German 15 cm Heavy Field Howitzer sFH 18

German 15 cm heavy field howitzer sFH 18 in Gouvy near Bastogne. The sliding block breech is open and the barrel has been pulled back into the travelling position. The hydraulic recoil mechanism below the barrel, and the hydropneumatic recuperator above the barrel are clearly visible. The green colour is not one of the original Wehrmacht camouflage colours.

Available Scale Model Kits

• Heavy Field Howitzer 15 cm s.FH 18, 1:35 Dragon 6392
• Heavy Field Howitzer 15 cm s.FH 18, 1:35 Trumpeter 02304
• Heavy Field Howitzer 15 cm s.FH 18, 1:35 Verlinden
  • Ammunition for 15 cm s.FH 18, 1:35 Precision Models 35003A
• Heavy Field Howitzer 15 cm s.FH 18, 1:72 ACE
• Heavy Field Howitzer 15 cm s.FH 18, with limber, 1:76 Hinchliffe 20/32
• Heavy Field Howitzer 15 cm s.FH 18, 1:87 ROCO 186
• Heavy Field Howitzer 15 cm s.FH 18 and crew, 15 mm Flames of War GBX20
• Heavy Field Howitzer 15 cm s.FH 18 and crew, 1:300 Heroics & Ros G062

Technical Specifications

• Designation: 15 cm schwere Feldhaubitze 18 (Immergrün)
• Calibre: 149 mm
• Barrel Length: 4321 mm (L.29)
• Elevation: -3° bis +45°
• Traverse: 64°
• Weight: 5530 kg
• Rate of Fire: 4 rounds per minute
• Range: 13,250 m
• Armour Penetration at 0-100 m:
  • 118 mm using A.P.H.E. (Pz.Gr.)
  • 172 mm using A.P. (Pz.Gr. 39)
  • 206 mm using H.C. (Gr. 39 Hl/A)

Bibliography

• Hogg, Ian: Twentieth-Century Artillery

Historical Employment

• German Army (Reichswehr and Wehrmacht), 1930–1945

Self-Propelled Mountings

• 15 cm s.FH 18 Sfl. auf Geschützwagen LrS (f)
• Panzerfeldhaubitze 18M auf Geschützwagen III/IV (Sf) Hummel (Sd.Kfz. 165)

During World War Two, the artillery regiment of a German infantry division had one battalion of 15 cm s.FH 18 field howitzers. Each battery consisted of four howitzers.

The left gun trail and recuperator of the 15 cm s.FH 18 displayed in Gouvy show several shrapnel hits.

Frequently Asked Questions

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German Miniatures of World War Two

– Published: 23.03.2009 – Updated: 30.03.2009
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