In 1941-42, German industry made several attempts to create promising self-propelled artillery mounts with 150 mm guns. Such systems, due to their high indicators of firepower, were of particular interest to the troops, however, for various reasons, until a certain time it was not possible to establish a full-fledged mass production of new equipment. The first self-propelled gun with a 150-mm gun, built in relatively large numbers, eventually became the 15 cm sIG 33 (SF) auf Pz. Kpfw. 38 (t) Ausf. N.
At the beginning of March 1942, the command determined the future prospects of the available Pz. Kpfw. 38 (t) light tanks of Czechoslovak production. The use of this technology in its original form already raised doubts due to obsolescence, which is why it began to be considered as a promising basis for new combat vehicles, primarily self-propelled artillery installations. After some modifications, it was proposed to install artillery guns of various types on the tank chassis. One of the options for such a modernization of tanks involved the use of the 15 cm sIG 33 gun.
The development of new projects of armored vehicles based on the Pz. Kpfw. 38 (t) was entrusted to several organizations, including Böhmisch-Mährische Maschinenfabrik AG (now ČKD), which was one of the main manufacturers of such tanks. Having received a technical assignment for a new project, BMM specialists began to adapt the existing combat vehicle for new weapons. It was decided to use some proven ideas and technical solutions, which made it possible to speed up the development of the project, as well as to simplify the production of serial equipment. In fact, it was planned to only slightly change the design of the hull, as well as equip it with a set of new equipment. It was proposed to use other units without changes.
One of the earliest samples of the 15 cm sIG 33 (SF) auf Pz. Kpfw. 38 (t) Ausf. H. Photo Worldwarphotos.info
The promising self-propelled gun with the sIG 33 gun received the symbol 15 cm sIG 33 (SF) auf Pz. Kpfw.38 (t), reflecting the main components of the vehicle. In addition, over time, the project received the additional name Grille ("Cricket"). It should be noted that in the course of further modernization of the self-propelled gun, a new machine of the same name appeared with different design features and other characteristics. This feature of the development of SPGs based on Czechoslovak tanks can lead to confusion.
The first version of the self-propelled gun based on the Pz. Kpfw.38 (t) meant minimal changes to the base chassis while maintaining its features. So, it was proposed to remove the existing turret from the tank, as well as remove the turret platform and redesign the hull roof structure. At the same time, it was planned to retain the existing lower part of the hull, as well as internal units, chassis, etc. A new armored wheelhouse with a gun was to be located on the modified roof. The layout of the hull, despite all the changes, generally remained the same: the transmission and control compartment in the front, the fighting compartment in the center and the engine compartment in the stern.
The lower part of the hull of the new ACS was supposed to go into a promising project without any changes. She retained the frontal part, consisting of several armor plates up to 25 mm thick, located at different angles to the vertical. In addition, in order to increase the level of protection, it was proposed to install additional sheets, bringing the thickness of the frontal armor to 50 mm. The sides still had to be 15 mm thick, and the stern had to be made of 10 mm sheets. The roof and bottom were kept 8 mm thick.
Self-propelled gun scheme. Figure Aviarmor.net
On the roof of the hull, the new project proposed to install a large wheelhouse of a characteristic faceted shape. Above the driver's workplace, an inclined frontal sheet should be located, on the sides, cheekbones that were piled inward and installed at an angle to the axis of the car were attached to it. Also provided for sides with beveled rear sheets and feed with a notch in the upper part. The cabin was proposed to be made of armor with a thickness of 15 mm.
In the rear of the hull, it was planned to retain the Praga EPA / 3 six-cylinder carburetor engine with a capacity of 125 hp. A mechanical transmission based on a six-speed gearbox was connected to the engine using a cardan shaft running along the body. Like other armored vehicles in service with the German army, the Pz. Kpfw. 38 (t) tank had front drive wheels.
The chassis of the base car was completely preserved. It was based on four large diameter road wheels on each side. The rollers were blocked in pairs and equipped with leaf springs. Despite the large diameter of the rollers, additional support rollers have been included in the undercarriage. The driving wheels were placed in the front of the hull, the guides were in the stern.
The main difference between the promising self-propelled gun from the base tank was the presence of a new fighting compartment. In order to increase the habitable volumes, it was decided to use a relatively large and long wheelhouse, the aft part of which was placed above the engine compartment. In the front of the wheelhouse, a gun mounting system should be installed, and along the sides and at the stern of the fighting compartment, various auxiliary units should have been placed, primarily racks for ammunition.
The interior of the fighting compartment. Photo Aviarmor.net
The main weapon of the Sverchok self-propelled guns was supposed to be the sIG 33 heavy field gun of 150 mm caliber. This system in the course of previous battles managed to show its best side. High firepower combined with the power of relatively heavy ammunition made it possible to effectively fight enemy manpower, equipment and fortifications. Moreover, it was the relatively high efficiency of the sIG 33 gun that caused the appearance of several self-propelled guns, including the 15 cm sIG 33 (SF) auf Pz. Kpfw.38 (t).
The sIG 33 gun was equipped with an 11 caliber barrel, a horizontal sliding breech and hydropneumatic recoil devices. Separate loading was used, several types of shells for various purposes could be used. In this case, the basis of ammunition was to be high-explosive fragmentation shells of several types. The maximum initial velocity of the projectile was 240 m / s, which made it possible to fire at ranges up to 4.7 km.
The gun mounting systems made it possible to carry out horizontal and vertical aiming using manual drives. Horizontal guidance was carried out within a sector with a width of 10 °, vertical - from -3 ° to + 72 °. As in the case of the basic towed version, the gun was equipped with an Rblf36 sight.
Gun mount. Photo Wikimedia Commons
Due to the limitations imposed by the dimensions of the vehicle and the carrying capacity of the chassis, the new self-propelled guns had to be distinguished by not too large ammunition transportable. Inside the wheelhouse, it was possible to place racks for only 15 separate loading shells. At the same time, part of the ammunition was placed in rigid metal holders, while others were proposed to be transported in special textile bags. For long-term shooting, the car needed the help of an ammunition carrier.
For self-defense, the Grille self-propelled gun crew was proposed to use the 7, 92-mm MG 34 machine gun. As in the case of some other German self-propelled guns projects of that time, the machine gun could not be transported on a special installation in a combat ready state. This weapon and ammunition for it should have been transported in the stowage of the fighting compartment and removed if necessary.
The crew of the 15 cm sIG 33 (SF) auf Pz. Kpfw.38 (t) self-propelled gun was supposed to consist of four people. In the front of the hull, in its old place at the starboard side, the driver was placed. The gunner commander was located to the left of the gun. Behind him, on both sides of the armament, there were places for two loaders. One of the loaders also had to perform the duties of a radio operator and use a FuG 15 radio station.
At the front, 1944. Photo by Wikimedia Commons
The absence of major changes in the chassis design has led to the preservation of the basic dimensions. The ACS 15 cm sIG 33 (SF) auf Pz. Kpfw.38 (t) was supposed to have a length of about 4.6 m, a width of 2.6 m and a height of 2.4 m. The combat weight was determined at the level of 11.5 tons. weight in comparison with the base tank should have led to some deterioration in mobility. So, with a specific power of no more than 10, 8 hp. per ton, the self-propelled gun could only accelerate to 35 km / h and have a cruising range of no more than 185 km.
The development of a new project was completed at the very beginning of 1943. In February, BMM assembled the first prototype "Cricket" and presented it for testing. The modernized chassis of the Pz. Kpfw.38 (t) tank was used as the basis for the new self-propelled gun, as a result of which the prototype received the designation 15 cm sIG 33 (SF) auf Pz. Kpfw.38 (t) Ausf. H, in which it was reflected this upgrade. For simplicity, this version of the machine is sometimes referred to as the Grille Ausf. H. It should be noted that this designation makes it possible to distinguish the first version of the Grille ACS from subsequent developments in this direction.
After short tests, the command approved the serial production of new self-propelled guns. The construction of 200 vehicles was ordered. At the same time, due to the completion of the serial production of Pz. Kpfw. 38 (t) tanks, it was proposed to assemble new equipment during the repair and modernization of existing vehicles. Combat light tanks entering the rear to undergo repairs were to be rebuilt and become carriers of 150-mm guns. It was assumed that this would extend the service life of equipment that is already morally obsolete and cannot fully solve its problems in its original form, although it has not yet had time to develop its resource.
Self-propelled gun and crew member. Photo Worldwarphotos.info
Until the end of February 1943, BMM began repairing light tanks arriving from the front with their subsequent re-equipment according to a new project. The comparative simplicity of the project had a positive effect on the pace of order fulfillment: according to some reports, two dozen self-propelled guns were delivered to the customer by the beginning of March. During March, 40 vehicles were assembled and sent to the army, in April - 25 more. After that, the production of the first version of the Sverchkov ceased. In total, 90 vehicles armed with sIG 33 guns were assembled in a few months.
Interestingly, some sources mention the release of about 200 Grille Ausf. H. ACS. Apparently, in this case, there is a confusion associated with the use of similar designations. As far as we know, already in April the 43rd ACS of version "H" in serial production was replaced by a new modification. It is the production and delivery of these machines that make it possible to "get" the amount of equipment up to the required two hundred.
Self-propelled guns 15 cm sIG 33 (SF) auf Pz. Kpfw. 38 (t) Ausf. H Grille were distributed among the companies of heavy infantry guns in different divisions. The task of this technique and its crews was to support the offensive of infantry and tanks by attacking remote enemy targets, primarily various fortifications. A similar tactic of using large-caliber self-propelled artillery has already been tested in previous battles, in which carriers sIG 33 of previous models participated, and has proven itself well.
Appearing at the front in the spring of 1943, the Grille Ausf. H self-propelled guns took part in the battles on the Eastern Front. Until a certain time, this technique was used only in battles with the Red Army. After the outbreak of hostilities in Western Europe, part of the units armed with such self-propelled guns were transferred to a new theater of operations.
Remains of the Grille Ausf. H self-propelled gun, discovered in the late nineties. Photo Warrelics.eu
The 150-mm gun was a serious means of supporting the advancing troops, but, at the same time, self-propelled guns were at serious risk. The enemy tried to disable such equipment as soon as possible, which, among other things, was facilitated by its low level of protection. As a consequence, companies of heavy infantry guns regularly suffered casualties. The equipment was destroyed, damaged beyond repair, or given to the enemy as trophies.
All this ultimately led to the fact that at the time of the surrender, Germany had, according to various sources, only a few self-propelled guns of the 15 cm sIG 33 (SF) auf Pz. Kpfw. 38 (t) Ausf type. Others were disabled for one reason or another. In the future, the machines that remained in stock ceased to exist. Unfortunately for historians and fans of military equipment, such self-propelled guns did not manage to become museum exhibits.
The 15 cm sIG 33 (SF) auf Pz. Kpfw.38 (t) Ausf. H project can be considered another breakthrough in the creation of self-propelled carriers for the 15 cm sIG 33 guns. organize the mass construction of the required equipment. In addition, the problem of using outdated tanks, which had not yet had time to develop a resource, but could no longer be used in their original quality, was solved. Soon after the completion of the design work on the Grille Ausf. H ACS, specialists from BMM and related organizations began to develop this technology. The result was the emergence of a new self-propelled gun 15 cm sIG 33 (SF) auf Pz. Kpfw. 38 (t) Ausf. M.
