Also incuded 10.5mm gun option for the 21. Panzerdivision in Normandy
During the Fall Of France in 1940 the Germans captured a large number of 37L Lorraine Carriers. In May 1942 it was decided to use these chassis to mount a 15cm gun to be sent to Africa to support Rommel’s army. 40 Lorraine Schlepper chassis were converted to mount a 15cm sFH 13, a gun dating from the First World War.
The superstructure came from Alkett in German and they were assembled in Paris under the supervision of Major Alfred Becker, who later earned fame for his conversions of obsolete French equipment for use with the 21. Panzerdivision in Normandy.In July more Lorraine chassis’ were made available and a further 30 to be fitted with the 15cm sFH at Krefeld.
12 were for the 21.Panzerdivision, 12 for the 15.Panzerdivision and 6 for the 90. leichte division. In July and August 1942 these were shipped, but only 23 vehicles arrived in Africa. After El Alamein all vehicles were reported lost.There were 54 in service at the beginning of 1944 on the Western Front.The Armoured superstructure housing the gun and crew was armoured against small arms and artillery fragments. Eight rounds of 15cm ammunition were stored in the fighting compartment.
In Flames Of War
The 15cm (sf) Lorraine Schlepper can be upgraded from the 10.5cm leFH18 guns of the Artillery batteries of the 15. and 21. Panzerdivisions In Afrika. For the 21. Panzerdivision in Normandy in Monty's Meatgrinder they can be fielded as 10.5cm (Sf) Lorraine Schlepper or upgraded to 15cm (Sf) Lorraine Schlepper.
They fought during the battle of El Alamein, but were lost during the retreat.
Armed with a 15cm Howitzer (sFH 13) they pack plenty of punch on the table in either the direct fire or artillery role.
In the desert only the 15cm Lorraine Schlepper saw action. In the Mid War their Range is 24”/60cm and extends out to 64”/160cm when firing bombardments. The 15cm gun's is Firepower is 1+ direct or 2+ as artillery, and has an anti-tank of 10 direct or 5 as artillery.
In late was their Range of 24”/60cm extends out to 64”/160cm when firing bombardments, and once they hit their high Firepower (1+ direct or 2+ artillery) and anti-tank (13 direct or 5 as artillery) come to the fore.
In Normandy the 21. Panzerdivision field both variants so you can also field the 10.5cm version. This packs only a little less punch. Their Range of 24”/60cm extends out to 72”/180cm when firing bombardments, Firepower (2+ direct or 4+ as artillery) and anti-tank (13 direct or 5 as artillery).
The only drawback of the Lorraine Schlepper is that it is Slow and Overloaded. This makes them slow and vulnerable to difficult terrain, as they bog on 1 or 2 and only move 8”/20cm. In Normandy they were also Unreliable so it is best to avoid Moving at the Double.