15 cm Kanone 18
Encyclopedia
The 15 cm Kanone 18 (15 cm K 18) was a German heavy gun used in the Second World War.
began development of a new artillery piece to fulfill a German Army requirement for a replacement of the aged 15 cm Kanone 16
, with the first production units received in 1938. It wasn't much of an improvement over the older gun as it weighed more than two tons more than the K 16, but only had a mere 2290 metres (2,504.4 yd) more range. The army was happy with the range, but not with the carriage. There was a special transport carriage for just the gun when traveling long distances. Putting it on its turntable took even more time to assemble.
Around a hundred were built between 1939 and 1943. It was not popular in service as it was regarded as too much gun for too little shell. This caused its production to be terminated in August 1943. Many were used in coastal installations.
Design & History
In 1933 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...
began development of a new artillery piece to fulfill a German Army requirement for a replacement of the aged 15 cm Kanone 16
15 cm Kanone 16
The 15 cm Kanone 16 was a heavy field gun used by Germany in World War I and World War II. Guns turned over to Belgium as reparations after World War I were taken into Wehrmacht service after the conquest of the Belgium as the 15 cm K 429...
, with the first production units received in 1938. It wasn't much of an improvement over the older gun as it weighed more than two tons more than the K 16, but only had a mere 2290 metres (2,504.4 yd) more range. The army was happy with the range, but not with the carriage. There was a special transport carriage for just the gun when traveling long distances. Putting it on its turntable took even more time to assemble.
Around a hundred were built between 1939 and 1943. It was not popular in service as it was regarded as too much gun for too little shell. This caused its production to be terminated in August 1943. Many were used in coastal installations.