Haupitsi 152 H/09-30 - Menkijärvi, Finland
Posted by: 
Neofytos
N 62° 57.151 E 023° 31.846
34V E 628373 N 6982824
152 mm howitzer model 1909 modernised 1930.
Waymark Code: WM99N9
Location: Finland
Date Posted: 07/19/2010
Views: 33
Calibre: 152,4 mm x 239 R (cartridge seated ammunition)
Barrel length: L/14
Weight in action: 3000 kg
Muzzle velocity: 382 - 385 m/sec
Traverse: +/- 2,5 / 3 degrees
Elevation: - 1 degrees, + 37,5 degrees
Max. range: 9,5 km
Ammunition weight: 40,0 - 40,6 kg (HE), 38,8 kg (APHE)
Ammunition types: HE, APHE
Country of origin: Soviet Union
Finnish use: 14 howitzers captured in Winter War and 85 howitzers in Continuation War. Field Artillery used them during Continuation War.
This howitzer was modernised version of 152 mm gaubitsa obr. 1909 g. howitzer, which was Schneider design manufactured under license in Russia. Soviets had modernised the obr. 1909 g. howitzer (which had been originally designed mainly as fortification howitzer) in early 1930's. In modernisation the room for propellant charge had been enlarged and to counter increased stress the larger propellant charges caused the gun carriage was reinforced and muzzle brake was added. The howitzer was still in large-scale use with Soviet Red Army during early WW2. Like other artillery weapons originating from Imperial days Soviets had planned to replace them with more modern designs, but starting of the war increased the demand of artillery pieces so much that they could not afford to be picky. As usual the Germans captured quite a few of these howitzers and issued some to their own coastal defence.
The howitzer had box trail (with hole in middle of it), breech mechanism with screw breech, gun shield and recoil system with hydraulic buffer and pneumatic recuperator. Original wheels were wood with steel hoops, but later Soviets introduced new steel wheels with sponge rubber tires (however most or all Finnish captured howitzers had the old wheels). It was suitable both for motorised towing and for towing with horses. The highest possible towing speed with motor vehicle was only 20 km/hour (due to weakness of towing system?). The maximum rate of fire was about 4 shots/minute.
Finnish Army captured 14 howitzers in Winter War and 85 howitzers in Continuation War. The captured howitzers saw large used with Finnish Field Artillery in Continuation War. During that war they were issued to four Field Artillery Regiments and four Heavy Artillery Battalions, some of which were motorised and some horse-towed. Finnish soldiers rated the howitzer fair in usability - it was too heavy to be effectively horse-towed and towing system was not durable in motorised towing. Finnish Army lost 14 of these howitzers in 1944: Eight of the lost howitzers were lost by 4th Army Cops in Carelian Isthmus and 6 lost north of Lake Ladoga belonged to Field Artillery Regiment 11. As large amounts of readily made ammunition existed the howitzers were used in live-fire training until 1980's.
Ammunition Finnish military used with these howitzers was cartridge seated type with 5 propellant charge sizes. Ammunition selection included seven high explosive (HE) projectiles and one armour-piercing high explosive (APHE) projectile, which the Soviets had intended for bunker busting. This APHE-projectile was captured Soviet 152 pstkr 52/65-ps KTD, which weight 38.80-kg and had TNT filling.
What type of artillery is this?: Howitzer
Where is this artillery located?: Monument grounds
What military of the world used this device?: Finnish Army
Date artillery was in use: 01/01/1939
Artillery is no longer operational: no
Still may work: no
Date artillery was placed on display: Not listed
Parking location to view this Waymark: Not Listed
Cost?: Not Listed
Are there any geocaches at this location?: Not listed
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