WesWorld

(Summary Information)

The following are the principal current equipment allocated to Kriegsmarine coast defence artillery units.

10.5cm Schiffskanone L/60 in Einheitslafette

15cm Schiffskanone C/28 in Kusten Marine Pivot Lafette C/36

17cm Schiffskanone L/40

24cm Schiffskanone L/40

30.5cm Schiffskanone L/50

This is a Rheinmetall-Borsig design for a dual-purpose anti-aircraft and coast defence gun, introduced in 1937-38. It is related to the 10,5cm Flak 38 in production for the Luftwaffe and Heer.

Calibre: 105 mm
Length of gun: 6840 mm
Traverse: 360 degrees
Elevation: -10 to +80 degrees
Rate of Fire: 15 rounds per minute
Weight in Action: 11,750 kg
Shell Weight: 15.1 kg
Muzzle Velocity: 900 m/s
Maximum Range: 17,500 m
Practical Ceiling: 12,500 m

This design was developed as a mobile coast defence weapon comprising a medium-calibre naval rifle fitted in central-pivot mount on a cruciform carriage. It could be towed by a heavy motor lorry or tracked tractor.



Calibre: 150 mm
Length of gun: 8291 mm
Traverse: 360 degrees
Elevation: -5 to +35 degrees
Rate of Fire: 4 rounds per minute
Weight in Action: 19,761 kg
Shell Weight: 45.5 kg
Muzzle Velocity: 785 m/s
Maximum Range: 23,500 m

This design dates to before the Great War, and while elderly, it has been retained for use in fixed defences.

Calibre: 170 mm
Length of gun: 6900 mm
Traverse: up to 360 degrees depending upon mounting
Elevation: -5 to +45 degrees
Rate of Fire: 2 rounds per minute
Shell Weight: 62.8 kg
Muzzle Velocity: 875 m/s
Maximum Range: 27,200 m

This weapon is commonly emplaced in a barbette carriage – a central pivot mount sunk into a pit – and is provided with either a gun shield or full turret, as the location of the weapon demands.

Calibre: 240 mm
Length of gun: 6550 mm
Traverse: up to 360 degrees depending upon emplacement
Elevation: -5 to +45 degrees
Rate of Fire: 1 rounds per minute
Shell Weight: 148.5 kg
Muzzle Velocity: 810 m/s
Maximum Range: 26,750 m

This weapon was developed by Krupp’s of Essen as a modern replacement for a series of elderly 24cm and 28cm coast defence weapons dating to before the Great War. It is mounted within a turret emplaced atop a reinforced concrete barbette. The turret itself is two-storied – the upper compartment containing the gun, its controls and its loading gear, while the lower floor housed the ammunition hoist motors and gears. The emplacement was fitted with flash-proof doors between the gun turret and the emplacement’s ammunition magazine. The detachment required to operate a single weapon of this type numbered fifty-four, half of whom were concerned with moving the ammunition.

Calibre: 305 mm
Length of gun: 15250 mm
Traverse: up to 360 degrees depending upon emplacement
Elevation: -4 to +45 degrees
Rate of Fire: 1 rounds per minute
Shell Weight: 250 kg
Muzzle Velocity: 1120 m/s
Maximum Range: 51,000 m