Its German full name was: Panzerfeldhaubitze 18M auf Geschützwagen III/IV (Sf) Hummel with designation: Sd.Kfz. 165. The Hummel, German Bumblebee, was a self-propelled 15 cm Houwitser which provided artillery support for the German panzer units. It was based on a Panzerkampfwagen IV and used steering and driving systems from the Panzerkampfwagen III hence the name Geschütswagen III/IV.
The Panzerfeldhaubitze 18M auf Geschützwagen III/IV (Sf) Hummel was a German self-propelled artillery vehicle used during World War II. It was developed to provide mobile, long-range fire support to infantry and armored units. The name Hummel, which means “bumblebee” in German, was given to this vehicle due to its distinctive appearance, with the large, curved 15 cm howitzer mounted on a modified tank chassis.
The Hummel was based on a combination of the Panzer III and Panzer IV chassis, with the front of the vehicle utilizing the Panzer III chassis and the rear using the Panzer IV’s larger, more powerful drivetrain. This hybrid design helped balance the vehicle’s weight distribution and provided enough mobility for its artillery role.
The main armament of the Hummel was the 15 cm schwere Feldhaubitze 18M howitzer, capable of firing high-explosive shells and smoke rounds over a long range. It had a maximum range of approximately 14 km (8.7 miles). The vehicle’s firepower made it especially effective in counter-battery fire, supporting infantry attacks, and engaging enemy strongholds.
Powered by a Maybach HL 120 TRM engine, the Hummel had a top speed of 40 km/h (25 mph) and a crew of 6. Approximately 700 units were produced between 1942 and 1944, and the Hummel played a significant role in supporting German operations on both the Eastern and Western fronts, offering essential artillery support in mobile warfare.
Do you know the purpose of the “patterned” scratch marks on the side of the vehicle ?
Hi Zelda,
The only thing that comes to mind is that it deepens a camouflage pattern. But we don’t know more about it. It does look different.