10.5 cm Feldhaubitze 98/09

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10.5 cm Feldhaubitze 98/09
Breech
Horizontal sliding-block
RecoilHydro-spring
CarriageBox trail
Elevation-13° to +40°
Traverse4°
Muzzle velocity302 m/s (990 ft/s)
Maximum firing range6,300 m (6,890 yds)

The 10.5 cm Feldhaubitze 98/09 (10.5 cm FH 98/09), a short barreled (1625 mm) 105mm howitzer, also referred to as the 10.5 cm leichte Feldhaubitze (light field howitzer) 98/09, was used by the German Empire, Kingdom of Romania as well as the Ottoman Empire in World War I and after. It had a maximum range of 6,300 metres (20,700 ft).[1]

History

It was originally built by Rheinmetall as the 10.5 cm Feldhaubitze 98, an old-fashioned, fixed-recoil weapon delivered to the German army in 1898; between 1902 and 1904, it was redesigned, by Krupp, with a new recoil mechanism and a new carriage.[2] However, it wasn't accepted for service until 1909, hence the ending designation 98/09. Existing weapons were rebuilt to the new standard. As usual, two seats were attached to the gun shield. There were 1,260 in service at the beginning of World War I.[3] Romania captured around 64 pieces from the German Army during World War I, and put them into service during the interwar years.[4]

The 10.5 cm leFH 16 was introduced in 1916 as a successor to 10.5 cm Feldhaubitze 98/09, featuring a longer barrel and hence longer range.

Ammunition

The 10.5 cm used three different types of ammunition and the aiming instruments were marked with three different meter scales and a dial sight for both direct and indirect fire. Originally, it used 7 charges of propellant, but this was increased during the war to 8 in an effort to extend its range.[5]

  • Feldhaubitz granate 98: A 15.8 kilogram (35 lb)
    high-explosive shell
    .
  • Feldhaubitz schrapnel 98: A 12.8 kilogram (28 lb) shrapnel shell.

See also

Weapons of comparable role, performance and era

Gallery

  • German 10.5-cm. light field howitzer with ammunition.
    German 10.5-cm. light field howitzer with ammunition.
  • Sayabec's exposed F.H. 98/09 has received a well deserved restoration in the recent years including a new concrete pedestal, a new paint job and a different set of wheels. ( Uncertain about the historical accuracy of that change.)
    Sayabec's exposed F.H. 98/09 has received a well deserved restoration in the recent years including a new concrete pedestal, a new paint job and a different set of wheels. ( Uncertain about the historical accuracy of that change.)
  • Turkish gunners in action, 1917.
    Turkish gunners in action, 1917.
  • Gunners of the Royal Marine Artillery by a captured German 105 mm FH 98/09 field howitzer during the Battle of Arras, April 1917.
    Gunners of the Royal Marine Artillery by a captured German 105 mm FH 98/09 field howitzer during the Battle of Arras, April 1917.

References

  • Jäger, Herbert. German Artillery of World War One. Ramsbury, Marlborough, Wiltshire: Crowood Press, 2001
    ISBN 1-86126-403-8

Notes

  1. ^ 10.5 cm LIGHT FIELD HOWITZER MODEL 98/09- Retrieved 2012-02-29. Archived 2012-03-06.
  2. ^ Transformation of the 10.5 cm Feldhaubitze 98/09- Retrieved 2012-02-29. Archived 2012-03-06.
  3. ^ Jäger, p. 28
  4. ISBN 978-606-524-080-3
    .
  5. ^ Ammunition- Retrieved 2012-02-29

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to 10.5 cm leFH 98/09.
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