Germany's 15-cm Kanone 39
15-cm K 39
Krupp developed and produced the K 39 for Turkey in the late 1930s.1 It was to have a split trail carriage and a portable turntable.1 Two of the batches were delivered in 1939.1
With the outbreak of war, there was no longer any easy ways for Turkey to receive further shipments.1 The German army found that it needed as many field weapons as possible and took the K 39 into service.1
Usage
The Germans primarily used the gun on it's carriage as it allowed enough traverse.1
However, when the turntable was used, the spread trails were secured to the all steel turntable.1 The whole gun, including the carriage, could then be moved around the turntable by a hand crank.1
Ammunition
A large stock of ammunition that had been intended for Turkey was used.1 It used a three charge system with a high explosive and semi-armor piercing shells that Turkey had intended to use against warhips.1
Production
Only about 40 were produced and were regulated to training units and eventually to the Atlantic Wall.1
| 15 cm Kanone 39 | |
|---|---|
| Caliber | 5.87"1 149.1 mm1 |
| Length of gun | 27' 0.8"1 8.25 m1 |
| Length of bore | |
| Rifling | |
| Weight traveling | 40,305 lb1 18,282 kg1 |
| Weight in action | 26,896 lb1 12,200 kg1 |
| Elevation | -4° to +45°1 |
| Traverse | Turntable: 360°1 Carriage: 60°1 |
| Muzzle Velocity | 2,838'/sec1 865 m/sec1 |
| Range of shell | 27,010 yards1 24,700 m1 |
| Shell weight | 94.8 lb1 43 kg1 |
| Breech mechanism |
Sources:
- The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II, 1998, Chris Bishop
