french railway gun

[ALVF]

Hello,

Concerning the image of a 370 modèle 1915 howitzer, it is a WW1 photograph on a german firing range.
The germans captured four 370 mle 1915 howitzers during the 27th May 1918 attack (France had 8 howitzers of this model in 1918).
These four howitzers were stationed on two railway-sidings behind the front of Aisne ("garages de concentration") and their crews and officers were building ALVF positions at east of Reims, far away of their guns (more 100 km!). The 27th May 1918, the guns were without crews except for some men to guard them!
The germans do not use these guns because no ammunition were present in the railway-sidings, so only very few 370 shells were disposal for german use.
It is probable that one howitzer was destroyed during a test (perhaps some time after the photograph was taken).
In june 1919, the germans returned to France three 370 modèle 1915 howitzers in a good state.
So, from 1919 to 1940, France had 7 howitzers modèle 1915.
In june 1940, these howitzers were not yet mobilized. After refurbishing of the howitzers, two batteries were in formation since mars 1940 but not fully ready and the howitzers were stationed in Neuvy-Pailloux near Issoudun in central France ("Centre d'organisation de l'ALVF").
Yours sincerely,
Guy François.

[Sturm78]

Uwe wrote
at Nov. 29th 1944 there were a total of 11 x 27,4 cm K. 592 (f) in german hand

3 x at Feldheer
2 x at OKW use (think this means at OKW Kriegsschauplatz/ OKW-theatre of war)
6 x Feldzeugbestand - from that 4 x ready for use and 2 in maintenance

it was ordered to produce 500 shots a month

Thanks for the information, Uwe

Regards
Sturm78

[Sturm78]

Hi all,

Two images from Ebay

Image 1: ?? Somebody ?
Image 2: I think an 274mm Mle 1917

Sturm78

[Sturm78]

Hi all,

Is this railgun an 320mm Mle 1917 ??

Image from Ebay
Sturm78

[ALVF]

Hello,

Yes, it is a 320 modèle 1917 (rebored tube of 305 modèle 1893-96) on Schneider sliding mount.
Key points for identification:
-2X6 boggies.
-large "frette de bouche" of the tube.
Yours sincerely,
Guy François.

[Sturm78]

Thanks, Guy François.

Regards
Sturm78

[Bill355]

Hello Gents,

I Have a Question that I’ve tried my best to research but can’t seem to find a clear answer. Which gun did the Germans use to fire the 34cm Rochling shells (34 cm Rö. Gr. 42 Be.)? The two possibilities are below:

1. 34cm K-Gl-(E) 673(f) - 34 cm Kanone (Eisenbahn) in Gleitlafette 673(f) Canon de 340 modèle 1912 à glissement
2. 34cm K-W-(E) 674(f) - 34 cm Kanone (Eisenbahn) in Wiegenlafette 674(f) Canon de 340 modèle 1912 à berceau

It seems most sources call out number 2 but then I saw a French site: https://derelicta.pagesperso-orange.fr/aubin.htm that seems to indicate it may have actually been number 1. Does anyone know or could point me in the right direction? Many thanks!

Bill

[Sturm78]

Hi all,

An image from Ebay: 340mm Mle 1912 Schneider

Sturm78

[ALVF]

Hello,

An interesting photograph: the "320 mm modèle 70-30 sur affût à glissement Schneider AT 3027" photographied in 1948 or 1949 in "Fonderie Nationale de Ruelle".
The gun had the Reichsbahn Nr 929353 and the breech aera had been self blasted.
A brief story of this gun:
-1916 built in Schneider works with a 32 cm modèle 1870-84 coast gun of 1889, the mount is P 3027 ("P" for "Pièce").
-first engagement in the Somme offensive of july 1th 1916 with the "2e Groupe de 32" of 4 guns.
-many engagements in 1917-1918 in the "1ère Batterie du 77e RALGP" (Régiment d'Artillerie Lourde à Grande Puissance).
-in 1930, the gun is transformed in 320 mm modèle 70-30 (enlarged chamber, rifling "rajeuni"), the mount is AT 3027 ("AT" for "Affût-Truck").
-1940: with the "7e Batterie du 373e RALVF" (Régiment d'Artillerie Lourde sur Voie Ferrée). The 11th and 12th Juni 1940, battery fired many 320 mm shells on Binzen and Haltingen towns in Germany from the "épis de Steinsoultz".
-the juni 13th and 14th the battery retreat to Bayonne near the spanish border.
-after the "armistice" the guns are send in Germany.

I do not know the use of the gun by germans, perhaps in Italy ( similar guns Nr 929351 and Nr 929352 were in Italy at Vigevano in 1945).

320 70-84 3027 929353.jpg

Note: the 38 cm SKC/34 Railway gun "Gneisenau" is in the backround.
Yours sincerely,
Guy François.

[jopaerya]

The 340/240 mm LP on "affût à glissement Schneider" at St Pierre de Quiberon from Ebay , Regards Jos

[ALVF]

Hello Jos,

The photograph is not taken at Saint-Pierre-Quiberon but at Bourges (ABS, Atelier de Bourges).
The gun is not a 340/240 LP but the "240 modèle 1918 sur affût à tour d'horizon". The gun was built by Saint-Chamond and, when Saint-Chamond was purchased by Schneider in 1924, the gun is finished by Schneider.
The materiel had two tubes, the first n° 1 is rifled to 5° 30' (range 52.900 m, limited in service to 48.000 m) the second tube n° 2 was rifled to 7° and the range was more 50.000 m with "obus A.FO modèle 1928".
The gun is self blasted on 17 juni 1940 at Bourges.
Yours sincerely,
Guy François.

[jopaerya]

Thanks for the correction ALVF

[Sturm78]

Hi all,

A captured 340mm Mle 1912 (St. Chamond )

Image from Ebay
Sturm78

[Sturm78]

Hi all,

The breech block of a French railway gun. I think probably an 274mm Mle 1917 gun

Image from Ebay
Sturm78

[ALVF]

Hello,

It is not a 274 mm modèle 1917 breech block which is very different. This one is from 274 mm modèle 1917 gun R 1918 n° 16:

01a-274 mle 1917.jpg

On the above photograph, we see an important rectangular "contrepoids de culasse" (counterweight). It is from a 340 mm modèle 1912.
Yours sincerely,
Guy François.