Fort Sill in Comanche County, Oklahoma — The American South (West South Central)
French Saint Chamond 194mm GPF Gun
Photographed By James Hulse, September 9, 2021
1. French Saint Chamond 194mm GPF Gun Marker
Inscription.
French Saint Chamond 194mm GPF Gun. . The Saint Chamond self-propelled French gun was introduced late in World War I. The GPF designation, Grand Puissance Filloux, translates as High-Power Filloux. The vehicle was designed by Louis Filloux at the Schneider works. The weapon consisted of two tracked units that were linked and moved together. The first one carried the 194mm gun and its fire control. The second tractor carried 60 rounds of ammunition, 60 propelling charges, a gasoline engine and an electrical generator. The gasoline engine powered the generator that provided electricity for two electric motors, one electric motor for each track. The electric motors provided power to move the vehicles. The gross weight of both vehicles at over 61 tons, resulted in a top speed of only 5 mph. Approximately 50 were produced by 1939 when World War II began. A number of these guns were taken into German service and designated as the 19.4cm Kanone 485 (f) auf Selbsfahrlafette. This particular gun was one of two given to the Italian Army in 1941. After the Italian surrender in September 1943, it was taken by the Germans who used it for coast defence at Civitavecchia, a port town west of Rome. It was captured in 1944 and taken to Abderdeen Proving Ground, Maryland. It came to the Artillery Museum in 2012 and is the sole surviving example of the 194mm gun. , Caliber - 7.64 in. - 194 mm , Weight - 65,255 lb. - 29,600 kg , Range - 22,747 yds. - 20,800 m , Shell Weight - 202 lb. - 92 kg , Muzzle Velocity - 2,378 ft/sec. - 725 m/sec. , Elevation - (0 to +36 degrees) - (0 to + 640 mils) , Rate of Fire - 2-4 rpm , Maximum Speed - 5 mph - 8 kph , Engine - 5 mph Panhard SUK4 M2 gasoline, 120 hp , CCN# 74791
The Saint Chamond self-propelled French gun was introduced late in World War I. The GPF designation, Grand Puissance Filloux, translates as High-Power Filloux. The vehicle was designed by Louis Filloux at the Schneider works. The weapon consisted of two tracked units that were linked and moved together. The first one carried the 194mm gun and its fire control. The second tractor carried 60 rounds of ammunition, 60 propelling charges, a gasoline engine and an electrical generator. The gasoline engine powered the generator that provided electricity for two electric motors, one electric motor for each track. The electric motors provided power to move the vehicles. The gross weight of both vehicles at over 61 tons, resulted in a top speed of only 5 mph. Approximately 50 were produced by 1939 when World War II began. A number of these guns were taken into German service and designated as the 19.4cm Kanone 485 (f) auf Selbsfahrlafette. This particular gun was one of two given to the Italian Army in 1941. After the Italian surrender in September 1943, it was taken by the Germans who used it for coast defence at Civitavecchia, a port town west of Rome. It was captured in 1944 and taken to Abderdeen Proving Ground, Maryland. It came to the Artillery Museum in 2012 and is the sole surviving example of the 194mm gun.
Caliber
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- 7.64 in. - 194 mm
Weight - 65,255 lb. - 29,600 kg
Range - 22,747 yds. - 20,800 m
Shell Weight - 202 lb. - 92 kg
Muzzle Velocity - 2,378 ft/sec. - 725 m/sec.
Elevation - (0 to +36 degrees) - (0 to + 640 mils)
Rate of Fire - 2-4 rpm
Maximum Speed - 5 mph - 8 kph
Engine - 5 mph Panhard SUK4 M2 gasoline, 120 hp
CCN# 74791
Erected by U.S. Army Field Artillery Museum. (Marker Number 69.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War, World I • War, World II. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1943.
Location. 34° 39.981′ N, 98° 23.044′ W. Marker is in Fort Sill, Oklahoma, in Comanche County. Marker is at the intersection of Corral Road and Randolph Road, on the right when traveling west on Corral Road. The marker is located in the eastern section of Artillery Park at the U.S. Army Field Artillery Museum. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fort Sill OK 73503, United States of America. Touch for directions.
More about this marker. Marker and Museum are located on Fort Sill, an active U.S. military installation. The museum is open to the public, but appropriate identification is required for access for Fort Sill.
3. The main view of the French Saint Chamond 194mm GPF Gun
Credits. This page was last revised on March 6, 2022. It was originally submitted on March 6, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 226 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on March 6, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
