Crew: 6
Engine Power: 265 hp (197.69 kW)
Combat Weight: 24,380 kg (53,757 lb.)
Max speed: 42 km/h (26.08 mph)
Range: 215 km (133.51 miles)
Length: 7.17 m (23.52 ft)
Width: 2.97 m (9.75 ft)
Main Gun: 150 mm (5.91 in)
Height: 2.81 m (9.22 ft)
Armour: 10 mm (0.39 in) to 30 mm (1,18 in)
Design/Production
The Waffenamt wanted to provide artillery support to armored units.They had proposed putting an
105 mm leFH to be mounted on a PzKpfw III or IV chassis. On July 25, 1942, this was changed to
mount a 15 cm sFH, since the PzKpfw II could mount the 105 leFH. Alkett presented a prototype
to Hitler in October 1943. An order was then placed to have 100 ready by May 12, 1943, in time for
the Kursk offensive. Armor was supplied by Stahlindustrie (Deutsche Röhrenwerke) of
Mülheim/Ruhr and Deutsche Edelstahl in Hannover. Deutsche Eisenwerke assembled 666
Hummels. In December 1942 12 were completed.
Was originally nicknamed the Hummel (bumble bee), but Hitler order that the name be
dropped on
February 27, 1944.
Description
Developed on a PzKpfw IV chassis that was lengthened and used the drive assemblies, track, and
transmission from a PzKpfw III. The first prototype appeared in 1941. The engine was moved to the
center as the fighting compartment was in the rear. Range of 12,550 meters. Early vehicles had
muzzle brake installed but it was found that these were unnecessary and were removed from
production in 1944.
Early models had the glacis plate extended and a compartment for the driver was made
on the left
side. From early 1944 the crew compartment went all the way across the front and the radio
operator was also placed in it.
Used FuG Spr f radio.2
Usage
Issued to artillery formations of the Panzer and Panzergrenadier divisions from 1943 on.
Munitionsträger Hummel: 157 were produced
without the gun and used as ammunition carriers.
Hummel - (Bumble-Bee) - was a 15 cm (5.91 in) heavy artillery howitzer on special
chassis
developed using feature from both the Panzer III and IV chassis. Hummel had room for only 18
rounds so Hummel batteries were supported by identical ammunition carriers
