10.5 cm sK 18

[Manuferey]

It is actually 10,5cm but was officially designated 10cm?

Yes, the actual caliber of the s.10 cm K18 was 105 mm (4.14 in.).

It was already that way in WW1 with the Germans' 10 cm Kanonen (e.g. K14, K17 & K17/04) and originates from the 10,5 cm naval gun caliber.

An interesting designation was for the following WW1 naval gun mounted on a wheel carriage:
10,5-cm Kanone L/35 in Räderlafette = s.10-cm Kanone

Emmanuel

[Sturm78]

Hi all,

A small image of the special version of the 10.5cm sK18 in service with Bulgarian Army (with different mot. limber and narrower main wheels):

See also http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic. ... 5&start=15 and http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic. ... 5&start=30

Any information about this variant?

Image from Ebay
Sturm78

[Sturm78]

Noboy for my last image ??

Well, here an interesting image of an 10.5cm K18 gun in fire position.... on a ship.

Image from EBay
Sturm78

[SASH155]

Noboy for my last image ??

Well, here an interesting image of an 10.5cm K18 gun in fire position.... on a ship.

Image from EBay
Sturm78

I am not sure of the reason for the narrower wheels and tires on the s 10cm K-18 used by the Bulgarians, but here is a possibility... narrowness of Bulgarian roads and bridges, or perhaps less need for a low ground pressure either in action or on the move? It would seem that photos I have seen of Turkish sK-18s show the same type of narrow carriage wheels. The limber is unusual indeed, and matches nothing else I have seen. The semi-track tractor is the 5 ton SdKfz-6, which was just barely adequate to tow these guns (they were used on occasion in the Wehrmacht to tow 15cm sFH-18s too).

[Sturm78]

Thank you for your answer, SASH155.

I think Bulgaria (and probably Turkey, although I have not seen almost no picture of this gun in service with the Turkish army) used a special variant of 10.5cm K18 and 15cm sFH18, designed to be transported (mot.) in two different loads (although could also be transported on a single load)

See http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic. ... 5&start=15

Regards Sturm78

[SASH155]

I have a few copies from a Turkish book on their artillery, which I believe is entitled "Tamid Tothian" and one of the photos is of an s 10cm K-18 in Turkish service.

[Sturm78]

Hi all,

Despite being an obvious candidate to be used as a coastal defense gun (for his performance in range) I have only found this picture of a 10.5cm sK18 gun used in this role.

Does anyone know the coastal artillery units that used this gun and where?
Also appreciate some more pictures of this gun in this role.

Thanks in advance. Sturm78

[Manuferey]

Here are two pictures of s.10 cm K18 on the Atlantikwall posted on a French forum. No location identified.


http://atlantikwall.superforum.fr/t6953 ... erie#79538


http://atlantikwall.superforum.fr/t7478 ... +10+cm+K18

Note that several coastal batteries that were originally armed with s.10 cm K18 were later rearmed with 15,5 cm K420(f) in early 1942.

Emmanuel

[Sturm78]

Thank you for your answer, Emmanuel.

Regards Sturm78

[na4222]

Noboy for my last image ??

Well, here an interesting image of an 10.5cm K18 gun in fire position.... on a ship.

Image from EBay
Sturm78

Guys,

Going back to Sturm78's post, I have doubts as to whether this is indeed a standard 10cm Kanone 18. If you look at the barrel you will notice that it tapers downs markedly at two points, while a standard 10cm Kanone 18's barrel would taper down markedly only once.

Would love to know your thoughts.

Best,

Nezar

[na4222]

Just to illustrate my point:

[nuyt]

You could be on to something, maybe this is the K18/40 ?

[john_g_kearney]

Any thoughts please on whether this is a 10.5 cm sK 18 or a 15 cm sFH 18?

John.

[na4222]

You could be on to something, maybe this is the K18/40 ?

Dear Nuyt,

Perhaps you are right, but I have no idea how we can find out for sure as there do not seem to be any photos of the K18/40.

Best,

Nezar

[tigre]

Hello to all ; a little complement.................

s 10.0cm K 18.

When the sK 18 first entered service in the German Army, it was not motorized yet so the guns had to be pulled by horses teams. But the gun weighed too much for one horse team therefore the barrel and the carriage had to be towed as separate loads. Unlike the sFH 18, however, the K 18 was considered too large to be horse-drawn, and was therefore not found in the standard German infantry division until the divisional artillery regiments began motorizing in the middle of the war. By 1938 the 10 cm sK 18 batteries of the horse-drawn heavy groups were replaced by 15 cm heavy howitzers sFH 18. The artillery groups were now "purebred".

In contrast, the artillery regiments of the panzer and motorized (later panzergrenadier) divisions had been motorized from the outset, and one battery of the heavy battalion of these regiments was equipped with four K 18 cannons for most of the war. The sK 18 was intended to be used mostly in counter-battery role; besides due to its large range it was more suitable to furnish fire support for the motorized/mechanized advance guards organized in this type of units (motorized/armored divisions).

Sources: Sources: http://www.angelraybooks.com/diewehrmacht/index.htm offline
http://www.odkrywca.pl

Cheers. Raúl M .