Hitler's Artillery 1939-1945

By Hans Seidler

Hitler's Artillery 1939 – 1945 is a highly illustrated record of the firepower of the German war machine between 1939 – 1945. Many of the photographs, all from the author's collection, come originally from the albums of individuals who took part in the war.

The images and text cover the guns in service with the Wehrmacht and Waffen-SS and provide a unique visual record of artillery pieces. These include the 7.5cm 1.IG18, the 10.5cm infantry gun, the powerful 15cm field howitzer, heavy 18cm and 21cm mortars and others including captured French, British and Russian guns.

These and other weapons are seen in action in Poland, the Low Countries, France, Balkans, North Africa, Italy and, of course, Russia. Initially a key part of the Blitzkrieg offensive concept. The emphasis became defensive as the tide turned against the Germans. Using over 250 rare and unpublished photographs together with detailed captions and accompanying text, this book provides a unique insight into German weaponry from early Blitzkrieg campaigns to the final demise of the Nazi empire.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Pen and Sword
• Release date: Oct 30, 2015
• ISBN: 9781473872127

Book preview

Introduction

Hitler’s artillery of war is a highly illustrated record of the various German artillery guns used by both the Wehrmacht and Waffen-SS during World War Two. With over 250 rare and unpublished photos complete with in-depth captions and text, the book presents a unique visual account of the various artillery pieces that were utilized for war such as the 7.5cm, the 10.5cm infantry gun, the powerful 15cm field howitzer, and various other artillery guns, including captured French, British and Russian. The book shows how these artillery pieces were transported to the front, and reveals rare photos of the artillery men with their horses.

The story of Hitler’s artillery of war vividly shows how the artillery played an important part in the battles against Poland, the Low Countries, France, Balkans, and then Russia, North Africa, and Italy. It reveals how these weapons were used to soften targets in order to allow the mighty Panzer divisions to tear through the enemy lines and achieve their objectives. It depicts how the artillery was constantly used throughout the war both in offensive and defensive roles.

The book is an absorbing insight into the German artillery that played a key part in the war. The reader will find a wealth of information on the various artillery pieces, and the vehicles and its components that were used in the various campaigns. Each chapter brings together a wealth of information on light and heavy weaponry. The entire volume is an absorbing read and fully captures all the artillery components that went into making the tactics of the German war machine such a success.

Chapter I

Divisional Artillery

The Germans introduced a number of divisional artillery pieces for the infantry for the Second World War. The key to their development was the intention to provide reliable and proven weapons that could be fired at good range, were conventional in concept and also were simple and robust. The German divisional artillery supported the combat troops before and during action, and it was of paramount importance that these artillery pieces used on the battlefield were powerful as well as manoeuvrable.

During a ceremony at a training barracks in early 1939, a commanding officer can be seen standing on a podium flanked by two 10.5cm le FH 18 guns. These guns were the standard divisional artillery piece; here it is in its original form.

At a barracks and a group of artillerymen can be seen with their 10.5cm le FH 18 guns, complete with unattached caissons. The gun weighed nearly two tons and fired a 14.4kg shell to a maximum range of 10,675m.

Generally all German infantry divisions had organic field artillery regiments. These comprised of batteries that contained 10.5cm le FH18 (light field howitzer), the 15cm s FH18 (heavy field howitzer), and the 10cm K18 gun.

One of the most popular artillery pieces to see extensive action during the war, especially until 1943, was the army’s original standard field howitzer, the 10.5cm light field howitzer or leichte Feldhaubitze. The first 10.5cm gun to be used throughout the war successfully was the 10.5cm leichte Feldhaubitze 18 or 10.5cm le FH 18 (Opladen). The gun had a good reputation as a reliable and stable weapon that was easy to manoeuvre and use. The carriage had a split trail pattern with folding spades, and had either pressed metal or wood-spoked wheels. But in spite of the satisfactory performance it still fell short in the matter of maximum range, especially against the British 25-pounder field gun and later the Russian 7.62mm M1939 divisional gun.

In 1942 a new version of the 10.5cm FH 18 was introduced known as the 10.5cm leichte Feldhaubitze 18/40 or 10.5cm le FH18/40 (Drachenfels). This was followed by the 10.5cm le FH 18/42, 10.5cm le FH 42, and the 10.5cm le FH 43. The various improvements on these 10.5cm guns were for the most part rather uninspired. As for all the field and medium infantry artillery employed on the battlefield they had been developed specifically for increasing barrel length which, together with better propellant, gave greater muzzle velocity and accuracy. Many of these guns had been redesigned under the stress of wartime and as a result suffered with various degrees of delays and constant shortages. In fact, by 1944 there were never enough guns to go around and even captured stocks rarely made up the shortfall.

Two 10.5cm le FH 18 guns inside a horse training building prior to a ceremony. Draped between the two weapons is the German national flag, which is probably obscuring what appears to be a podium for the commanding officer to make his speech.

At a barracks artillerymen can be seen parading with their 10.5cm le FH 18 guns with a caisson attached to a limber and artillery piece. Although the Wehrmacht was intended to be an all mechanized armoured force, through the war they still depended on the horse for over eighty per cent