The Panzer IV by Anthony Tucker-Jones

Author:Anthony Tucker-Jones
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Pen and Sword
Published: 2017-08-15T00:00:00+00:00

Brummbär

Also produced in time for Kursk was the mighty Brummbär assault infantry gun. Alkett developed the Sturmpanzer concept while Krupp modified the Panzer IV chassis to accommodate the 150mm StuH43 L/12 gun (StuH – Sturmhaubitze or assault howitzer). This required a fully enclosed box superstructure for the gunners. Initially the Brummbär utilized fifty-two new Ausf G chassis and eight rebuilt Ausf E and F chassis. Rather than the basic 80mm of armour on the hull front, the first sixty had 50mm plus an additional 50mm armour plate bolted on. The superstructure was also protected by 100mm of armour. Although weighing over 28 tons, the overloaded chassis could still achieve 40km/hr.

The initial production models featured a crude sliding-shutter visor for the driver, similar to that on the Tiger I. The middle production version included a periscope for the driver. Both lacked a close-defence weapon, which left the Brummbär at risk from enemy infantry. Built from April 1944 to the end of the war the final version had a redesigned superstructure armed with a ball-mounted machine gun in the top lefthand corner of the front plate. A cupola was also installed for the commander.

After seeing Alkett’s plans in October 1942 Hitler demanded up to sixty Brummbär be ready as soon as possible. On 7 February 1943 it was agreed that forty should be completed in time for Kursk with a follow on order for twenty. The initial production run was conducted during April to May 1943; long-term production was then instigated in November 1943 and lasted until the end of the war. In total 298 Brummbärs were built at Duisburg with another eight converted from Panzer IV gun tanks.

Before leaving the factory all vertical surfaces on the mid-production Brummbär were coated in Zimmerit. Schürzen side skirt armour was also fitted. They were factorysprayed in dunkel gelb, and areas were then oversprayed with small patches of diluted oliv grun. The first unit to deploy the Brummbär was the 216th Sturmpanzer Battalion, which fought at Kursk and was involved in the defensive battles near Zaparozhye ending in October 1943. Three other battalions were formed fighting on the Eastern and Western Fronts as well as in Italy.

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