German Artillery
The World War II German army was not particularly known for its artillery arm. However, they were used very well in combined arms tactics, and a few have gone down in history as great weapons of their time.
75mm PaK40
The 75mm PaK40 has a famous sihouette. It was the main anti-tank gun in the later part of the war and while it could not take out the Russian and British heavy tanks, it was still devastating against their main battle tanks.
The gun is by Matchbox, and the crew are from AB Figures.
88mm FlaK18
Perhaps the most famous artillery piece of all times, the "88" has carved out a reputation for itself on the wrecks of many Allied tanks and aircraft.
Conceived as an anti-aircraft gun, the Germans discovered its anti-tank capabilities in the Spanish Civil War and in the invasion of France.
This model is made by Hasegawa. It is usually towed by a Sd Kfz 7.
20mm FlaK 38
Designed against low flying dive bombers, the 20mm FlaK 38 became obsolete as the war went on.
105mm leFH18
This pre-war gun was one of the most common field artillery pieces in the German army. Together with its smaller 75mm counterpart, it supported most actions throughout the duration of the war.
This model and its crew is made by Revell.
21cm Nebelwerfer
The Germans did not focus on rocket artillery until they were on the receiving end of the Russian Katjusha. Nebelwerfer or smoke launchers, were perhaps designed to carry chemical warheads but were still deadly with conventional high explosives.
They emitted a distinctive shrill when fired, and the smoke they created revealed their position to the enemy.
Model and figures are from SHQ.
Wurfrahmen 40
Another German rocket artillery. This is the Wurfrahmen 40. The rocket frames were either mounted on the ground, or mounted on the sides of vehicles. There were 28cm Sprengramate (high explosive rounds) or 32cm Flammgranate (incendiary rounds).
81mm Mortar
Mortars were put into infantry company assets so that the infantry can be supported by some firepower when the artillery was not on hand.
37mm PaK36
The 37mm PaK38 and shares the same basic design as anti-tank guns in various countries. Even in the invasion of France, it was found wanting against the thick armour of the Char B1 bis and the Matilda infantry tank. It remained in service throughout the war in spite of its limitation. It could be handled by a few men, and could be towed behind a light vehicle.
It was briefly given new life by arming it with a Stielgranate 41 hollow charged round. It worked on the same basic principles of rifle-grenades, with the round loaded into the muzzle of the PaK36. However, it had a very short range and could only be pre-loaded and used as an ambush weapon.
The crew are Fallschirmjagers from the SHQ range.
105mm LG40
The 105mm LG40 recoilless gun was a weapon commonly seen used by Fallschirmjagers. It fired the same round as the 105mm leFH18 and could be dropped by parachutes in five seperate pieces. The recoilless gun created a backblast of up to 50m.
Both gun and crew are from SHQ.
© 2004-2006 Michael Sng Woei Shyong. All Rights Reserved.