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M40 Gun Motor Carriage
The M12 Motor Gun Carriage had evolved from the conversion of the M3 Lee Medium Tank to carry the M1917 155 mm gun which the U.S. Army had in storage. These were only an interim solution as the guns were well past their prime and in short supply. In December 1943 the decision was taken to make another gun carriage using the ‘Long Tom’ 155 mm field gun which had been developed by the U.S. military in the 1930s, this time using the chassis of the M4A3 Sherman medium tank. The chassis was widened to take the new gun, while the new high volute suspension system fitted. The engine was moved
S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 36.6 tons Dimensions: Length 29 ft 8 ins, Width 10 ft 4 ins, Height 9 ft 4 ins Powerplant: 1 x Wright Continental 395 hp petrol engine Performance: Maximum speed 24 mph, Range 100 miles  Armament: 1 x 155 mm M2 gun, 1 x 0.5 inch machine gun Armour: Maximum thickness 14 mm Crew: 8
forward and an earth spade fitted to the rear of the carriage, which when lowered absorbed most of the recoil forces of the gun. Development of the M40 took longer than expected, and it was not until early 1945 that the first vehicles came off the production lines. Two M40s were taken to France and used during the battle for Cologne before the end of World War Two. In May 1945 the M40 became the standard 155 mm gun motor carriage in the U.S. Army and soon replaced the M12 in service, while a further development was the M43 Howitzer Motor Carriage which mounted a 203 mm gun.
Country of Origin: USA Number Built: 311
M8 Gun Motor Carriage
The M8 Gun Motor Carriage was developed on the chassis of the M5 light tank, and had the standard turret replaced by a large open topped unit armed with a M2 75 mm howitzer. The driver’s hatches were moved from the hull roof to the glacis plate to accommodated the new turret. 46 rounds could be carried, while for close defence a 0.50 calibre Browning machine gun was mounted at the rear of the turret. The M8 was ordered into production in April 1942 and entered service later in the year. They first saw service during the Italian campaign in 1943, where they were used by the HQ companies
S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 15.7 tons Dimensions: Length 16 ft 4 ins, Width 7 ft 5 ins, Height 8 ft 11 ins Powerplant: 1 x Twin cadillac V8 petrol engine rated at 290 hp Performance: Maximum speed 36 mph, Range 70 miles Armament: 1 x 37 mm gun + 5 x 7.62 mm machine guns Armour: Maximum thickness 43 mm  Crew: 4
of tank battalions to provide fire support. The M8 was also used in Normandy following the D-Day landings, where the fighting in the bocage country caused many casualties to the crews fighting in the open topped turret. The M8 remained in use until the end of the war in Europe, with a few taking part in the fighting at Bastogne during the battle of the Bulge in December 1944. The M8 was also used in the Pacific where it was first used on Saipan in June 1944, providing fire support for light tank companies. Production of the M8 ended in January 1944 after 1,778 vehicles had been built.
Country of Origin: USA Number Built: 1,778
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Karl-Gerat 040/041 Mortar
In March 1936 Rheinmetall made a proposal for a super heavy howitzer to attack the Maginot Line. The initial concept was for a weapon that would be transported and assembled on site, but this was changed to a self-propelled weapon in early 1937. Extensive trials took place in 1938 and 1939 using a scale model to investigate the high ground pressure and steering of such an enormous vehicle, with trials of the prototype being carried out in May 1940. General Karl Becker of the Artillery was involved in the development, from whom they gained their nickname. In total, seven were built, the first was the research
S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 124 tons Dimensions: Length 36 ft 7 ins, Width 10 ft 4 ins, Height 14 ft 4 ins Powerplant: 1 x 580 hp Daimler-Benz petrol or diesel engine Performance: Maximum speed 6 mph, Range 37 miles Armament: 1 x 60 cm or 54 cm mortar Armour: Maximum 80 mm Crew: 21
and test weapon (Versuchs-Gerät), and six production vehicles which entered service from late 1940 to mid 1941. They were originally armed with a 60 cm mortar that had a range of just over 4 miles, and in an attempt to increase the range a 54 cm interchangeable barrel was developed which had a range of 6.2 miles. They were mainly deployed on the Eastern Front, most notably during the siege of Sevastopol. At least two were used in the west, one vehicle firing fourteen rounds at the Ludendorff bridge at Remagan in an attempt to destroy it after it had been captured by the Americans in March 1945.
Country of Origin: Germany Number Built: 7
15 cm sIG 33 Panzerkampfwagen II
For the invasion of France in 1940, Germany produced a heavy self propelled gun by mating the 15 cm sIG 33 infantry gun to the hull of the Panzer I Ausf B. This was a lash up arrangement, and in service the gun proved to be too heavy for the chassis while the gun house was very tall. The idea however was sound, so it was decided to mate the same gun to a Panzer II chassis in an attempt to make a more effective weapons system. A prototype was ready in February 1941 using a standard Panzer II chassis, but this proved to be too cramped for operational use, so the chassis was lengthened by 2 feet and increased in
S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 11.2 tons Dimensions: Length 17 ft 7 ins, Width 8 ft 5 ins, Height 6 ft 2 ins Powerplant: 1 x  140 hp Maybach petrol engine Performance: Maximum speed 25 mph, Range 120 miles Armament: 1 x 15 cm sIG 33 gun, 1 x 7.92 mm machine gun  Armour: Maximum thickness 30 mm  Crew: 4
width by 13 inches which required an extra road wheel to be fitted each side. The enlarged chassis accommodated the gun far better and a lower silhouette was achieved. The fighting compartment was constructed of 15 mm plates which was open at the top and the rear. Known as the 15cm SiG33 auf Fahrgestell Panzerkampfwagen II (Sf), twelve were built in late 1941 and sent to North Africa in early 1942. They arrived in time to take part in the German attack at Gazala, where they provided valuable support for the infantry, and remained in service until the last vehicle was destroyed in early 1943.
Country of Origin: Germany Number Built: 12
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10.5 cm Panzerkampfwagen II ‘Wespe’
By 1942 the Panzer II was virtually obsolete on the battlefield and it was decided to use the Panzer II chassis as a carriage for the standard 10.5 cm field howitzer. A design was produced by Alkett, who had earlier worked on converting captured French armoured vehicles. This involved moving the engine forward and slightly lengthening the chassis to gain sufficient space for the howitzer. The superstructure was only lightly armoured, being constructed of 10 mm armour plate which was sufficient to stop small arms fire, while the fighting compartment was open at the top and to the rear. The Wespe was placed in
S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 11 tons Dimensions: Length 15 ft 9 ins, Width 7 ft 6 ins, Height 7 ft 7 ins Powerplant: 1 x 140 hp Maybach petrol engine Performance: Maximum speed 25 mph, Range 135 miles Armament: 1x 10.5 cm leFH gun Armour: Maximum 30 mm Crew: 5
production in February 1943 at FAMO's Ursus plant in Warsaw, and were first used in combat on the Eastern Front later that year. The Wespe proved successful in action, and all further production of the Panzer II chassis was concentrated on the production of the vehicle. The Wespe was allocated to the armoured artillery battalions of Panzer divisions, along with the heavier Hummel self-propelled gun which was based on a Panzer III/IV chassis. Production of the Wespe ended in June 1944 when Soviet forces closed in on the Polish border, by which time 676 had been produced.
Country of Origin: Germany Number Built: 676
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Alecto Self-Propelled Gun
After the formation of the British Airborne forces in late 1940 a request was made to provide  an air portable self propelled gun to provide mobile artillery support. In 1942 a design was prepared based on the A25 light tank which was armed with a 95 mm howitzer mounted low in the hull within an open topped fighting compartment. Named Alecto, two prototypes were built, and like the A25 Harry Hopkins the Alecto had skid steering which was operated by bowing the tracks through lateral movements of the central road wheels. The first trials of the prototypes did not start until late 1944 which revealed
S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 8.64 tons Dimensions: Length 14 ft, Width 8 ft 10 ins, Height 6 ft 11 ins Powerplant: 1 x 148 hp Meadows petrol engine Performance: Maximum speed 30 mph, Range 125 miles Armament: 1 x 95 mm howitzer Armour: Maximum 38 mm Crew: 3-4
various problems, and by the time these were solved the war in Europe was over and the prospect of their use in the Far East was minimal so the project was cancelled. Other members of the family had been proposed. A Mk II prototype had been built armed with a 6 pounder anti-tank gun. The Mk III would have been armed with a 25 pounder and the Mk IV a 32 pounder howitzer. A few prototypes were briefly used by armoured car units before being withdrawn and modified into armoured bulldozers, the gun being replaced by a hydraulic blade before they were handed over to the Royal Engineers.
Country of Origin: UK Number Built: 2
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M12 Gun Motor Carriage
By mid 1941 the U.S. Ordnance Department had carried out studies into the possibility of mounting a 155 mm gun on the chassis of the M3 medium tank. work began on a prototype which was armed with the M1918Ma 155 mm gun, which was based on the French 155 mm GPF field gun of World War One vintage. The engine was moved to the middle of the vehicle to make space for the gun which was mounted to the rear of the chassis, a platform being provided for the gun crew, while an earth spade at the rear was deployed to absorb the recoil shock when the gun was fired. After a few problems had been
S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 26 tons Dimensions: Length 22 ft 1 ins, Width 8 ft 9 ins, Height 8 ft 10 ins Powerplant: 1 x Wright Continental 340 hp petrol engine Performance: Maximum speed 23.5 mph, Range 140 miles  Armament: 1 x 155 mm M1917 gun, 1 x 0.5 inch machine gun Armour: Maximum thickness 14 mm Crew: 6
rectified an order for 100 vehicles was issued with production commencing in early 1943. For local defence they were armed with a 0.50 inch Browning machine gun on a ring mount. The final M12 was completed in March 1943, and for most of the year they were either mothballed or used for training. In 1944 the M12 were first used in action after the D-Day landings in June and served throughout the rest of the campaign in North- West Europe until the end of the war. The M12 was declared obsolete after the war and the surviving vehicles scrapped in favour of the M40 155 mm Gun Motor carriage.
Country of Origin: USA Number Built: 100
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Sturminfanteriegeschütz 33B
Shortly after the German invasion of Russia in June 1941, Alkett received an order to produce a heavily armoured vehicles that would be armed with the 15cm sIG33 field gun. Known as the Sturminfanteriegeschütz 33B. The design used the chassis of the Sturmgeschütz III assault gun with a new, fully enclosed and heavily armoured box superstructure mounted on top which housed the improved sIG 33/1 infantry gun mounted at the front and a MG 34 machine gun in a ball mount fitted to its right. Twelve were ordered which were completed in January 1942, with a further twelve being ordered in September. At the
S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 21 tons Dimensions: Length 17 ft 9 ins, Width 9 ft 6 ins, Height 7 ft 7 ins Powerplant: 1 x Maybach 296 hp petrol engine Performance: Maximum speed 12 mph, Range 68 miles Armament: 1 x 15 cm sIG 33/1 gun, 1 x 7.92 mm MG34 Armour: Maximum thickness 80 mm Crew: 5
end of October twelve had been assigned to Assault Gun Battalions 177 and 244 which became involved in the fighting for Stalingrad. The final twelve vehicles were to be issued to Assault Battalions 243 and 245, also fighting in Stalingrad, but this became impossible after the Soviets surrounded the 6th Army. Instead they were issued to the 9th Company of the 201st Panzer Regiment as part of the relieving force sent to break the encirclement. All the vehicles fighting in Stalingrad were lost during the fighting, while the last report of their use was September 1944 when five were listed as being in service.
Country of Origin: Germany Number Built: 24
43M Zrinyi I Assault Gun
Following the success of assault guns on the Eastern Front, the Hungarians developed their own model that was based on the chassis of the 40M Turán I tank. There were two designs, the 44M Zrínyi I which was armed with a long 43M 75 mm gun and intended to undertake the anti-tank role but did not progress beyond the prototype stage. The second was the 40/43M Zrínyi II which was armed with the short barrelled 105 mm MÁVAG 40/43M howitzer and was designed as a traditional infantry support vehicle. The Zrínyi II was accepted for service in March 1943 and production was to commence as quickly as possible,
S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 21.6 tons Dimensions: Length 18 ft 8 ins, Width 9 ft 10 ins, Height 7 ft 8 ins Powerplant: 1 x 260 hp Manfred-Weiss petrol engine Performance: Maximum speed 27 mph, Range 140 miles Armament: 1 x 75 mm 43M gun Armour: Maximum thickness 75 mm Crew: 4
but only 66 had left the factory by July 1944 when the Soviets overrun the area. In Hungarian service it was hoped to form similar units to the German four vehicle batteries at division level, but there were never enough for this, instead they were deployed with the 1st, 2nd and 3rd assault battalions. These units became caught up in the fighting on the Eastern Front during the massive Soviet offensive in the summer of 1944, and after surviving forces had retreated from Transylvania by September-October, many were captured and used for some time by Romanian troops who had by then switched sides.
Country of Origin: Hungary Number Produced: 1
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Home Page Home Page Type 1 Ho-Ni Common with other countries, the chassis of the Type 97 medium tank was used as the basis for a number of other Japanese vehicles. Amongst these was the Type 4 Ho-Ro self-propelled gun that was armed with a short barrelled 150 mm howitzer, their conversion being quite straightforward by mounting the howitzer on top of the hull with protection for the gun crew being provided by armoured shields to the front and sides. The 15 cm howitzer was an old design dating from 1905. They fired a 79 lb shell to a maximum range of 6,452 yards and had a slow rate of fire, but were thought good S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 16.3 tons Dimensions: Length 18 ft 1 ins, Width 7 ft 7 ins, Height 7 ft 9 ins Powerplant: 1 x 170 hp Mitsubishi diesel engine Performance: Maximum speed 24 mph, Range 120 miles Armament: 1 x 75 mm Type 90 gun Armour: Maximum thickness 51 mm Crew: 5 enough to be used in the self-propelled role. The Type 4 Ho-Ro was only produced in small numbers, it is believed only around 25 were built. In service a few were deployed during the last months of the Philippines campaign, and a small number formed part of the defence on Okinawa. Another self-propelled guns based on the Type 97 chassis was the Type 1 Ho-Ni. The gun turret was removed and a 75 mm Type 90 Field Gun mounted in its place which was protected by armoured shields to the front and sides, while the Type 2 Ho-Ni mounted a 105 mm howitzer in a modified fighting compartment Country of Origin: Japan Number Built: 24 S E L F - P R O P E L L E D G U N Type 4 Ho-Ro Common with other countries, the chassis of the Type 97 medium tank was used as the basis for a number of other Japanese vehicles. Amongst these was the Type 4 Ho-Ro self-propelled gun that was armed with a short barrelled 150 mm howitzer, their conversion being quite straightforward by mounting the howitzer on top of the hull with protection for the gun crew being provided by armoured shields to the front and sides. The 15 cm howitzer was an old design dating from 1905. They fired a 79 lb shell to a maximum range of 6,452 yards and had a slow rate of fire, but were thought good S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 16.3 tons Dimensions: Length 18 ft 1 ins, Width 7 ft 7 ins, Height 7 ft 9 ins Powerplant: 1 x 170 hp Mitsubishi diesel engine Performance: Maximum speed 23 mph, Range 125 miles Armament: 1 x 15 cm howitzer Armour: Maximum thickness 25 mm Crew: 6 enough to be used in the self-propelled role. The Type 4 Ho-Ro was only produced in small numbers, it is believed only around 25 were built. In service a few were deployed during the last months of the Philippines campaign, and a small number formed part of the defence on Okinawa. Another self-propelled guns based on the Type 97 chassis was the Type 1 Ho-Ni. The gun turret was removed and a 75 mm Type 90 Field Gun mounted in its place which was protected by armoured shields to the front and sides, while the Type 2 Ho-Ni mounted a 105 mm howitzer in a modified fighting compartment Country of Origin: Japan Number Built: 25 S E L F - P R O P E L L E D G U N
Sturmpanzer IV ‘Brummbar’
The Sturmpanzer IV Brummbar was a heavily armoured infantry support vehicle designed for fighting in urban areas. It used a Panzer IV chassis with the upper hull and turret replaced by an armoured superstructure housing a 15 cm 43 L/12 gun. Production of the first series of 60 vehicles began in April 1943, but these early vehicles were too heavy for the chassis which resulted in frequent breakdowns. The situation was improved on the second series which used the latest Ausf H chassis, production recommencing in December 1943. The Brummbar was first used in action during the Battle of Kursk
S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Weight: 28.2 tons Dimensions: Length 19 ft 5 ins, Width 9 ft 5 ins, Height 8 ft 3 ins Powerplant: 1 x 300 hp Maybach petrol engine Performance: Maximum speed 25 mph, Range 130 miles Armament: 1 x 15 cm StuH 43 L/12 gun, 1 x 7.92 machine gun Armour: Maximum thickness 100 mm  Crew: 5
where the driver's compartment proved to be too lightly armoured and was later reinforced. The gunner's hatch was removed and a ventilator fan fitted, much to the relief of the crew. Internally sprung, steel rimmed road wheels replaced the front two rubber rimmed road wheels in an effort to reduce the stress on the forward suspension, this however was only partially successful. Production of the Sturmpanzer IV ran through four series which ended in March 1945, and in total 306 were built, most of them serving on the Eastern Front, with a small number serving in both Italy and France.
Country of Origin: Germany Number Built: 306
Bishop Self-Propelled Gun In North Africa the rapid movement of warfare during the campaign led to a requirement for the 25 pounder field gun to become more mobile. Development for such a vehicle was to make this possible was issued in June 1941 and a prototype was ready for trials in August. The resulting vehicle was the Bishop self-propelled gun which was based on the Valentine II tank hull. The turret was removed and a large box structure mounted on top of the hull that housed a 25 pounder gun. 100 had been ordered by November 1941 and were first used in action during the Second Battle of El Alamein in North Africa. S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 17.5 tons Dimensions: Length 17 ft 9 ins, Width 8 ft 7 ins, height 7 ft 5 ins Powerplant: 1 x AEC 190 hp diesel engine Performance: Maximum speed 15 mph, Range 140 miles Armament: 1 x 25 pounder field gun Armour: Maximum thickness 65 mm Crew: 4 They were however poorly received. The guns elevation had to be restricted to 15° which reduced its effective range to around 6,400 yards. To overcome this handicap crews would construct a ramp of earth and run the Bishop onto it, tilting the vehicle upwards to increase elevation. Another shortcoming was the large silhouette of the vehicle making it hard to hide, while its slow speed was a disadvantage. They remained in service throughout the rest of the North African campaign and the early days of the fighting in Italy before being withdrawn and replaced by the M7 Priest and Sexton self-propelled guns. Country of Origin: UK Number Produced: 149 S E L F - P R O P E L L E D G U N 10.5 cm Selbstfahrlafette IVa Shortly before the start of World War Two the German High Command ordered a design for a heavy panzerjager armed with a 105 or 128 mm gun that would be capable of destroying enemy tanks and fortifications. The design was based on a modified Panzer IV Ausf A's chassis with a lightly armoured fighting compartment that was open at the rear and top which housed a 10.5 cm gun that was developed from the sK 18 L/52 heavy field gun and fitted with a muzzle brake, which when trialled was capable of penetrating over 100 mm of sloped armour at a range of 2,000 metres. Designated the 10.5 cm S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 24.3 tons Dimensions: Length 24 ft 8 ins, Width 9 ft 4 ins, Height 10 ft 8 ins Powerplant: 1 x 300 hp Maybach HL 120 petrol engine Performance: Maximum speed 25 mph, Range 125 miles Armament: 1 x 10.5 cm K 18 L/52 gun, 1 x MG34 machine gun Armour: Maximum thickness 50 mm Crew: 5 Panzer Selbstfahrlafette IVa, two prototypes were ready by the spring of 1941, and after Germany invaded Russia on in June 1941 they were assigned to the 3rd Panzer Division. They were active participants on the Eastern Front as the German army moved steadily into the Soviet Union, and proved to be highly effective against the Soviet KVI and T34 tanks. Both vehicles were eventually lost, one to enemy action and the other to an onboard fire that caused the vehicle to explode, while back in Germany the proposed production of the vehicle was dropped in favour of other types. Country of Origin: Germany Number Built: 2 S E L F - P R O P E L L E D G U N
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‘Sexton’ Self-Propelled Gun
The Sexton self-propelled gun came about because of the logistical problems in the British Army using the U.S. M7 105 mm Gun Motor Carriage. A requirement was quickly drawn up for a similar vehicle armed with the British 25 pounder field gun which would ease ammunition supply. The Canadian Ram tank chassis was selected for conversion and a prototype was completed by the Montreal Locomotive Works in June 1942. The vehicle was soon accepted for service and named Sexton with production starting in early 1943. The 25 pounder field gun was mounted in an armoured compartment which gave
S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Weight: 25 tons Dimensions: Length 20 ft 1 ins, Width 8 ft 11 ins, Height 8 ft Powerplant: 1 x 400 hp Continental radial engine Performance: Maximum speed 25 mph, Range 125 miles Armament: 1 x 25 pounder field gun + 2 x Bren machine guns Armour: Maximum thickness 32 mm  Crew: 6
the gun crew protection against small arms fire. 105 rounds could be carried, while local defence was provided by one or two Bren machine guns. The first 125 vehicles were based on the Ram tank chassis and known as Sexton I, but production was switched from the Ram to the Grizzly chassis in 1943, and along with other minor improvements were known as Sexton II. They made their debut in action during the Italian campaign in 1943 and were used by British and Canadian forces throughout the rest of the war in Europe. Production continued until 1945, by which time 2,150 had been built.
Country of Origin: Canada Number Built: 2,150
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Karl-Gerat 040/041 Mortar
In March 1936 Rheinmetall made a proposal for a super heavy howitzer to attack the Maginot Line. The initial concept was for a weapon that would be transported and assembled on site, but this was changed to a self-propelled weapon in early 1937. Extensive trials took place in 1938 and 1939 using a scale model to investigate the high ground pressure and steering of such an enormous vehicle, with trials of the prototype being carried out in May 1940. General Karl Becker of the Artillery was involved in the development, from whom they gained their nickname. In total, seven were built, the first was the research
S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 124 tons Dimensions: Length 36 ft 7 ins, Width 10 ft 4 ins, Height 14 ft 4 ins Powerplant: 1 x 580 hp Daimler-Benz petrol or diesel engine Performance: Maximum speed 6 mph, Range 37 miles Armament: 1 x 60 cm or 54 cm mortar Armour: Maximum 80 mm Crew: 21
and test weapon (Versuchs-Gerät), and six production vehicles which entered service from late 1940 to mid 1941. They were originally armed with a 60 cm mortar that had a range of just over 4 miles, and in an attempt to increase the range a 54 cm interchangeable barrel was developed which had a range of 6.2 miles. They were mainly deployed on the Eastern Front, most notably during the siege of Sevastopol. At least two were used in the west, one vehicle firing fourteen rounds at the Ludendorff bridge at Remagan in an attempt to destroy it after it had been captured by the Americans in March 1945.
Country of Origin: Germany Number Built: 7
Karl-Gerat 040/041 Mortar
In March 1936 Rheinmetall made a proposal for a super heavy howitzer to attack the Maginot Line. The initial concept was for a weapon that would be transported and assembled on site, but this was changed to a self-propelled weapon in early 1937. Extensive trials took place in 1938 and 1939 using a scale model to investigate the high ground pressure and steering of such an enormous vehicle, with trials of the prototype being carried out in May 1940. General Karl Becker of the Artillery was involved in the development, from whom they gained their nickname. In total, seven were built, the first was the research
S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 124 tons Dimensions: Length 36 ft 7 ins, Width 10 ft 4 ins, Height 14 ft 4 ins Powerplant: 1 x 580 hp Daimler-Benz petrol or diesel engine Performance: Maximum speed 6 mph, Range 37 miles Armament: 1 x 60 cm or 54 cm mortar Armour: Maximum 80 mm Crew: 21
and test weapon (Versuchs-Gerät), and six production vehicles which entered service from late 1940 to mid 1941. They were originally armed with a 60 cm mortar that had a range of just over 4 miles, and in an attempt to increase the range a 54 cm interchangeable barrel was developed which had a range of 6.2 miles. They were mainly deployed on the Eastern Front, most notably during the siege of Sevastopol. At least two were used in the west, one vehicle firing fourteen rounds at the Ludendorff bridge at Remagan in an attempt to destroy it after it had been captured by the Americans in March 1945.
Country of Origin: Germany Number Built: 7
M7 105 mm Gun Motor Carriage After watching events unfold during the early part of World War Two, the U.S. army soon realised the need for self-propelled artillery in support of armoured operations. When the M3 medium tank entered production in mid 1941 they had a chassis suitable for carrying an effective howitzer for close support., and two prototypes were built using the M3 hull and running gear with an open topped superstructure that housed a 105 mm howitzer. After trials a few changes were made, which included a raised cupola for a 0.50 calibre machine gun that could be used for close defence or as an anti-aircraft S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Weight: 22.6 tons Dimensions: Length 19 ft 9 ins, Width 9 ft 2 ins, Height 8 ft 4 ins Powerplant: 1 x Continental 300 hp radial engine Performance: Maximum speed 24 mph, Range 120 miles Armament: 1 x 105 mm M2 Howitzer, 1 x 0.5 inch machine gun Armour: Maximum thickness 62 mm Crew: 7 weapon. Production began in the spring of 1942, and after a British purchasing Commission had seen the M7, they placed an initial order for 2,500. By the British they were named ‘Priest’ and were first used in action at the Battle of El Alamein in North Africa. With the U.S. Army they were first used after the Torch landings in North Africa and proved to be a reliable weapons system, with later models introducing several components from the M4 Sherman tank. Over 4,300 being were built before production ceased in 1945, with the M7 continuing to see service with U.S. and allied forces well after World War Two. Country of Origin: USA Number Built: 4,315 S E L F - P R O P E L L E D G U N
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43M Zrinyi II Assault Gun
Following the success of assault guns on the Eastern Front, the Hungarians developed their own model that was based on the chassis of the 40M Turán I tank. There were two designs, the 44M Zrínyi I which was armed with a long 43M 75 mm gun and intended to undertake the anti-tank role but did not progress beyond the prototype stage. The second was the 40/43M Zrínyi II which was armed with the short barrelled 105 mm MÁVAG 40/43M howitzer and was designed as a traditional infantry support vehicle. The Zrínyi II was accepted for service in March 1943 and production was to commence as quickly as possible,
S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 21.6 tons Dimensions: Length 18 ft 8 ins, Width 9 ft 10 ins, Height 7 ft 8 ins Powerplant: 1 x 260 hp Manfred-Weiss petrol engine Performance: Maximum speed 27 mph, Range 140 miles Armament: 1 x 105 mm MÁVAG 40/43M L20.5 howitzer Armour: Maximum thickness 75 mm Crew: 4
but only 66 had left the factory by July 1944 when the Soviets overrun the area. In Hungarian service it was hoped to form similar units to the German four vehicle batteries at division level, but there were never enough for this, instead they were deployed with the 1st, 2nd and 3rd assault battalions. These units became caught up in the fighting on the Eastern Front during the massive Soviet offensive in the summer of 1944, and after surviving forces had retreated from Transylvania by September-October, many were captured and used for some time by Romanian troops who had by then switched sides.
Country of Origin: Hungary Number Produced: 66
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Semovante da 75/18 The Semovente da 75/18 was the first in a series of Italian self-propelled guns to be based on the chassis of the M13/40 medium tank. The turret was removed and a new low superstructure fitted which housed a 75mm Ansaldo L/18 howitzer. The vehicle was only intended to be a temporary measure until work was completed on the first Italian heavy tank, the P26/40, and was intended to be used in both the artillery and anti-tank role as the gun could fire both armour piercing and high explosive rounds. The prototype was ready in early 1941, and the first vehicles were issued to Italian forces in S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 12.9 tons Dimensions: Length 16 ft 1 in, Width 7 ft 6½ ins, Height 6 ft 2½ ins Powerplant: 1 x 125 hp Fiat petrol engine Performance: Maximum speed 19mph, Range 18 miles Armament: 1 x 75mm L/18 gun, 1 x 8 mm machine gun Armour: Maximum 30 mm Crew: 3 Libya during January 1942. By the end of 1942 over 160 had been built based on the M41 hull, production shifting in 1943 to the M42 variant, with the M15/42 tank chassis and engine. The Semovente da 75/18 were deployed by the 132nd Ariete Armoured Division at the battle of El Alamein in the summer 1942 and throughout the rest of the North African Campaign, and by both Axis and Allied units during the Italian campaign. In total 60 Semovente da 75/18s were built based on M13/40 chassis, 162 based on the M14/41, 190 on the M15/42, and 55 being built after the Italian armistice in September 1943. Country of Origin: Italy Number Built: 467 S E L F - P R O P E L L E D G U N Carro Comando M41 The Carro Comando was designed as a command vehicle for the Semovente 75/18, and like the Semovente 75/18 was based on the chassis of the M13/40 or M14/41 medium tank. They were first used in action in North Africa during, where four Carro Comandos were assigned to each Semovente battalion. Each battalion consisted of two vehicles attached to the battalion command and one commanding each battery of four Semovente 75/18s. The first versions to see service retained the twin hull machine-guns of the M13/40 tank, but later these were replaced with a 13.2mm Breda 31 heavy machine-gun. S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 12.3 tons Dimensions: Length 16 ft 1 in, Width 7 ft 6½ ins, Height 6 ft 2½ ins Powerplant: 1 x 125 hp Fiat petrol engine Performance: Maximum speed 19 mph, Range 148 miles Armament: 1 x 13.2 mm Heavy Machine Gun Armour: Maximum 30 mm Crew: 4 The fighting compartment under the turret ring was covered with four outward opening hatches, while the commander had a goniometer (a direction finder incorporating a gyrocompass for establishing true north), scissors telescope, and a 1 metre rangefinder, while inside the fighting compartment there would be maps, tables, plotting equipment and two radios and other and communication equipment. Because of their lack of a large gun, these vehicles were easily identified as command vehicles and became high priority targets, many later being fitted with a dummy gun to hide their true role. Country of Origin: Italy Number Built: 79 S E L F - P R O P E L L E D G U N Semovante L40 da 47/32 The Semovente L40 da 47/32 was an Italian self-propelled gun built during World War II. It was created by mounting a Cannone da 47/32 anti-tank gun in an open-topped, box-like superstructure on a L 6/40 light tank chassis. Some were built as command tanks with a radio installed instead of the main gun. An 8 mm machine gun disguised as the 47 mm main gun was used on these versions to make them look like a regular Semovente 47/32s. By the time the Semovente was placed into service in 1941 it was already outdated, the 47 mm anti-tank gun being adequate and ineffective against enemy medium S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 6.5 tons Dimensions: Length 12 ft 6 ins, Width 6 ft 1 in, Height 5 ft 6½ ins Powerplant: 1 x 68 hp SPA petrol engine Performance: Maximum speed 28 mph, Range 120 miles Armament: 1 x 47 mm anti-tank gun Armour: Maximum 30 mm Crew: 3 tanks, and as such the vehicle proved not to be particularly successful, although it was one of the most heavily armed Italian armoured vehicle used by them on the Eastern Front. After the Italian armistice in September 1943, the German Army took possession of as many Italian armoured vrhicles as possible, including the Semovente 47/32. They were given the German designation of StuG L6 47/32 630(i), with several being provided to Germany's Croatian puppet state and the Slovene Home Guard. It is believed that approximately 300 Semoventi da 47/32 were built from 1941 onwards. Country of Origin: Italy Number Built: 300 S E L F - P R O P E L L E D G U N
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Sturmgeschütz III Ausf A In 1936 a request was made for the development of an infantry support vehicle that was armed with a gun of at least 7.5 cm calibre. The vehicle should have a low silhouette and should not exceed the height of an average man, and to achieve this the gun would be mounted in the hull and with a traverse of at least 25 degrees. The vehicle was based on the chassis of the Panzer III, and after trials with the prototypes the Sturmgeshutz Ausf A was placed in production in January 1940. The StuG was considered to be self-propelled artillery, but it was not clear which arm of the German Army would use the new weapon. S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 19.6 tons Dimensions: Length 17 ft 7 ins, Width 9 ft 7 ins, Height 6 ft 4 ins Powerplant: 1 x 300 hp Maybach HL 120 petrol engine Performance: Maximum speed 25 mph, Range 99 miles Armament: 1 x 7.5 cm StuK37 gun Armour: Maximum thickness 50 mm Crew: 4 The Panzerwaffe (armoured corps) did not have the resources to form StuG units, neither did the infantry, so it was agreed that they would best be employed as part of the artillery arm. During the early stages of World War Two the StuGs were used in their intended role of infantry support using direct-fire, but later as the type was progressively improved and upgraded they were also deployed as an anti-tank gun, their low profile making very suitable as an ambush weapon. Later in the war many were also used by regular Panzer regiments to make up losses, especially on the Eastern Front. Country of Origin: Germany Number Built: 35 S E L F - P R O P E L L E D G U N Sturmgeschütz III Ausf G The Ausf G was the last production series of the StuG and the most prolific, with about 8,000 being built or converted from the Panzer III. With the Ausf G there were several major improvements to the design. The upper superstructure was widened and the height increased to just over 7 feet. The back wall of the fighting compartment was straightened, and the ventilation fan on top of the superstructure was relocated to the back of the fighting compartment. From May 1943 spaced armour plates were fitted to to the sides which were primarily intended for protection against Russian anti-tank rifles, but S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 23.9 tons Dimensions: Length 22 ft 3 ins, Width 9 ft 8 ins, Height 7 ft 1 in Powerplant: 1 x 300 hp Maybach HL 120 petrol engine Performance: Maximum speed 25 mph, Range 95 miles Armament: 1 x 7.5 cm StuK40 gun, 1 x 7.92 mm machine gun Armour: Maximum thickness 80 mm Crew: 4 were also useful against hollow-charge ammunition. From October 1943 the Ausf G began to be fitted with the Saukopf (Pig's head) gun mantlet. This was a cast mantlet with a rounded shape, and was more effective at deflecting shots than the original box shaped mantlet that had armour varying in thickness from 45 mm to 50 mm. The lack of large castings however meant that the box mantlet was also produced until the very end. Other versions of the vehicle included StuG III Flamme and the StuH 42 which was armed with a 10.5 cm leFH 18 howitzer. In total over 10,000 StuG IIIs were built. Country of Origin: Germany Number Built: 7,993 S E L F - P R O P E L L E D G U N Sturmgeschütz III Ausf G The Ausf G was the last production series of the StuG and the most prolific, with about 8,000 being built or converted from the Panzer III. With the Ausf G there were several major improvements to the design. The upper superstructure was widened and the height increased to just over 7 feet. The back wall of the fighting compartment was straightened, and the ventilation fan on top of the superstructure was relocated to the back of the fighting compartment. From May 1943 spaced armour plates were fitted to to the sides which were primarily intended for protection against Russian anti-tank rifles, but S P E C I F I C A T I O N : Vehicle Weight: 23.9 tons Dimensions: Length 22 ft 3 ins, Width 9 ft 8 ins, Height 7 ft 1 in Powerplant: 1 x 300 hp Maybach HL 120 petrol engine Performance: Maximum speed 25 mph, Range 95 miles Armament: 1 x 7.5 cm StuK40 gun, 1 x 7.92 mm machine gun Armour: Maximum thickness 80 mm Crew: 4 were also useful against hollow-charge ammunition. From October 1943 the Ausf G began to be fitted with the Saukopf (Pig's head) gun mantlet. This was a cast mantlet with a rounded shape, and was more effective at deflecting shots than the original box shaped mantlet that had armour varying in thickness from 45 mm to 50 mm. The lack of large castings however meant that the box mantlet was also produced until the very end. Other versions of the vehicle included StuG III Flamme and the StuH 42 which was armed with a 10.5 cm leFH 18 howitzer. In total over 10,000 StuG IIIs were built. Country of Origin: Germany Number Built: 7,993 S E L F - P R O P E L L E D G U N Contents Contents 4 4 3 3 2 2
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