- For the Steel Division: Normandy 44 unit see SD:Wespe
Wespe is a German Artillery unit in Steel Division II.
Background[ | ]
Sd.Kfz. 121 (VK 6.22 before adoption) was intended to be a stop-gap tank, to give Germany's fledgling panzer units proper fighting tanks immediately, due to delays in Panzer III and Panzer IV production. It was an evolution of the Panzer I, equipped with a 2 cm KwK 30 L/55 autocannon (KwK 38 in later versions) and a coaxial MG 34, light armor (later severely thickened due to the experiences of the Spanish Civil War), decent mobility and range. Though intended to be a stopgap model, it eventually became the principal light tank of the Reich for most of World War II, with production ceasing in 1943. Nearly 1 900 tanks were manufactured by that point, and the Panzer II together with its various conversions remained in service until the end of the war.
Intended to provide the standard 10.5 cm field howitzer (leFH 18M) with increased mobility, Leichte Feldhaubitze 18/2 auf Fahrgestell Panzerkampfwagen II (Sf.) or Wespe (Wasp) was a practical combination of the reliable Panzer II chassis unsuited for direct combat. Basing on the Ausf. F chassis, it entered service in 1943, immediately demonstrating its capabilities in the war with the Soviet Union, alongside its big brother, the Hummel. Production only ceased in 1944, with the arrival of the frontline at Warsaw and the evacuation of the occupied Ursus plant. By then, 676 Wespes were manufactured, with an additional 159 ammunition carriers.
The standard Self propelled Abteilung of the Panzer Artillerie regiment should have two batteries of 6 Wespe along with another battery of Hummel.
Strategy[ | ]
Mounting the Le.FH 18M howitzer based on the Panzer II hull, this Self propelled gun has the exact same capabilities (15 HE and smoke shells) as Le.FH 18M howitzer. As a self-propelled gun, it is almost immune to counter-battery fire. It is a solid SPG with good range, HE, and smoke shells, and is usually a sound investment.