- Yes
- No
I would like to suggest the 15 cm s.I.G. 33 (Sfl.) auf Pz.I Ausf.B, sometimes (incorrectly called) Sturmpanzer I. (That name is however incorrect and unhistorical, as the Sturmpanzer vehicle designation only came up later on and was reserved for the class of heavily armored vehicles, which this vehicle does not fall under.)
History:
Befor the war the german army (in secrit) updated and developed new guns in a variety of rolls, including the infanterie Geschütz (infantry gun), however now seperated into 2 guns, the Leichtes Infanterie Geschütz (Light Infantry Gun 7,5 cm Le.I.G. 18 L/12) and the schweres Infanterie Geschütz (Heavy Infantry Gun 15 cm s.I.G. 33 L/12). The light one was intended to be about same size and weight as the 3,7 cm Pak, to be mainly moved by hand and easily hidden, giving quick HE (and later AT) low range and indirect fire, while the Heavy gun, (true to its name with 1,8 ton) was intended to be towed and fire over close range over the infantry with devistating HE rounds (and later HEAT) as well as destroy bunkers and other reinforced structures with a shorter command line and quicker reaction in support of the Infantry than regular Artillery.
As allready written the gun was very heavy with still 1,8 ton as such it could be only moved by towing, while early allready in the 1920s there was development of SPGs, however only in the 7-8 cm range, resulting in the StuG III and the 8,8 cm Bukaflak Sd.Kfz.9 and otherwise 10,5 cm LeFH on Pz IV Chassis, at that point there was no intention to make the 15 cm gun self propelled.
However allready after the poland campaing, it was clear that the s.I.G. had troubles keeping up with the infantry and other vehicles. It was also found that while still needed as a main tank (duo to not enove amount of other tanks), the Pz I was still needed in its MG configuration, even tho it had problems in the AT role and could be destroyed even by light AT guns. However in Winter 1939/1940 the amount of new Pz II/III/IV grew big enove that the outclassed Pz I could be otherwise used and modified (Flakpanzer I, Pzj I, Ammo carrier and more) including the 15 cm s.I.G. 33 (Sfl.) auf Pz.I Ausf.B.
This modified vehicle wasnt the best solution, as the weight of the gun heavily increased wear on the running gear, while overall the armor was still very thinn with 15mm, even tho its mobile roll allowed it to be even next to the infantry, lowering house blocks.
Later development saw that the vehicle was not worth continuing and instead a new improved 6 roadwheel Pz II chassis was used, to create the allready in game vehicle formerly (and also incorrectly) known as Sturmpanzer II.
The Sturmpanzer I (for ease of name here) had among other multiple problems, beeing the low ammo count, with even carring additional ammo in their canvas bags, the number was only around 8-10 duo to space, while the large siluette and low armor was no advantage.
It was a very easy construction, as simply the top was taken off, the whole gun with mount and wheels was placed on the mudgards and a little gunshield addition was placed on top. For it to be also still dismountable, towed and the vehicle to carry more ammo as a Ammo carrier.
In game this could be a fun sidegrade to the Pz II based one, with a little bit better aiming angles (no driver hood in the way), as well as to have multiple possible Pz Is in a loadout, along Flakpanzer I, Pzj I and more in the future.
The Gun:
15 cm s.I.G. 33 L/12 -4° to +74°, 11,5° Traverse (each side?)
8+ Rounds (relatively long reload makes it not really a problem)
15 cm s.I.G. 33 L/12 (and StuH 43 L/12) (More info click to show)
Along with its small brother the 7,5 cm Le.I.G. 18 L/12, this gun was intended to be a mobile infantry gun lighter and closer to the frontline than the howitzers, to give direct heavy fire support over the heads of the infantry, with devestating (thinner walled) He rounds and Smoke rounds. Also later on to act quick on Tank attacks equipped with strong HEAT rounds, as well as a Overcaliber HE round to destroy fortifications and Minefields.
Caliber: 150mm
Ammo: 150x129mmR
For Stielgranate 42:
Fire Rate: 10 rpm
Single Shot, Horizontal sliding Breechblock
Muzzle velocity: 105-230-280 m/s
Weight: 1800 kg
Mounting: Main Tank gun, Field Infantry gun
Ammo: HE, HEAT, Smoke, Overcaliber HE
AP:
HE:
I.Gr.33 (He (No Tracer)) 38 kg 8,6 kg Fp.02 and Np.10 (11 kg TnTa) 240 m/s
Utility:
I.Gr. 38 Nb (Smoke (No Tracer)) 38,46 kg 2,24 kg Smoke stuff 240 m/s
Kt. (Canister Shot (No Tracer)) 40 kg Lead or Steel Balls 230m/s
The Vehicle:
Crew: 4
Speed: 40 km/h
Engine: NL 38 100 Ps / 3000 RPM
Armor: 8-15mm
Weight: 8,5 ton
Length: 4,67 m
Width: 2,06 m
Height: 2,80 m
Source:
Waffen des zweiten Weltkriegs: eine Enzyklopädie. über 1500 Waffensysteme: Handfeuerwaffen, Flugzeuge, Artillerie, Kriegsschiffe, U-Boote (Christoph Bishop)
World War Two Armoured Fighting Vehicles & Self-Propelled Artillery (Georg Forty)
Munition des 15 cm s.I.G.
Manual of the Pz I Ausf.B
