Jump to content

21 cm Mörser 18: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Monkbot (talk | contribs)
Bots
3,695,952 edits
m Task 18 (cosmetic): eval 4 templates: hyphenate params (1×); cvt lang vals (1×);
Changed main image to one that showed the front of the gun and put old image as another image in article
Line 1: Line 1:
{{short description|German heavy howitzer used in the Second World War}}
{{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:Mörser 210 mm MPTW 01.jpg
|image_size=300
| image_size = 300
|caption=
| caption =
|origin=Germany
| origin = Germany
|type=Heavy howitzer
| type = Heavy howitzer
<!-- Type selection -->
<!-- Type selection -->| is_ranged =
⚫
| is_bladed =
|is_ranged=
⚫
| is_explosive =
⚫
|is_bladed=
⚫
| is_artillery = yes
⚫
|is_explosive=
⚫
| is_vehicle =
⚫
|is_artillery=yes
⚫
| is_UK = <!-- Service history -->
⚫
|is_vehicle=
⚫
| service = 1939–45
|is_UK=
⚫
| used_by = Nazi Germany
⚫
<!-- Service history -->
⚫
| wars = [[World War II]]
⚫
|service=1939–45
⚫
<!-- Production history -->| designer = [[Krupp]]
⚫
|used_by=Nazi Germany
⚫
| design_date = 1933
⚫
|wars=[[World War II]]
⚫
| manufacturer = [[Krupp]]
⚫
<!-- Production history -->
⚫
| production_date = 1939–45
|designer= [[Krupp]]
⚫
| number = 711+
⚫
|design_date=1933
⚫
| variants = <!-- General specifications -->
⚫
|manufacturer=[[Krupp]]
⚫
| weight = 16,700&nbsp;kg (36,817&nbsp;lbs)
⚫
|production_date=1939–45
⚫
| length =
⚫
|number=711+
⚫
| part_length = {{convert|6.51|m|ftin|abbr=on}} L/30
|variants=
⚫
| width =
⚫
<!-- General specifications -->
⚫
| height =
⚫
|weight=16,700&nbsp;kg (36,817&nbsp;lbs)
⚫
| crew = <!-- Ranged weapon specifications -->
⚫
|length=
⚫
| cartridge = separate-loading cased ammunition (6 charges)
⚫
|part_length={{convert|6.51|m|ftin|abbr=on}} L/30
| cartridge_weight = {{convert|113|kg|lb|abbr=on}} ([[Explosive material|HE]])
⚫
|width=
⚫
| caliber = 210&nbsp;mm (8.30&nbsp;in)
⚫
|height=
| action =
|crew=
⚫
| rate =
⚫
<!-- Ranged weapon specifications -->
⚫
| velocity = {{convert|550-565|m/s|ft/s|abbr=on}}
⚫
|cartridge=separate-loading cased ammunition (6 charges)
|cartridge_weight= {{convert|113|kg|lb|abbr=on}} ([[Explosive material|HE]])
| range = {{convert|16725|m|yd|abbr=on}}
⚫
| max_range =
⚫
|caliber=210&nbsp;mm (8.30&nbsp;in)
|action=
| feed =
⚫
| sights = <!-- Artillery specifications -->
⚫
|rate=
⚫
| breech = horizontal [[Rifled breech loader#The sliding block|sliding-block]]
⚫
|velocity={{convert|550-565|m/s|ft/s|abbr=on}}
⚫
| recoil = dual-recoil [[Hydraulic recoil mechanism|hydro-pneumatic]]
|range= {{convert|16725|m|yd|abbr=on}}
⚫
| carriage = [[Gun carriage#Modern gun carriages|box trail]]
⚫
|max_range=
⚫
| elevation = -6° to +70°
|feed=
⚫
| traverse = 16° on wheels <br> 360° on platform
|sights=
<!-- Artillery specifications -->
<!-- Explosive specifications -->| diameter =
⚫
| filling =
⚫
|breech=horizontal [[Rifled breech loader#The sliding block|sliding-block]]
⚫
| filling_weight =
⚫
|recoil=dual-recoil [[Hydraulic recoil mechanism|hydro-pneumatic]]
⚫
| detonation =
⚫
|carriage=[[Gun carriage#Modern gun carriages|box trail]]
⚫
| yield =
⚫
|elevation=-6° to +70°
⚫
|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 [[coastal artillery]] units.
</ref> was a [[Military of Germany|German]] heavy howitzer used in the [[Second World War]] by Independentdent artillery [[battalion]]s and [[artillery battery|batteries]]. A number were also used by [[coastal artillery]] units.


==Design and service ==
==Design and service ==
[[File:Bundesarchiv Bild 101I-093-0376-15, Norwegen, Lappland, Küstenbatterie.jpg|left|thumb|A Mrs 18 deployed in Norwegian [[Lapland (region)|Lappland]] ]]
[[File:Bundesarchiv Bild 101I-093-0376-15, Norwegen, Lappland, Küstenbatterie.jpg|left|thumb|A Mrs 18 deployed in Norwegian [[Lapland (region)|Lappland]] ]]
The Mörser 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 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&pg=PA91&dq=artillery+dual+recoil+system#q=artillery%20dual%20recoil%20system|access-date=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]]. 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 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&pg=PA91&dq=artillery+dual+recoil+system#q=artillery%20dual%20recoil%20system|access-date=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]].
[[File:21cmMörser18FortSillRear2005.jpg|thumb|Rear of Morser 18]]

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 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 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 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.


Revision as of 23:13, 15 February 2021

21 cm Mörser 18
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)
Caliber210 mm (8.30 in)
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,[1] was a German heavy howitzer used in the Second World War by Independentdent artillery battalions and batteries. A number were also used by coastal artillery units.

Design and service

A Mrs 18 deployed in Norwegian Lappland

The Mörser 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 a dual-recoil system.[2] 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 cm Kanone 18 in Mörserlafette and the 15 cm Schnelladekanone C/28 in Mörserlafette.

Rear of Morser 18

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 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.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b Engelmann, Joachim (1991). German heavy mortars. West Chester, PA: Schiffer. ISBN 088740-322-0.
  2. ^ 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

  • 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.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to 21 cm Mörser 18.

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=21_cm_Mörser_18&oldid=1006998092"