Lorraine Schlepper. Indirect Fires?

German weapons, vehicles and equipment 1919-1945.

Moderator: sniper1shot

phylo_roadking
Patron
Posts: 8459
Joined: Thu Apr 28, 2005 2:41 pm

Post by phylo_roadking »

In the meantime, here'a couple of thoughts all this has thrown up -

First - The US Army's definition of an assault gun as opposed to SPA. It doesn't seem to take much account of the fact that some of the chassis used were simply rear-engined and some were front-engined!!! I assume Becker's planning and construction unit simply did what they could with what they had then sent the batches off to be slotted in somewhere into the TO&E. For there would always be losses everywhere to fill...hence the confusion over the 39H(f)'s role - SPA when built, but assault gun when used.

Second - some of his conversion work doesn't seem to have been THAT good :wink: as some of the designs seem to be able to cope with recoil better than others, while others had to retain their muzzle brakes.

Third - despite this SOMEONE liked them! For it earned Becker the WWI already-decorated WWI veteran the War Merit Cross 1st Class with Swords and by 1945 had earned himself a Knight’s Cross of the War Merit Cross with Swords.
"Well, my days of not taking you seriously are certainly coming to a middle." - Malcolm Reynolds
phylo_roadking
Patron
Posts: 8459
Joined: Thu Apr 28, 2005 2:41 pm

Post by phylo_roadking »

SPECIAL BONUS MATERIAL!

Found this.....

Image

DEFO uglee!
"Well, my days of not taking you seriously are certainly coming to a middle." - Malcolm Reynolds
phylo_roadking
Patron
Posts: 8459
Joined: Thu Apr 28, 2005 2:41 pm

Post by phylo_roadking »

Your friend might like to take a look at this...

http://www.panzernet.net/panzernet/stra ... statni.htm

:up:
"Well, my days of not taking you seriously are certainly coming to a middle." - Malcolm Reynolds
User avatar
tigre
Patron
Posts: 6959
Joined: Sun Apr 10, 2005 5:42 pm
Location: Argentina

Re: Lorraine Schlepper. Indirect Fires?

Post by tigre »

Hello to all :D; a little more.............................

15cm sFH13/1 auf Geschützwagen Lorraine Schlepper SdKfz 135/1.

Image
15cm sFH13/1 auf Geschützwagen Lorraine Schlepper SdKfz 135/1; AFAIK about 30 were built and delivered to the units; behind a Renault UE Chenillette...........................

Source: http://www.ebay.de/itm/Foto-Panzer-SfL- ... 7675.l2557

Cheers. Raúl M 8).
Serás lo que debas ser o no serás nada. General José de San Martín.
Alanmccoubrey
Contributor
Posts: 224
Joined: Sat May 29, 2010 9:23 am
Location: Westbury, Wiltshire, UK.

Re: Lorraine Schlepper. Indirect Fires?

Post by Alanmccoubrey »

Raul, there were in fact 94 of these built according to Spielberger, the 30 figure is the first production batch, in June 1942, which were intended for service in North Africa. The second batch served in France, there is a photograph in Spielberger dated June 1943 with 44 of them on parade.
Alan
User avatar
tigre
Patron
Posts: 6959
Joined: Sun Apr 10, 2005 5:42 pm
Location: Argentina

Re: Lorraine Schlepper. Indirect Fires?

Post by tigre »

Thanks for that input Alan :up:. Cheers. Raúl M 8).
Serás lo que debas ser o no serás nada. General José de San Martín.
User avatar
tigre
Patron
Posts: 6959
Joined: Sun Apr 10, 2005 5:42 pm
Location: Argentina

Re: Lorraine Schlepper. Indirect Fires?

Post by tigre »

Hello to all :D; a little more...............................................

15cm sFH13/1 auf Geschützwagen Lorraine Schlepper SdKfz 135/1.

In June 1942 on Hitler's instructions, 30 heavy field howitzers of 15 cm were to be mounted on the chassis of the French Lorraine tractor. These modifications were to be carried out by Alkett (Altmärkische Kettenwerk GmbH) and were intended for employment in North Africa - 12 for the 21st Panzer Division, 12 for the 15th Panzer Division, and 6 for the 90th Division. In July and August 1942 these were shipped, but in total only 23 pieces arrived in Africa. After the fighting for El Alamein, all were reported as a loss in December 1942.

In August 1942, the Baukommando Becker, with a slight change, converted a further 64 Lorrain tractors and fitted them with 15cm sFH. These were initially allocated to the Armored Artillery Regiment 1 and 2. These were later split up into several units, most of which were then deployed in Normandy.

Image
Frontal view of a SdKfz 135/1.................................................

Image
A SdKfz 135/1 in a coastal fight in France...............................................

Source: http://www.ebay.de/itm/Foto-Panzer-SfL- ... true&rt=nc
http://www.ebay.de/itm/Foto-Panzer-SfL- ... 7675.l2557
http://www.panzer-modell.de/berichte/15 ... rraine.htm

Cheers. Raúl M 8).
Serás lo que debas ser o no serás nada. General José de San Martín.
User avatar
tigre
Patron
Posts: 6959
Joined: Sun Apr 10, 2005 5:42 pm
Location: Argentina

Re: Lorraine Schlepper. Indirect Fires?

Post by tigre »

Hello to all :D; a query........................................

15cm sFH13 / 1 auf Geschützwagen Lorraine Schlepper Sd Kfz 135/1.

On the back of the last photo of my previous post, was written "Geschützpanzer an der Hafeneinfahrt von Toulon" (Geschützpanzer at the gates of the port of Toulon - this was November 1942). The vehicle carries as identification 2/5 Gp. Does anyone have any idea which unit that participated there had this material? (AFAIK there was committed the 7. Pz).

TIA. Cheers. Raúl M 8).
Serás lo que debas ser o no serás nada. General José de San Martín.
Post Reply