Czechoslovakian VZ 37 149mm Howitzer

Czechoslovakian VZ 37 149mm Howitzer. . This Czechoslovakian designed and built weapon served as one of the German Army's heavy field howitzers during World War II. The famous arms maker, Skoda in Pilsen, Czechoslovkia designed this new howitzer in the mid-1930s. When the Germans took over Czechoslovakia in 1938, they discovered the first production VZ 37 Howitzers at the Skoda factory. The German Army elevated the VZ 37 and found it a reliable howitzer with a good range and powerful projectile. The Germans kept the Skoda works producing the VZ 37 for their use as a divisional artillery piece. The VZ 37 became the German 150mm heavy Field Howitzer 37, 15cm schwere Feldhaubitze 37 (t). It was first used in combat during the French campaign in May 1940 and remained in service with the German Army and its Balkan allies throughout the rest of the war. This howitzer was captured by the Soviets during the war and later given to the North Korean Army. The howitzer was then captured by the U.S. Army during the Korean War. It was transferred to the Artillery Museum from the Infantry Museum in 2012., Caliber - 5.87 in. - 149 mm , Weight - 11,464 lbs. - 5200 kg , Range - 16,515 yds. - 15,100m , Shell Weight - 92.6 lbs. - 42 kg , Muzzle Velocity - 1,903 ft/sec. - 580 m/sec. , Elevation - (-5 to +70 degrees) - (-90 to +1244 mils) , Traverse - 45 degrees - 800 mils , Rate of Fire - 5 rpm , CCN#452120 . This historical marker was erected by U.S. Army Field Artillery Museum. It is in Fort Sill in Comanche County Oklahoma