Russian Artillery
Infantry Guns
Range: 4200m
Calibre: 76mm
Rate of Fire: 10 to 12 rounds per minute.
Weight: 780kg
Crew: 5
This gun, introduced in 1928, was a modified version of the older 3 inch M1913 gun. The modernized gun featured a new chamber and rebored barrel, new wheels and adjustments to the gun carriage. Further improvements were made in 1936 and 1939 to facilitate motorized towing due to the guns excessive weight. Despite this improvement, due to the lack of motorized transport, the gun was usually towed using six horses. The gun was either fitted with wooden spoked wheels or metal disc wheels fitted with tyres and featured an armored shield to provide limited protection for the crew. In 1943 the gun was fitted with an improved carriage which utilized the trails and frame of the M1942 anti tank gun. The new version was designated the 76mm M1943. Despite its age the gun remained in production until late 1944.
Anti Tank Guns
Weight: 560kg
Calibre: 45mm
Muzzle Velocity: 760mps
Armor Penetration: 43mm at 500m and 35mm at 1000m.
Rate of Fire: 15 to 20 rounds per minute.
Crew: 4
This weapon introduced in 1937 was very similar in construction to the German 37mm Pak 36 which had been produced in Russia under license since 1931. The Red Army increased the calibre to improve armour penetration and also have the capability to fire a useful high explosive round. It was fitted with the M1934 tank gun and the trunnion and trails were strengthened to cope with the additional weight. The gun was light and manouverable and was effective against German armor until mid 1942. Despite the gradual decrease in the guns effectiveness due to increasing armor protection the gun remained in production until late 1944. During the latter stages of the war the gun was increasingly used in the infantry support role firing high explosive rounds instead of its intended anti tank role. An improved version, the M1943 gun was introduced in 1943 and remained in production until the end of the war. The gun was given a new, longer barrel which increased the muzzle velocity and improved its armor penetration capability to 61mm at 500m and 51mm at 1000m. The addition of the longer barrel increased the guns weight to 625kg, slightly reducing its mobility.
Weight: 1150kg
Calibre: 57mm
Muzzle Velocity: 990mps
Armor Penetration: 145mm at 500m.
Rate of Fire: 20 to 25 rounds per minute.
Crew: 5
This gun was originally introduced in April 1941, but due to its high manufacturing cost, production was suspended in December 1941 and was not resumed until June 1943. The carriage was the same as the 76mm divisional gun (ZIS-3), while the 57mm cannon and recoil system had come from the earlier M1941 model anti-tank gun. The gun had a semi automatic breech and a hydraulic recoil mechanism and had an extremely high rate of fire. Its light weight was another advantage and the gun could be rapidly traversed or man handled between firing positions by its crew. Early versions of the weapon were equipped with a folding gun shield. Despite these advantages the gun also suffered from several limitations. The first was that despite its great ability to penetrate armor, it was still rapidly being matched and outclassed by the armor of newer tanks. That soon relegated it to taking on only lighter armored vehicles, leaving the heavier tanks to 76mm or larger anti-tank guns. Another limitation was that the weapon was much more expensive to produce when compared to the 76mm divisional gun. Despite this the gun remained in production until the end of the war.
Weight: 4300kg.
Range: 10,500m.
Rate of Fire: 15 to 20 rounds per minute.
Muzzle Velocity: 792mps
Armor Penetration: 111mm at 500m and 102mm at 1000m.
Crew: 7
This gun was introduced in early 1940 and although designed primarily as an anti aircraft gun, like the German 88mm it was commonly used in the anti tank role. The gun was fitted with semi automatic breech mechanism and a large multi-baffle muzzle brake to reduce recoil and increase the muzzle velocity. Early models of the gun were fitted with a large gun shield to protect the crew, but this was removed from the design on later production guns. The gun carriage was mounted on a square platform with four outriggers to provide stability. For travelling the mounting was jacked up on to two sets of single wheeled bogies. When deployed for firing, the trail would form into a cruciform shape supported by adjustable legs. The gun remained in production until 1944, when it was replaced by an improved version, the 85mm KS-18.
Field Artillery
Range: 10,500m.
Calibre: 76mm
Rate of Fire: 8 to 10 rounds per minute.
Weight: 1320kg.
Crew: 6
This gun was a modernized version of the older Model 02 Putilov gun and was used to equip Divisional artillery Regiments during the early stages of the campaign. The modernization took place in the mid 1930's and included improvements to the carriage to increase the guns elevation and thereby improve its range and a lengthened barrel was also added. The gun had a split trail of rivited construction, wooden wheels and also incorporated a small shield to provide limited protection for the crew. Large numbers of the gun were captured by German forces who redesignated it the FK 295r.
Range: 4200m
Calibre: 76mm
Rate of Fire: 10 to 12 rounds per minute.
Weight: 600kg
Crew: 5
This gun was originally introduced in 1936 and was used to equip Divisional artillery Regiments. However, the gun suffered from poor design and its long barrel and low ground clearance severely reduced its mobility. The crew duties were poorly laid out and this reduced its combat effectiveness, especially when utilized in the anti tank role. In 1939 a vastly improved version was introduced, the F-22 USV. The improvements included a shorter barrel and a new carriage. Huge numbers of this gun were captured in the early part of the war and German forces utilized them as anti tank guns until the 75mm Pak 40 gun became widely available. Despite the new guns improved performance it was complicated to manufacture and production ceased in 1941. The gun was gradually replaced by the 76mm ZIS-3 from early 1942 onwards.
Range: 4200m
Calibre: 76mm
Armor Penetration: 90mm at 500m.
Rate of Fire: 25 rounds per minute.
Weight: 780kg
Crew: 5
This excellent multi purpose gun was used both as a Divisional artillery gun and in the anti tank role. The gun was light and had good mobility, easily manhandled by its crew. It also enjoyed a high rate of fire. The gun had a split trail, gun shield to provide limited protection for the crew and metal disc wheels fitted with tyres. The barrel was fitted with a muzzle brake to reduce recoil and barrel flash when fired. Due to its simplified method of construction, both production time and cost were considerably reduced. It was nicknamed the 'Ratsch-Bum' (crash-boom) by German forces because of its distinct sound when firing. Large numbers of the gun were captured by German forces who redesignated it the FK 288r.
Range: 16,350m
Calibre: 122mm
Rate of Fire: 5 to 6 rounds per minute.
Weight: 2580kg
Crew: 6
This weapon was an elderly design first introduced in 1910 and was used to equip Divisional artillery Regiments. It had wooden spoke wheels, box trail and short L/13 barrel. The gun was modernized in the 1930's and included the fitting of a new and longer barrel fitted on the existing carriage. Production of the gun ended in 1937, when it began to be replaced by the 122mm Model 1938. Large numbers of the gun were captured by German forces who redesignated it the leFH 388r.
Range: 11,800m
Calibre: 122mm
Armor Penetration: 140mm at 1000m.
Muzzle Velocity: 515mps.
Rate of Fire: 5 to 6 rounds per minute.
Weight: 2450kg
Crew: 8
This gun was introduced in 1938 and was used to equip Divisional artillery Regiments. It had a split trail of either riveted or cast construction and was fitted with a gun shield to provide limited protection for the crew. The recoil system consisted of a hydraulic buffer above the tube and a hydropneumatic recuperator below it. The breechblock was of a hinged screw type. It also had metal disc wheels fitted with tyres and a longer L/19 barrel. The gun was capable of being used in the anti tank role and its good ballistic properties enabled it to take on the heavier German tanks at ranges of up to 1500m. The gun was towed by either a by a six horse limber team, a 3 ton truck and if available they were hauled by a Stalinets tractor. Large numbers of the gun were captured by German forces who redesignated it the K390/2r.
Range: 17200m
Calibre: 152mm
Rate of Fire: 2 to 3 rounds per minute.
Weight: 7270kg
Crew: 6
This gun, introduced in 1937, was an improved version of the Model 1910/30 howitzer. The gun was a robust and versatile weapon, which was mounted on the standard carriage of the 122mm m1938 gun. It featured a split trail of riveted design with twin spoked wheels fitted with solid rubber tyres. The recoil system consists of a hydraulic buffer above the tube with a hydropneumatic recuperator below it and the breechblock is of a hinged screw type. The gun also featured a slotted muzzle brake to reduce recoil and barrel flash when fired and a gun shield to provide limited protection for the crew. Production of the gun continued until mid 1944, when it was replaced by the 152mm M1943 D-1. Large numbers of the gun were captured by German forces who redesignated it the sFH 443r.
M1943 D-1
Range: 12,400m
Calibre: 152mm
Rate of Fire: 3 to 4 rounds per minute.
Weight: 3640kg
Crew: 7
This weapon, introduced in early 1944, was also mounted on the chassis of the M1938 howitzer with a split trail of riveted design. The gun had twin spoked wheels fitted with solid rubber tyres. It also featured a large double-baffle muzzle brake to reduce recoil and barrel flash when fired and a gun shield to provide limited protection for the crew. The weapon was lighter and more manouverable than its predecessor and remained in service throughout the remainder of the war.
Range: 17,500m
Calibre: 203mm
Rate of Fire: 1 round every three minutes.
Weight: 15,800kg
Crew: 15
This gun was introduced in 1938. The guns were initially held in the GHQ artillery reserve for use on desiganted Fronts, but from late 1942 were incorporated into the artillery Divisions to form Heavy Howitzer Brigades. The gun was mounted on a tracked carriage but suffered from poor mobility due to its weight. It was an accurate weapon. Mounted on an unpowered tracked chassis, which would be towed into position by a tractor. The gun featured a piston operated breech mechanism and a small crane on the left hand side of the weapon to manouver the ammunition into the breech.
Rocket Artillery
BM-13-16
This was the first in the series of 'Katyusha' multiple rocket launchers and was introduced in mid 1941. It consisted of a Zis-6 truck fitted with sixteen rail launchers for 132mm M-13 rockets. The rockets were less accurate than conventional artillery. However the shock effect produced by these weapons used in a concentrated salvo, had a marked effect on enemy morale. They were slow to reload and once fired the firing position quickly became obvious to enemy counter fire batteries.
This weapon, also introduced in mid 1941, was fitted with 36 rail launchers for the smaller 82mm M-8 rockets. Early on a variety of different vehicles were used as a platform for this launcher but from 1943 onwards they were standardised on lend lease vehicles, mainly the US-6 Studebaker.
Rocket Artillery
Despite the fact that experimentation with rocket propelled
artillery had started well before the beginning of WWII, the decision
to produce rocket-artillery weapons was not made until early June 1941.
It was decided that due to the critical situation which developed at the
front at the beginning of the war, that the army be equipped with rocket
weapons as quickly as possible. On the 28th of June 1941, an experimental
rocket-launcher battery was formed at the 1st Moscow Red Banner Artillery
School. The Battery was to form and move directly to join the Western
Front and test the quality and effectiveness of the new type of weapon
under combat conditions.
The battery was formed within four days and on the 2nd of July 1941 it
began its move to join the forces of the Western Front using its own vehicles
and was equipped with nine BM-13 combat launchers. The Battery first saw
action on the 14th of July with the battery firing two salvos. The first
salvo was on a concentration of enemy troops and equipment near the Orsha
railway centre and the second on an enemy crossing over the Orshitsa River.
Later the battery accomplished a series of successful firings against
Rudnay, Smolensk, and Yartsev and caused heavy losses to the enemy. Following
the success of the experimental Battery a further eight were formed during
July and August of 1941.
On
the night of the 22nd of July 1941, the second battery of rocket launchers
left for the Western Front. In the first half of August 1941 three more
rocket-launcher batteries were sent to the Western and Reserve Fronts
as well as a battery to the Southwest Front. On the 6th of September 1941
a tenth rocket-mortar battery arrived at the Western Front.
The fates of the first rocket-artillery batteries were varied. During
1941 three batteries were destroyed fighting in the Smolensk region, while
a further three batteries met similar ends in the battles in front of
Moscow. Two of the batteries continued their successful military operations
on the Western Front and were then reformed into the 42nd separate Guards
Mortar Battalion.
By August, 1941 the production of rocket munitions and launching platforms
had increased. Through the efforts of manufacturers, engineering and technical
staff, and the workers, in a short time the performance of the M-13 combat
vehicles were improved and rocket launchers for firing 82mm projectiles
were designed. These last were intended for ZIS-6 vehicles (36-round launchers)
and T-60 light tanks (24 round-launchers).
In September 1941, in accordance with an order from STAVKA, the first
eight rocket artillery Regiments began to be formed. They were equipped
with BM-13 and BM-8 launchers and consisted of three Battalions, each
of three Batteries, equipped with four launchers in each battery, an anti-aircraft
Battalion, and a support Battalion. The newly formed Regiments were given
Guards status and titled Guards mortar regiments. This underscored the
special importance of the new weapon and special care was taken in selecting
cadres. By the end of the month there were already nine rocket-artillery
regiments active at the fronts, with the first Regiment to be formed being
the 1st Guards Mortar Regiment. In October, 1941 further regiments of
rocket artillery continued to be created. The 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th,
and 14th Guards Mortar Regiments were all formed and sent to the Western
Front.
Nevertheless, the experience of the 1941 summer/fall campaign was that
it was not always possible for a regiment to be used as a concentrated
force. Of the regiments that were organized, only four were employed as
units, and the rest fought as separate battalions on different sectors
of the front. With only a limited number of rocket artillery units available
for heavy defensive fighting against superior enemy forces, it was more
advantageous to disperse them, employing the separate battalions to provide
support on the more critical sectors. Consequently, in response to the
advice of the Western Front's military council, from the second half of
October 1941 separate battalions of rocket artillery began to be formed
and the creation of mortar regiments was curtailed. Thus, from the 26th
of October to 12th of December 1941, 28 separate Guards mortar battalions
were formed, each consisting of two batteries, or eight launchers in a
battalion. Of the first 14 rocket-artillery regiments, 9 were reformed
into separate Guards mortar battalions. These measures permitted an increase
in the number of independent rocket-artillery units, even though the quantity
of combat launchers was the same as before, and provided combat support
to rifle divisions operating in important sectors.
Thus, at the beginning of the 1941/42 winter campaign there were 8 Regiments
and 35 separate Battalions of rocket artillery operating at the fronts.
In addition, operational groups of Guards mortar units were formed as
special command organizations for the direct control of combat operations
and support of rocket-artillery units. They were subordinate to the front
commanders and military councils and consisted of a command group, military
council, staff, and artillery supply dump.
During the winter of 1941/42, operational groups were formed in those
armies, which had greater concentrations of rocket-artillery units. This
was the case on the Northwest, Kalinin, and Western Fronts. As a rule,
these operational groups were headed by the commanders of the rocket-artillery
regiments, which were supporting the army's military operations.
In January 1942 the remaining rocket-artillery battalions at the fronts
began to combine into regiments, each consisting of three battalions with
two batteries each. As before, there were four BM-13 or BM-8 launchers
in a battery. The Battalions in a Regiment had their own supply and support
resources and could operate independently.
Battlefield experience showed that it was necessary to have a more powerful
rocket round capable of destroying fortifications. By June 1942 two fused
rocket shells had been developed. The M-20 132mm round and the M-30 300mm
round. M-20 rounds were usually fired from BM-13 rocket launchers, while
M-30 rounds were launched from specially built frame stands.
In July 1942 the first of thirty independent M-30 Guards mortar battalions
were formed. A heavy rocket-artillery Battalion consisted of three batteries,
each having 32 launching stands. The regiments did not have the means
to reconnoitre or communicate and were short on vehicles, which hampered
the re-supply of ammunition. Because of the large number of launching
frames, it was difficult to select and prepare firing positions. However
they were found to be highly effective and by the end of August, seventy
five M-30 battalions had been formed. This led to the abandonment of the
regimental organization of heavy rocket artillery and subsequently, separate
M-30 Battalions were formed, which consisted of two Batteries with 48
launching frames in each.
