15 cm hrubá houfnice vz. 25

15 cm hrubá houfnice vz. 25
Type howitzers
Place of origin Czechoslovakia
Service history
In service 1930-1945
Used by  Czechoslovakia
 Nazi Germany
 Slovakia
Wars World War II
Production history
Designer Škoda
Manufacturer Škoda
Produced 1924-34
Specifications
Weight 3,800 kilograms (8,400 lb)
Barrel length 2.7 m (8 ft 10 in) L/18

Caliber 149.1 mm (5.87 in)
Carriage box trail
Elevation -5° to +70°
Traverse
Rate of fire 1-2 rpm
Muzzle velocity 450 m/s (1,476 ft/s)
Maximum range 11,800 metres (12,900 yd)

The 15 cm hrubá houfnice vz. 25 (Heavy howitzer model 25) was a Czech heavy howitzer used in the Second World War. It was taken into Wehrmacht service as the 15 cm sFH 25(t). Slovakia had 126 in inventory[1].

Design & History

Intended to replace the various Austro-Hungarian heavy howitzer that the Czechs had inherited, they began a program to develop a new howitzer shortly after achieving independence in 1919. It didn't reflect many of the lessons of World War I as it retained a box trail and wooden wheels suitable only for horse traction. Its carriage broke down into two loads for transport. It fired a 42 kilograms (93 lb) shell.

Notes

  1. ^ Kliment & Nakládal, p. 123

References