Wespe Sd.Kfz. 124

Wespe Sd.Kfz. 124

PaeseGermania
digitareArtiglieria semovente
In servizio1943 – 1945
Costruito676

Le Wespe Sd.Kfz. 124 era un veicolo di artiglieria semovente utilizzato dall'esercito tedesco durante la seconda guerra mondiale. Era basato sul telaio del carro armato Panzer II e armato con un obice leFH 18 da 10,5 cm. Il Wespe Sd.Kfz. 124 aveva un equipaggio di cinque persone e una velocità massima di 40 km/h. Fu prodotto dal 1943 al 1944 e prestò servizio sui fronti orientale e occidentale. Il Wespe Sd.Kfz. 124 era efficace nel fornire supporto di fuoco alle divisioni Panzer, ma aveva una protezione corazzata limitata e un deposito di munizioni.

fonte: Wikipedia

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Revell 03334 Primo set di diorama - Sd.Kfz. 124 Wespe Kit modello in scala 1:76 - Amazon

Vedi anche:

Seconda guerra mondiale: la storia visiva definitiva dalla guerra lampo alla bomba atomica (DK Definitive Visual Histories) - Amazon Seconda guerra mondiale Mappa per Mappa (DK Storia Mappa per Mappa) - Amazon


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)
Ruolo Self-Propelled Light Field Howitzer
Equipaggio 5 (Commander, Driver, 3 Gunners)
Armamento principale 10.5 cm leFH 18/2 L/28 Howitzer
Armamento secondario 1 x 7.92 mm MG 34 (stowed for local defense)
Maximum Firing Range approx. 10,600 meters (6.6 miles)
Armatura 5 mm to 30 mm (enough to stop small arms fire)
Motore 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.
  • Affidabilità: 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.

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