| One of the first gun mount variants
of the Panzer II design was to emplace a 15 cm sIG 33 heavy infantry gun on a
turretless Panzer II chassis. The prototype utilized an Ausf. B tank chassis,
but it was quickly realized that it was not sufficient for the mounting. A new,
longer chassis incorporating an extra road wheel was designed and built, named
the Fahrgestell Panzerkampfwagen II. An open-topped 15 mm thick armored superstructure
sufficient against small arms and shrapnel was provided around the gun. this was
not high enough to give full protection for the crew while manning the gun, although
they were still covered directly to the front by the tall gun shield. Only 12
were built in November and December of 1941. These served with the German 707th
Heavy Infantry Gun Company (SP) and German 708th Heavy Infantry Gun Company (SP)
in North Africa until their destruction in 1943. |