Srachka to Perdachka
04-08-2004, 07:18 PM
This was one of the many types of Soviet tanks that lead the assault to Berlin.
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Brief Operational History
The SU-152 evolved from Soviet experience in fighting German assault guns (StuG series) vehicles and their own projects to come up with alternative uses for the KV frame. Some of these projects involved KV's with multiple 76mm guns, others had 45mm guns. Both KV-6 and KV-7 multiple gun systems were found to be unsuccessful. Work was then focused on making a vehicle with a larger cannon. The weapon system chosen was a shortened version of the M-1937 152mm cannon. The gun would be designated the M-1937/43 or ML-20S.
The chassis of the vehicle was almost identical to the KV-2. The hull differed in that it had a huge armored box welded on with a huge cannon mounted within it. The hatches on the roof had a provision for mounting defensive machine guns, but this was rarely done. Its prototypes were originally designated as KV-14 and were built in Chelyabinsk. When testing proved successful the weapon went into full production where it would be designated the SU-152.
The SU-152 served with the armored and mechanized forces. It saw its first combat action at the battle of Kursk in July of 1943. Total production of the SU-152 was 704 vehicles. In 1944 the weapon was replaced as a front line assault gun by the ISU-152 which was based on the new JS-1 Stalin heavy tank.
Tactical Use and Limitations
The SU-152 was used in both the assault and anti-armor role. In the assault the vehicle would be used to reduce bunkers and other strong points so that the infantry could advance. This was especially useful in urban combat situations.
In the anti-armor role it was hoped that the sheer size and power of the projectile would destroy enemy armor. While this was true, the fact that the weapon fired a two-piece artillery-style cartridge made it much less effective than a true tank destroyer. It simply lacked the ability to fire rapidly when discovered after a tank ambush.
Deployment Chronology
The SU-152 had a very short service life because of the rapidly changing technology. Here you can see what vehicles the SU-152 assault gun replaced and what assault gun eventually replaced it. You will be able to find more about each vehicle if we have them on our site by clicking on the links below.
The SU-152 replaced... SU-152 Assault Gun The SU-152 was replaced by...
SU-122 Assault Gun ISU-152 Assault Gun
Sources Cited
Here are some of the most informative sources that we have used in compiling this information for you. We hope you can find them as useful as we have.
Russian Tanks and Armored Vehicles 1917-1945, by Wolfgang Fleischer, published by Schiffer Publishing Ltd., Atglen, PA, 1999
The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II, edited by Chris Bishop, published by Barnes and Noble Inc., 1998
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SU-152 Heavy Assault Gun
Designers - Z. Kotin and N. F. Shashmurin
Manufacturer:
Tankograd Complex at Chelyabinsk
Role:
Tank Destroyer / Assault Gun
Russian Nickname: Zvierboi (meaning 'animal hunter')
Year Adopted:
1943
Weight: 45.5 Tons
Operational Status:
Russia - Obsolete
Produced from 1943 to 1944
Armament:
1x 152.4mm ML-20S Gun-Howitzer with 20 rnds
Engine:
W-2-K, 12 cylinder Diesel engine, producing 600 hp at 2000 rpm
Crew:
5
Armor:
. Upper Body Front/Sides:
. Hull Front:
Hull Side:
Hull Rear:
50-75mm
50-60mm
60mm
60mm
Length:
29 feet, 4 inches
(8.95 meters)
Height:
8 feet
(2.45 meters)
Width:
10 feet, 8 inches
(3.25 meters)
Maximum Speed:
27 miles per hour
(43 kilometers per hour)
Range:
150 miles
(240 kilometers)
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http://www.battlefield.ru/tanks/su152/su152_2.jpg http://www.battlefield.ru/tanks/su152/su152_12.jpg http://rds.yahoo.com/S=96062883/K=Su-152+pictures/v=2/l=IVI/*-http://www.army.lt/armor/gallery/S113.jpg http://schools.omskreg.ru/schools/s139/war/tank/foto/su-152.jpg http://pedg.chollie.co.uk/images/Guestpics/BasilT/SU152.jpg http://www.iremember.ru/help/su152.jpg
-------------------------------------------------
Brief Operational History
The SU-152 evolved from Soviet experience in fighting German assault guns (StuG series) vehicles and their own projects to come up with alternative uses for the KV frame. Some of these projects involved KV's with multiple 76mm guns, others had 45mm guns. Both KV-6 and KV-7 multiple gun systems were found to be unsuccessful. Work was then focused on making a vehicle with a larger cannon. The weapon system chosen was a shortened version of the M-1937 152mm cannon. The gun would be designated the M-1937/43 or ML-20S.
The chassis of the vehicle was almost identical to the KV-2. The hull differed in that it had a huge armored box welded on with a huge cannon mounted within it. The hatches on the roof had a provision for mounting defensive machine guns, but this was rarely done. Its prototypes were originally designated as KV-14 and were built in Chelyabinsk. When testing proved successful the weapon went into full production where it would be designated the SU-152.
The SU-152 served with the armored and mechanized forces. It saw its first combat action at the battle of Kursk in July of 1943. Total production of the SU-152 was 704 vehicles. In 1944 the weapon was replaced as a front line assault gun by the ISU-152 which was based on the new JS-1 Stalin heavy tank.
Tactical Use and Limitations
The SU-152 was used in both the assault and anti-armor role. In the assault the vehicle would be used to reduce bunkers and other strong points so that the infantry could advance. This was especially useful in urban combat situations.
In the anti-armor role it was hoped that the sheer size and power of the projectile would destroy enemy armor. While this was true, the fact that the weapon fired a two-piece artillery-style cartridge made it much less effective than a true tank destroyer. It simply lacked the ability to fire rapidly when discovered after a tank ambush.
Deployment Chronology
The SU-152 had a very short service life because of the rapidly changing technology. Here you can see what vehicles the SU-152 assault gun replaced and what assault gun eventually replaced it. You will be able to find more about each vehicle if we have them on our site by clicking on the links below.
The SU-152 replaced... SU-152 Assault Gun The SU-152 was replaced by...
SU-122 Assault Gun ISU-152 Assault Gun
Sources Cited
Here are some of the most informative sources that we have used in compiling this information for you. We hope you can find them as useful as we have.
Russian Tanks and Armored Vehicles 1917-1945, by Wolfgang Fleischer, published by Schiffer Publishing Ltd., Atglen, PA, 1999
The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II, edited by Chris Bishop, published by Barnes and Noble Inc., 1998
----------------------------------------------------------------------
SU-152 Heavy Assault Gun
Designers - Z. Kotin and N. F. Shashmurin
Manufacturer:
Tankograd Complex at Chelyabinsk
Role:
Tank Destroyer / Assault Gun
Russian Nickname: Zvierboi (meaning 'animal hunter')
Year Adopted:
1943
Weight: 45.5 Tons
Operational Status:
Russia - Obsolete
Produced from 1943 to 1944
Armament:
1x 152.4mm ML-20S Gun-Howitzer with 20 rnds
Engine:
W-2-K, 12 cylinder Diesel engine, producing 600 hp at 2000 rpm
Crew:
5
Armor:
. Upper Body Front/Sides:
. Hull Front:
Hull Side:
Hull Rear:
50-75mm
50-60mm
60mm
60mm
Length:
29 feet, 4 inches
(8.95 meters)
Height:
8 feet
(2.45 meters)
Width:
10 feet, 8 inches
(3.25 meters)
Maximum Speed:
27 miles per hour
(43 kilometers per hour)
Range:
150 miles
(240 kilometers)
-------------------------------------------------------
http://www.battlefield.ru/tanks/su152/su152_2.jpg http://www.battlefield.ru/tanks/su152/su152_12.jpg http://rds.yahoo.com/S=96062883/K=Su-152+pictures/v=2/l=IVI/*-http://www.army.lt/armor/gallery/S113.jpg http://schools.omskreg.ru/schools/s139/war/tank/foto/su-152.jpg http://pedg.chollie.co.uk/images/Guestpics/BasilT/SU152.jpg http://www.iremember.ru/help/su152.jpg