Grille
15-cm sIG 33 (Sf) auf Panzerkampfwagen 38(t)
Overview
Grille ausf. H
Frontal view of a Grille ausf. H assault gun.
Source: Unknown author -
© Copyright lies with original owner
February to June 1943 (199 Ausf. H)
November 1943 (10 Ausf. H)
December 1943 to September 1944 (162 Ausf. K)
January 1944 to May 1944 (102 Munitionspanzer)
1945 (17 Ausf. K)
179 Ausf. K
102 Munitionspanzer
German for "cricket".
Sd.Kfz. 138/1
Geschützwagen 38(t)
Description
Introduction
The Grille is a World War 2 era assault gun of Nazi German origin. It was developed during the war to produce a version of the combat proven 150mm sIG-33 heavy infantry gun that could keep up with the Panzer and Panzergrenadier divisions. The Panzer 38(t) chassis was obsolete as a tank halfway through World War 2, but was a reliable design and the Czech CKD factory assembly line was taken over as the BMM factory under German occupation.
Design
The Grille combines the towed sIG-33 heavy infantry gun and the chassis of the Czechoslovak Panzer 38(t). The first production model used the original tank layout with central firing compartment and rear mounted engine. This version was difficult to enter and resupply. The heavy gun also made it a bit front heavy. The late production model used a more accessible rear mounted firing compartment. This was achieved by having a center mounted engine.
Firepower
The Grille has the same firepower as the towed sIG-33 used by the infantry. Ammunition capacity is only 18 shells due to the small size of the vehicle. This was later supplemented in the field by the Munitionspanzer variant. The sIG-33 fires at a rather low muzzle velocity of 240 m/s. Still it has a maximum range of 4.7 km. Practical rate of fire was 2 to 3 rpm. Main ammunition types were high explosive fragmentation and smoke. During the war a shaped charge warhead was introduced for use against armored vehicles and concrete. The oversized barrel-inserted Stielgranate 42 demolition charge is seen on a single photo on a test range, but does not seem to have been used in the field with the Grille.
Protection
The Grille has steel armor that protects against small arms fire and steel splinters. The roof of the fighting compartment is open. The silhouette is larger than the towed sIG-33, but it is also quicker in and out of position. The main risk to the towed sIG-33 proved to be indirect fire. The main increase in survivability comes from the ability to reposition before enemy indirect fire lands on the firing position.
Mobility
Mobility is the great advantage of the Grille over the towed sIG-33. This improves the survivability and allows the heavy infantry guns to keep up with highly mobile formations. The Panzer 38(t) chassis was a proven and reliable design. Unlike other captured vehicles Germany also possessed a fully functional assembly line for spare parts.
Users
The Grille was used by Nazi Germany from 1943 until the end of the war. The Grille was used in units of six vehicles as part of the heavy infantry gun companies within the Panzergrenadier regiments that could be found in Panzer and Panzergrenadier divisions. The Grille was used both in the Western European theater and on the Eastern front.
Variants
Grille Ausf. H
Initial production model with rear mounted engine and central fighting compartment. A total of 210 produced including the prototype. Official designation was "15-cm-schweres Infanteriegeschütz 33 (Sf.) auf Panzerkampfwagen 38(t) (Sd.Kfz. 138/1) Ausf. H".
Grille Ausf. M
Updated production model with center mounted engine and rear fighting compartment. A total of 179 vehicles were produced. The official complete designation was "15-cm-schweres Infanteriegeschütz 33 (Sf.) auf Geschützwagen 38 M (Sd.Kfz. 138/1) Ausf. K".
Munitionspanzer
Ammunition carrier to accompany the Grille in the field with additional ammunition. Identical to the Ausf. K but without armament. The sIG-33 could be taken from a Grille and fitted to this vehicle if needed. Official designation was "Munitionspanzer 38(t) (Sf) Ausf. K (Sd.Kfz. 138/1)". A total of 102 vehicles produced in 1944.
Details
Media
Grille ausf. H
Left side view of a Grille ausf. H assault gun seen at the BMM factory in 1943.
Source: Unknown author via World War Photos
Copyright: Copyright lies with original owner
Grille ausf. H
Rear view of a Grille ausf. H assault gun showing some of the internal arrangement.
Source: Unknown author
Copyright: Copyright lies with original owner
Grille ausf. H and K
Two Grille ausf. H and one Grille ausf. K with their guns at a high angle of elevation.
Source: Unknown author
Copyright: Copyright lies with original owner
Grille ausf. H
Right side view of a Grille ausf. H with 15-cm sIG-33 at a high angle of elevation as seen in March of 1944 in the town of Carroceto at the Italian front.
Source: Wydawnictwo Prasowe Kraków-Warszawa
Copyright: Public domain
Grille ausf. H
Forward view of a Waffen SS Grille ausf. H in the Soviet Union in July of 1943 as seen in a German propaganda movie.
Source: Bundesarchiv, Bild 101III-King-053-10
Copyright: CC BY-SA 3.0
Grille ausf. K
Grille ausf. K self-propelled howitzer at the United States Army Ordnance Museum as seen in 2007.
Source: Mark Pellegrini
Copyright: CC BY-SA 2.5
Grille ausf. H
A Grille ausf. H as shown in a German military manual from 1943.
Source: Heerswaffenamt
Copyright: Public domain
Grille ausf. K
Two heavily camouflaged German Grille ausf. K self-propelled assault guns in Belgium, in December 1944.
Source: U.S. National Archives Photographs Relating to the Administration, Family, and Personal Life of Harry S. Truman, photo 63-630
Copyright: Public domain
Related articles
150mm sIG-33
The Grille is armed with the 15-cm sIG-33 heavy infantry gun.