Hummel Self Propelled Gun
During World War II, the German military developed a variety of self-propelled guns to provide mobile artillery support to their armored and infantry units. One notable vehicle from this category was designed to deliver powerful artillery fire while maintaining mobility on the battlefield.
This vehicle was created by the German firm Alkett (Altmärkische Kettenwerke), known for producing armored vehicles during the war. Development began in 1942 to meet the need for a mobile artillery platform that could support Panzer divisions with accurate, long-range firepower. The design combined a modified chassis from the Panzer III and Panzer IV tanks with a large artillery gun mounted in an open-topped superstructure.
At the heart of the vehicle was the 15 cm sFH 18/1 L/30 howitzer, a slightly modified version of the standard German heavy field howitzer. It could fire shells weighing around 43 kilograms (95 pounds) and was effective for both indirect fire and direct support roles. The gun's effective firing range was about 13,000 meters (8 miles), providing reliable accuracy depending on crew skill and targeting data.
Powering this self-propelled gun was a Maybach HL 120 TRM engine, a 12-cylinder, water-cooled petrol engine producing around 300 horsepower. This engine allowed the vehicle to reach speeds of up to 42 km/h (about 26 mph) on roads, giving it the necessary mobility to keep up with armored units across varied terrain.
The crew consisted of six members: a commander, driver, gunner, loader, and two additional assistants who helped with ammunition handling and other tasks. The vehicle’s open-topped fighting compartment offered better visibility and ease of loading but exposed the crew to risks from shrapnel and small arms fire.
Production began in 1943 and continued through 1944, with over 700 units built. These vehicles were deployed mainly with Panzer divisions and saw action on both the Eastern Front and Western Europe after D-Day.
Overall, this self-propelled artillery piece was considered an effective weapon for its role. Its blend of mobility and firepower enabled German forces to provide vital artillery support alongside their advancing tanks. While the open-topped design posed some vulnerability, the vehicle was praised for reliability and contribution to combined arms tactics.
