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$11.95 ROMMEL’S FUNNIES Pz.Sfl.I1 - 7.5 cm Kan. L/41 auf Zgkw.5t (HKP902) 7.62 cm F.K.(r) auf gp. Sfl. (Sd. Kfz.6/3) 15 cm s.1.G.33 B Sfl. Lg.s.F.H.13 (Sfl.) Sfl. auf Lorraine-Schlepper Landwasserschlepper by Thomas L. Jentz Cover Photo: A Pz,Kpfw.III Ausf.H was converted by the troops in North Africa into a 15 cm s.1.G.33 B Sfl. Components including the 15 cm s.I.G.33 B (with shortened trail), gun shield, superstructure sides with tool stowage, and ammunition racks were stripped from a verstaerktem Pz.Kpfw.1I Fahrgestell (strengthened Pz.II chassis). (TTM) Thanks are especially due to Walter J. Spielberger and Peter Chamberlain for providing copies of rare and unique photos. Photos were also obtained from the The Tank Museum (19), National Archives (16), Ordnance Museum at Aberdeen Proving Grounds (13), Bundesarchiv (3), Jarrett Collection at Carlisle Barracks (2), and Australian War Memorial (1). © Copyright Thomas L.Jentz 1997 Dastington Productions ne PO. Box 5884 Darlington, MD 21084 Copyeght © 1997 ISBN 0:9648793-60 All ights reserved. No portion ofthis publication ‘may be reprinted or reproduced in ay fashion or by any means without the expressed writen permission ofthe polisher Rommel’s Funnies Specialized armored vehicles were sent to bolster Rommel's forces in Libya long before Hobart created his Funnies for the D-Day landing. In response to British employment of heavy tanks, and with the expectation that the British would retum to the offensive with strong tank forces, in August 1941 the Oberkommando des Heeres (German army high command) decided to enhance the anti-tank defenses in Libya. The creation of, self-propelled anti-tank guns on trucks or semi- tracks was ordered utilizing either the 5 em Pak 38 or captured Russian 7.62 cm field guns whose armor-piercing capability was better than the 5 cm Pak 38. In addition, a platoon with two self: propelled Panzer-Jaeger with 7.5 cm guns was be rapidly created and shipped to Libya. By mid-October 1941, a total of nine 7.62 cm self-propelled guns on semi-tracks had been consigned to Rommel's forces. In addition, two companies each with six 15 cm self-propelled heavy infantry guns were to be sent for the intended attack on Tobruk. But none of these specialized armored vehi- cles made it to Libya in 1941 in time to stem the British offensive, Operation Crusader, in Novem- bet/December 1941. Panzer-Gruppe Afrika was forced to retreat back to El Agheila. Finally, the first of these specialized armored vehicles landed in Libya in time for Rommel's limited counterstrike which started on 21 January 1942. The rest arrived by the end of April in time for the start of Operation Venezia. In addition to Rommel's usual end run around the open flank, a small diversionary force outfitted with a few captured tanks and a Land- wasserschlepper (amphibious tug) was created to land behind the British lines. Also, in May 1942, a contingent of 15 cm self-propelled howitzers was ordered to be sent to North Africa to aid in sustain- ing an offensive into Egypt, capturing the Suez Canal, and striking into the Middle Eastern oilfields. This is the story of the creation, production, technical attributes, and tactical application of these specialized vehicles. Only information from origi- nal documents written during the war has been used in creating this account. It is left to the reader to analyze whether efforts expended in design, produc- tion, training crews, and maintenance support were justified, based on the success achieved by these special purpose vehicles. General Rommel observing an attack in the summer of 1942. (Jarrett Collection) Panzer-Selbstfahrlafette I 7.5 cm Kanone L/41 auf Zugkraftwagen 5t (HKP 902) On 11 August 1941, Organisations- Abteilung (IN) ordered: The nwo Panzer-Jaeger (Sfl.) = 7.5 cm Kanone L/4l auf gepanzerte Fahrgestell des 5 t Zugkraftwagen, that are either available or soon will be, are to be used to rapidly create a platoon and be sent to Libya. Because of their good armor-penetration capability which remains almost the same out to a range of 1500 meters, and their maneuverability, these guns were also 10 be employed as light Schartenknacker (bunker busters) against fortifications. The story of how two Panzer-Jaeger (Sfl.) were available in short order goes back to 1935. As related in a report from Wa Prw dated 30 October 1935, entitled Offensive Abwehr von Panzer- wagen (offensive defense against tanks): During the demonstration at Kummersdorf on II July 1935, the Oberkommando des Heeres himself emphasized that a offensive tank defense must be strived for. The following statements about technical development have resulted from thoroughly working through this problem. The frequently expressed principle that the best defense against a tank is another rank is at least disputed, Bomber aircraft are not employed against Instead, faster and more heavy bomber aircraft. maneuverable fighter aircraft presenting a smaller target are used that only have to be armed in such a way that they can really damage a bomber. At sea the torpedo boat is fought with a torpedo boat destroyer, the submarine with a submarine destroyer. In both types of destroyers the most important specification is superior speed and ‘maneuverability -- armored only as far as it doesn't interfere with both primary ‘characteristics. Recently this train of thought by many sailors has reached its peak in the Schnellboot. Apparently even against the heaviest and largest warships, the Schnellboot is a valuable and dangerous offensive weapon. These very small targets have a consider- able speed of about 40 knots and therefore are extremely difficult to hit. Armor is practically renounced. They have fulfilled their role if they can get within effective torpedo firing range undamaged. Even if they are destroyed after achieving their task, their employment is worthwhile, even from a purely economic standpoint. But after firing torpedoes, they will frequently succeed in getting away, thanks 10 the characteristics of high speed, maneuverabil- ity, and small target area. The question remains whether a tank destroyer can be built exactly corresponding to the Left and Right: Pz.Sf1.II with license number WHS39457 was photographed in the desert on or before 28 February 1942 as this is the date on the photo circulated by U.S. Military Intelligence. It is in excellent condition with a canvas cover fastened over the turret. ‘This may be a photo taken from a crew member after he was captured. (NA) fighter aircraft, torpedo boat destroyer, submarine destroyer, and especially the Schnellboot, in which armor is rejected in favor of the following primary characteristics 1. very high road speed to achieve good operational mobility; 2. good cross-country mobility, at least the same as tanks; 3. cross-country speed and maneuverability greatly superior to a tank; 4. small target area; 5. good firing platform for accurate shooting while stationary; 6. weapons capable of target destruction at ranges from 700 meters up; 7. cheap and quick mass production in comparison to tanks; 8. if possibly achievable without interfering with the ‘first seven requirements, rapidly dismountable weapon for the purpose of employment in the same way as towed anti-tank guns, as well as rapidly remountable This creates an entirely new automotive problem as well as a totally new weapons problem. The automotive problem on land is certainly very much more difficult than on the sea for a Schnell- boot. Whether the problem can really be satisfacto- rily and economically solved is completely undeter- mined and requires thorough investigation. Some people are thoroughly skeptical. Still these ideal requirements were created primarily in order to test the level at which available or newly designed vehi- cles can meet these specifications. The weapons problem is especially difficult because the requirement for sufficient armor-pene- tration capability must be coupled with the require- ‘ment for the least possible recoil. In addition 10 a highly effective muzzle brake, the extent to which other means can be found to solve the problem must still be clarified. One could also think of employing the rocket effect, which makes a recoilless mount possible by firing large explosive charges instead of ‘armor-penetrating rounds The question of how well current designs under development met the above requirements was answered as follows: 5_cm Kanone auf Selbstfahrlafette (leichte gelaendegaengige Zugkraftwagen) With regard to the possibility of defending against the heaviest French tanks (Char 2 C, 3 C, and D), a 7.5 cm Kanone auf Selbstfahrlafete was developed on orders from the Oberkommando des Heeres himself. The gun has the capabilities of the Feldkanone 15 n.A., achieving a muzzle velocity of 650 m/sec. Fired at this initial velocity, at a range of 700 meters the Panzergranate can penetrate 61 mm thick armor plate hit at an angle of 30 degrees from vertical. This is 10 percent higher than what is needed to penetrate the Char 2 C, 3 Cand 2D. The leichte gelaendegaengige Zugkraft-

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