21 cm Kanone 38
Encyclopedia
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. Some guns may have served on coastal defense duties as well.
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.
shell. It used three individual bags of propellant in the cartridge case; they were not combined. The light load (Kleine Ladung) weighed 34 kilograms (75 lb) and propelled the shell at 680 metres per second (2,231 ft/s). The medium load (Mittlere Ladung) weighed 42.2 kilograms (93 lb) and gave a muzzle velocity of 796 metres per second (2,611.5 ft/s). The big load (Grosse Ladung) weighed 60.2 kilograms (132.7 lb) and yielded a muzzle velocity of 905 metres per second (2,969.2 ft/s).
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Its development began in 1938 after Krupp
Krupp
The Krupp family , a prominent 400-year-old German dynasty from Essen, have become famous for their steel production and for their manufacture of ammunition and armaments. The family business, known as Friedrich Krupp AG Hoesch-Krupp, was the largest company in Europe at the beginning of the 20th...
'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
Heer (1935-1945)
The Heer was the Army land forces component of the German armed forces from 1935 to 1945, the latter also included the Navy and the Air Force...
battalions to field 21 cm guns during the war. Some guns may have served on coastal defense duties as well.
Design and 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 120 kg (264.6 lb) 21 cm K Gr 38 HEExplosive material
An explosive material, also called an explosive, is a reactive substance that contains a great amount of potential energy that can produce an explosion if released suddenly, usually accompanied by the production of light, heat, sound, and pressure...
shell. It used three individual bags of propellant in the cartridge case; they were not combined. The light load (Kleine Ladung) weighed 34 kilograms (75 lb) and propelled the shell at 680 metres per second (2,231 ft/s). The medium load (Mittlere Ladung) weighed 42.2 kilograms (93 lb) and gave a muzzle velocity of 796 metres per second (2,611.5 ft/s). The big load (Grosse Ladung) weighed 60.2 kilograms (132.7 lb) and yielded a muzzle velocity of 905 metres per second (2,969.2 ft/s).