Germany's 15cm schwerer Infanteriegeschütz 33(SF) auf PzKpfw 38(t) Ausf H Grille, SdKfz 138/1 "Cricket", "Bison";
15cm schwerer Infanteriegeschütz 33/1 auf Selbstfahrlafette 38(t) (SF) Ausf K, SdKfz 138/1 "Cricket",
15 cm S.I.G. 33 auf GW 38(t), SdKfz 138/1:

Photos

sIG 33 PzKpfw 38(t) Ausf H self propelled gun

sIG 33 PzKpfw 38(t) Ausf H self propelled gun

sIG 33 PzKpfw 38(t) Ausf K self propelled gun

Design

Development of the sIG 33 PzKpfw 38(t) started in late 1942.²

Conversions

Some of the early models were converted when they came back to the factory for work.² The sIG 33 gun was mounted on the body with an armored shield built around it.² The engine area was covered so it could store ammunition.²

Prototype

Alkett delivered a prototype based in the PzKpfw 38(t) Ausf H chassis.² An ordered was placed for 200 to be built on the PzKpfw 38(t) Ausf K chassis.² These chassis weren't ready so the PzKpfw 38(t) Ausf H chassis was used initially in production.²

Production

The PzKpfw 38(t) Ausf M chassis was used for the majority of production.²

• sIG 33(SF) auf PzKpfw 38(t) Ausf H: : 90¹
  • Production: February 1943^1,2 - April 1943¹
  • Manufacturer: BMM¹
• sIG 33(SF) auf PzKpfw 38(t) Ausf K: 282¹
  • Production: April 1943 - June 1943, October 1943 - September 1944¹
  • Manufacturer BMM¹
    • Chassis: BMW-Alkett³
    • Gun: Rheinmetall-Borsig³
• sIG 33(SF) auf PzKpfw 38(t) Ausf M:
• Total: 370⁴

Variants

• 15cm sIG 33(SF) auf PzKpfw 38(t) Ausf H, SdKfz 138/1: Used Czechoslovakian 38(t) Ausf H chassis and was converted by Alkett. Engine was mounted in rear to expedite production.^2,4 The fighting compartment was extended over the engine.
  In June 1944, there were 12 issued (6 each) to the 38th Panzer schwere Infanteriegeschütz Abteilung of the 2nd Panzer Division.
• 15cm sIG 33/1(SF) auf PzKpfw 38(t) Ausf K, SdKfz 138/1: Produced by Böhmisch-Mährisch. The engine was mounted in the front and the gun towards the rear.^2,3,4 Maximum range 4,700 meters. Used FuG16 radio.¹
  The gun fired a 83.8 lb HE shell at a muzzle velocity of 787'/sec. to a range of 5,140 yards.³
• 15cm sIG 33 Ausf M:
• ??: Ammunition carrier.² Used the PzKpfw 38(t) Ausf M chassis.²

Usage

They served in Russia, Tunisia, Italy, and France.

They were issued to the schwere Infanteriegeschütz companies of the Panzergrenadier regiments.

Issued to Panzergrenadier regiments from early 1943 and served on all fronts.

Late War

As of February 1945 there were still 173 Grilles still being used.²

Specifications

	Bison	15cm sIG 33(SF) auf PzKpfw 38(t) Ausf H, SdKfz 138/1, Bison	15cm sIG 33/1(SF) auf PzKpfw 38(t) Ausf K, SdKfz 138/1, Bison	Grille 15cm Heavy Infantry SPG Ausf M2
Crew	5	51	41,3	42
Physical Characteristics
Weight		25,760 lb, 25,353 lb 11.5 tons1	26,880 lb, 26,455 lb 12 tons1, 12.7 tons3	12 tons2 12,192 kg2
Length w/gun		15' 1.5" 4.61 m1	16' 2.75", 16.7'3 4.95 m1	16' 3"2 4.95 m2
Length w/o gun
Height		7' 10.5" 2.4 m1	8' 1", 8.2'3 2.47 m1	8' 1"2 2.47 m2
Width		7' 1" 2.16 m1	7', 7.3'3 2.15 m1	7' 1"2 2.15 m2
Width over tracks
Ground clearance			16"3
Ground contact length			102.75"3
Ground pressure			10.1 psi3
Turret ring diameter
Armament
Main	15cm siG33/1 L/12	150 mm sIG33/1 L/121	150 mm sIG33/21 15 cm s.I.G. 33, L/113	5.91" sIG 33/22 15 cm sIG 33/22
Secondary
MG	7.92 MG34	7.92 MG341	7.92 MG341	1: 0.312" MG342 1: 7.92 mm MG342
Side arms
Quantity
Main		151	153, 181	182
Secondary
MG
Side arms
Armor Thickness (mm)			Front: 0.75"3 Side: 0.5"3	152
Hull Front, Upper		25@12°1	10@67°1
Hull Front, Lower		50@15°1	20@15°1
Hull Sides, Upper		151	10@15°1
Hull Sides, Lower		15@0°1	15@0°1
Hull Rear		15@10°1 & 15@16°1	10@0°1 & 10@41°1
Hull Top		open1	8@90°1
Hull Bottom		8@90°1	10@90°1
Superstructure Front		Gun shield: 15@12°1	0.44"3 Gun shield: 10@9°1
Superstructure Sides			0.38"3 Gun shield: 10@16°1
Superstructure Rear			Gun shield: 10@17°1
Superstructure Top			open1
Engine (Make / Model)	Praga EPA/2	Praga EPA/21	Praga AC1 Praga THNP3	Praga AC2
Bore / stroke
Cooling			Water3
Cylinders			I-63	62
Capacity
Net HP			1253	1502
Power to weight ratio
Compression ratio
Transmission (Type)	5 forward, 1 reverse	5 forward, 1 reverse1	Praga-Wilson preselective3 5 forward, 1 reverse.1,3
Steering			Clutch brake3
Steering ratio
Starter			Hand and electric3
Electrical system			12-volt3
Ignition			Magneto3
Fuel (Type)				Gasoline2
Octane
Quantity
Road consumption
Cross country consumption
Performance
Traverse		5° left, 5° right1 hand1	±5°3 5° left, 5° right1 hand1
Speed - Road	22 mph	21.7 mph 35 kph1	22 mph3 35 kph1	26 mph2 42 kph2
Speed - Cross Country
Range - Road		185 km1	115 miles3 190 km1	118 miles2 190 km2
Range - Cross Country			87 miles3
Turning radius
Elevation limits		-3° to +72°1	-3° to +72°3, -0° to +73°1
Fording depth			34.5"3
Trench crossing			6.3'3
Vertical obstacle			33.5"3
Climbing ability			30° (57%) slope3
Suspension (Type)			Wheels on 2 bogies with 1/2 elliptic springs3
Wheels each side			43
Return rollers each side
Tracks (Type)			Dry pin3
Length
Width			12.25"3 (shoe 11.5")3
Diameter
Number of links			933
Pitch			4.25"3
Tire tread
Track centers/tread			5.9'3