Wespe Sd.Kfz. 124

Wespe Sd.Kfz. 124
Land	Deutschland
Typ	Selbstfahrende Artillerie
Im Dienst	1943 – 1945
Gebaut	676

das Wespe Sd.Kfz. 124 war ein selbstfahrendes Artilleriefahrzeug, das von der deutschen Wehrmacht im Zweiten Weltkrieg eingesetzt wurde. Er basierte auf dem Fahrgestell des Panzers II und war mit einer 10,5-cm-Haubitze leFH 18 bewaffnet. Die Wespe Sd.Kfz. 124 hatte eine fünfköpfige Besatzung und eine Höchstgeschwindigkeit von 40 km/h. Er wurde von 1943 bis 1944 produziert und war an der Ost- und Westfront im Einsatz. Die Wespe Sd.Kfz. 124 leistete effektive Feuerunterstützung für die Panzerdivisionen, verfügte aber nur über begrenzten Panzerschutz und Munitionslager.

Quelle: Wikipedia

Wespe Sd.Kfz. 124 Walk Around
Fotograf	Unbekannter
Lokalisierung	Unbekannter
Fotos	26

[

Wespe Sd.Kfz. 124 01

Wespe Sd.Kfz. 124 02

Wespe Sd.Kfz. 124 03

Wespe Sd.Kfz. 124 04

Wespe Sd.Kfz. 124 05

Wespe Sd.Kfz. 124 06

Wespe Sd.Kfz. 124 07

Wespe Sd.Kfz. 124 08

Wespe Sd.Kfz. 124 09

Click on a photo and use the mouse scroll to view all photos

Warten Sie, ich suche 15 cm Kanone 18 für Sie...

Kaufen Sie mir einen Kaffee

Siehe auch:

Giving the Panzer II a New Lease on Life

By 1942, the Panzer II was hopelessly outclassed as a frontline battle tank. However, its reliable chassis provided a perfect platform for mobile artillery. The Wespe (Wasp) was designed by Alkett and utilized a modified Panzer II Ausf. F chassis to mount the standard 10.5 cm leFH 18 howitzer. Unlike the Marder series (which was an anti-tank “hunter”), the Wespe was a true artillery piece, designed to fire from the second line to support moving armored formations. It was so successful that Hitler personally ordered all Panzer II production to be dedicated exclusively to the Wespe.

Attribute	Standard Specification (Sd.Kfz. 124 Wespe)
Rolle	Self-Propelled Light Field Howitzer
Crew	5 (Commander, Driver, 3 Gunners)
Hauptbewaffnung	10.5 cm leFH 18/2 L/28 Howitzer
Sekundärbewaffnung	1 x 7.92 mm MG 34 (stowed for local defense)
Maximum Firing Range	approx. 10,600 meters (6.6 miles)
Rüstung	5 mm to 30 mm (enough to stop small arms fire)
Motor	Maybach HL 62 TR 6-cylinder petrol (140 hp)
Max Road Speed	40 km/h (25 mph)
Production Total	676 guns + 159 ammunition carriers

Design Adaptations for Artillery

Chassis Modification: To accommodate the heavy 10.5 cm gun, the Panzer II chassis was lengthened, and the engine was moved forward to a more central position. This helped balance the weight and created a rear fighting platform.
The Split Superstructure: The gun was mounted in an open-topped, high-walled armored box. While this protected the crew from shell splinters and rifle fire from the front, they were vulnerable to the elements and overhead airbursts.
Ammunition Constraints: Due to its small size, the Wespe could only carry 32 rounds of ammunition. To solve this, specialized Munitionsträger Wespe (ammunition carriers) were built—identical vehicles without the gun that carried 90 extra rounds.
Fire Control: The Wespe typically operated in batteries of six, linked by radio to forward observers who provided the coordinates for indirect fire missions.

Combat History: From Kursk to Normandy

Baptism of Fire: The Wespe saw its first major action during Operation Citadel (Kursk) in July 1943. Its ability to keep pace with the Panzers across the Russian steppe made it an instant favorite among commanders.
Zuverlässigkeit: Unlike many late-war German heavy projects, the Wespe was praised for its mechanical reliability and ease of repair, largely because it used the well-vetted Panzer II components.
Global Service: After Kursk, the Wespe served on every major front, including the defense of Sicily and Italy, the battles in Normandy, and the final defense of Germany.