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{{short description|German heavy howitzer used in the Second World War}}
{{Infobox weapon
{{Infobox weapon
|name=21 cm Mörser 18
| name = 21 cm Mörser 18
|image=Image:21cmMörser18FortSillRear2005.jpg
| image = File:21cmMörser18FortSillFront2005.jpg
| image_size = 300
|caption=
| caption = Front of Morser 18 US Army field artillery museum at [[Fort Sill]]
|origin=[[Germany]]
| origin = Germany
|type=Heavy howitzer
| type = Heavy howitzer
<!-- Type selection -->
|is_ranged=
<!-- Type selection -->| is_ranged =
|is_bladed=
| is_bladed =
|is_explosive=
| is_explosive =
|is_artillery=yes
| is_artillery = yes
|is_vehicle=
| is_vehicle =
|is_UK=
| is_UK = <!-- Service history -->
⚫
| service = 1939–45
<!-- Service history -->
⚫
| used_by = Nazi Germany
⚫
|service=1939–45
⚫
| wars = [[World War II]]
⚫
|used_by=Nazi Germany
⚫
<!-- Production history -->| designer = [[Krupp]]
⚫
|wars=[[World War II]]
⚫
| design_date = 1933
⚫
<!-- Production history -->
|designer= [[Krupp]]
| manufacturer = [[Krupp]]
⚫
| production_date = 1939–45
⚫
|design_date=
⚫
| number = 711+
|manufacturer=[[Krupp]]
⚫
| variants = <!-- General specifications -->
⚫
|production_date=1939–45
⚫
| weight = 16,700&nbsp;kg (36,817&nbsp;lbs)
⚫
|number=711+
⚫
| length =
|variants=
⚫
| part_length = {{convert|6.51|m|ftin|abbr=on}} L/30
⚫
<!-- General specifications -->
⚫
| width =
⚫
|weight=16,700&nbsp;kg (36,817&nbsp;lbs)
⚫
| height =
⚫
|length=
⚫
| crew = <!-- Ranged weapon specifications -->
⚫
|part_length={{convert|6.51|m|ftin|abbr=on}} L/30
⚫
| cartridge = separate-loading cased ammunition (6 charges)
⚫
|width=
| cartridge_weight = {{convert|113|kg|lb|abbr=on}} ([[Explosive material|HE]])
⚫
|height=
| caliber = {{cvt|211|mm|in}}<ref>{{Cite web|title=Munition der 21 cm Geschosse|url=http://michaelhiske.de/Wehrmacht/Heer/D_HEER/D0460/0460_02a/Blatt_L/296a.htm|access-date=2024-06-16|website=www.michaelhiske.de|language=de}}</ref><br/>
|crew=
⚫
| action =
⚫
<!-- Ranged weapon specifications -->
| rate =
⚫
|cartridge=separate-loading cased ammunition (6 charges)
|cartridge_weight= {{convert|113|kg|lb|abbr=on}} ([[Explosive material|HE]])
| velocity = {{convert|550-565|m/s|ft/s|abbr=on}}
| range = {{convert|16725|m|yd|abbr=on}}
|caliber=211&nbsp;mm (8.30&nbsp;in)
⚫
| max_range =
⚫
|action=
|rate=
| feed =
⚫
| sights = <!-- Artillery specifications -->
|velocity=550&nbsp;m/s (1,804&nbsp;ft/s)
⚫
| breech = horizontal [[Rifled breech loader#The sliding block|sliding-block]]
|range= 14,500&nbsp;m (15,857&nbsp;yds)
| recoil = dual-recoil [[Hydraulic recoil mechanism|hydro-pneumatic]]
⚫
|max_range=
| carriage = [[Gun carriage#Modern gun carriages|box trail]]
|feed=
⚫
| elevation = -6° to +70°
|sights=
⚫
| traverse = 16° on wheels <br> 360° on platform
⚫
<!-- Artillery specifications -->
⚫
<!-- Explosive specifications -->| diameter =
⚫
|breech=horizontal sliding block
⚫
| filling =
|recoil=dual-recoil hydropneumatic
⚫
| filling_weight =
|carriage=box trail
⚫
| detonation =
⚫
|elevation=-6° to +70°
⚫
| yield =
⚫
|traverse=16° on wheels <br> 360° on platform
⚫
<!-- Explosive specifications -->
|diameter=
⚫
|filling=
⚫
|filling_weight=
⚫
|detonation=
⚫
|yield=
}}
}}


The '''21&nbsp;cm Mörser 18''' (21&nbsp;cm Mrs 18), or '''21&nbsp;cm Mörser M 18/L31''',<ref name=Engelmann>{{cite book|last1=Engelmann|first1=Joachim|title=German heavy mortars|date=1991|publisher=Schiffer|location=West Chester, PA|isbn=088740-322-0}}
The '''21&nbsp;cm Mörser 18''' (21&nbsp;cm Mrs 18), or '''21&nbsp;cm Mörser M 18/L31''',<ref name=Engelmann>{{cite book|last1=Engelmann|first1=Joachim|title=German heavy mortars|date=1991|publisher=Schiffer|location=West Chester, PA|isbn=088740-322-0}}
</ref> was a [[Military of Germany|German]] heavy howitzer used in the [[Second World War]] by independent artillery [[battalion]]s and [[artillery battery|batteries]]. A number were also used by [[Coast Defense Artillery|coast defense artillery]] units.
</ref> was a German heavy howitzer used in the [[Second World War]] by Independent artillery [[battalion]]s and [[artillery battery|batteries]]. A number were also used by [[coastal artillery]] units.


==Design & History==
== Design ==
[[File:Bundesarchiv Bild 101I-093-0376-15, Norwegen, Lappland, Küstenbatterie.jpg|left|thumb|A Mrs 18 deployed in Norwegian Lappland]]
[[File:Bundesarchiv Bild 101I-093-0376-15, Norwegen, Lappland, Küstenbatterie.jpg|left|thumb|A Mrs 18 deployed in Norwegian [[Lapland (region)|Lappland]] ]]
⚫
The Mrs 18 was designed to replace the obsolescent [[World War I]]-era [[21 cm Mörser 16]]. While the gun design itself was nothing innovative, the same cannot be said for the carriage. It was one of the first artillery pieces that incorporated the dual-recoil system.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Hogg|first1=Ian V.|title=German Artillery of World War Two|date=2013|publisher=Frontline Books|location=Barnsley, United Kingdom|isbn=978-1-84832-725-2|page=91|edition=Paperback|url=https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=6-UDDQAAQBAJ&pg=PA91&dq=artillery+dual+recoil+system&hl=en&sa=X&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=artillery%20dual%20recoil%20system&f=false|accessdate=8 October 2017}}</ref> The barrel recoiled normally in its cradle, but, in addition, the whole top carriage, which carried the barrel and its cradle, recoiled across the main part of the carriage. This system damped out the recoil forces and made for a very steady firing platform. This carriage was also used for the [[17&nbsp;cm Kanone 18]] in Mörserlafette and the [[15&nbsp;cm Schnelladekanone C/28 in Mörserlafette]].


⚫
The Mörser 18 was designed to replace the obsolescent [[World War I]]-era [[21 cm Mörser 16]]. The gun design itself was not significantly different from its predecessor but the carriage was improved considerably. It was one of the first artillery pieces that incorporated a dual-recoil system.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Hogg|first1=Ian V.|title=German Artillery of World War Two|date=2013|publisher=Frontline Books|location=Barnsley, United Kingdom|isbn=978-1-84832-725-2|page=91|edition=Paperback|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6-UDDQAAQBAJ&q=artillery+dual+recoil+system&pg=PA91|access-date=8 October 2017}}</ref> The barrel retracted naturally in its cradle, and the entire top carriage—which held the barrel and its cradle—retracted across the body of the carriage as well. This system damped out the recoil forces and made for a very steady firing platform. This carriage was also used for the [[17&nbsp;cm Kanone 18]] in Mörserlafette and the [[15&nbsp;cm Schnelladekanone C/28 in Mörserlafette]].
⚫
The Mrs 18 was an enormous weapon that was transported in two pieces, as was common for such large weapons. For travel the barrel was slid on to a separate trailer. The carriage carried an integral firing platform that was lowered to the ground when em-placing the howitzer. The wheels were then cranked up off the ground and it was now ready for firing. A rear castor-wheel jack was used to raise the rear spade off the ground if the gun needed to be traversed more than the 16° allowed by the mount proper.
[[File:21cmMörser18FortSillRear2005.jpg|thumb|Rear of Morser 18 at Fort Sill artillery museum.]]
⚫
The Mrs 18 was transported in two pieces, as was often the case for similarly-sized weapons. For travel the barrel was slid on to a separate trailer. The carriage carried an integral firing platform that was lowered to the ground when emplacing the howitzer. The wheels were then cranked up off the ground and it was now ready for firing. A rear castor-wheel jack was used to raise the rear spade off the ground if the gun needed to be traversed more than the 16° allowed by the mount proper.


The Mrs 18 entered production at a low rate in 1939 shortly before the war began. The Germans cancelled production in 1942 in lieu of its smaller brother, the [[17 cm Kanone 18 in Mörserlafette]], which could fire almost twice as far, but resumed production in 1943.<!--dead link<ref>http://sturmvogel.orbat.com/GermWeapProd.html, accessed 13 January 2009</ref>-->
The Mrs 18 entered production at a low rate in 1939 shortly before the war began. The Germans cancelled production in 1942 in lieu of its smaller brother, the [[17 cm Kanone 18 in Mörserlafette]], which could fire almost twice as far, but resumed production in 1943.<!--dead link<ref>http://sturmvogel.orbat.com/GermWeapProd.html {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090302080523/http://sturmvogel.orbat.com/GermWeapProd.html |date=2 March 2009 }}, accessed 13 January 2009</ref>-->


Beginning in 1942, the 21&nbsp;cm M 18 was one of a pair of weapons to have been mounted on production [[Geschützwagen Tiger]] SPGs. A prototype was under test at the end of [[WWII]] and was captured by American forces.<ref name=Engelmann/>
Beginning in 1942, the 21&nbsp;cm M 18 was one of a pair of weapons to have been mounted on production [[Geschützwagen Tiger]] self-propelled guns. A prototype was under test at the end of the war and was captured by American forces.<ref name=Engelmann/>

== Service ==
{{Expand section|date=August 2021}}


==References==
==References==
Line 72: Line 71:


==Further reading==
==Further reading==
* {{cite book|last2=Engelmann|first2=Joachim|last1=Scheibert|first1=Horst|title=Deutsche Artillerie 1934-1945: Eine Dokumentation in Text, Skizzen und Bildern: Ausrüstung, Gliederung, Ausbildung, Führung, Einsatz|date=1974|publisher=C. A. Starke|location=Limburg/Lahn, Germany|language=German}}
* {{cite book|last2=Engelmann|first2=Joachim|last1=Scheibert|first1=Horst|title=Deutsche Artillerie 1934-1945: Eine Dokumentation in Text, Skizzen und Bildern: Ausrüstung, Gliederung, Ausbildung, Führung, Einsatz|date=1974|publisher=C. A. Starke|location=Limburg/Lahn, Germany|language=de}}
* {{cite book|last1=Hogg|first1=Ian V.|title=German artillery of World War II|date=2002|publisher=Greenhill|location=London|isbn=1-85367-480-X|edition=New}}
* {{cite book|last1=Hogg|first1=Ian V.|title=German artillery of World War II|date=2002|publisher=Greenhill|location=London|isbn=1-85367-480-X|edition=New}}


{{Commons category|21 cm Mörser 18}}
{{Commons category}}


{{WWIIGermanGuns}}
{{WWIIGermanGuns}}
Line 84: Line 83:
[[Category:World War II artillery of Germany]]
[[Category:World War II artillery of Germany]]
[[Category:210 mm artillery]]
[[Category:210 mm artillery]]
[[Category:Military equipment introduced in the 1930s]]

Latest revision as of 05:06, 24 June 2024

21 cm Mörser 18
Front of Morser 18 US Army field artillery museum at Fort Sill
TypeHeavy howitzer
Place of originGermany
Service history
In service1939–45
Used byNazi Germany
WarsWorld War II
Production history
DesignerKrupp
Designed1933
ManufacturerKrupp
Produced1939–45
No. built711+
Specifications
Mass16,700 kg (36,817 lbs)
Barrel length6.51 m (21 ft 4 in) L/30
Shellseparate-loading cased ammunition (6 charges)
Shell weight113 kg (249 lb) (HE)
Caliber211 mm (8.3 in)[1]
Breechhorizontal sliding-block
Recoildual-recoil hydro-pneumatic
Carriagebox trail
Elevation-6° to +70°
Traverse16° on wheels
360° on platform
Muzzle velocity550–565 m/s (1,800–1,850 ft/s)
Effective firing range16,725 m (18,291 yd)

The 21 cm Mörser 18 (21 cm Mrs 18), or 21 cm Mörser M 18/L31,[2] was a German heavy howitzer used in the Second World War by Independent artillery battalions and batteries. A number were also used by coastal artillery units.

Design

[edit]
A Mrs 18 deployed in Norwegian Lappland

The Mörser 18 was designed to replace the obsolescent World War I-era 21 cm Mörser 16. The gun design itself was not significantly different from its predecessor but the carriage was improved considerably. It was one of the first artillery pieces that incorporated a dual-recoil system.[3] The barrel retracted naturally in its cradle, and the entire top carriage—which held the barrel and its cradle—retracted across the body of the carriage as well. This system damped out the recoil forces and made for a very steady firing platform. This carriage was also used for the 17 cm Kanone 18 in Mörserlafette and the 15 cm Schnelladekanone C/28 in Mörserlafette.

Rear of Morser 18 at Fort Sill artillery museum.

The Mrs 18 was transported in two pieces, as was often the case for similarly-sized weapons. For travel the barrel was slid on to a separate trailer. The carriage carried an integral firing platform that was lowered to the ground when emplacing the howitzer. The wheels were then cranked up off the ground and it was now ready for firing. A rear castor-wheel jack was used to raise the rear spade off the ground if the gun needed to be traversed more than the 16° allowed by the mount proper.

The Mrs 18 entered production at a low rate in 1939 shortly before the war began. The Germans cancelled production in 1942 in lieu of its smaller brother, the 17 cm Kanone 18 in Mörserlafette, which could fire almost twice as far, but resumed production in 1943.

Beginning in 1942, the 21 cm M 18 was one of a pair of weapons to have been mounted on production Geschützwagen Tiger self-propelled guns. A prototype was under test at the end of the war and was captured by American forces.[2]

Service

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Munition der 21 cm Geschosse". www.michaelhiske.de (in German). Retrieved 16 June 2024.
  2. ^ a b Engelmann, Joachim (1991). German heavy mortars. West Chester, PA: Schiffer. ISBN 088740-322-0.
  3. ^ Hogg, Ian V. (2013). German Artillery of World War Two (Paperback ed.). Barnsley, United Kingdom: Frontline Books. p. 91. ISBN 978-1-84832-725-2. Retrieved 8 October 2017.

Further reading

[edit]
  • Scheibert, Horst; Engelmann, Joachim (1974). Deutsche Artillerie 1934-1945: Eine Dokumentation in Text, Skizzen und Bildern: Ausrüstung, Gliederung, Ausbildung, Führung, Einsatz (in German). Limburg/Lahn, Germany: C. A. Starke.
  • Hogg, Ian V. (2002). German artillery of World War II (New ed.). London: Greenhill. ISBN 1-85367-480-X.
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