20cm Kanone Eisenbahn - Railway Gun

Calibre :

203mm ( 7.99" )

The more modern 20.3cm railroad gun with and L/60 barrel, was built from 1936, and until 1941 was designated SK C/34. Eight of these guns were constructed, using extra barrels manufactured for the "Blücher" class heavy cruisers, and were considered a very successful improvisation. The barrels were eventually supposed to be replaced with 21cm K38 barrels, as 20.3cm was a non-standard bore size in the Army. The recoil system was beneath the barrel near the breach.

Because of the increased weight, an extra axle was added to each railroad truck, and an ammunition crane was fitted due to the heavier ammunition. The maximum elevation was 47° and the gun could be used on a VÖGELE turntable, giving 360° traverse.

Six of these weapons were captured by the Allies in 1944 during the liberation of France.
(Courtesy from German Railroad guns in action - Squadron)

References / Credits :
Deutsche Eisenbahn Geschützen - Gerhard Taube - Motor Buch Verlag - ISBN 3-613-01352-5
Die schweren Geschütze der Welt - Franz Kosar - Motor Buch Verlag - ISBN 3-613-02204-4
German Artillery of World War II - Ian V.Hogg - Greenhill Books - ISBN 0887403220
Eisenbahn Geschütze der Welt - Franz Kosar - Motor Buch Verlag - ISBN 3-613-01976-0
German Railroad Guns in action - Joachim Engelmann - Squadron - ISBN 0-89747-048-6

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