m
Width: 1,55 m
Height: 2,02 m
Weight: 13t
Crew: 5 (1 more than the FCM 36 version)
Engine: Hotchkiss 6 cylinder 120 Ps/2800rpm (far stronger than the FCMs)
Speed: 36 kmh (as opposed to the mere 24-26 kmh)
Armarment: 10,5 cm LeFH 18/M L/28 with 36 rounds and 1x Mg 34 on the right side of the casemate
Armor: Front 22-34mm (up to 40mm on the overlapping parts) Sides and Rear also 34mm
The Gun:
The 10,5 cm LeFH 18/40 less 10 sec reload (aced) -5° (or-7°) to +22° and 30° traverse to each side
36 rounds of Aphe, He and Heat (and by british source also Apcbc Pzgr Rot with 461m/s and 82mm/10m)
Ammo:(Click to show)
Ap:
Pzgr. (Aphe) 14 kg 238g (304,64g aquivalent) filler 480 m/s 72mm/10m
Pzgr. Rot (Apcbc) 15,56 kg 250g (357,5g) 461 m/s 82mm/10m
Gr.39 Rot Hl/B (Heat) 12,35 kg 2,53 kg filler aquivalent 495 m/s 105mm/all
(More Pictures in Hl/C)
Gr.39 Rot Hl/C (Heat) 12,35 kg 2,53 kg filler aquivalent 495 m/s 115mm/all
10,5 / 7,5 cm Pzgr.39 TS (Apcbc-DS) 6,4 kg 17g H.10 765 m/s 138mm/10m
He:
F.H.Gr. (He (TF)) 14,81 kg 1,75 kg filler Fp.02 und Np.10 (2,24 kg TnTa) 470 m/s
F.H.Gr. F (He (TF)) 14,81 kg 2,21-2,335 kg filler Fp.02 und Np.10 (2,83-2,99 kg TnTa) 540 m/s
10,5 / 8,8 cm Sprgr.42 Ts (He-DS) 9,3 kg 850-935g Fp.02 and Np.10 (1,088-1,197 kg) 620 m/s
(Didnt find the drawings, as such here is the real thing)
Utility:
F.H.Gr. Nb. (Smoke) 14 kg 50g smokestuff dont expect much 480 m/s
Kt. (Canitster Shot) 15 kg 465 m/s
H.Schr.16 (Shrapnell-TF) 15,6 kg 0,2 kg Blackpowder 461m/s
450 Steelballs of 13,8mm
Some incendary effect by the pitch around the balls.
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
Panzer Tracts No.10 Artillerie Selbstfahrlafetten by Thanks L. Jentz
Profile AFV Weapons 55 German Self-Propelled Weapons by Peter Chamberlain and H.L.Doyle
Beute-Kraftfahrzeuge und Panzer der deutschen Wehrmacht by Walter J. Spielberge