Obice da 149/19 modello 37

Obice da 149/19 modello 37

A howitzer covered with snow in the Dolomite Alps
Type Heavy howitzer
Place of origin Italy
Service history
In service 1939-1951
Used by  Italy
Wars World War II
Production history
Designed 1930-1939
Manufacturer Oto, Ansaldo
Produced 1939?-1945
Specifications
Weight 5,500 kilograms (12,100 lb)
Barrel length 3.034 metres (9 ft 11 in) L/20.4

Shell 42.55 kilograms (93.8 lb)
Caliber 149.1 mm (5.87 in)
Carriage split trail
Elevation +5° to +60°
Traverse 50°
Muzzle velocity 597 m/s (1,959 ft/s)
Maximum firing range 14,250 metres (15,580 yd)

The Obice da 149/19 modello 37 was a heavy howitzer which served with Italy during World War II. It was intended to replace Italy's assortment of World War I-era heavy howitzers, but this was prevented by the prolonged development time and the very slow pace of production. Despite orders totaling 1392 weapons only 147 had been built by September 1942. There were three models, the 37, 41 and 42, differing only in details. The standard tractor was the Trattore SPA TM 40. While an unremarkable design the Germans liked it enough to keep it in production with the designation of 15 cm sFH 404(i) after the Italian surrender in 1943. With the same weight it had superior range compared to the German 15 cm sFH 18. It was used by the Italian army until 1974.

References

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