German Projectiles - 150mm Projectiles Part 1

German Projectiles

Solid Shot Projectile, 150mm

German Designation: 15cm Kt.

Employment: 15cm s.H.T.

Dimensions

Overall length (projectile): 16.495 inches

Diameter of base: 5.905 inches

Total weight (projectile): 88 pounds

Type of Bursting Charge: None

No tracer

Fuze: None

Packaging: One projectile in a wicker basket - 94.6 pounds

 Remarks: Information is from captured documents only.

H.E. Projectile, Type 36, 150mm

German Designation: 15cm Gr. 36 FES (Granate 36 FES)

Employment: 15cm s.F.H. 18

Dimensions

Overall length (complete round): 28.916 inches
Overall length (projectile): 23.07 inches

Distance from base to band: 4.409 inches

Width of sintered iron rotating band: 0.866 inches
Diameter of base: 5.196 inches

Total weight (projectile): 84.7 pounds

No tracer

Overall length (cartridge case): 10.255 inches

Diameter at case mouth: 6.338 inches

Diameter at case base: 7.007 inches

Fuze: Nose percussion fuzes AZ 23, 23 umg, AZ 23 m. 2 V umg, or;
Time and Percussion fuzes Dopp.Z.s/60s, or Dopp.Z.s/60 lm.

Markings: Painted green

 Remarks: Information is from captured documents only.

After firing, rotating band will bear 40 engravings.

Hollow Charge Projectile, Type 39, 150mm

German Designation: 15cm Gr. 19 HL (15cm Granate 19 Hohl Ladung)

Employment: 15cm s.F.H. 18
                       15cm s.F.H. 13

Dimensions

Overall length (projectile): 22.834 inches

Diameter of base: 5.905 inches

Total weight (projectile): 54.076 pounds

Type of Bursting Charge: Cyclonite/Wax

Tracer present

Overall length (cartridge case): 10.225 inches

Diameter at case neck: 6.338 inches

Diameter at case base: 7.007 inches

Fuze: Nose percussion fuze Kl AZ 40 Nb

Markings: Painted green.

Packaging: One projectile in a wicker basket - 58.3 pounds

 Remarks: Information is from captured documents only.

After firing from s.F.H. 18, rotating band will bear 40 engravings.

A.P. Projectile, Type L 3/8, with Ballistic Cap, 150mm

German Designation: 15cm Pzsprgr. L 3/8 m. Haube (Panzersprenggranate Ladung 3/8 mit Haube)

Employment: 15cm K. ins Mrs. Laf.
               Naval 15cm Gun


Dimensions

Overall length (projectile): 21.771 inches

Total weight (projectile): 99.66 pounds

No tracer

Fuze: Nose Percussion fuze Bd. Z. C/38

Markings: Painted blue for naval use.

Packaging: One projectile in wicker basket - 100 pounds

 Remarks: This projectile is used interchangeably in land and naval weapons.

H.E. Projectile, Type L 4/5, with Nose Fuze and Ballistic Cap, 150mm

German Designation: 15cm Sprgr. L 4/5 Kpf.Z m. Haube
                                                                      (Sprenggranate Lange 3/8 Kopfzunder mit Haube)

Employment: 15cm K. ins Mrs. Laf.


Dimensions

Overall length (projectile): 26.7 inches

Total weight (projectile): 100 pounds

No tracer

Fuze: Nose Percussion fuze Kz. C/27 lm. or St., or;
Time and Percussion fuze M. Dopp. Z. s/60 St.

Packaging: One projectile in wicker basket - 105.6 pounds

Anti-Concrete Projectile, 150mm

German Designation: 15cm Gr. 19 rot Be ( Granate 19 rot Beton)

Employment: 15cm K. 18
                         15cm K 39
                        15cm K. (E)

Dimensions

Overall length (projectile): 25.25 inches
Diameter of bourrelet: 5.86 inches

Total weight (projectile): 95.37 pounds
Weight of bursting charge: 7.12 pounds

Type of Bursting Charge: TNT

Tracer present

Overall length (cartridge case): 32.07 inches

Diameter at case base: 7.007 inches

Type of propellant: Tubular Diglycol

Fuze: Base detonation fuze Bd. Z. f. 15cm Gr. 19 Be.

Markings: Red band above rotating bands.

Packaging: One projectile in a wicker basket - 102 pounds.

H.E. Projectile, Type 19 with Gaine 36, 150mm

German Designation: 15cm Gr. 19 mit Zdlg 36 (Granate 19 mit Zundladung 36)

Employment: 15cm s.F.H. 18

Dimensions

Overall length w/AZ fuze (complete round): 31.239 inches
Overall length w/Dopp.Z. fuze (complete round): 33.799 inches

Overall length w/AZ fuze (projectile): 24.211 inches
Overall length w/Dopp.Z. fuze (projectile): 26.771 inches

Distance from base to band: 3.22 inches

Width of rotating band: 0.472 inches
Diameter of bourrelet: 5.825 inches
Diameter of base: 5.196 inches

Total weight (projectile): 95.7 pounds
Weight of bursting charge: 11.22 pounds

Type of Bursting Charge: Poured TNT

No tracer

Overall length (cartridge case): 10.255 inches

Diameter at case neck: 6.338 inches

Diameter at case base: 7.007 inches

Type of propellant: Flaked Diglycol

Fuze: Nose percussion fuzes AZ 23, 23 umg, AZ 23 m. 2 V umg, or;
Time and Percussion fuzes Dopp.Z.s/60s, or Dopp.Z.s/60 lm.

Markings: Painted green

Packaging: One projectile to a wicker basket - 100 pounds.

 Remarks: After firing, projectile will bear 40 engravings on rotating band.

H.E. Projectile of Cast Steel, 150mm

German Designation: 15cm Gr. 19 Stg. (Granate 19 Stg.)

Employment: 15cm s.F.H. 18
                       15cm s.F.H. 13
                  15cm s.H.T.

Dimensions

Overall length w/AZ fuze (complete round): 30.431 inches
Overall length w/Dopp.Z. fuze (complete round): 32.991 inches

Overall length w/AZ fuze (projectile): 23.424 inches
Overall length w/Dopp.Z. fuze (projectile): 25.984 inches

Distance from base to band: 3.228 inches

Width of rotating band: 0.472 inches
Diameter of bourrelet: 5.826 inches
Diameter of base: 5.196 inches

Total weight (projectile): 95.7 pounds
Weight of bursting charge: 9.68 pounds

Type of Bursting Charge: Poured TNT + smoke box below gaine

No tracer

Overall length (cartridge case): 10.255 inches

Diameter at case mouth: 6.338 inches

Diameter at case base: 7.007 inches
Weight of case: 11.750 pounds

Type of propellant: Flaked Diglycol

Fuze: Nose percussion fuzes AZ 23, 23 umg, AZ 23 m. 2 V umg, or;
Time and Percussion fuzes Dopp.Z.s/60s, or Dopp.Z.s/60 lm.

Markings: Painted green, stencilled in black.

Packaging: One projectile to a wicker basket - 100 pounds.

 Remarks:This projectile is made of cast steel.

Next Time: 150mm Projectiles Part 2

German Projectiles - 105mm Projectiles Part 2

German Projectiles

Hollow Charge Projectile, Type B, 105mm

German Designation: 10cm Gr. 39 HL/B (Granate 39 Hohl Ladung/B)

Employment: 10cm LFH 16
                       10cm LFH 18
                           10cm LFH 18 M
                    10cm LG 40
                    10cm LG 42

Dimensions

Overall length (complete round): 23.76 inches
Overall length w/ fuze (projectile): 19.803 inches

Distance from base to band: 2.165 inches

Width of rotating band: 0.669 inches
Diameter of base: 4.074 inches

Total weight (projectile): 26.719 pounds

Type of Bursting Charge: Cyclonite/Wax/TNT

No tracer

Overall length (cartridge case): 6.125 inches

Diameter at case neck: 4.375 inches

Diameter at case shoulder: 4.5 inches

Diameter at case base: 4.937 inches

Weight of propellant: 1.54 pounds

Type of propellant: Flaked Diglycol

Fuze: Nose percussion fuze AZ 38

Markings: Painted green, with red band above rotating band

 Remarks: When used with LG 40, rotating band is 0.59 inches in width.

When projectile has been fired from LFH 16 there will be 32 engravings on the band.

Hollow Charge Projectile, Type C, 105mm

German Designation: 10cm Gr. 39 rot HL/C (Granate 39 rot Hohl Ladung/C)

Employment: 10cm LFH 16
                       10cm LFH 18
                           10cm LFH 18 M
                    10cm LG 40
                    10cm LG 42

Dimensions

Overall length (complete round): 23.76 inches
Overall length w/ fuze (projectile): 19.803 inches

Distance from base to band: 2.165 inches

Width of rotating band: 0.65 inches
Diameter of base: 4.074 inches

Total weight (projectile): 26.875 pounds
Weight of bursting charge: 3.286 pounds

Type of Bursting Charge: Cyclonite/Wax/TNT

No tracer

Overall length (cartridge case): 6.125 inches

Diameter at case neck: 4.375 inches

Diameter at case shoulder: 4.5 inches

Diameter at case base: 4.937 inches

Weight of propellant: 1.54 pounds

Type of propellant: Flaked Diglycol

Fuze: Nose percussion fuze AZ 38

Markings: Painted green, with red band above rotating band

 Remarks: When used with LG 40, rotating band is 0.59 inches in width.

When projectile has been fired from LFH 16 there will be 32 engravings on the band.

Incendiary Projectile, 105mm

No picture available

German Designation: 10cm F.H. Gr. Sprg. Brand. (Feld Hautbitze Granate Spreng Brand)

Employment: 10cm LFH 16
                       10cm LFH 18
                           10cm LFH 18 M

Dimensions

Overall length (complete round): 18.29 inches
Overall length (projectile): 15.55 inches

Distance from base to band: 3.385 inches
Diameter of base: 3.346 inches

Weight of bursting charge: 34.81 pounds

Type of Bursting Charge: TNT and Incendiary composition

No tracer

Overall length (cartridge case): 6.125 inches

Diameter at case neck: 4.375 inches

Diameter at case shoulder: 4.5 inches

Diameter at case base: 4.937 inches

Weight of propellant: 1.54 pounds

Type of propellant: Flaked Diglycol

Fuze: Nose percussion fuze AZ 23v

Markings: Painted grey, stencilled in black
"BR" stencilled on body

 Remarks: When projectile has been fired from LFH 16 there will be 32 engravings on the band.

H.E. Projectile, Model 15, for Skoda Howitzer, 105mm

German Designation: Not known

Employment: 10cm Skoda Howitzer


Dimensions (Type I)

Overall length w/o fuze (projectile): 15.12 inches

Distance from base to band: 0.58 inches

Width of rotating band: 0.55 inches

Total weight (projectile): 28.62 pounds

Type of Bursting Charge: TNT

No tracer

Dimensions (Type II)

Overall length w/o fuze (projectile): 15.12 inches

Distance from base to band: 1.57 inches

Width of rotating band: 0.55 inches

Total weight (projectile): 28.62 pounds

Type of Bursting Charge: TNT

No tracer

Markings: Unpainted

 Remarks: The position of the rotating band, it will be noted, is the only distinction between these two projectiles.

These projectiles have fallen into German hands in considerable quantities and are reported to be in use with the German Army.

H.E. Projectile, Models 23 and 28, for Skoda Howitzer, 105mm

German Designation: Not known

Employment: 10cm Skoda Howitzer


Dimensions (Type I)

Overall length (projectile): 15.83 inches

Distance from base to band: 0.59 inches

Width of rotating band: 0.51 inches

Total weight (projectile): 30.6 pounds

Type of Bursting Charge: TNT

No tracer
Markings: Painted yellow

Dimensions (Type II)

Overall length (projectile): 18.56 inches

Distance from base to band: 2.74 inches

Width of rotating band: 0.63 inches

Total weight (projectile): 31.21 pounds

Type of Bursting Charge: TNT

No tracer

Markings: Unpainted

 Remarks: These projectiles have fallen into German hands in considerable quantities and are reported to be in use with the German Army.

H.E. Projectile, Type L/4.4 Kz., 105mm

German Designation: 10cm Sprgr. Patr. L/4.4 Kpf.Z. (Sprengranate Patrone Lange/4.4 Kopfzunder)

Employment: 10cm Flak 38
                       10cm Flak 39

Dimensions

Overall length (complete round): 46 inches
Overall length w/o fuze (projectile): 14.369 inches

Distance from base to band: 2.48 inches

Width of rotating band: 0.669 inches
Diameter of base: 4.133 inches

Total weight (projectile): 33.2 pounds
Weight of bursting charge: 3.3 pounds

Type of Bursting Charge: TNT

No tracer

Overall length (cartridge case): 30.17 inches

Diameter at case neck: 4.204 inches

Diameter at case shoulder: 4.628 inches

Diameter at case base: 5.45 inches

Weight of propellant: 10.9 pounds

Type of propellant: Diglycol

Fuze: Nose percussion fuze AZ 23/28v or Mechanical time fuze Zt. Z. s/30

Markings: Painted yellow

 Remarks: There are two cannelures below the rotating band on this projectile. When fired, projectile will be found with 36 engravings on the rotating band.

H.E. Projectile, Type 19, 105mm

German Designation: Gr. 19 Kz 13 (Granate 19 Kopfzunder 13)

Employment: s. 10cm K 18
                              10cm K.T.  
                     lg. 10cm K.T.

Dimensions

Overall length (complete round): 33.09 inches
Overall length w/ fuze (projectile): 19.17 inches

Distance from base to band: 3.582 inches

Width of rotating band: 0.669 inches
Diameter of base: 3.464 inches

Total weight (projectile): 32.58 pounds
Weight of bursting charge: 3.5 pounds

Type of Bursting Charge: TNT

No tracer

Overall length (cartridge case): 17.5 inches

Diameter at case neck: 4.41 inches

Diameter at case base: 5.12 inches

Weight of propellant: 12.85 pounds

Type of propellant: Tubular Diglycol

Fuze: Nose percussion fuze AZ 23v or Time and percussion fuze Dopp. Z. s/60

Markings: Painted green

 Remarks: When fired from s. 10cm K 18 projectile will bear 36 engravings on rotating band.

H.E. Projectile, with disintegrating band, 105mm

German Designation: Not known

Employment: 10cm Flak 38
                       10cm Flak 37

Dimensions

Total weight (projectile): 23.1 pounds
Weight of bursting charge: 1.1 pounds

Type of Bursting Charge: TNT

No tracer

Fuze: Nose percussion fuze AZ 23v

Markings: Painted yellow

Packaging: One in a wooden crate.

 Remarks: At the shoulder of the projectile is a detachable guide band.  This band is trisected by cuts almost completely through the band and the complete band, which is a push fit on the shoulder, it is held in position by three ball bearings.  These are seated in cavities spaced equally round the periphery of the shoulder of the shell and project into cylindrical drillings through each segment of the guide band.  The drillings are threaded towards the outer circumference and the ball bearings after insertion are finally located by screws which seat the outer surface of the bearings.  After insertion of the balls and the positioning of the three screws, therefore, the guide band is firmly attached to the shell body, but should trisection of the guide band be completed, each segment, together with its retaining ball, would therefore be free to fall away from the shell body.

The rotating band holder is located at the base of the shell, which is keyed to receive it.  The holder itself is in three detached segments held in position only by the soft iron driving band.  Movement is prevented by three cylindrical pieces fitting into cavities located in the shell body and the driving band holder.  There are also three cylindrical pins between the segments.

It is believed that after leaving the gun the guide band and the rotating band holder are each split into three separate segments which, together with the ball bearings, pins and cylindrical pieces retaining them, are flung off.  The remaining projectile is then of much better aero-dynamic shape than is possible with a conventional projectile.

Next Time: 150mm Projectiles Part 1

German Projectiles - 105mm Projectiles Part 1

German Projectiles

A.P.C. Projectile with Tracer, 105mm

German Designation: 10cm Pzgr. rot (Panzergranate rot)

Employment: 10cm Flak 38
                       10cm Flak 39
                       s 10cm K.T. 
                       s 10cm K. 18

Dimensions

Overall length (complete round): 44.25 inches
Overall length w/o fuze (projectile): 15.4 inches

Distance from base to band: 1.15 inches

Width of rotating band: 0.905 inches
Width of bourrelet: 0.812 inches

Diameter of bourrelet: 4.125 inches

Diameter of projectile base: 4.133 inches
Total weight (complete round): 57.625 pounds
Total weight (projectile): 34.7 pounds

Type of Bursting Charge: TNT in aluminum container

Tracer present

Overall length (cartridge case): 30.17 inches

Diameter at case neck: 4.204 inches

Diameter at case shoulder: 4.628 inches

Diameter at case base: 5.45 inches

Weight of propellant: 12.85 pounds

Type of propellant: Tubular Diglycol

Fuze: Base detonation fuze Bd. Z. f. 10cm

Markings: Painted black with 0.5 inch red band above rotating band

 Remarks: There are two cannelures below the rotating band.

A.P. Projectile for Light Field Howitzer, 105mm

German Designation: Pzgr. rot L'spur (Panzergranate rot Leuchtspur)

Employment: 10cm LFH 16
                       10cm LFH 18
                           10cm LFH 18 M
                   10cm K.K. 
                 10cm K.T

Dimensions

Overall length (complete round): 37.441 inches
Overall length w/ fuze (projectile): 11.5 inches
Overall length w/o fuze (projectile): 10.285 inches

Distance from base to band: 2.579 inches

Width of rotating band: 0.625 inches

Diameter of projectile base: 4.026 inches
Total weight (projectile): 34.62 pounds
Weight of bursting charge: 8.11 ounces

Type of Bursting Charge: TNT

Tracer present

Overall length (cartridge case): 6.125 inches

Diameter at case neck: 4.375 inches

Diameter at case shoulder: 4.5 inches

Diameter at case base: 4.937 inches

Weight of propellant: 1.54 pounds

Type of propellant: Flaked Diglycol

Fuze: Base detonation fuze Bd. Z. f. 10cm

Markings: Painted black with red stencilling

 Remarks: There are two cannelures below the rotating band.
When projectile has been fired from LFH 16 there will be 32 engravings on the band.

H.E. Projectile for Field Howitzer, 105mm

German Designation: F.H. Gr. (Feld Hautbitze Granate)

Employment: 10cm LFH 16
                       10cm LFH 18
                           10cm LFH 18 M
                         10cm Stu H 42 
                    10cm LG 40
                    10cm LG 42

Dimensions

Overall length (complete round): 25.295 inches
Overall length w/ fuze (projectile): 19.17 inches
Overall length w/o fuze (projectile): 15.55 inches

Distance from base to band: 3.385 inches

Width of rotating band: 0.59 inches

Total weight (projectile): 33.08 pounds
Weight of bursting charge: 3 pounds, 4 ounces

Type of Bursting Charge: TNT or Amatol, plus red phosphorus smoke box

No tracer

Overall length (cartridge case): 6.125 inches

Diameter at case neck: 4.375 inches

Diameter at case shoulder: 4.5 inches

Diameter at case base: 4.937 inches

Weight of propellant: 1.54 pounds

Type of propellant: Flaked Diglycol

Fuze: Nose percussion fuze AZ 23v or Time and Percussion Fuze Dopp Z s/60

Markings: Painted green
The cartridge case may be of brass-coated steel, unpainted steel, or black steel spirally wound.

Packaging: One projectile in a wooden crate - 41.8 pounds

 Remarks: Four types of H.E. are fired.  They do not differ materially from each other and have approximately the same weight.  Their ballistic qualities are the same.  The use the same fuzes.


They are designated:
-FH Gr.
-FH Gr. 38
-FH Gr. 33 Stg.
-FH Gr. FES

FH Gr. 33 Stg. is of cast steel and the bursting charge is poured.

When projectile has been fired from LFH 16 there will be 32 engravings on the band.

Smoke Projectile for Field Howitzer, 105mm

German Designation: 10cm F.H. Gr. Nb. (Feld Hautbitze Granate Nebel)

Employment: LFH 16
                       LFH 18
                           LFH 18 M
                         Stu H 42
Dimensions

Overall length (complete round): 15.905 inches (Error, cannot be shorter than projectile)
Overall length w/ fuze (projectile): 19.29 inches
Overall length w/o fuze (projectile): 17.32 inches

Distance from base to band: 3.385 inches

Width of rotating band: 0.59 inches
Diameter of base: 3.3 inches

Total weight (projectile): 30.8 pounds
Weight of bursting charge: 4.3 ounces

Type of Bursting Charge: Picric Acid

No tracer

Weight of smoke mixture: 4.1 pounds
Type of smoke mixture: Oleum impregnated in pumice

Overall length (cartridge case): 6.125 inches

Diameter at case neck: 4.375 inches

Diameter at case shoulder: 4.5 inches

Diameter at case base: 4.937 inches

Weight of propellant: 1.54 pounds

Type of propellant: Flaked Diglycol

Fuze: Nose percussion fuze K1 AZ 23 Nb

Markings: Painted green, stencilled in white.
"Nb" stencilled on body.

Packaging: One projectile in a wooden crate - 40 pounds

 Remarks: There is also a round designated: "F.H. Gr. 40 Nb" believed to be of the ejector type, and a round, "F.H. Gr 38 Nb" similar to the above but producing a large cloud of smoke, and a round, "F.H. Gr. 40 Deut" which emits a cloud of blue smoke lasting one to two minutes and is used as a marker for air support.

When projectile has been fired from LFH 16 there will be 32 engravings on the band.

H.E. Projectile for Long Distance use in Field Howitzer, 105mm

German Designation: 10cm F.H. Gr. F. (Feld Hautbitze Granate (distance) )

Employment: 10cm LFH 18 M

Dimensions

Overall length (complete round): 24.23 inches
Overall length w/ fuze (projectile): 20.47 inches
Overall length w/o fuze (projectile): 16.77 inches

Distance from base to band: 2.362 inches

Width of rotating band: 0.59 inches

Total weight (projectile): 32.58 pounds

Type of Bursting Charge: Amatol

No tracer

Overall length (cartridge case): 6.125 inches

Diameter at case neck: 4.375 inches

Diameter at case shoulder: 4.5 inches

Diameter at case base: 4.937 inches

Weight of propellant: 3.4 pounds

Type of propellant: Gudol

Fuze: Nose percussion fuze AZ 23v or Time and Percussion Fuze Dopp Z s/60

Markings: Painted green

Hollow Charge Projectile, 105mm

German Designation: 10cm Gr. 39 rot HL (Granate 39 rot Hohl Ladung)

Employment: 10cm LFH 16
                       10cm LFH 18
                           10cm LFH 18 M
                    10cm LG 40
                    10cm LG 42

Dimensions

Overall length (complete round): 12.699 inches (Error, cannot be shorter than projectile)
Overall length w/ fuze (projectile): 15.314 inches

Distance from base to band: 2.165 inches

Width of rotating band: 0.669 inches
Diameter of base: 4.055 inches

Total weight (projectile): 25.56 pounds
Weight of bursting charge: 3.91 pounds

Type of Bursting Charge: Cyclonite/Wax/TNT

No tracer

Overall length (cartridge case): 6.125 inches

Diameter at case neck: 4.375 inches

Diameter at case shoulder: 4.5 inches

Diameter at case base: 4.937 inches

Weight of propellant: 1.54 pounds

Type of propellant: Flaked Diglycol

Fuze: Nose percussion fuze AZ 38

Markings: Painted green, with red band above rotating band

 Remarks: When used with LG 40, rotating band is 0.59 inches in width.

When projectile has been fired from LFH 16 there will be 32 engravings on the band.

Hollow Charge Projectile, Type A, 105mm

German Designation: 10cm Gr. 39 rot HL/A (Granate 39 rot Hohl Ladung/A)

Employment: 10cm LFH 16
                       10cm LFH 18
                           10cm LFH 18 M
                    10cm LG 40
                    10cm LG 42

Dimensions

Overall length (complete round): 23.76 inches
Overall length w/ fuze (projectile): 19.803 inches

Distance from base to band: 2.165 inches

Width of rotating band: 0.669 inches
Diameter of base: 4.074 inches

Total weight (projectile): 27.156 pounds

Type of Bursting Charge: Cyclonite/Wax/TNT

No tracer

Overall length (cartridge case): 6.125 inches

Diameter at case neck: 4.375 inches

Diameter at case shoulder: 4.5 inches

Diameter at case base: 4.937 inches

Weight of propellant: 1.54 pounds

Type of propellant: Flaked Diglycol

Fuze: Nose percussion fuze AZ 38

Markings: Painted green, with red band above rotating band

 Remarks: When used with LG 40, rotating band is 0.59 inches in width.

When projectile has been fired from LFH 16 there will be 32 engravings on the band.

Next Time: 105mm Projectiles Part 2

German Projectiles - 88mm Projectiles

German Projectiles

Hollow Charge Projectile, Type 39, 88mm

No picture available

German Designation: H L Gr. Patr. 39 Flak (Hohl Ladun Granate Patrone 39 Flugabwehrkanone)

Employment: 8.8cm Flak 18
                       8.8cm Flak 36
                       8.8cm Flak 37

Dimensions

Total weight (projectile): 16.83 pounds

Weight of bursting charge: 1.5 pounds

Soft iron rotating bands

No tracer

Overall length (cartridge case): 22.4 inches

Diameter at case neck: 3.625 inches

Diameter at case shoulder: 3.812 inches

Diameter at base: 4.02 inches

Weight of case: 11.625 pounds

Type of propellant: Diglycol

Fuze: Nose percussion fuze AZ 38 St.
This fuze is identical with the AZ 38 except that it is made of steel.

Markings: Painted Grey, stencilled in black.
"HL FES" stencilled on body.

 Remarks: Information is from captured documents.  All three weapons employ the same cartridge case.

A.P.C. Projectile, Type 39, 88mm

No picture available

German Designation: Pzgr. Patr. 39 (Panzergranate Patrone 39)

Employment: 8.8cm Flak. 41

Dimensions

Overall length (complete round): 45.5 inches
Overall length (projectile): 13.5 inches

Distance from base to band: 1.937 inches

Width of rotating bands: 0.469 inches

Diameter of projectile base: 3.437 inches
Total weight (complete round): 46 pounds
Total weight (projectile): 22.44 pounds
Weight of bursting charge: 2.12 ounces

Type of Bursting Charge: Cyclonite

Tracer present

Overall length (cartridge case): 33.687 inches

Diameter at case neck: 3.562 inches

Diameter at case shoulder: 4.094 inches

Diameter at case base: 4.844 inches

Weight of propellant: 11.91 pounds

Type of propellant: Tubular Gudol

Fuze: Base detonating fuze - Bd. Z. f 8.8cm (unmarked)

Markings: Painted black with white tip.

 Remarks: This is the "small cavity" type of German APCBCHE with Cyclonite bursting charge and a spring-loaded fuze.

H.E. Projectile Type L/4.5, 88mm

German Designation: Sprgr. Patr. L/4.5 (Kpf.Z) (Sprenggranate Patrone Lange/4.5 (Kopfzunder) )

Employment: 8.8cm Flak 18
                       8.8cm Flak 36
                       8.8cm Flak 37

Dimensions

Overall length (projectile): 15.51 inches

Distance from base to band: 1.375 inches

Width of lower rotating band: 0.531 inches

Width of upper rotating band: 0.469 inches
Diameter of bourrelet: 3.446 inches
Diameter of projectile base: 3.447 inches
Total weight (projectile): 20.35 pounds
Weight of bursting charge: 1.9 pounds

Type of Bursting Charge: Amatol 40/60

No tracer

Overall length (cartridge case): 22.4 inches

Diameter at case neck: 3.625 inches

Diameter at case shoulder: 3.812 inches

Diameter at case base: 4.02 inches

Weight of case: 11.625 pounds
Weight of propellant: 5.03 pounds

Type of propellant: Tubular Diglycol

Fuze: Nose percussion fuze - AZ 23/28 or Mechanical time fuze - Zt. Z. s/30

Markings: Painted yellow or green

Packaging: Three rounds in a wicker basket - 123 pounds; or
One round in metal cylinder - 47.3 pounds

 Remarks: All three weapons employ the same cartridge case.  There are two types of this projectile.  One has a cardboard container, the other has a solid base and is poured filled.

A.P. Projectile for 88mm Anti-Tank Gun, 88mm

German Designation: 8.8cm Pzgr. Patr. 41 (Panzergranate Patrone 41)

Employment: 8.8cm Flak 36
                       8.8cm Flak 41

Dimensions

Overall length w/o fuze (projectile): 13 inches

Distance from base to bands: 1.375 inches

Width of rotating band: 0.48 inches

Diameter of projectile base: 3.45 inches

Total weight (complete round): 22.8 pounds
Tracer present

Overall length (cartridge case): 33.625 inches

Diameter at case neck: 3.55 inches

Diameter at case shoulder: 4.1 inches

Diameter at base: 4.65 inches

Weight of propellant: 5.38 kilograms
Type of propellant: Tubular Diglycol

Fuze: Bd. Z 5127

A.P. Projectile with Tungsten Carbide Core (Type 40), 88mm

German Designation: 8.8cm Pzgr. 40 (Panzergranate 40)

Employment: 8.8cm Flak 36
                       8.8cm Flak 41

Dimensions

Overall length (complete round): 33.99 inches
Overall length (projectile): 12.75 inches
Distance from base to band: 1.166 inches

Width of rotating band: 0.437 inches
Diameter of bourrelet: 3.437 inches

Diameter of projectile base: 3.562 inches

Total weight (projectile): 16 pounds

Length of tungsten carbide core: 5.437 inches
Diameter of tungsten carbide core: 1.406 inches
Weight of tungsten carbide core: 4.25 pounds

Tracer present

Overall length (cartridge case): 22.4 inches

Diameter at case neck: 3.625 inches

Diameter at case shoulder: 3.812 inches

Diameter at base: 4.02 inches

Weight of case: 11.625 pounds

Type of propellant: Diglycol

Fuze: No fuze

Markings: Painted black

 Remarks: The cartridge case employed for Flak 41 is "8.8cm Flak 41" (Fixed).

H.E. Projectile Type L/4.7, 88mm

German Designation: Sprgr. Patr. L/4.7 (Sprenggranate Patrone Lange/4.7 FES)

Employment: 8.8cm Flak 41
                       8.8cm Flak 43

Dimensions

Overall length (complete round): 47 inches
Overall length (projectile): 16.35 inches
Distance from base to band: 2.905 inches

Width of rotating band: 0.51 inches
Diameter of bourrelet: 3.425 inches

Diameter of projectile base: 3.031 inches
Total weight (complete round): 46.42 pounds

Total weight (projectile): 20.68 pounds

Weight of bursting charge: 1.9 pounds

Type of bursting charge: 40/60 Amatol

Overall length (cartridge case): 33.687 inches

Diameter at case neck: 3.562 inches

Diameter at case shoulder: 4.094 inches

Diameter at base: 4.844 inches

Type of propellant: Tubular Gudol
Fuze: Nose percussion fuze - AZ 23/28v; or
Mechanical time fuze - Zt. Z s/30

Markings: Painted yellow

A.P.C. Projectile for AA Gun 18, 88mm

German Designation: Pzgr. Patr. m.3d. Z. (Panzergranate Patrone mit Boden Zunder)

Employment: 8.8cm Flak 18
                       8.8cm Flak 36
                       8.8cm Flak 37

Dimensions

Overall length (complete round): 34.25 inches
Overall length (projectile): 13.25 inches

Width of bimetallic rotating band: 0.469 inches

Diameter of projectile base: 3.437 inches
Total weight (complete round): 35.2 pounds

Total weight (projectile): 20.75 pounds

Weight of bursting charge: 5.5 pounds

Type of bursting charge: TNT/Wax
Tracer present

Overall length (cartridge case): 22.4 inches

Diameter at case neck: 3.625 inches

Diameter at case shoulder: 3.812 inches

Diameter at base: 4.02 inches
Weight of propellant: 5.65 pounds

Type of propellant: Tubular Diglycol
Fuze: Base detonating fuze - Bd. Z. f. 8.8cm

Markings: Painted black

Packaging: Three rounds to a wicker basket, or one round to a metal container.

Remarks: This projectile is the large cavity design of German A.P.C.

Next Time: 105mm Projectiles Part 1