Panzerhaubitze Wespe Leichte Feldhaubitze 18 auf Fahrgestell Panzerkampfwagen II | |
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General Historical Information | |
Place of origin | Germany |
Designer | Alkett |
Manufacturer | Famo-Ursus |
Produced In | 1943-1945 |
Category | Self-propelled artillery |
Debut in FHSW | Debut in Battlefield 1942 |
Speed | 40 km/h (25 mph) |
Armour | 5 - 30 mm (.19 - 1.18 in) |
Main armament | 10,5-cm-leFH 18 M L/28 |
General Ingame Information | |
Used by | Germany Finland Italy |
Crew in‑game | 1 |
Ammunition | 32 rounds, either just HE or HE and HEAT |
Historical Picture | |
The Sd. Kfz. 124 Wespe (German for "wasp"), also known as Leichte Feldhaubitze 18/2 auf Fahrgestell Panzerkampfwagen II (Sf.) ("Light field howitzer 18 on Panzer II chassis (self-propelled)"), was a German self-propelled artillery vehicle developed and used during the Second World War. It was based on a modified Panzer II chassis.
With progressive war period, fueled by the experiences at the front, mobile artillery became increasingly important to German High Command. Numerous attempts have been made to mount artillery pieces on tank chassis, however, many of them ended the prototype stage. Others proved to be successful and were mass-produced. The first of these self-propelled guns with howitzer, ready for serial production, was the Sd.Kfz. 124, named Wespe (wasp). Germans recycled aging Panzer II Ausf. F chassis to install a powerful 105 mm (leFH 18) gun protected by a front and side shield. The first copies were produced in February 1943 and were sent to combat a few weeks later on the Eastern Front.
Despite its heaviness and high silhouette it was a very effective weapon, produced with 683 copies - the most produced German artillery self-propelled gun of World War II.
In Forgotten Hope explosive shells are no longer effective against armoured vehicles. Likewise, the reload time is quite high, so you should use the Wespe according to its intended role, especially against infantry. Though the vehicle may have the option to switch to HEAT rounds which specialize in penetrating armour.
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