Fort Sill in Comanche County, Oklahoma — The American South (West South Central)
German K-18 170mm Gun
17cm Kanone 18in Mörserlafette
Photographed By James Hulse, September 9, 2021
1. German K-18 170mm Gun Marker
Inscription.
German K-18 170mm Gun. 17cm Kanone 18in Mörserlafette. Designed by the German famous arms company, Krupp, this powerful gun entered service in 1941. It was primarily used for long-range counter-battery fire at the corps level. The K-18 used the same carriage as the 21cm Mörser 18, which has a dual recoil system. Not only did the gun recoil as usual, but the gun platform recoiled to the rear on rails greatly reducing stress on the carriage. Once in firing position, the gun was easily traversed 360 degrees by one gunner. One drawback was the need to separate the gun into two loads for transport except for very short distances. This gun is exhibited with the limber used for short moves. Nevertheless, the gun was very successful and was the primary piece of heavy artillery batteries. Production of the gun at Hanomag Works in Hannover was badly disrupted by Allied bombing and resulted in a total production of only 338, far below requirements. In 1944, captured K-18s were used by Allied batteries against their former owners when Allied ammunition became scarce due to the long distance from Normandy to the front lines. , Caliber - 6.79 in. - 172.5 mm , Weight - 38,602 lb. - 17,510 kg , Range - 32,382 yds. - 29,600 m , Shell Weight - 149.9 lb. - 68 kg , Muzzle Velocity - 3,035 ft/sec. - 925 m/sec. , Elevation - (0 to +50 degrees) - (0 to +889 mils) , Traverse - 360 degrees - 6,400 mils , Rate of Fire - 1-2 rpm , CCN#74446
Designed by the German famous arms company, Krupp, this powerful gun entered service in 1941. It was primarily used for long-range counter-battery fire at the corps level. The K-18 used the same carriage as the 21cm Mörser 18, which has a dual recoil system. Not only did the gun recoil as usual, but the gun platform recoiled to the rear on rails greatly reducing stress on the carriage. Once in firing position, the gun was easily traversed 360 degrees by one gunner. One drawback was the need to separate the gun into two loads for transport except for very short distances. This gun is exhibited with the limber used for short moves. Nevertheless, the gun was very successful and was the primary piece of heavy artillery batteries. Production of the gun at Hanomag Works in Hannover was badly disrupted by Allied bombing and resulted in a total production of only 338, far below requirements. In 1944, captured K-18s were used by Allied batteries against their former owners when Allied ammunition became scarce due to the long distance from Normandy to the front lines.
Caliber - 6.79 in. - 172.5 mm
Weight - 38,602 lb. - 17,510 kg
Range - 32,382 yds. - 29,600 m
Shell Weight - 149.9 lb. - 68 kg
Muzzle Velocity - 3,035 ft/sec. - 925 m/sec.
Elevation - (0 to +50 degrees) - (0 to +889 mils)
Traverse -
Click or scan to see this page online
360 degrees - 6,400 mils
Rate of Fire - 1-2 rpm
CCN#74446
Erected by U.S. Army Field Artillery Museum. (Marker Number 220.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, World II. A significant historical year for this entry is 1941.
Location. 34° 39.99′ N, 98° 23.083′ 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 to Fort Sill.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 10, 2022. It was originally submitted on March 9, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 291 times since then and 124 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on March 9, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
