Germany's Geschützwagen-Lorraine Schlepper(f), GWLrS(f)

Photos

Lorraine Schlepper 10.5 cm FH18 auf GW:

Lorraine Schlepper 15cm FH13 Self Propelled Gun:

Design

In May 1942, Hitler ordered that 40 Lorraine Schlepper chassis be converted to mount a 15cm sFH for use in North Africa. The superstructure came from Alkett and assembly was done in Paris.³ In July 78 more were made available and Keitel ordered 30 to be fitted with the 15cm SFH at Krefeld while the remainder were to become Panzerjäger and 15cm sFH. In May 1942, 60 10.5cm leFH18/4 were ordered to be mounted on the Lorraine Schlepper, but only 12 were completed.

The 150 mm had a range of 9,432 yards.² The 90 lb HE shell had a muzzle velocity of 1,250'/sec.²

Conversion

The rear suspension was strengthened to handle the placement of a gun mount in the cargo area.³ A spade was place in the rear of the 15cm FH13 conversion to assist in stabilizing the vehicle when it fired.³

Prototype

Production

• Lorraine Schlepper 15 cm FH13: July 1942: 94 converted¹
• Lorraine Schlepper 10.5cm FH18: 1942: 12 converted¹
• Assembled by Alfred Becker¹ of Krefeld, Alkett²
• Chassis #s: 731001-¹

Variants

• 10.5cm le FH 18 auf GW Lorraine Schlepper (f):
• Geschützwagen-Lorraine für 15 cm S.F.H. 13, SdKfz 135/1; 15cm sFH 13 Selbstfahrlafette Lorraine SdKfz 135/1; 15cm sFH 13 auf GWLrS(f):

Usage

Afrika Korps

Ten Lorraine Schlepper 15cm FH13s were issued to Panzerartillerie Abteilung of the 21st Panzer Division in North Africa in July 1942.³ Eleven were issued to the 15th Panzer Division.³ Used at the Battle of El Alemein.² By November 1942 all had been destroyed or captured.³

Northwest Europe

There were 54 15cm FH13s and 37 10.5cm FH18s were in service on June 6, 1944, on the Western Front.³

Specifications

	sFH 13/1 auf Lorraine Schlepper SdKfz 135/1	Lorraine Schlepper 15cm FH13	Lorraine Schlepper 10.5cm FH18
Crew	41,2	43
Radio	FuG Spr f1	FuG Spr f1	FuG Spr f1
Physical Characteristics
Weight	8.49 tons1, 9.4 tons2	8.5 tons3 8,636 kg3
Length w/gun	15.7'2 5.31 m1	17' 5"3 5.31 m3
Length w/o gun
Height	7.2'2 2.23 m1	7' 4"3 2.23 m3
Width	6.1'2 1.83 m1	6'3 1.83 m3
Width over tracks
Ground clearance	11.8"2
Ground contact length	108"2
Ground pressure	9.2 psi2
Turret ring diameter
Armament
Main	150 mm S.F.H. 13, L/172	5.91" sFH13/13 150 mm sFH13/13 150 mm sFH13/1 L/171	105 mm leFH18/40 L/281
Secondary
MG		1: 0.312" MG343 1: 7.92 mm MG343
Side arms
Quantity
Main	82	81	201
Secondary
MG
Side arms
Armor Thickness (mm)	Front: 0.4"2 Side: 0.4"2	103
Hull Front, Upper	9@35°1
Hull Front, Lower	12@round1
Hull Sides, Upper	9@10° & 9@35°1
Hull Sides, Lower	9@0°1
Hull Rear	9@11°1 & 9@36°1
Hull Top	6@90°1
Hull Bottom	5@90°1
Superstructure Front	10@8°1 gun shield: 10@8°1
Superstructure Sides	9@12°1
Superstructure Rear	7@12°1
Superstructure Top	Open1
Engine (Make / Model)	DelaHaye 103 TT1 De la Haye2	Delahaye3
Bore / stroke
Cooling	Water2
Cylinders	61, I-62	63
Capacity
Net HP	70@2,800 rpm1 702	703
Power to weight ratio
Compression ratio
Transmission (Type)	5 forward, 1 reverse.1,2 Mechanical with crash type manually operated gearbox2
Steering	Clutch brake, controlled differential2
Steering ratio
Starter
Electrical system
Ignition
Fuel (Type)	Gasoline2	Gasoline3
Octane
Quantity
Road consumption
Cross country consumption
Performance
Traverse	5° left, 5° right.1, ±7°2
Speed - Road	22 mph2 34 kph1	22 mph3 35 kph3
Speed - Cross Country
Range - Road	84 miles2 135 km1	84 miles3 135 km3
Range - Cross Country
Turning radius
Elevation limits	-0° to +40°1,2
Fording depth	33.5"2
Trench crossing	5.9'2
Vertical obstacle	22"2
Climbing ability	24° (45%) slope2
Suspension (Type)	Pairs of road wheels sprung on semi-elliptic springs2
Wheels each side	12x2, 62
Return rollers each side	3, 42
Tracks (Type)	Dry pin2
Length
Width	9.5" (shoe 8.5")2
Diameter
Number of links	1092
Pitch	3.25"2
Tire tread	Rubber
Track centers/tread