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SURVIVING GUN FILE (# 1120)
Version française

Austro-Hungaria

24cm Minenwerfer M16

Trench artillery

Contributor :
Massimo (Flickr) Foti     
     
     
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Location :
Austria
Vienna
Heeresgeschichtliches Museum
Coordinates : Lat : 48.18600 / Long : 16.38810
General comments on this surviving gun :


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

View on the rotating platform

The tube and the elevation mechanism are real copies of the French model. The base shows some differences


Historic and technical information
Denomination :     24cm MW M16 Origin :       ( Böhler)             ( Skoda )             ( Industrie privée Austro-Hongroise )

Historic context :

The range of the Austro-Hungarian 22.5cm M15 heavy mortars was only 800 m, and was found insufficient by the fighting units. This handicap became intolerable when the same units found themselves shelled by the devastating French 240 mm LT Dumézil-Batignolles mortars used by the Italian Army,

Just like Germany, Austro-Hungaria therefore decided to copy this weapon (that was also used by USA and Great-Britain) on the basis of some items captured during the South Tyrol offensive in 1916. This task was given to several available producers, including Skoda and Böhler.

The resulting '24cm M16 MW' seemed undifferentiated from its French model. As this latter, it fired fin-tailed bombs loaded from the muzzle of its smooth bore barrel. The dispersion of its fire, thought to be caused by an improper propelling powder, somehow was a disappointment though, although it has never been stated whether the corresponding allied weapons were giving better performances. The manufacturing of the 500 items ordered was stopped consequently and the priority given to the new Skoda 26cm M17 minenwerfer, but about 400 24cm mortars had been produced sent to the armies already.

Technical data :

  • Complete description : 24cm heavy trench mortar M 1916
  • Design year : 1916
  • Calibre : 240.00 mm
  • Weight in firing position : 1000 kg
  • Weight for transportation :
  • Tube length in calibres : 0.00 unknown
  • Grooves : 0 smooth bore
  • Projectile weight : inconnu
  • Initial speed :
  • Fire rate :
  • Range : 1600 m
  • Elevation range : 45 to 75 degrees
  • Direction range :


Sources