World War II German Super-Heavy Siege Guns

Nonfiction, History, Military, World War II
Cover of the book World War II German Super-Heavy Siege Guns by Marc Romanych, Martin Rupp, Bloomsbury Publishing
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Marc Romanych, Martin Rupp ISBN: 9781472837189
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing Publication: March 19, 2020
Imprint: Osprey Publishing Language: English
Author: Marc Romanych, Martin Rupp
ISBN: 9781472837189
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Publication: March 19, 2020
Imprint: Osprey Publishing
Language: English

As the outbreak of World War II approached, Nazi Germany ordered artillery manufacturers Krupp and Rheimetall-Borsig to build several super-heavy siege guns, vital to smash through French and Belgian fortresses that stood in the way of the Blitzkrieg. These 'secret weapons' were much larger than the siege artillery of World War I and included the largest artillery piece of the war, the massive 80cm railway gun 'schwere Gustav' (Heavy Gustav). However, these complex and massive artillery pieces required years to build and test and, as war drew near, the German High Command hastily brought several WWI-era heavy artillery pieces back into service and then purchased, and later confiscated, a large number of Czech Skoda mortars.

The new super siege guns began entering service in time for the invasion of Russia, notably participating in the attack on the fortress of Brest-Litovsk. The highpoint for the siege artillery was the siege of Sevastopol in the summer of 1942, which saw the largest concentration of siege guns in the war. Afterwards, when Germany was on the defensive in the second half of 1943, the utility of the guns was greatly diminished, and they were employed in a piecemeal and sporadic fashion on both the Eastern and Western Fronts. In total, the German Army used some 50 siege guns during World War II, far more than the thirty-five it had during World War I.

Supported by contemporary photographs and detailed artwork of the guns and their components, this is an essential guide to these guns, exploring their history, development, and deployment in stunning detail.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

As the outbreak of World War II approached, Nazi Germany ordered artillery manufacturers Krupp and Rheimetall-Borsig to build several super-heavy siege guns, vital to smash through French and Belgian fortresses that stood in the way of the Blitzkrieg. These 'secret weapons' were much larger than the siege artillery of World War I and included the largest artillery piece of the war, the massive 80cm railway gun 'schwere Gustav' (Heavy Gustav). However, these complex and massive artillery pieces required years to build and test and, as war drew near, the German High Command hastily brought several WWI-era heavy artillery pieces back into service and then purchased, and later confiscated, a large number of Czech Skoda mortars.

The new super siege guns began entering service in time for the invasion of Russia, notably participating in the attack on the fortress of Brest-Litovsk. The highpoint for the siege artillery was the siege of Sevastopol in the summer of 1942, which saw the largest concentration of siege guns in the war. Afterwards, when Germany was on the defensive in the second half of 1943, the utility of the guns was greatly diminished, and they were employed in a piecemeal and sporadic fashion on both the Eastern and Western Fronts. In total, the German Army used some 50 siege guns during World War II, far more than the thirty-five it had during World War I.

Supported by contemporary photographs and detailed artwork of the guns and their components, this is an essential guide to these guns, exploring their history, development, and deployment in stunning detail.

More books from Bloomsbury Publishing

Cover of the book Sophocles: Antigone by Marc Romanych, Martin Rupp
Cover of the book The US Army in the Vietnam War 1965–73 by Marc Romanych, Martin Rupp
Cover of the book Sufis and Salafis in the Contemporary Age by Marc Romanych, Martin Rupp
Cover of the book Gender and Austerity in Popular Culture by Marc Romanych, Martin Rupp
Cover of the book The Sirens' Feast (Dark Hunter 11) by Marc Romanych, Martin Rupp
Cover of the book The Beauty Queen of Leenane by Marc Romanych, Martin Rupp
Cover of the book Serbia and the Balkan Front, 1914 by Marc Romanych, Martin Rupp
Cover of the book ¿Por qué? 101 Questions About Spanish by Marc Romanych, Martin Rupp
Cover of the book Where the Wild Coffee Grows by Marc Romanych, Martin Rupp
Cover of the book Bite Me by Marc Romanych, Martin Rupp
Cover of the book The Complete Guide to Teaching Exercise to Special Populations by Marc Romanych, Martin Rupp
Cover of the book Public Procurement and Labour Rights by Marc Romanych, Martin Rupp
Cover of the book Campaldino 1289 by Marc Romanych, Martin Rupp
Cover of the book Comparative Studies in Asian and Latin American Philosophies by Marc Romanych, Martin Rupp
Cover of the book IP and Other Things by Marc Romanych, Martin Rupp
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy