7.5 cm Gebirgsgeschütz 36
Encyclopedia
The 7.5 cm Gebirgsgeschütz 36 (7.5 cm GebG 36) was a 7.5 cm (3 in) German
mountain gun
used during World War II
. At least 1193 were built between 1938 and 1945. It was the standard light mountain gun of the German mountain divisions, both Army and Waffen-SS
, during the war.
to meet an Army requirement for a 7.5 cm howitzer to serve in the mountain divisions (Gebirgs Divisionen) and replace the World War I
-era mountain guns still in service like Austro-Hungarian 7.5 cm Gebirgskanone 15
. Production began in 1938 although exactly how many were produced that year is unknown. Some 1193 were built between 1939—45.
The design of the 7.5 cm GebG 36 was relatively conventional in regard to the gun itself, with its standard German horizontal sliding block breech and muzzle brake
. To maximize its ability to fire at high-angles it was given rear trunnions to lengthen the distance between the breech and the ground although springs became necessary to balance the muzzle preponderance. Furthermore it used the a variable recoil system that shortened the recoil as the elevation increased. The breech was uncommonly massive as it incorporated a transport joint to allow it to be separated from the barrel.
The spades at the end of the split trail legs were removable. Generally it used light-alloy disc wheels with rubber rims, but early guns had wooden-spoked wheels. No gun shield
was fitted to save weight. It could be towed in one load or broken down into eight pack-loads to be carried by mule or horse. It weighed 750 kg (1,653.5 lb).
Because of its lightness the 7.5 cm GebG 36 would jump when fired at low angles as the recoil forces would force the gun's trail spades to act as a fulcrum and lever the wheels upwards. In fact Charge 5, the largest propellant increment, was forbidden to be fired at angles under 15° because the gun would jump excessively. Firing at higher angles was perfectly safe as the ground absorbed any residual recoil forces not absorbed by the recoil system.
armor-piercing shell that weighed 5.83 kilograms (12.9 lb) with a maximum range of 9250 metres (10,115.9 yd). It had its own 5.83 kilograms (12.9 lb) high-explosive shell, but could fire that used by the 7.5 cm FK 18
as well. It also fired a colored smoke shell. It used four increments of propellant which were added together to reach the desired range. A fifth charge could be used which replaced all the other charges for targets at the limit of the gun's range. While this range was respectable for a light gun, the 7.5 cm calibre soon proved too small for the demands of World War II.
Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany , also known as the Third Reich , but officially called German Reich from 1933 to 1943 and Greater German Reich from 26 June 1943 onward, is the name commonly used to refer to the state of Germany from 1933 to 1945, when it was a totalitarian dictatorship ruled by...
mountain gun
Mountain gun
Mountain guns are artillery pieces designed for use in mountain warfare and areas where usual wheeled transport is not possible. They are similar to infantry support guns, and are generally capable of being broken down into smaller loads .Due to their ability to be broken down into smaller...
used during 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...
. At least 1193 were built between 1938 and 1945. It was the standard light mountain gun of the German mountain divisions, both Army and Waffen-SS
Waffen-SS
The Waffen-SS was a multi-ethnic and multi-national military force of the Third Reich. It constituted the armed wing of the Schutzstaffel or SS, an organ of the Nazi Party. The Waffen-SS saw action throughout World War II and grew from three regiments to over 38 divisions, and served alongside...
, during the war.
Development and description
The 7.5 cm GebG 36 was designed by RheinmetallRheinmetall
Rheinmetall AG is a German automotive and defence company with factories in Düsseldorf, Kassel and Unterlüß. The company has a long tradition of making guns and artillery pieces...
to meet an Army requirement for a 7.5 cm howitzer to serve in the mountain divisions (Gebirgs Divisionen) and replace the World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
-era mountain guns still in service like Austro-Hungarian 7.5 cm Gebirgskanone 15
Skoda 75 mm Model 15
The Skoda 7.5 cm Gebirgskanone M. 15 was a mountain gun used by Austria-Hungary in World War I. In German service it was known as the 7.5 cm GebK 15...
. Production began in 1938 although exactly how many were produced that year is unknown. Some 1193 were built between 1939—45.
The design of the 7.5 cm GebG 36 was relatively conventional in regard to the gun itself, with its standard German horizontal sliding block breech and muzzle brake
Muzzle brake
Muzzle brakes and recoil compensators are devices that are fitted to the muzzle of a firearm or cannon to redirect propellant gases with the effect of countering both recoil of the gun and unwanted rising of the barrel during rapid fire...
. To maximize its ability to fire at high-angles it was given rear trunnions to lengthen the distance between the breech and the ground although springs became necessary to balance the muzzle preponderance. Furthermore it used the a variable recoil system that shortened the recoil as the elevation increased. The breech was uncommonly massive as it incorporated a transport joint to allow it to be separated from the barrel.
The spades at the end of the split trail legs were removable. Generally it used light-alloy disc wheels with rubber rims, but early guns had wooden-spoked wheels. No gun shield
Gun shield
thumb|A [[United States Marine Corps|U.S. Marine]] manning an [[M240 machine gun]] equipped with a gun shieldA gun shield is a flat piece or section of armor designed to be mounted on a crew-served weapon such as a machine gun or artillery piece, or, more rarely, to be used with an assault rifle...
was fitted to save weight. It could be towed in one load or broken down into eight pack-loads to be carried by mule or horse. It weighed 750 kg (1,653.5 lb).
Because of its lightness the 7.5 cm GebG 36 would jump when fired at low angles as the recoil forces would force the gun's trail spades to act as a fulcrum and lever the wheels upwards. In fact Charge 5, the largest propellant increment, was forbidden to be fired at angles under 15° because the gun would jump excessively. Firing at higher angles was perfectly safe as the ground absorbed any residual recoil forces not absorbed by the recoil system.
Ammunition
The 7.5 cm GebG 36 fired a wide variety of ammunition, with the notable exception of a conventional armor-piercing shell. It used instead a unique hollow-chargeShaped charge
A shaped charge is an explosive charge shaped to focus the effect of the explosive's energy. Various types are used to cut and form metal, to initiate nuclear weapons, to penetrate armor, and in the oil and gas industry...
armor-piercing shell that weighed 5.83 kilograms (12.9 lb) with a maximum range of 9250 metres (10,115.9 yd). It had its own 5.83 kilograms (12.9 lb) high-explosive shell, but could fire that used by the 7.5 cm FK 18
7.5 cm FK 18
The 7.5 cm Feldkanone 18 was a field gun used by Germany in World War II. It was designed to replace the 7.5 cm FK 16 nA, which was a World War I-era 7.7 cm FK 16 rebarreled in 75 mm during the early Thirties...
as well. It also fired a colored smoke shell. It used four increments of propellant which were added together to reach the desired range. A fifth charge could be used which replaced all the other charges for targets at the limit of the gun's range. While this range was respectable for a light gun, the 7.5 cm calibre soon proved too small for the demands of World War II.