- Esileht
- The Largest Fixed Ammunition Round
- Esileht
- The Largest Fixed Ammunition Round
- Programmid
- The Largest Fixed Ammunition Round
- Uudised
- The Largest Fixed Ammunition Round
- Projektid
- The Largest Fixed Ammunition Round
During World War II, the largest calibre fixed round (where the shell, propellant charge, and primer are permanently joined together in a single metal casing) mass-produced by the Germans was used in the 12.8 cm anti-aircraft gun. This complete round measured about one and a half metres in length and weighed nearly 50 kilograms. You can see a round of this impressive size on display in our permanent exhibition.
The 12.8 cm shell for the German anti-aircraft gun Flak 40 (originally designated Gerät 40) measured 149 cm in length and weighed 45 kilograms. The gun had a rate of fire of 10–12 rounds per minute and a maximum range of 14.8 kilometres.
These guns were primarily used in flak towers for the defence of cities like Berlin, Hamburg, and Vienna. Due to their enormous weight – 26.5 tonnes – using them in field operations was impractical, though rail-mounted versions were tested.
In total, 1,125 Flak 40 guns were produced. A 15 cm anti-aircraft version, the Flak 50, was tested as a prototype but never entered mass production.
(Source: Hogg, V. 1977)
“Kes minevikku ei mäleta, elab tulevikuta” Juhan Liiv
