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
- 15 cm s.FH 18, 1:35 Dragon 6392
- 15 cm s.FH 18, 1:35 Trumpeter 02304
- 15 cm s.FH 18, 1:35 Verlinden
- Ammunition for 15 cm s.FH 18, 1:35 Precision Models 35003A
- 15 cm s.FH 18, 1:72 ACE 72218
- 15 cm s.FH 18, 1:72 Extratech EXM7231
- 15 cm s.FH 18, 1:72 First to Fight PL1939-089
- 15 cm s.FH 18, 1:72 Italeri 7082
- 15 cm s.FH 18 and Limber, 1:76 Hinchliffe 20/32
- 15 cm s.FH 18 and Limber, 1:87 H0 ROCO 186
- 15 cm s.FH 18 and Crew, 15 mm Battlefront Miniatures GBX20
- 15 cm s.FH 18 and Crew, 1:300 Heroics & Ros G062
Technical Specifications
- Designation: 15 cm schwere Feldhaubitze 18 “Immergrün”
- Calibre: 149 mm
- Caliber Length: 4321 mm (L.29)
- Elevation: -3° to +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, p. 53
Historical Employment
- German Army (Reichswehr and Wehrmacht), 1930–1945
Self-Propelled Mountings
- 15 cm s.FH 18 auf Sfl. 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. The Rundblickfernrohr 18 gun sight is missing.