Soviet 203-mm howitzer B-4 - Stalin´s sledgehammer

[TuomoKoo]

In Soviet-Finnish war in Karelian Isthmus in Feb.1944, Soviet red army destroyed heavy concrete bunkers of Mannerheim line with a direct fire of 203-mm B-4 howitzer. What was the Soviet method of using direct fire without giving chance to enemy to destroy howizer with an artillery fire? In attached photo there is a Soviet 203-mm B-4 howitzer used in Karelian Isthmus against Mannerheim-line.

[John Hilly]

AFIK those bunkers were empty.

[TuomoKoo]

According to a book "Mannerheim-line 1920 - 39 by Bair Irincheev. 8-inch B-4 howizers were used for open fire to destroy bunkers during combat situation. Pls. check this quote from the book.

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[John Hilly]

In Soviet-Finnish war in Karelian Isthmus in Feb.1944,

1944?

[TuomoKoo]

Thanks for a comment John, the year should be 1940 (Winter war).

[Carl Schwamberger]

In Soviet-Finnish war in Karelian Isthmus in Feb.1944, Soviet red army destroyed heavy concrete bunkers of Mannerheim line with a direct fire of 203-mm B-4 howitzer. What was the Soviet method of using direct fire without giving chance to enemy to destroy howizer with an artillery fire? In attached photo there is a Soviet 203-mm B-4 howitzer used in Karelian Isthmus against Mannerheim-line.
image333-e1544972407166-e.jpg

Odds are against the cannon being 'destroyed', but the crew would suffer. I've run across accounts of German and US Army regimental cannon companies doing the same thing. They were usually 'green' units with little combat experience. Not many examples of veterans using this technique.

[Carl Schwamberger]

AFIK those bunkers were empty.

Would not surprise me. The Finns in the bunkers would be smart to evacuate to other positions a short distance away.

[Orwell1984]

This is a recent book by Tankograd.
On page 33, it does cover operations on the Karelian Isthmus in 1944 when 2 B-4s were used as bunker busters, setting up only 800m away from their target. The unit involved was 4th battery of the 18th Guards Howitzer Brigade under Captain Vedemdenko. Much preparation was done to get the guns into position (distraction with movement in other areas, operating in darkness) 30 rounds were fired in total and the bunker was reported out of action, though later examination showed extensive damage but no penetration.

There is also examination of bunker busting in 1940 and in 1945 at Konigsberg.

[Art]

On page 33, it does cover operations on the Karelian Isthmus in 1944 when 2 B-4s were used as bunker busters, setting up only 800m away from their target. The unit involved was 4th battery of the 18th Guards Howitzer Brigade under Captain Vedemdenko.

That's a known thing (with a necessary amendment that it was actually a Soviet-built bunker captured by Finns in 1941).
But I believe the topic-starter asked about the attack on the Mannerheim Line in 1940.