15cm s.F.H. Cartridge Casing
15cm cartridge casing for the Krupp 15cm s.F.H. (Schweres Feld Haubitze = heavy field howitzer) Model 02/13/13 Lang. To illustrate the size, the casing is photographed with an original issued Preußen M1910 Artillerie Krätzchen (field cap) which would have been worn by all Mannschaften (Other Ranks) below Sgt firing this weapon.

15cm sFH 13 Cartridge Casing Data:
  • Height - 113mm (4.44 inches)
  • Actual Calibre - 152mm (5.98 inches)
  • Base Diameter - 170mm (6.69 inches)
  • Weight - 1.80 kg (4.0 lbs.)
  • Manufacturer - Polte Magdeburg
  • Date - April 1918
A close-up of the head stamping on the base. Marked: POLTE MAGDEBURG (cartridge factory) manufactured "APRIL 1898" (June 1918). "1075" is the lot number of that batch of cases which were made during 1918. "Sp406" is the wartime control/inspection mark for the manufacturer Patronenfabrik Polte Magdeburg.
 
15cm s.F.H.
One of the most numerous and important weapons in the inventory of the Fußartillerie (Foot Artillery) was the Krupp 15cm s.F.H. (Schweres Feld Haubitze = heavy field howitzer) Model 02/13/13 Lang.
 
15cm sFH 02

Photo courtesy Brett Butterworth Photo Archives
At the beginning of The Great War, the majority of the Fußartillerie (Foot Artillery) were armed with the 15cm s.F.H. 02 (Schweres Feld Haubitze model 1902) = heavy field howitzer Model 1902). The 15 cm s.F.H. 02 was the primary weapon of all German Amry corps; which each had 16 of these howitzers grouped in a heavy artillery battalion. Eventually they were replaced by the 15 cm s.F.H. 13, however, the 02 served well throughout the entire war.

In 1914, howitzers according to the German military doctrine were controlled by the corps commander. This gave the Germans a significant advantage in terms of effectiveness of artillery fire. The Allied Armies did not have a suitable howitzer or a comparable ability for quick manoeuvre. The main limitation of the 15 cm s.F.H. 02 was the relatively short range, so this was the primary focus of the later improvements.

15cm s.F.H. 02 Data:
  • Weight - 1938 kg (4,274 lbs)
  • Range - 6.78 km (4.21 miles)
  • Manufacturer - Kruppl
  • Barrel Length - 1.80 m (5 ft 10 inches) L/14
  • Projectile - 40.5 kg (89 lbs) High Explosive
15cm s.F.H. 13
The s.F.H. 02 was improved in 1913 and a new model was introduced called the s.F.H.13, that had a more efficient carriage, a shield, and a longer barrel (L/14) delivering an additional 1000 meters in range. Due to the large projectile and impressive range, the s.F.H. 13 soon became the standard indirect fire weapon for the Fußartillerie.

15cm s.F.H. 13 Data:
  • Weight - 2105 kg (4,641 lbs)
  • Range - 6.81 km (4.23 miles)
  • Manufacturer - Krupp
  • Barrel Length - 2.10 m (6 ft 10 inches) L/15
  • Projectile - 40.5 kg (89 lbs) High Explosive
An Army of one!
 
15cm s.F.H. 13 Lang

Photo courtesy Brett Butterworth Photo Archives
The second variant of the s.F.H. 13 aimed at increasing the range, and at the same time reducing the number of misfires in the barrel which was a significant and very dangerous problem with the first s.F.H. 13 delivered. In addition to a number of changes designed to address this fault, the cannon was given a longer barrel resulting in it now being a L/17. The improved 15cm s.F.H. 13 Lang were constructed/converted by both Krupp and Rheinmetall, and proved to be very popular with the crews becoming the primary howitzer of the Fußartillerie.
15cm sFH 13 Lang Data:
  • Weight - 2,250 kg (4,960 lbs)
  • Range - 8.60 km (5.34 miles)
  • Manufacturer - Krupp/Rheinmetall
  • Barrel Length - 2.09 m (6 ft 11 inches) L/17
  • Projectile - 40.5 kg (89 lbs) High Explosive