This guide is about the history to the 10,5 cm StuH 42 L/28. These guns were the mainstay of the German Army, from prewar till the very end. With performance upgrades along its life, it was effectively used in a multitude of roles such as direct support/assault artillery fire and counter artillery. The close up field support was effective against structures, infantry and tanks using a wide array of ammo types. It was only late in the war to be replaced by longer barreled variants such as L/30 and L/35. Being a formidable gun both in-game as well as IRL. It was used on all fronts, upgraded over time and used by multiple nations.
In the following i will go over the
History
The Armament
The 10,5 cm LeFH 18 L/28 is the improved design, with increased range and modernization to the WW1 10,5 cm LeFH 16 L/22 (which itself was still in use in WW2). The German army began WW1 with the 10,5 cm LeFH 96/09 L/12 (Or L/16 depending on the source), which while light, as well as with a wide array of ammo, had a disadvantage in terms of range. Making way to the longer barreled 10,5 cm LeFH 16 L/22, as the small size and mobility was no longer needed nor required in the fixed position trench war, instead longer range as counter artillery as well as to attack positions further behind enemy lines was needed.
The 10,5 cm LeFH 18 L/28, was an interwar development of 1928/29, while the number “18” in the name hides the fact, that Germany, which was prohibited from armament development, was creating new such guns and instead positioned it as a late war (WW1) development. Among other differences and modernization, the LeFH 18 received a longer barrel (L/22 -> L/28), a recoil cylinder above the barrel, and later on in the range extension program a muzzle brake. Overall it was a very effective design, that was a good all-round companion throughout the war with over 11.000 produced, with a life extention program.
The design was similar to the American 10,5 cm M2 howitzer (which itself was based on the WW1 10,5 cm LeFH 16 L/22) and with the 18M (or newer) variants even greater in performance. Reaching with the F.H.Gr. Fern a range of 12.325m and a velocity of 540m/s. Overall the muzzle brake was an optional addition, depending on the ammo type used, it was required for the F.H.Gr. Fern, however could not be used with the main production 10,5 / 7,5 cm Pzgr.39 TS (as well as other models of 8,8 cm and HE TS rounds), until later the “Mbs.” version was developed, which was Mündungsbremsen sicher (muzzle brake safe).
The LeFH 18 was the main stay throughout the war, with only late war developments for longer L/30 and L/35 variants, with new mounting systems, to lower down and have a 360° traverse platform.
Aside that, the LeFH was part of the close support field armament, working along the FK, which were the smaller caliber (7,5 cm) higher velocity universal guns, employed similarly. However while there were also WW1 pieces in the role used (7,5 cm FK 16 n.A. L/36) which was very powerful even for WW2 standards, it did not fulfill the requirements of weight and size in WW2, as such the 7,5 cm FK 18 L/26 (and partly the export variant, FK 38 L/34) which were both weaker, but lighter and more modern versions to the FK 16 n.A., being able to be towed (instead of only horse-drawn) and lighter.
What has this gun to do with the 10,5 cm LeFH 18 history?
Simple, they were to work in tandem, exchanging HE power, for range and AT performance. However while the FK 16 n.A. was still used to great effect, it was never replaced by the new development FK 18, of which only 124 produced. While it was lighter and more modern, it was in every aspect weaker than the 10,5 cm LeFH 18 with a mere range of 9.425m compared to 10.675m (with F.H.Gr). Additionally the AT performance (while having a lower velocity, meaning harder to hit with exception to the Gr.39 Heat round), was stronger with the LeFH 18. As such the whole line of FK (in own production) was rather abandoned and overtaken by the LeFH 18. The exception to this being Russian captured and modified 7,62 cm FK 36(r) and 7,62 cm FK 39(r) as well as other captured field guns.
As such the only main field pieces were the LeFH 18 and the 15 cm s.F.H.18.
The Vehicle
The idea of up-gunning the StuG III came in late 1941/early 1942 with the StuG III with the Ausf.F, from the 7,5 cm StuK 37 L/24 to the 7,5 cm StuK 40 L/43 (and later L/48) more and more vehicles were taken away from infantry support to tank hunting and tank defence tasks, leaving the infantry behind. As the L/24 gun was already seen as relatively outdated for the role, it was decided to instead use the 10,5 cm LeFH 18.
With the StuG III Ausf.F being the current main production, the first prototypes where the StuH 42 Ausf.F, being overall similar with minor differences.
Among others, the differences were a raised roof ventilator, different gun, and sight, and ammo storage. These differences weren't carried over, as main production changed to StuG III Ausf.G and all further StuHs also being Ausf.G which saw a overall new and bigger casemate with a ventilator at the backplate.
The upgunning to the 10,5 cm Howitzer and ammo increased the effect, compared to the 7,5 cm gun, by a factor of up to 2-3. Such being:
- Range with 6.200m -> 10.675m and later 12.325m (and greater with discarding subcaliber HE rounds)
- Velocity of 420m/s -> 470m/s and later 540 / 620m/s (with increased range propellant and discarding subcaliber HE rounds)
- Armor (and concrete) from 50mm base -> 50mm+30mm or 80mm base armor
- Penetration with both AP and HE rounds
- HE filler from 0,725kg -> 1,75kg (and greater with different rounds)
- General destructive effect, against structures, as well as infantry with shrapnel effect.
While as mentioned above the 7,5 cm FK series didn’t take a grip in production and usage, the 7,5 cm KwK/StuK 37 L/24 was a perfect example of general effectiveness in all roles. It offered good range and AT performance. At the time of development most tanks were armored in the 13-30mm range, some with 40mm, which did not offer effectively protection up to 500m distance. With the main ammo being the 7,5 cm Sprgr.34 the HE performance was even slightly improved compared to the FK 16 n.A. F.K.Gr.
But the 10,5 cm gun was simply better, streamlined logistics (used same ammo as standard field howitzers (except primer) and the way forward in effective armaments.
When the Pz IV Ausf.F2 also switched its armament, lots of L/24 guns became free, to be used in fixed position, in bunkers, on the field, as well as mounted on other vehicles, such as the Sd.Kfz.251 and 250, as well as the Pz III Ausf.N which took the role of infantry support, but could not easily take bigger armaments such as the 10,5 cm gun.
Due to the wide array of ammo and power of the StuH 42 L/28, it could be very effectively used for infantry support, bunker and tank destruction, in every aspect (except size and ammo storage, as well as reload speed) it was a direct upgrade.
While overall the ammo types of 7,5 cm StuK 37 L/24 and 10,5 cm StuH 42 L/28 were similar, being APHE (and APCBC), HE, HEAT, Smoke and Canister shot (Kt. and Katätschen).
The 10,5 cm StuH 42 L/28 is a rearranged LeFH 18 L/28, to fit into the mount of the StuK 40, as well as general redesigned for vehicle mounting. The remodeling included electric firing, recoil railing at the bottom was removed as well as the recoil cylinder at the bottom was moved up next to the other reducing the general size. This gun was used closed compartment vehicles as well as turret mounting, while a mostly unchanged LeFH 18 (Sfl.) was used on open topped vehicles such as the Wespe, where space was of less concern. A very similar construction of LeFH 18 L/28 is employed on the Heuschrecke 10 series compared to the StuH 42:
The Ammo
The LeFH 18 L/28 (along its brother the StuH 42 L/28) it had a wide array of different types of ammunition, as well as multiple generations of different production ammo, be it simplifications or different production types (instead of cast Steel, drilled steel) with overall similar abilities.
The ammo includes, but is not limited to:
AP
HE
Utility
450 Steelballs of 13,8mmSome incendary effect by the pitch around the balls.
The Guide
In game the gun is currently only represented on the StuH 42 Ausf.G in form of the StuH 42 L/28, as well as with rather limited ammo types, being the Pzgr., F.H.Gr, Gr.39 Hl/B and /C and the F.H.Gr Nb., while this basically covers the main ammo types, there could be added more (effective) ammo in the future, for now the guide will stay with the in game available.
The Pzgr.
Is a basic APHE medium capacity round, all-round usable, due to good velocity (480m/s), good filler (304,64g TnTe) and good penetration (for its Br) with 70mm/100m, overall it’s the default AP ammo, easy to use, as it can penetrate most enemies frontally and due to the overpressure mechanic (at 170g filler) will always one hit everything you will encounter (with exception to the Char 2C).
It should be taken as the main ammo, with 25 rounds stored.
The F.H.Gr.
At the beginning the F.H.Gr (He) should be taken with 10 rounds (and the last slot to full ammo load (36) just left out), until you unlock the HEAT ammo, while this ammo is relatively bad (compared to the HEAT ammo) it has an advantage of not having a tracer as well as being available from the beginning, however the disadvantages are a lower muzzle velocity (470m/s) and just 22mm penetration (due to filler type, currently not having a higher TnTe than 1:1), making it useless against most armored opponents, as base armor is most often 30mm+ at the Br of 3.0.
After unlocking the HEAT, it should be fully replaced by it, or only 5 rounds, if needed, to do long range HE fire, while having no tracer.
The Gr.39 Hl/B and /C
When you do unlock the Gr.39 Hl/B, it will be a direct all-round ammo upgrade, with great penetration (105mm/all), better velocity (495m/s) and greater filler (2,53kg TnTe), which is already enough to overpressure many enemy tanks, if the shell detonates near the roof (or lower turret front), such as the Churchill Petard, which you rather will often encounter. It’s overall better than the F.H.Gr, with the exception to currently having a tracer (which IRL it did not have).
When unlocking the Gr.39 Hl/C, it should be taken 10 rounds with and fully replace the HE and older HEAT round, as it is a direct penetration upgrade to the /B, with 115mm/all, without any other changes. While it is an excellent round, it should not replace the APHE (Pzgr.) as the main round, due to its nature, it will often detonate on bushes, fences and other obstacles, as well as does not always one shot enemies, which is rather important, due to the nature of the StuH 42 G, being a case mate design, with a long reload of 10 seconds (at best), which will give the crippled enemy time, to shoot back, potentially shooting and destroying your gun breech which (due to being an early production) is only protected by a flat 50mm RHA plate.
The F.H.Gr. Nb.
The smoke is the most often useless and should not replace any other ammo, if at all you can bring 1 round to fully stock your ammo (36 rounds), as while it does create a rather big smoke screen, it is not worth the reduced ammo load, as well as the reload is rather long, first shooting off your current round, reloading 10 seconds (at best), to shoot the smoke, and if you shoot multiple, always with slow reload.
Tactics
The StuH 42 G itself can be used and very good in 2 Roles:
- As a sniper (due to good penetration, one hit capability and relatively good ballistics and scope zoom), which is however a relative statement, as the maps are rather small at the rank, which is good, as too long ranges are not the best, especially at hitting moving targets, due to the (compared to other Guns of smaller caliber) lower velocity of “just” 480 and 495m/s. If needed, the Marder III Ausf.H with the Pak 40, will do far better, at 792m/s, if taken in the same loadout, or with a squad member. Offering supporting fire, and protecting the low armored Marder III Ausf.H.
- As a brawler, because while it uses a case mate design, has quite good armor, with 80mm frontally, only relatively small weak spots (flat plates as well as only 50mm plates), with the option to extend protection via track armor. Greater parts of the Front are either slightly angled and thick (lower hull 80mm), or heavily angled (above the driver and other side 30mm) offering protection against 37 and 40mm guns as well as even 57, 75 and 76mm guns over medium (and when angled) short ranges. However up tiers to 4.0 should be avoided, while it won’t be bad, it will however face more similar enemies without its own disadvantages.
Overall, it’s a well balanced chassis, with good frontal protection, firepower, mobility being good enough, the 300 PS HL 120 TRM engine is powerful enough that you can climb relatively easily every available (and allowed) sniping positions, as well as the top speed of 40 km/h can easily be reached as well as is fast enough to effectively cross the map.
There are few enemies you really have to look out for, some easier to deal with some not. These include but are not limited to the M4A3 (105) found in the US and French TT. This Tank can only be penetrated by the HEAT rounds, through the front plate (sometimes difficult if the hull is angled) and the turret cheeks. If the hull is angled, it can be better to shoot the 38mm side armor, especially the right side, as ammo is stored there and will directly destroy the tank. The M4A3 (105) as the name suggests also has a 105mm gun, only with HE, HEAT and smoke, it can also relatively easily penetrate your armor with 130mm penetration, the track armor and Schürzen *may* help if angled, as well as the sponsen have a hollow 30mm angled plate in front of the 50mm main armor also giving additional protection, these 2 tanks overall handle similar with the gun, the only real advantage you have is the higher velocity of 495m/s instead of just 381m/s, which can give you an advantage with getting of the first shot and/or hit, especially against newer enemies.
The other main enemy is the M10 (and British Achilles). While this is a slight up tier, both can with ease penetrate you even when you angle. However due to open topped nature can be destroyed with one hit by every ammo of you (except maybe smoke), as well as its armor is generally so thin that every shot will penetrate (or detonate on the mantlet and overpressure).
While a little bit harder to use as brawler, it can pay off due to the one hit capability. If you act without teammates you can relatively easily be overrun, if you need to reload, or you barrel (with big muzzle brake) gets shot out, or you are immobilized.
Otherwise it shines in medium to long range due to the armor, and reduced chance of a flanking enemies, which is its biggest enemie, due to being a case mate design, with only 30mm side armor.
While not really usable like others, it can be considered a little derp gun, the HEAT round has already enough filler to overpressure many enemies, if not through the roof. Being quite easy and fun to use, and devastating in a down tier, where many can’t penetrate it frontally (easily, except weak points, such as the gun mantlet and above the driver, just under the roof). But dont get overrun, as the sides are as thin as every other. The roof armor of 11-17mm also will only give enough protection against stravings from normal MGs, but HMGs not to mention cannons and bombs will easily take it out.
Sources, among others:
- D.460 Reihe (ammo)
- Deutsche leichte Feldhaubitzen 1935-1945
- Munition der 10,5 cm LeFH 18
- Munition der 10,5 cm StuH 42
- 2C7 Peforation of Armor by German Projectiles
- Rh 8/v. 854
- Hitlers Panzer: The Complete History 1933-1945
- German Assault Guns and Tank Destroyers 1940-1945
- Sturmgeschütze: Armoured Assault Guns
