15 cm hrubá houfnice vz. 25
The 15 cm hrubá houfnice vz. 25 (Heavy howitzer model 25) was a Czech heavy howitzer used in the Second World War. It was taken into Wehrmacht service as the 15 cm sFH 25(t). Slovakia had 126 in inventory.[1]
| 15 cm hrubá houfnice vz. 25 | |
|---|---|
| Type | Howitzer |
| Place of origin | Czechoslovakia |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1930-1945 |
| Used by | Czechoslovakia Nazi Germany Slovakia |
| Wars | World War II |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Škoda |
| Manufacturer | Škoda |
| Produced | 1924-34 |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 3,800 kilograms (8,400 lb) |
| Barrel length | 2.7 m (8 ft 10 in) L/18 |
| Shell | 42 kilograms (93 lb) |
| Caliber | 149.1 mm (5.87 in) |
| Carriage | box trail |
| Elevation | -5° to +70° |
| Traverse | 7° |
| Rate of fire | 1-2 rpm |
| Muzzle velocity | 450 m/s (1,476 ft/s) |
| Maximum firing range | 11,800 metres (12,900 yd) |
Design & History
Intended to replace the various Austro-Hungarian heavy howitzer that the Czechs had inherited, they began a program to develop a new howitzer shortly after achieving independence in 1919. It didn't reflect many of the lessons of World War I as it retained a box trail and wooden wheels suitable only for horse traction. Its carriage broke down into two loads for transport. It fired a 42 kilograms (93 lb) shell.
Notes
- Kliment & Nakládal, p. 123
References
- Engelmann, Joachim and Scheibert, Horst. Deutsche Artillerie 1934-1945: Eine Dokumentation in Text, Skizzen und Bildern: Ausrüstung, Gliederung, Ausbildung, Führung, Einsatz. Limburg/Lahn, Germany: C. A. Starke, 1974
- Gander, Terry and Chamberlain, Peter. Weapons of the Third Reich: An Encyclopedic Survey of All Small Arms, Artillery and Special Weapons of the German Land Forces 1939-1945. New York: Doubleday, 1979 ISBN 0-385-15090-3
- Kliment, Charles K. and Nakládal, Bretislav. Germany's First Ally: Armed Forces of the Slovak State 1939-1945. Atglen, PA: Schiffer, 1997 ISBN 0-7643-0589-1
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