Sturer Emil
Encyclopedia
The 12.8 cm Selbstfahrlafette auf VK3001(H) "Sturer Emil" was an experimental World War II
German self-propelled anti-tank gun. It was based on the Henschel VK3001 chassis and armed with a Rheinmetall
12.8 cm K L/61 gun (based on the 12.8 cm FlaK 40
). This gun could traverse 7° to each side, elevate 10° and depress 15°. It carried 18 rounds for the main gun.
The chassis was left over from Henschel's submission for the canceled VK3001 heavy tank program, but the hull was stretched and an extra road wheel added to accommodate the large gun, which was mounted on a pedestal ahead of the engine. A large, open-topped, fighting compartment was built where the turret was intended to go in the original design.
Two vehicles (named Max and Moritz
) were built, both of which served on the Eastern Front. One vehicle was destroyed, the other captured at Stalingrad
in January 1943, with 22 kill marks painted on the barrel. This captured vehicle is now displayed in the collection on the Kubinka Tank Museum
.
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
German self-propelled anti-tank gun. It was based on the Henschel VK3001 chassis and armed with a Rheinmetall
Rheinmetall
Rheinmetall AG is a German automotive and defence company with factories in Düsseldorf, Kassel and Unterlüß. The company has a long tradition of making guns and artillery pieces...
12.8 cm K L/61 gun (based on the 12.8 cm FlaK 40
12.8 cm FlaK 40
The 12.8 cm FlaK 40, was a German World War II anti-aircraft gun built as the successor to the 88 mm gun. Although it was not produced in great numbers, it was one of the most effective heavy AA guns of its era....
). This gun could traverse 7° to each side, elevate 10° and depress 15°. It carried 18 rounds for the main gun.
The chassis was left over from Henschel's submission for the canceled VK3001 heavy tank program, but the hull was stretched and an extra road wheel added to accommodate the large gun, which was mounted on a pedestal ahead of the engine. A large, open-topped, fighting compartment was built where the turret was intended to go in the original design.
Two vehicles (named Max and Moritz
Max and Moritz
Max and Moritz is a German language illustrated story in verse. This highly inventive, blackly humorous tale, told entirely in rhymed couplets, was written and illustrated by Wilhelm Busch and published in 1865...
) were built, both of which served on the Eastern Front. One vehicle was destroyed, the other captured at Stalingrad
Battle of Stalingrad
The Battle of Stalingrad was a major battle of World War II in which Nazi Germany and its allies fought the Soviet Union for control of the city of Stalingrad in southwestern Russia. The battle took place between 23 August 1942 and 2 February 1943...
in January 1943, with 22 kill marks painted on the barrel. This captured vehicle is now displayed in the collection on the Kubinka Tank Museum
Kubinka Tank Museum
The Kubinka Tank Museum is a large museum of armoured fighting vehicles in Kubinka, just outside Moscow. It has many famous tanks from World War I, World War II and the Cold War. The museum also houses many unique vehicles, such as the Panzer VIII Maus, Troyanov super-heavy tank and a Karl-Gerät...
.