Fort Sill in Comanche County, Oklahoma — The American South (West South Central)

U.S. M65 280mm Gun, "Atomic Annie"

Photographed by James Hulse, September 9, 2021

1. U.S. M65 280mm Gun, "Atomic Annie" Marker

Inscription. This massive artillery piece was developed during the Cold War for use against the Soviet forces to fire atomic rounds if the Soviets attacked West Germany. The 280mm gun, an 11-inch caliber, was determined in 1949 as being the smallest gun capable of containing the W-9 15 kiloton warhead. On 25 May 1953, this gun fired the first atomic artillery on Frenchman Flat at the Nevada Test Site. The 15 kiloton projectile was successfully fired 6.2 miles away (10 km) where it detonated 525 feet above the ground. Although dubbed “Atomic Annie," this gun never bore that name on the tube during its service life. One of these newly completed guns took part in the inaugural parade of President Dwight Eisenhower on 20 January 1953. A total of 20 M65s were made between 1951 and 1953 with most being deployed to West Germany. The gun with its two trucks was 85 feet long, 10 feet wide and weighed over 86 tons, making it a challenge to maneuver through German villages and on narrow roads. By the late 1950s, ballistic missiles with nuclear warheads were able to out-range the M65 and they were taken out of service by December 1963.

Caliber

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- 11.02 in. - 280 mm
Weight - 91,625 lb. - 41,506 kg
Range - 31,400 yds. - 28,710 m
Shell Weight - 605 lb. - 274 kg
Muzzle Velocity - 2,500 ft/sec. - 762 m/sec.
Elevation (0 to + 55 degrees) - (0 to +978 mils)
Traverse - 15 degrees - 267 mils
Rate of Fire - 1 round every 2 min.
CCN# 104199

Erected by U.S. Army Field Artillery Museum. (Marker Number 011.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, Cold. A significant historical date for this entry is May 25, 1953.

Location. 34° 39.961′ N, 98° 23.047′ W. Marker is in Fort Sill, Oklahoma, in Comanche County. It 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 central 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.

Regionally, this marker is in Oklahoma’s Kiowa Tribe,

in the Comanche Nation,

and in Southwest Oklahoma.

It is also in the American South,

specifically on the prairies,

and on the Southern Plains.

Globally, it is in

The U.S. M65 280mm Gun, "Atomic Annie" and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, September 9, 2021

2. The U.S. M65 280mm Gun, "Atomic Annie" and Marker

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Comanchería,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: U.S. M249 & M250 4x4 Heavy Gun-Lifting Trucks (a few steps from this marker); 280mm Heavy Motorized Gun M65 (a few steps from this marker); German 100mm Field Gun, Model 1904 (a few steps from this marker); German 100mm Gun, M1914 (within shouting distance of this marker); German 105mm Field Howitzer, M1898/1909 (within shouting distance of this marker); German 77mm Field Gun, M1896 (new pattern) (within shouting distance of this marker); French Saint Chamond 194mm GPF Gun (within shouting distance of this marker); U.S. 6-Inch Siege Howitzer, Model of 1908/1908M1 (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Sill.

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

Heavy Gun Lifting Truck for transporting the U.S. M65 280mm Gun image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, September 9, 2021

3. Heavy Gun Lifting Truck for transporting the U.S. M65 280mm Gun

identification is required for access for Fort Sill.

Also see . . . U.S. Army Artillery Museum. (Submitted on February 26, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

Grable Event image. Click for full size.

Public Domain - National Nuclear Security Administration - Wikipedia, May 25, 1953

4. Grable Event

Part of Operation Upshot-Knothole, was a 15-kiloton test fired from a 280-mm cannon on May 25, 1953 at the Nevada Proving Grounds. Frenchman's Flat, Nevada - Atomic Cannon

The side view of the U.S. M65 280mm Gun, "Atomic Annie" image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, September 9, 2021

5. The side view of the U.S. M65 280mm Gun, "Atomic Annie"

Credits. This page was last revised on February 27, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 26, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 804 times since then and 160 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on February 27, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.