15cm sIG33 auf Fahrgestell Panzerkampfwagen II

Photo from German Tanks and Armored Vehicles 1914-1945

The 15cm sIG 33 was one of the standard infantry support howitzers of the Wehrmacht, and several attempts were made to create a suitable self-propelled mounting for this weapon. Initially it was mounted on top of a Panzer I with a high gun shield creating a makeshift fighting compartment. This vehicle was successful in France in 1940, but a lower silhouette was desired for future production. It was decided to mount the weapon in a Panzerkampfwagen II chassis and one prototype was constructed in 1941. Testing on this prototype revealed that the carriage was too small for the large gun. It was therefore decided to create a lengthened chassis using Panzer II components. The new vehicle was 32cm wider than the Panzer II, 60cm longer than the Panzer II, and had one extra roadwheel per side.

Only 12 of these diminutive vehicles were produced in 1941. All of them were issued to the 707 and 708 sIG Kp (Sf). They participated in all major battles in North Africa following Gazala. The last vehicles were eliminated (along with the rest of the Deutches Afrika Corps) in 1943.

Photo from Encyclopedia of German Tanks of World War II

• German Tanks and Armored Vehicles 1914-1945
• Encyclopedia of German Tanks of World War II

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