10.5 cm leFH 18

Infobox Weapon
name=10.5 cm leFH 18


caption=10.5 cm leFH 18
origin=Germany
type=howitzer
is_ranged=
is_bladed=
is_explosive=
is_artillery=yes
is_vehicle=
is_UK=
service=1939-1945
used_by=flag|Nazi Germany
flag|Finland
flag|Hungary
flag|Slovakia
flag|Spain
wars=World War II
designer=
design_date=1929-30
manufacturer=Rheinmetall
production_date=1935-1945
number=
variants=
weight=1,985 kg (4,377 lbs)
length=2.941 m (9.64 ft)
part_length=2.612 m (8.56 ft)
width=
height=
crew=
cartridge=cased separate-loading (6 charges)
caliber=105 mm (4.13 in)
action=
rate=4-6 rpm
velocity=470 m/s (1,542 ft/s)
range=10,675 m (11,675 yds)
max_range=
feed=
sights=
breech=horizontal sliding block
recoil=hydropneumatic
carriage=split trail
elevation=-6° 30' to +40° 30'
traverse=56°
blade_type=
hilt_type=
sheath_type=
head_type=
haft_type=
diameter=
filling=
filling_weight=
detonation=
yield=
armour=
primary_armament=
secondary_armament=
engine=
engine_power=
pw_ratio=
suspension=
vehicle_range=
speed=

The 10.5 cm leFH 18 (German: "leichte FeldHaubitze" "light field howitzer") was a German light howitzer used in the Second World War.

History

The 10.5 cm leFH 18 was the standard divisional field howitzer used during the Second World War. It was designed and developed by Rheinmetall in 1929-30 and entered service with the Wehrmacht in 1935. The leFH18 remained in service with the German Army until 1945. Generally it did not equip independent artillery battalions until after the Battle of Stalingrad in 1943. Before 1938 the leFH 18 was exported to Hungary and Spain. 53 units were also exported to Finland, where they were known as 105 H 33.

Description

It has a heavy, simple breech mechanism with a hydro-pneumatic recoil system. The 10.5 cm leFH 18 was mounted on a towed chassis, with large metal or wood wheels rimmed with rubber. Initially, it was not fitted with a muzzle brake. In 1941 a muzzle brake was fitted to allow longer range charges to be fired. This increased the range by about 1,800 yards and was known as the leFH 18M. In March 1942 a requirement was issued for a lighter howitzer. This led to a second modification, known as the leFH 18/40. This modification consisted of mounting the barrel of an leFH 18M on the carriage for a 7.5 cm PaK 40 antitank gun. The new carriage increased the rate of fire as well as making the howitzer lighter. Additionally, a more efficient muzzle brake was added, decreasing the recoil. Ballistically, the 10.5 cm leFH 18M and the leFH 18/40 are identical.

References

* Englemann, Joachim and Scheibert, Horst. "Deutsche Artillerie 1934-1945: Eine Dokumentation in Text, Skizzen und Bildern: Ausrüstung, Gliderung, Ausbildung, Führung, Einsatz". Limburg/Lahn, Germany: C. A. Starke, 1974

* Gander, Terry and Chamberlain, Peter. "Weapons of the Third Reich: An Encyclopedic Survey of All Small Arms, Artillery and Special Weapons of the German Land Forces 1939-1945". New York: Doubleday, 1979 ISBN 0-385-15090-3

* Hogg, Ian V. "German Artillery of World War Two". 2nd corrected edition. Mechanicsville, PA: Stackpole Books, 1997 ISBN 1-85367-480-X

External links

*http://www.wlhoward.com/id1074.htm Ordnance Technical Intelligence Museum Webpage
*http://www.germanwarmachine.com/weapons/artillery/lefh18.htm

ee also