Artillery

German rocket artillery during the war. Part 1

German rocket artillery during the war. Part 1

Last modified: 2025-01-24 09:01

Created before World War II in Germany, multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) were originally intended for firing projectiles filled with chemical warfare agents and projectiles with a smoke-generating composition for setting smoke screens. However, in fairness it is worth noting

German rocket artillery during the war. Part 2

German rocket artillery during the war. Part 2

Last modified: 2025-01-24 09:01

In February 1943, the German armed forces adopted the 30 cm Wurfkorper Wurfgranate Spreng 300-mm high-explosive rocket mine (30 cm WK.Spr. 42), created taking into account the experience of the combat use of 280/320 mm rockets. This projectile weighing 127 kg and a length of 1248 mm had a flight range

American and British recoilless guns

American and British recoilless guns

Last modified: 2025-01-24 09:01

During the Second World War, the American infantry quite successfully used the 60-mm M1 and M9 Bazooka rocket launchers against enemy tanks. However, this weapon, effective for its time, was not devoid of a number of disadvantages. Relying on combat experience, the military wanted to have a more long-range

British anti-tank artillery in World War II

British anti-tank artillery in World War II

Last modified: 2025-01-24 09:01

By the beginning of hostilities in Europe, the main weapon of the British anti-tank units was the 2-pound 40-mm anti-tank gun. 2-pounder anti-tank gun in firing position The prototype of the 2-pounder cannon QF 2 pounder was developed by the Vickers-Armstrong company in 1934. According to his

German anti-tank artillery in World War II. Part 2

German anti-tank artillery in World War II. Part 2

Last modified: 2025-01-24 09:01

During the first months of the war on the Eastern Front, the Germans captured several hundred Soviet 76-mm F-22 divisional guns (model 1936). Initially, the Germans used them in their original form as field guns, giving them the name 7.62 cm F.R.296 (r). This weapon was originally designed

German anti-tank artillery in World War II. Part 1

German anti-tank artillery in World War II. Part 1

Last modified: 2025-01-24 09:01

Contrary to popular belief, formed by feature films, literature and computer games such as "World of Tanks", the main enemy of Soviet tanks on the battlefield was not enemy tanks, but anti-tank artillery. Tank duels, of course, happened regularly, but not so often

German medium and large caliber anti-aircraft artillery in World War II

German medium and large caliber anti-aircraft artillery in World War II

Last modified: 2025-01-24 09:01

During World War II, medium and large-caliber anti-aircraft artillery acquired particular importance for the defense of Germany. Since 1940, British long-range bombers, and since 1943, American "flying fortresses" have systematically erased German cities and factories from the surface of the earth. Fighters

Domestic anti-tank self-propelled artillery installations. Part 1

Domestic anti-tank self-propelled artillery installations. Part 1

Last modified: 2025-01-24 09:01

Before the war in the USSR, numerous attempts were made to create various self-propelled artillery installations (ACS). Dozens of projects were considered, for many of them prototypes were built. But it never came to mass adoption. The exceptions were: 76-mm anti-aircraft

Domestic anti-tank self-propelled artillery installations. Part 2

Domestic anti-tank self-propelled artillery installations. Part 2

Last modified: 2025-01-24 09:01

To combat the new medium and heavy tanks that appeared in the United States and Great Britain, several types of anti-tank self-propelled guns were developed in the USSR after the war. In the mid-50s, production of the SU-122, designed on the basis of the T-54 medium tank, began. New self-propelled gun, designated for

Soviet self-propelled guns against German tanks. Part 1

Soviet self-propelled guns against German tanks. Part 1

Last modified: 2025-01-24 09:01

In this publication, an attempt is made to analyze the anti-tank capabilities of Soviet self-propelled artillery installations (ACS) that were available in the USSR during the Great Patriotic War. By the beginning of hostilities in June 1941, there were practically no self-propelled artillery mounts in the Red Army, although

Soviet self-propelled guns against German tanks. Part 2

Soviet self-propelled guns against German tanks. Part 2

Last modified: 2025-01-24 09:01

By the beginning of 1943, an alarming situation for our command had developed on the Soviet-German front. According to reports coming from the tank units of the Red Army, the enemy began to massively use tanks and self-propelled guns, which, in terms of the characteristics of weapons and security, began to surpass our most

Soviet self-propelled guns during the war (part of 6) - ISU-122/152

Soviet self-propelled guns during the war (part of 6) - ISU-122/152

Last modified: 2025-01-24 09:01

ISU-152 - Soviet heavy self-propelled gun of the final period of the Great Patriotic War. In the name of the self-propelled gun, the abbreviation ISU means that the self-propelled gun was created on the basis of the new heavy tank IS. The addition of the letter "I" in the designation of the installation was required in order to distinguish the machine from the existing one

Armored vehicles of Germany in World War II. Assault gun "Ferdinand"

Armored vehicles of Germany in World War II. Assault gun "Ferdinand"

Last modified: 2025-01-24 09:01

The most famous German self-propelled gun of the Second World War Ferdinand owes its birth, on the one hand, to intrigues around the heavy tank VK 4501 (P), and on the other, to the appearance of the 88 mm Pak 43 anti-tank gun. Tank VK 4501 (P) - simply put "Tiger"

Anti-tank self-propelled guns of Germany during the war (part of 1) - Panzerjager I

Anti-tank self-propelled guns of Germany during the war (part of 1) - Panzerjager I

Last modified: 2025-01-24 09:01

The presence of a large number of tanks in the armies of the countries of probable opponents forced the leadership of the Wehrmacht to attend to the issue of creating effective anti-tank weapons. Horse-drawn artillery from the beginning of the 30s of the twentieth century was already assessed as very slow and heavy. In addition, equestrian

Anti-tank gun 7,5 cm PAK 50 (Germany)

Anti-tank gun 7,5 cm PAK 50 (Germany)

Last modified: 2025-01-24 09:01

The most effective anti-tank guns of the final stage of World War II were distinguished by their large size and corresponding mass, which made it difficult to operate them, in particular, to move around the battlefield. In 1943, the German command ordered the development of new guns, which were to

Hyacinth-S - 152 mm self-propelled gun

Hyacinth-S - 152 mm self-propelled gun

Last modified: 2025-01-24 09:01

The termination in the USSR of work on the creation of almost all types of artillery weapons at the end of the 50s led to the lag of domestic artillery behind the United States and other NATO countries in a number of areas, and primarily in the field of self-propelled, heavy and long-range guns. History has proven a mistake

Anti-tank gun MT-12

Anti-tank gun MT-12

Last modified: 2025-06-01 06:06

The MT-12 100-mm anti-tank gun (ind. GRAU - 2A29, in some sources referred to as "Rapier") is a towed anti-tank gun developed in the late 1960s in the USSR. Serial production began in the 1970s. This anti-tank weapon is

Aviation cannon ShVAK. The weapons of the Soviet aces

Aviation cannon ShVAK. The weapons of the Soviet aces

Last modified: 2025-01-24 09:01

Large-caliber machine guns and the first cannons appeared on board aircraft during the First World War, but then these were only timid attempts to increase the firepower of the first aircraft. Until the mid-30s of the XX century, this weapon was used in aviation only sporadically. Real

"Quiet mortar" 2B25 "Gall": a dangerous weapon of the Russian special forces

"Quiet mortar" 2B25 "Gall": a dangerous weapon of the Russian special forces

Last modified: 2025-01-24 09:01

The Arab mass media traditionally have a rather good attitude towards Russian-made military equipment. Just the other day, the Egyptian edition of Al Mogaz published an article about the "silent mortar", calling it the most dangerous weapon of the Russian army. This comparison is

New type batteries

New type batteries

Last modified: 2025-01-24 09:01

A 9-inch mortar on the Durlaher machine, installed for viewing in Sveaborg. On February 13, 1856, a congress of representatives of the great European powers opened in Paris to sum up the results of the Crimean War. It was the most ambitious European forum since 1815. Finally, on March 18, after 17

Siege mortar M-Gerät / Dicke Bertha (Germany)

Siege mortar M-Gerät / Dicke Bertha (Germany)

Last modified: 2025-01-24 09:01

At the beginning of the last century, German industry was actively working on the creation of promising siege weapons of special power. In the event of a full-scale armed conflict, such weapons were to be used to destroy enemy fortresses and other fortifications. For several years

Large-caliber second grade

Large-caliber second grade

Last modified: 2025-01-24 09:01

Everyone knows large-caliber guns, such as the 420-mm Bolshaya Berta howitzer, the 800-mm Dora cannon, the 600-mm self-propelled mortar Karl, the 457-mm guns of the battleship Yamato, the Russian Tsar Cannon. and the American 914-mm "Little David". However, there were other large-caliber guns, so

Self-propelled artillery mount 15 cm sIG 33 (SF) auf Pz.Kpfw.38 (t) Ausf.M Grille (Germany)

Self-propelled artillery mount 15 cm sIG 33 (SF) auf Pz.Kpfw.38 (t) Ausf.M Grille (Germany)

Last modified: 2025-01-24 09:01

In the spring of 1943, the German army received 90 self-propelled artillery mounts 15 cm sIG 33 (SF) auf Pz.Kpfw.38 (t) Ausf.H Grille, equipped with 150 mm guns. This technique had rather high characteristics, however, even before the start of its serial assembly, a decision was made on the further

Self-propelled artillery mount 15 cm sIG 33 (SF) auf Pz.Kpfw.38 (t) Ausf.H Grille (Germany)

Self-propelled artillery mount 15 cm sIG 33 (SF) auf Pz.Kpfw.38 (t) Ausf.H Grille (Germany)

Last modified: 2025-01-24 09:01

In 1941-42, German industry made several attempts to create promising self-propelled artillery mounts with 150 mm guns. Such systems, due to their high indicators of firepower, were of particular interest to the troops, however, for various reasons, before

"Dora" and "Gustav" - the guns of the giants

"Dora" and "Gustav" - the guns of the giants

Last modified: 2025-01-24 09:01

The Dora super-heavy rail-mounted artillery piece was developed in the late 1930s by the German company Krupp. This weapon was intended to destroy fortifications on the borders of Germany with Belgium, France (Maginot Line). In 1942, Dora was

Odyssey "Three-inch"

Odyssey "Three-inch"

Last modified: 2025-06-01 06:06

In the 80s of the XIX century, many armies began to re-equip with rapid-fire guns. As a rule, these samples had a caliber of 75-77 mm and weighed about 1.5-2 tons. This combination provided, on the one hand, a sufficiently high mobility and ability to transport by means of a team of six

Pneumatic mortars: from Austria with zilch

Pneumatic mortars: from Austria with zilch

Last modified: 2025-01-24 09:01

The First World War will forever remain in the memory of mankind. It will remain not only because of the monstrous number of victims for those times, but also due to the rethinking of the art of war and the emergence of many new types of weapons. For example, the widespread use of machine guns as a cover for dangerous

122mm A-19 cannon: unparalleled

122mm A-19 cannon: unparalleled

Last modified: 2025-01-24 09:01

The 122mm A-19 cannon became one of the symbols of the Red Army during the Great Patriotic War. Very often, photographic and film materials are used, on which these guns, lined up in a row, fire at the enemy. Memorable appearance of a cannon with a long barrel and characteristic front

Armored vehicles of Germany in World War II. ACS Sturmtiger. "Tiger" versus bunkers

Armored vehicles of Germany in World War II. ACS Sturmtiger. "Tiger" versus bunkers

Last modified: 2025-01-24 09:01

The Battle of Stalingrad, which became the turning point of the Great Patriotic War, clearly showed how difficult it is to conduct hostilities in the city with the help of weapons and equipment designed to work in large open spaces. In addition, the importance of

Domestic self-propelled artillery

Domestic self-propelled artillery

Last modified: 2025-01-24 09:01

One of the most important qualities of field artillery is mobility. As the practice of wars in the first half of the 20th century has shown, sometimes it becomes necessary to quickly transfer cannons from one defense sector to another. Moving guns in a combat situation is a rather complicated procedure, which

New domestic mortars

New domestic mortars

Last modified: 2025-01-24 09:01

The simplicity of the device and the use of the mortar, combined with good fighting qualities, quickly ensured widespread use of this type of weapon. More than a hundred years have passed since the appearance of mortars. During this time, they retained their popularity and continued to improve. Now the development of new

Chinese multiple launch rocket systems. Part I

Chinese multiple launch rocket systems. Part I

Last modified: 2025-01-24 09:01

During the battles for Damansky Island in 1969, the Soviet side used the then secret BM-21 Grad multiple launch rocket systems. This moment of armed conflict had several consequences, both political (China almost completely stopped provocations on the border) and

Anti-tank SPG "Type 5" (Japan)

Anti-tank SPG "Type 5" (Japan)

Last modified: 2025-01-24 09:01

The specificity of the military strategy of imperial Japan affected the appearance of the armed forces and the characteristics of various equipment. So, until a certain time, the Japanese army did not have self-propelled artillery installations designed to combat enemy tanks. Repeatedly

Modern shells with the rudiments of intelligence

Modern shells with the rudiments of intelligence

Last modified: 2025-01-24 09:01

The simplest fragmentation projectiles are only capable of natural fragmentation, that is, the random scattering of fragments under the action of a high explosive. Such shells will be present in the arsenals of the warring parties for a very long time, but the requirements of the time and the tastes of buyers require new, more

Kaiser Wilhelm's Paris cannon

Kaiser Wilhelm's Paris cannon

Last modified: 2025-01-24 09:01

Like many other realized utopian ideas, an unenviable fate awaited the supergun: the Germans destroyed all the guns and technical documentation immediately after the conclusion of peace, which automatically transferred it into the category of legends. The difficult birth of the Colossal gun began in 1916, when the professor

The history of the creation of the domestic noise-protective helmet of the artilleryman

The history of the creation of the domestic noise-protective helmet of the artilleryman

Last modified: 2025-01-24 09:01

In addition to the tangible damage to the enemy, the cannon, with a thunderous sound, is capable of causing harm to the gun crew in the form of acute acoustic trauma. Of course, in the arsenal of artillerymen there are many methods of protection: close your ears with your palms, open your mouth, plug your ear canal with your finger, or simply press the ear tragus

Gods of war in Donbass. Part 1

Gods of war in Donbass. Part 1

Last modified: 2025-01-24 09:01

The story about the artillery of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has to begin with the traditional thesis about the general low level of training of personnel and the unsatisfactory condition of the guns. From the very beginning of the notorious ATO, artillery reservists were called up to the troops, who were largely poorly versed in this kind

Gods of war in Donbass. Part 2. "Pocket Artillery"

Gods of war in Donbass. Part 2. "Pocket Artillery"

Last modified: 2025-01-24 09:01

An important place in the defense of Donbass was taken by the so-called "pocket artillery", a typical representative of which was the 9P132 Grad-P single-barreled rocket system, which has a second name - "Partizan". It is noteworthy that the Soviet Army was not armed with such systems, although the "Partizan" from 1966

Gods of war in Donbass. "Tochka-U" and not only. The ending

Gods of war in Donbass. "Tochka-U" and not only. The ending

Last modified: 2025-01-24 09:01

Ukraine needs military assistance all the time. It seems that this state will persist for many years to come. However, most European countries, including Germany and France, refused to officially supply weapons to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. But the United States openly donates military equipment to the country. Moreover, according to

75 years of "Katyusha": what is known about the famous artillery installation

75 years of "Katyusha": what is known about the famous artillery installation

Last modified: 2025-01-24 09:01

75 years ago, on June 21, 1941, one day before the start of the Great Patriotic War, the BM-13 rocket artillery combat vehicle ("combat vehicle 13") was adopted by the Workers 'and Peasants' Red Army (RKKA), which later received the name "Katyusha ". BM-13 was one of the first