Fredericksburg in Gillespie County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Twin 40mm Bofors:
Photographed By James Hulse, December 2, 2021
1. Twin 40mm Bofors: Marker
This 40mm automatic cannon was originally designed by the Bofors company in Sweden and built under license in the United States by the Chrysler Corporation. This twin mount was intended for use aboard ships for antiaircraft use. The gun fired a two pound high explosive shell. The rate of fire was normally about 120 rounds per minute. In practice firing rates were closer to 80-100 rpm, as the rounds were fed into the breech from four round clips which had to be replaced by hand. The maximum attainable ceiling was 23,600 feet, but the practical maximum was about 12,500 feet.
The first Bofors weapons were placed on ships as they were putting to sea for the Battle of Midway, and played a substantial role in the first major defeat of the Japanese Navy. One ship shot down 32 enemy planes in 30 minutes with the new guns- so new they had not yet been test-fired. The Navy appears to have appreciated the new weapons, actually telegraphing Chrysler Corporation with the guns' serial numbers when they shot down enemy planes.
Captions
Upper Right: "Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition."
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this page online
Erected by National Museum of the Pacific War.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, World II.
Location. 30° 16.378′ N, 98° 52.03′ W. Marker is in Fredericksburg, Texas, in Gillespie County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of East Austin Street and North Washington Street. The marker is located in the northeastern sectional of the National Museum of the Pacific War. There is an entrance fee to visit inside the museum but this marker is located on the outside grounds by the entrance. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 311 East Austin Street, Fredericksburg TX 78624, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. U.S. 105mm Howitzer M2A1: (here, next to this marker); Ordnance QF 25-Pounder Field Gun: (a few steps from this marker); Franklin D. Roosevelt (a few steps from this marker); Mark 15 Torpedo Tube (a few steps from this marker); 75mm Field Gun, M2A2: (a few steps from this marker); Harry S. Truman (a few steps from this marker); 5 Inch/38 Caliber Gun (a few steps from this marker); Dwight D. Eisenhower (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fredericksburg.
Also see . . . Bofors 40 mm.
Bofors 40 mm gun is(Submitted on April 28, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)a name or designation given to two models of 40 mm calibre anti-aircraft guns designed and developed by the Swedish company Bofors. Source: WikipediaPhotographed By James Hulse, December 2, 20212. The Twin 40mm Bofors and Marker
Photographed By James Hulse, December 2, 2021
3. Closeup view of the Twin 40mm Bofors
Credits. This page was last revised on April 28, 2022. It was originally submitted on April 27, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 137 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 28, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
