Michael Olive - Steel Thunder on the Eastern Front: German and Russian Artillery in WWII

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

T he following people deserve credit for their generous assistance in supplying period photographs taken by the combatants themselves, along with modern color images of uniforms, equipment, and weapons. In each and every case, they went above and beyond to help bring this book to life by offering their expertise and time: Pat Cassidy, Steve Cassidy, P. Whammond and Carey of Collectors Guild (www.germanmilitaria.com), Wilson History and Research Center (www.militaryheadgear.com), Jim Haley, David A. Jones, Jim Pool, Scott Pritchett, Phil Francis, Paul Wills, and Aleks and Dmitri of Espenlaub Militaria (www.aboutww2militaria.com and www.warrelics.eu/forum), as well as the National Archives, the Swedish Army Museum, and a few individuals who wish to remain anonymous.

APPENDIX

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The standard light field howitzer of the German Army was the 10.5cm leichte Feldhaubitze 18, designed by Rheinmetall in 192930 and introduced into service in 1935. Reliable and sturdy, it remained in service throughout the war.

Photo 1 of 2: A pair of whitewashed 10.5cm le FH 16 guns. Though relics of World War I, their performance was adequate and, more to the point, necessary to equip units lacking artillery.

Photo 2 of 2: A pair of whitewashed 10.5cm le FH 16 guns. Though relics of World War I, their performance was adequate and, more to the point, necessary to equip units lacking artillery.

The le FH 18 fired a standard high-explosive shell weighing 14.8 kilograms (32.7 pounds) to a maximum range, with charge number 6, of 10,675 meters (11,675 yards). The ammunition is in two pieces: the shell itself and the cased charge. It was common for artillery batteries to set up near buildings for both cover and shelter, especially during the brutal winter months.

A hastily constructed field position for the