World War II Database

1.  Bill says:
30 Oct 2009 05:24:57 PM

Photographs show the Bison Heavy Infantry GunSd.Kfz 138/1. This vehicle was built on thechassis of the reliable Panzer 38(t). The Bison Ausf.H mounted the 5.9 inch (15cm)heavy infantry gun. The vehicles were not intended as tank destroyers, but designed to provide mobile artillery support. Another version of the Bison, also known asthe(Grille or Cricket), self-propelled howitzer.

2.  Bill says:
31 Oct 2009 03:18:48 PM

So what is the self-propelled Howitzer, andits definition:A howitzer is a short cannon with medium muzzle velocity and a curved trajectory.The higher the angle of fire and referred toas indirect fire,allows the weapon to reach targets hidden by hills, and other obstacles that can not be seen,and different from flat trajectory weapons called direct fire guns that are able to see targets in line of sight.Howitzers fire high-explosive HE projectileand not armor-piercing AP projectile also fire other specialised rounds.Batteries of self-propelled howitzers, are fire support for Infantry divisions, as in most armies, the Artillery Bttalion has itssupply of headquators and service batteriesthis is again organized into seperate gunbatteries that have four or six guns to a battery,along with its own support batteries.In most armies, howitzer batteries are supported by units of armor, infantry andengineers. Fire support missions are calledby a forward observer assigned with theinfantry, or other unit. Definitions to remember:Battery: Group of four or six guns with itsown command,communications and support etc. Howitzer: Lower velocity weapon firing itsprojectile with a relatively high trajectoryto plunge onto a target. Breech: Rear end of the barrel or tube intowhich the propellent and projectile areloaded. Direct fire: The target is visible from thegun position. Indirect fire: Targets are out of sight, andmust be directed and corrected by the forwardobserver, or trained personnel. Fixed ammunition: Ammunition in which theprojectile is attached at the front of abrass case containing the propellent, someartillery ammunition within the brass casehave power bags that can be removed and cut, so that a larger or smaller charge can be used.The fuse device fitted to the shell to initiate detonation of the explosive at the desired moment before impact(air burst),on ground impact or after ground impact. Semi-fixed: Larger artillery ammunition,thatcontain the power bags, shell and fuse to beinstalled, like the fixed ammunition, thepower bags can be cut so that a larger or smaller charge can be used. The fuse can be fitted to the shell to initate the detonation of the explosive filling at the desired moment before impact (air burst) on ground impact, or after ground impact. Calibre: Diameter of the bore or barrel andalso used to express in terms of length.So you have, for example 75mm,105mm,152mm, 155mm,175mm and the 8inch/203mm howitzer.Self-Propelled Howitzer: As described able to move under its own power.