Canone de 120 L mle 1931

Infobox Weapon
name=Canon de 12 cm L mle 1931


caption=
origin=Belgium
type=medium field gun
is_ranged=
is_bladed=
is_explosive=
is_artillery=yes
is_vehicle=
is_UK=
service=1934-45
used_by=flag|Belgium
flag|Nazi Germany
wars=World War II
designer=Cockerill
design_date=
manufacturer=Cockerill
production_date=
number=24
variants=
weight=convert|5450|kg|lb
length=
part_length=convert|4.426|m|ft L/37
width=
height=
crew=
cartridge=convert|21.93|kg|lb
caliber=120 mm (4.72 in)
action=
rate=1 rpm
velocity=760 m/s (2,493 ft/s)
range=
max_range=convert|17500|m|yd
feed=
sights=
breech=
recoil=
carriage=split trail
elevation=0° to +38° 30'
traverse=60°
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 Canon de 12 cm L mle 1931 was a medium field gun used by Belgium in World War II. Captured guns were taken into Wehrmacht service after the the surrender of Belgium in May 1940 as the 12 cm K 370(b) where it was generally used on coast defense duties.

It was rather heavy for its size, but had a good range. The split trail had large spades that had to be pounded into the ground to anchor the weapon in place.

References

* 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
* Chamberlain, Peter & Gander, Terry. "Heavy Artillery". New York: Arco, 1975 ISBN 0-668-03898-5