Hummel (Sd.Kfz.165) - German self-propelled howitzer of the Second World War. The first prototypes of the vehicle were created in 1942, and serial production lasted from 1943 to 1945, ending with the release of about 700 vehicles. Hummel was equipped with one engine. Maybach HL 120 TRM with a capacity of 300 hp. . It was armed with a 150 mm sFH 18 howitzer and one 7.92 mm MG 34 culet. The Hummel was designed as a self-propelled howitzer for cooperation with tanks and mechanized infantry of German armored divisions and armored grenadiers. Its chassis was based on elements taken from the PzKpfw III Ausf J and PzKpfw IV Ausf F tanks. The combat compartment was located in the rear section of the fuselage, the engine was located in the middle, and the driver and radio operator were in the front section. . Only one version of the Hummel howitzer was produced, but in later production series the hull was slightly extended, which provided more space for the crew in the front of the vehicle. Hummel is considered one of the best German self-propelled howitzers of the Second World War. Their serial production took place at the Deutsche Eisenwerke plants in Duisburg. The vehicle was first used in combat operations on the Eastern Front in 1943, and began to be used en masse during the Battle of Kursk (July 1943), and then quickly deployed both to the Italian Front and in 1944. - Western Front.
