| 7.5-cm-leichtes Infanteriegeschütz 18 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Infantry gun |
| Place of origin | Germany |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1932–1945 |
| Used by | Nazi Germany |
| Wars | World War II |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Rheinmetall |
| Designed | 1927 |
| Manufacturer | Rheinmetall |
| Produced | 1932–1945 |
| No. built | ~ 12,000 |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | Travel: 1,560 kg (3,439 lb) Combat: 400 kg (882 lb) |
| Barrel length | 88 cm (3 ft) L/11.2 |
| Crew | 5 |
| Shell | 75 x 89mm R Fixed QF |
| Shell weight | 6 kg (13 lb 4 oz) |
| Caliber | 75 mm (3.0 in) |
| Breech | Top break |
| Recoil | Hydro-pneumatic |
| Carriage | Box trail |
| Elevation | -10° to 73° |
| Traverse | 12° |
| Rate of fire | 8-12 rpm |
| Muzzle velocity | 210 m/s (690 ft/s) |
| Maximum firing range | 3,550 m (3,880 yd) |
The 7.5 cm leichtes Infanteriegeschütz 18 (7.5 cm le.IG 18) was an infantry support gun of the German Wehrmacht used during World War II.
History
Development of the gun began in 1927, by Rheinmetall. The crew was protected by an armoured shield. There was a mountain gun variant, the 7.5 cm le.GebIG 18. For transport, the mountain variant could be broken down into six to ten packs, the heaviest weighing 74.9 kg. These were typically assigned at two to each mountain battalion. Six 7.5 cm le.IG 18F were manufactured in 1939. These were airborne guns, capable of being broken down into four 140 kg loads. The airborne variant had smaller wheels and no shield. There was also an infantry support gun, known as the 7.5 cm Infanteriegeschütz L/13 and designed as a replacement for the le.IG 18, which could be broken into four to six loads. However, though prototypes were tested, the German army felt that it did not improve on the existing design sufficiently to merit introduction and the army stayed with the earlier gun.
The gun's breech
Rear of 7.5 cm leichtes Infanteriegeschütz 18
Statistics of the 7.5 cm le.IG 18 and 7.5 cm le.GebIG 18
- Calibre: 75 mm (2.95 in)
- Elevation: -10° to 73°
- Muzzle Velocity (w/HE shell): 210 m/s (689 ft/s)
- Range: 3,550 m (3,882 yd)
- Traverse: 12°
- Weight: 400 kg (882 lb)
- Weight of the 7.5 cm le.GebIG 18: 440 kg (970 lb)
- Weight of HE Shell: 6 kg (13.22 lb)
- Weight of HC Shell: 3 kg (6.6 lb)
Statistics of the 7.5 cm IG L/13
- Calibre: 75 mm (2.95 in)
- Elevation: -5° to 43°
- Muzzle Velocity: 305 m/s (1,000 ft/s)
- Range: 5,100 m (5,577 yd)
- Traverse: 50°
- Weight: 375 kg (827 lb)
- Weight of Shell: 6.35 kg (14 lb)
See also
References
- Hogg, Ian V. German Artillery of World War Two. 2nd corrected edition. Mechanicsville, PA: Stackpole Books, 1997 ISBN 1-85367-480-X
External links
Forgotten Weapons - Germany's New Light Howitzer: the 7.5cm le.IG 18 on YouTube
