Wespe: Difference between revisions
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The design for the ''Wespe'' was produced by [[Alkett]], and was based on the Panzer II ''Ausf. F'' [[chassis]]. Production of the vehicles was carried out at various plants, mainly in occupied [[Poland]], Specifically Warsaw's Famo factory. The conversion process itself proved relatively simple, involving the replacement of the Panzer II turret with a [[10.5 cm leFH 18|105 mm leFH 18]] [[howitzer]] and a gun-shield. |
The design for the ''Wespe'' was produced by [[Alkett]], and was based on the Panzer II ''Ausf. F'' [[chassis]]. Production of the vehicles was carried out at various plants, mainly in occupied [[Poland]], Specifically Warsaw's Famo factory. The conversion process itself proved relatively simple, involving the replacement of the Panzer II turret with a [[10.5 cm leFH 18|105 mm leFH 18]] [[howitzer]] and a gun-shield. |
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In the early 1942, the Panzerkampfwagen II (Sd.Kfz.121) light tank was withdrawn from frontline Panzer units and relocated to second line duties after being in service since 1936. That step provided the opportunity to use its reliable chassis and components for conversions such as the Marder II tank destroyer and Wespe. Alkett designed the Wespe in mid 1942, and its practical design was chosen over other designs based upon the Panzerkampfwagen III or Panzerkampfwagen IV’s chassis. Wespe (Wasp) was a light self-propelled gun armed with a 105mm light field-howitzer and based on the unmodified and modified Panzerkampfwagen II Ausf F chassis. Wespe received the designation Sd.Kfz.124, but was also known as the 10.5cm le FH18/2 Fahrgestell auf Geschützwagen PzKpfw II and as the Leichte Feldhaubitze 18/2 auf Fahrgestell PzKpfw II (Sf). |
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The main idea behind the design of Wespe was to provide all mobile formations with proper and indirect artillery support. Wespes were to operate behind the frontlines and were not to engage enemy vehicles, however, they carried armor-piercing ammunition in case of an encounter. Like artillery, the Wespe operated in batteries and received orders and directions from forward observers by radio or field telephone: reducing the risk of being exposed to direct enemy fire. The Wespe was based on the regular Panzerkampfwagen II Ausf F light tank chassis and on modified Panzerkampfwagen II Ausf F chassis'. Both versions used many standard components of the Panzerkampfwagen II Ausf F light tank. Ausf F was the last variant of Panzerkampfwagen II to enter full-scale production. Ausf F was produced by FAMO of Breslau (Wroclaw) and some 1400 chassis were manufactured, while 524 were completed as tanks from 1941 to 1943. This model featured increased armor protection and other modifications based on battle experience. |
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The early version of the Wespe was based on a regular tank chassis with engine moved forward (to a more central location) and the suspension reinforced in order to absorb the stress from firing-recoil. The later version was based on a modified chassis with a slightly lengthened (by 220mm) hull, engine and radiators moved forward (to more central location), and the suspension reinforced to absorb the stress from firing-recoil. The longer hull resulted in an increase in the space between the last road-wheel and idler. Modified chassis' were known as Geschützwagen II - Gun Vehicle / Gun Carriage IIs. The configuration of the driver compartment was changed during production, creating two variants as well. |
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==Combat history== |
==Combat history== |
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Revision as of 10:08, 19 September 2012
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| Wespe | |
|---|---|
 Wespe at the Deutsches Panzermuseum in Munster, Germany | |
| Type | Self-propelled artillery |
| Place of origin |  Nazi Germany |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1943 - 1945 |
| Used by | Nazi Germany |
| Wars | World War II |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Alkett |
| Designed | 1942 |
| Produced | 1943 - 1944 |
| No. built | 682 |
| Variants | ammunition carrier |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 11 tonnes (24,250 lb) |
| Length | 4.81 m (15 ft 9 in) |
| Width | 2.28 m (7 ft 6 in) |
| Height | 2.3 m (7 ft 7 in) |
| Crew | 5 (commander, driver, three gunners) |
| Armor | 5 - 30 mm (.19 - 1.18 in) |
Main armament | 1x 10.5 cm leFH 18M L/28 with 40 rounds |
| Engine | 6-cyl petrol Maybach HL62TR 140 hp (105 kW) |
| Power/weight | 12.7 hp/tonne |
| Suspension | leaf spring |
Operational range | 220 km (137 mi) |
| Maximum speed | 40 km/h (25 mph) |
The SdKfz 124 Wespe (German for "wasp"), also known as Leichte Feldhaubitze 18 auf Fahrgestell Panzerkampfwagen II ("Light field howitzer 18 on Panzer II chassis"), was a German self-propelled artillery vehicle developed and used during the Second World War. It was based mainly on the Panzer II tank.
Development
In 1940, during the Battle of France, it was apparent that the main tank of the German forces, the Panzer II, was unsuitable as a tank; though mechanically sound, it was both under-gunned and under-armoured. Thus, when the need arose for a self-propelled artillery vehicle, the Panzer II was a natural choice, removing the vehicles from front line service and extending their usable lifespan.
The design for the Wespe was produced by Alkett, and was based on the Panzer II Ausf. F chassis. Production of the vehicles was carried out at various plants, mainly in occupied Poland, Specifically Warsaw's Famo factory. The conversion process itself proved relatively simple, involving the replacement of the Panzer II turret with a 105 mm leFH 18 howitzer and a gun-shield.
In the early 1942, the Panzerkampfwagen II (Sd.Kfz.121) light tank was withdrawn from frontline Panzer units and relocated to second line duties after being in service since 1936. That step provided the opportunity to use its reliable chassis and components for conversions such as the Marder II tank destroyer and Wespe. Alkett designed the Wespe in mid 1942, and its practical design was chosen over other designs based upon the Panzerkampfwagen III or Panzerkampfwagen IV’s chassis. Wespe (Wasp) was a light self-propelled gun armed with a 105mm light field-howitzer and based on the unmodified and modified Panzerkampfwagen II Ausf F chassis. Wespe received the designation Sd.Kfz.124, but was also known as the 10.5cm le FH18/2 Fahrgestell auf Geschützwagen PzKpfw II and as the Leichte Feldhaubitze 18/2 auf Fahrgestell PzKpfw II (Sf).
The main idea behind the design of Wespe was to provide all mobile formations with proper and indirect artillery support. Wespes were to operate behind the frontlines and were not to engage enemy vehicles, however, they carried armor-piercing ammunition in case of an encounter. Like artillery, the Wespe operated in batteries and received orders and directions from forward observers by radio or field telephone: reducing the risk of being exposed to direct enemy fire. The Wespe was based on the regular Panzerkampfwagen II Ausf F light tank chassis and on modified Panzerkampfwagen II Ausf F chassis'. Both versions used many standard components of the Panzerkampfwagen II Ausf F light tank. Ausf F was the last variant of Panzerkampfwagen II to enter full-scale production. Ausf F was produced by FAMO of Breslau (Wroclaw) and some 1400 chassis were manufactured, while 524 were completed as tanks from 1941 to 1943. This model featured increased armor protection and other modifications based on battle experience.
The early version of the Wespe was based on a regular tank chassis with engine moved forward (to a more central location) and the suspension reinforced in order to absorb the stress from firing-recoil. The later version was based on a modified chassis with a slightly lengthened (by 220mm) hull, engine and radiators moved forward (to more central location), and the suspension reinforced to absorb the stress from firing-recoil. The longer hull resulted in an increase in the space between the last road-wheel and idler. Modified chassis' were known as Geschützwagen II - Gun Vehicle / Gun Carriage IIs. The configuration of the driver compartment was changed during production, creating two variants as well.
Combat history
The Wespe first saw combat in 1943 on the Eastern Front, and proved so successful that Hitler ordered all Panzer II production to be reserved for the Wespe alone, dropping other projects such as the Marder II self-propelled anti-tank gun. They were allocated to the armored artillery battalions (Panzerartillerie Abteilungen) of Panzer divisions along with heavier Hummel self-propelled guns. The Wespe had major success because of its ability to fit in with the German plan of Blitzkrieg by having a great mobility along with firepower.
The Wespe stayed in production from February 1943 until mid-1944. By that time, 682 had been produced, with an additional 158 built as weaponless ammunition carriers.
Notes
References
![[icon]](/wiki/File:Wiki_letter_w_cropped.svg){kind=small} | This section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (July 2010) |
External links
- Achtung Panzer!
- AFV Database
- OnWar
- War Gamer
- Surviving Panzer II tanks - A PDF file presenting the Panzer II tanks (PzKpfw. II, Luchs, Wespe, Marder II tanks) still existing in the world
| Tanks |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Self-propelled artillery | ||
| Assault guns | ||
| Tank destroyers (Panzerjäger, Jagdpanzer) | ||
| Half-tracks | ||
| Armored cars | ||
| Self-propelled anti-aircraft guns |
| |
| Demolition vehicles | ||
| Experimental vehicles, prototypes | ||
| Proposed designs | ||
| Designations | ||