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SURVIVING GUN FILE (# 1002)
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Germany

7.7cm Infanteriegeschütze L/27

Light artillery

Contributor :
Michael6367      http://www.doughboysofnyc.com/
Charlie Clelland     
     
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Location :
USA
St Thomaston, CT
Park
Coordinates : Lat : 41.67360 / Long : -73.07220
General comments on this surviving gun :


Identical items in the same location : 1
Items covered by this file : 1

Front view with the modified wheels

Rear view showing the lowered profile

Another rear view showing the lowered profile


Historic and technical information
Denomination :     7.7cm Infanteriegeschütze L/27 Origin :       ( Krupp)          

Historic context :

In his study conducted during the war, Colonel Bruchmüller outlined the need to provide frontline infantry with available and powerful field guns for close-range defense and mobile enough to accompany attacks. These guns had to remain camouflaged and silent during barrage or preparation fire to conceal their position and not rely on often disrupted communication with artillery units behind the lines.

Several types of guns were assigned this role, initially based on the existing 7.7 FK 96 n/A field guns and later specifically designed for the mission. After a disappointing trial of a model with a shortened barrel of 20 calibers, the '7.7 cm InfanterieGeschütze L/27 Krupp' ('Infantry Gun') emerged. Over 100 were produced in 1916 to equip 18 batteries of 6 guns at the beginning of 1917, with an additional 50 arriving on the front in 1918.

The 7.7 cm InfanterieGeschütze L/27 Krupp was a significant evolution of the standard German field gun 7.7cm FK96 n/A, with changes made to lower its profile and decrease its weight from 925 to 845 kg. These changes included :

  • smaller diameter wheels (1 m) and a reduced wheelbase of 30 cm, similar to the 7.7cm NahKampfKanone (NKK).
  • the barrel axis was moved 30 cm forward in front of the wheel axis, requiring counterweights at the back
  • the shield was made narrower and designed to be easily removable, without a lower part
  • a new system for an easier gun tube dismounting
  • modified firing seats

The gun could be dismantled into two separate loads for transportation. However, due to its still heavy weight, it still required a team of four horses for mobility. As its ballistic performance was superior to the actual need for close-range fire, it would gradually be replaced by much lighter, more maneuverable infantry or mountain guns with shorter barrel lengths.

Technical data :

  • Complete description : 7.7cm L/27 Infantry Gun
  • Design year : 1916
  • Calibre : 77.00 mm
  • Weight in firing position : 845 kg
  • Weight for transportation : Idem - two separate loads for easier transportation
  • Tube length in calibres : 26.90 (total tube length)
  • Grooves : 32 (progressive angle)
  • Projectile weight : 6.85 kg
  • Initial speed : 465 m/s
  • Fire rate :
  • Range : 7800 m to 8300 m
  • Elevation range : -13 / +15 degrees
  • Direction range : 4 degrees total range


Sources
  • German Artillery of World War One           Herbert Jager                   Crowood   2001  
  • Wikipedia http://fr.wikipedia.org/                           
  • Landships II http://www.landships.info/