21 cm Kanone 38

Infobox Weapon
name=21 cm Kanone 38


caption=Side view of a 21 cm K 38 at WTS-Koblenz
origin=Germany
type=heavy gun
is_ranged=
is_bladed=
is_explosive=yes
is_artillery=yes
is_vehicle=
is_UK=
service=
used_by=flag|Nazi Germany
wars=World War II
designer=Krupp
design_date=1938-40
manufacturer=Krupp
production_date=1940–1943
number=8
variants=
weight=convert|25300|kg|lb
length=
part_length=convert|11.62|m|ft
width=
height=
crew=
cartridge=separate-loading, cased charge (3 charges)
caliber=211 mm
action=
rate=1 rpm
velocity=905 m/s
range=
max_range=convert|33900|m|yd
feed=
sights=
breech=horizontal sliding block
recoil=
carriage=box trail
elevation=0° to +50°
traverse=17° on carriage
360° on platform
blade_type=
hilt_type=
sheath_type=
head_type=
haft_type=
diameter=
filling=
filling_weight=
detonation=
yield=
armour=
primary_armament=
secondary_armament=
engine=
engine_power=
pw_ratio=
suspension=
vehicle_range=
speed=The 21 cm Kanone 38 (21 cm K 38) was a heavy gun used by Germany in World War II. Its development began in 1938 after Krupp's success with the 21 cm Mrs 18, but was not fielded until 1941. It likely equipped Artillerie-Abteilungen 767 and 768, which were the only Heer battalions to field 21 cm guns during the war [ [http://sturmvogel.orbat.com/artillery.html Heeres Independent Artillery Units ] ] . Some guns may have served on coastal defense duties as well.

Design & History

It was generally similar in design to Krupp's 21 cm Mrs 18, but had an improved carriage that sped up emplacement and displacement times. It was transported in the customary two loads, barrel and carriage, although the carriage rode on two limbers. Each end of the carriage had inclined under-surfaces that rode on the limbers. When winched apart or together those inclined surfaces allowed the carriage to easily raise out of or lower into position. It fired from a central platform stabilized by three jacks which allowed all-around traverse.

Only eight were produced before the Heer decided 21 cm was an unsuitable caliber and canceled the remaining seven guns under contract. One gun was sent to Japan by submarine.

Ammunition

It fired a convert|120|kg|lb 21 cm K Gr 38 HE shell. It used three individual bags of propellant in the cartridge case; they were not combined. The Kleine Ladung (light load) weighed convert|34|kg|lb and propelled the shell at 680 m/sec. The Mittlere Ladung (medium load) weighed convert|42.2|kg|lb and gave a muzzle velocity of 796 m/sec. The Grosse Ladung (big load) weighed convert|60.2|kg|lb and yielded a muzzle velocity of 905 m/sec.

Notes

References

* Englemann, Joachim and Scheibert, Horst. "Deutsche Artillerie 1934–1945: Eine Dokumentation in Text, Skizzen und Bildern: Ausrüstung, Gliderung, Ausbildung, Führung, Einsatz". Limburg/Lahn, Germany: C. A. Starke, 1974

* Gander, Terry and Chamberlain, Peter. "Weapons of the Third Reich: An Encyclopedic Survey of All Small Arms, Artillery and Special Weapons of the German Land Forces 1939–1945". New York: Doubleday, 1979 ISBN 0-385-15090-3

* Hogg, Ian V. "German Artillery of World War Two". 2nd corrected edition. Mechanicsville, PA: Stackpole Books, 1997 ISBN 1-85367-480-X