Russian Siege Artillery at Przemysl 1915

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jerryasher
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Russian Siege Artillery at Przemysl 1915

#1

Post by jerryasher » 22 Jun 2020, 19:34

Were any of the siege guns purchased by Russia from Japan at the end of 1914 considered, allocated, arrive or partake in the later stages of the siege?
As the Russian commander was a veteran of the Russo-Japanese War he would have known of their potential value. I am trying to track down, the sale, shipment and deployment of Japanese siege guns sold to Russia. Many thanks in advance.

GregSingh
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Re: Russian Siege Artillery at Przemysl 1915

#2

Post by GregSingh » 23 Jun 2020, 01:54

According to this source : https://www.labirint.ru/books/437876/, at the end of 1914 Russia received only 12 x 105mm Japanese cannons.
A new contract was signed in 1916 for 120 x 107mm Japanese cannons, by mid 1917 only 73 arrived.

But these were hardly siege guns?

The same source mentions 223, 228, and 305mm English Vickers and 280mm French Schneider. No Japanese heavy artillery.


jerryasher
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Re: Russian Siege Artillery at Przemysl 1915

#3

Post by jerryasher » 23 Jun 2020, 02:27

Thank you Greg: If not a wild goose chase--this is one of the mysteries that is truly elusive. I have seen ( I think) a photo of what is purported to be such weapons in European Russia and have a citation of Japanese artillery specialists in Russia in March 1915. But--even Taki, (who is my guru in all things Japanese artillery) skips Heavy Siege Artillery Bn's 1,2,and 3 at Tingstau(Qingdao). However he was able to fill in the return of some of the guns to Japan in December 1914 and January 1915. Surprisingly just came across an American newspaper article about sale of 18 artillery pieces and tractors to Russia in 1914 that I never heard of before. Thank you for your effort.

GregSingh
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Re: Russian Siege Artillery at Przemysl 1915

#4

Post by GregSingh » 23 Jun 2020, 02:57

You might be onto something.
This source (table 5) mentions 200mm Japanese howitzers (5 arrived in 1915)
http://militera.lib.ru/h/barsukov_ez2/07.html

Nice photos in Japanese and Russian service.
http://fortoved.ru/forum/index.php?t=ms ... d9af6fe13a
Coincidentally Japanese photo was apparently taken during Tsingtau 1914 operation.

No confirmation that of any of these were used in 1915 siege of Przemysl.

jerryasher
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Re: Russian Siege Artillery at Przemysl 1915

#5

Post by jerryasher » 23 Jun 2020, 04:14

Thanks Greg.

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