Published on
August 29, 2010 in
German.
The German 8.8 cm A.P.C.B.C., H.E. ammunition consists of an armor-piercing capped projectile of conventional design, crimped in a primed brass cartridge case. The projectile is loaded with a TNT bursting charge and fuzed with a base-detonating fuze containing a tracer. The brass cartridge case holds a double base, single-perforated propelling charge with a nitrocellulose powder igniter and a short percussion type primer.
The projectile as fired weighs 20.71 pounds. Both the projectile body and the armor-piercing cap are made of steel. The cap is soldered to the body, and a sheet steel windshield is attached to the cap by a series of spot welds. The large fuze body occupies a considerable part of the explosive cavity which is comparatively large for an armor-piercing projectile. The weight of the explosive charge is approximately 1.8% of the total weight of the projectile. The bursting charge is contained in an aluminum case conforming to the contour of the cavity except that the forward end is flat. A molded plastic button which conforms to the contour of the cavity is located between the front of the charge case and the small forward end of the cavity. This button acts as a cushion for the charge upon impact of the projectile on the target. A tar-like compound fills the space between the projectile walls and the aluminum charge case to prevent the case from slipping upon rotation of the projectile.
The pressed bursting charge has 5.5% wax blended with it. The base fuze has a steel body with a threaded extension at the base end to receive a tracer assembly.
The fuze has a slight delay and arms on centrifugal force.
SPECIFICATIONS
| Type of ammunition |
|
A.P.C.B.C., H.E. |
| Weight of complete round |
|
32.74 lb. |
| Weight of projectile |
|
20.71 lb. |
| Weight of bursting charge |
|
37 lb. (1.8% of wt. of proj.) |
| Weight of propellant |
|
2,471 grams |
| Weight of fuze with tracer and detonator assembly |
|
2.18 lb. |
German: p. 308
Published on
August 29, 2010 in
German.
This type of mine is composed of fewer parts, is simpler in construction, and more easily assembled than types 1, 2, and 3. It also appears to be less susceptible to sympathetic detonation than the three other types.
It has the usual Tellermine contour, but no cover is provided, necessitating a rubber seal and a pressure spring. The top of the mine is covered by a “mushroom” head pressure plate which screws into the fuze cavity. This head is made of two thin pieces of pressed steel formed into a hollow shell about 7.5 inches in diameter and about 1 inch thick.
The mine has an aperture in its base and one in its sidewall in which either a pull or tension igniter can be used.
The fuze for the mine is very simple in operation, and consists of a shear pin and a spring-loaded firing-pin. When sufficient pressure is exerted on the mushroom head, the shear pin is broken off and the spring-loaded firing-pin plunges into the fuze primer, setting off the detonator. The detonator ignites the penthrite booster which, in turn, sets off the main charge of amatol.
This fuze, which is also used in types 2 and 3 German Tellermine, is dropped into the fuze cavity rather than screwed in as in the case of the type 1 Tellermine.
SPECIFICATIONS
| Diameter |
|
11.29 ins. |
| Weight |
|
18 lb., 1.5 oz. |
| Bursting charge |
|
Amatol |
| Bursting charge weight |
|
10 lb., 6.94 oz. |
German: p. 304
Published on
August 29, 2010 in
German.
The design of the third type of Tellermine does not differ greatly from that of the other two models. It is distinguished by the radial flutings on the upper face (a), which extend to the edge of the surface. On the underside of this pressure plate (a) is a flat strengthening ring (b), spot-welded to the plate.
The ring (c) is secured to the body of the mine (d) by a number of punches. This ring retains the pressure plate in position against the spring (b). The rubber seal (i) between the body of the mine and the pressure plate protects the operating mechanism against moisture and dust.
The mine body and the base (f) are similar in construction to the type 1 T. Mi. 35, type 1 having an adapter to take an additional side igniter, which is located diametrically opposite the handle, and type 3 having an adapter for the base igniter. In the case of type 3, the igniter is screwed down until it rests on the rim of the socket (h), and the screw plug (g) is then not required.
The design for the mine appears to be a compromise between the Tellermine No. 1 and the Tellermine No. 2. In the former the whole of the mine cover forms the pressure plate and the mine is known to be subject to blast effects. The smaller area of the pressure plate in Tellermine No. 2 reduced the susceptibility of the mine to blast but at the same time reduced the available area for operating the mine.
SPECIFICATIONS
| Diameter |
|
12.75 ins. |
| Height |
|
3.21 ins. |
| Weight |
|
21.50 lb. |
| Bursting charge |
|
66-34 Amatol |
| weight |
|
13.9 lb. |
| Booster pellets |
|
3 PETN |
German: p. 303
Published on
August 29, 2010 in
German.
The type 2 Tellermine consists of a flat, circular steel bottom, a steel body having a cylindrical sidewall, and a slightly dome-shaped top with a centrally located well approximately 6.9 inches in diameter. A fluted pressure top is fitted into the well. The silhouette of this mine differs from those of types 1 and 3 principally in that the central pressure top with the fuze well cover extends above the surface of the rest of the body. The mine also contains two other detonator wells, one in the side of the body and one in the bottom.
The igniter body is cylindrical in form and is approximately 1.5 inches long and .81 inch in diameter. The firing-pin head extends above the surface of the body, is hemispherical in shape, and is supported by a heavy shear pin which rests on the upper surface of the body. The lower end has a threaded extension over which a thin metal cap containing a paper disk is screwed. This cap is used as a protection for the primer and, with the paper disk removed, as a means for holding the detonator against the igniter prior to assembly in the mine.
A bursting charge of 10.75 pounds of cast TNT is used. Three PETN booster pellets are imbedded in the bursting charge, one around each detonating well.
SPECIFICATIONS
| Diameter | | 12.7 ins. |
| Height | | 4.00 ins. |
| Weight | | 18.36 lb. |
| Bursting charge | | Cast TNT or 50/50 Amatol |
| Bursting charge weight | | 10.75 lb. |
| Booster pellets | | 3 PETN |
German: p. 302
Published on
August 29, 2010 in
German.
There are two models of the type 1 Teller Land Mine. Both types, which are painted olive drab, consist of a flat, circular bottom plate, a steel dome-shaped body which contains the bursting charge, an aluminum retaining ring into which a rubber sealing ring is assembled, and a cast aluminum top, also slightly dome-shaped. A formed iron wire handle is attached to the side wall by welded steel straps.
The bursting charge is initiated by action of the pressure igniter which is screwed into the well cup in the top of the mine. This igniter is cylindrical in form, 2.3 inches long, and 1.625 inches in diameter. A heavy compression spring, located inside the well, is held in position by a forward lip on the underside of the top of the mine. Two other well cups, one through the sidewall and one through the bottom plate, are provided for use when auxiliary pull-type igniters are assembled. On the body cover, concentric with a brass setting screw, are stamped two arrows, one pointing to the “Scharf” (armed) marking, and the other to the “Sicher” (safe) marking. A red spot .1 inch in diameter on the head of the setting screw is used to aline the setting mechanism with the index marks.
The only difference between type 1a and type 1b is in the loading of the bursting charge. Type 1a contains a 10.55 pound charge of pressed TNT; type 1b contains an 11.41 pound charge of cast TNT and three large PETN booster pellets imbedded in the bursting charge. Each pellet has a cavity into which a detonator well is assembled.
SPECIFICATIONS
| |
| Type 1a |
| Type 1b |
| Diameter |
| 12.75 ins. |
| 12.75 ins. |
| Height |
| 3.50 ins. |
| 3.25 ins. |
| Weight |
| 19.25 lb. |
| 21.20 lb. |
| Bursting charge |
| Pressed TNT |
| Cast TNT |
| Bursting charge weight |
| 10.55 lb. |
| 11.41 lb. |
| Booster pellets |
| |
| 3 PETN |
German: p. 301
Published on
August 28, 2010 in
German.
The 7.5 cm Pak 97/38, introduced by Germany in 1942, consists of the 7.5 cm French Model ’97 equipment which was modified in 1940 as an antitank gun, and the German 5 cm Pak 38 carriage. The built-up tube, to which a Solothurn type perforated muzzle brake is fitted, has four hoops sweated on for additional strength.
The breechblock is the Nordenfeld eccentric screw type commonly used in the French 75 mm tube. The high-pressure, hydropneumatic recoil mechanism contains a floating piston with nitrogen gas in the recuperator cylinder which brings the gun back into battery. The recoil cylinder is of smaller diameter and contains the piston rod which recoils with the tube and forces the recoil oil into the recuperator cylinder where throttling checks the rearward movement of the tube.
The elevating and traversing mechanisms are located on the top carriage; the elevating handwheel is slightly in front of and to the left of the traversing handwheel. There is a single hydropneumatic equilibrator at the right trunnion. The protecting armor consists of two sheets of 4 mm steel plate curved to envelop the front of the weapon. Below the spaced armor is an 8 mm hinged apron. There is also a small shield above the apron that moves with the tube in elevation.
The sighting gear, which is the same as that used with the 5 cm Pak 38, is situated on an arm and bracket which move with the left trunnion. An opening in the shield allows vision for sighting instruments.
The low-slung, light-weight carriage has relatively short split trails of tubular steel. The wheels are of small diameter spokes made of compressed steel and entirely covered with buna rubber tires 4 inches wide. They are independently mounted to absorb traveling shock by free wheeling action. When the trails are spread, however, the free wheel movement is locked by a bracket so the gun will not bounce on firing. A third wheel supports the rear of the trails for transportation.
SPECIFICATIONS
| Caliber |
|
75 mm (2.95 ins.) |
| Weight (complete) |
|
2,870 lb. |
| Length of tube & breech ring |
|
8.8 ft. |
| Length (overall) |
|
15 ft. |
| Breech mechanism |
|
Eccentric screw |
| Firing mechanism |
|
Percussion hammer |
| Recoil mechanism |
|
Hydropneumatic |
| Rifling |
|
20 lands and grooves; R.H. twist |
| Muzzle velocity (reported) |
|
2,100 f/s |
| Elevation |
|
18° |
| Depression |
|
10° |
| Traverse |
|
60° |
| Ammunition |
|
H.E.; A.P.-H.E.; Hollow charge
Also some Polish types of ammunition |
| Penetration |
|
60 mm @ 900 yds., 30° |
German: p. 121
Published on
July 30, 2010 in
German.
The original 7.62 cm Pak 36, a Russian weapon, was captured by the Nazis and modified to increase the velocity. The built-up tube was rebored to seat a longer cartrige case, and a two-baffled muzzle brake added to cut down recoil energy. The breech mechanism is of the vertical sliding type, and the firing mechanism of the continuous pull type. The breech ring has been bored to seat a safety lock which holds the firing mechanism in a safe or firing position. A firing lever attached to the left side of the cradle enables the gunner to traverse as well as fire the piece. The elevating handwheel is generally situated on the right side of the cradle. Two puller type equilibrators located under the front of the cradle and attached to the rear by chains compensate for muzzle preponderance.
The carriage is of welded steel construction with synthetic filled pneumatic tires and split trails, which can be spread to an angle of 60 ° for firing. The hydropneumatic recoil system consists of two cylinders, one for recoil and the other for counterrecoil. This model is semi-automatic in operation.
The weapon is reported to use the following types of ammunition: A.P.C.; H.E. A sight bracket is attached to the left of the trunnion, and the German range indicator is graduated for the types of ammunition mentioned above.
SPECIFICATIONS
| Caliber |
|
76.2 mm (3 ins.) |
| Weight (complete) |
|
3,564 lb. |
| Length of gun (overall) |
|
23 ft., 5 ins. |
| Length of tube |
|
12 ft., 1 in. |
| Carriage |
|
Steel split trails with rubber tires |
| Breech mechanism |
|
Vertical sliding block |
| Firing mechanism |
|
Continuous pull |
| Recoil mechanism |
|
Hydropneumatic |
| Rifling |
|
32 lands & grooves; R.H. twist |
| Elevation |
|
72° |
| Depression |
|
-4° |
| Traverse |
|
27° right; 30° left |
| Penetration |
| Range |
| Thickness of armor in mm |
| Yards | | 30° | | Normal |
| P.B. |
|
4.1 |
|
5.2 |
| 500 |
|
3.7 |
|
4.6 |
| 1000 |
|
3.2 |
|
4.1 |
| 1500 |
|
2.9 |
|
3.6 |
| 2000 |
|
2.5 |
|
3.1 |
| 2500 |
|
2.2 |
|
2.8 |
|
| M.V. |
|
2430 f/s |
| Wt. of shell |
|
16.7 lb. |
German: p. 116
Published on
July 30, 2010 in
German.
This gun, recently captured in Sicily, has the general simplicity of design characteristic of most Russian weapons. This was formerly a Russian piece, modified by the Germans to use Pak 36 (r) ammunition. The tube which is provided with a jacket is shorter than the Russian 7.62 cm F.K. 36, and is fitted with a double baffled muzzle brake, similar to that used on the 7.5 cm Pak 40. The breechblock is of the vertical falling block type, and appears to be wholly hand operated.
The buffer is located inside the cradle, whereas the recuperator is mounted above the piece. On recoil, the recuperator cylinder moves with the barrel, the piston rod being attached to the upper end of the bracket which is secured to the forward end of the cradle.
Sighting gear consists of a range drum (calibrated for use with Pz. Gr. 40 and Pz. Gr. 39 ammunition) and dial sight carrier mounted on the left trunnion. There appears to be no provision for a telescopic antitank sight.
Traversing and elevating mechanisms are operated by handwheels on the left and right hand sides of the gun.
The weapon is mounted on a crosshead consisting of a short hollow rectangular shaft provided with bearings at either end for the trail heads. The split trails, constructed from rectangular girders, are operated by traversing handles secured to each trail end. Wheels are disk type with pneumatic type tires filled with synthetic.
The shield is a single flat sheet of metal cut away at the lower corners for the wheels. The top is curved upward to the center where there is a sliding center piece over the barrel. A rectangular sighting aperture with sliding cover is cut out on the left hand side in front of the dial sight carrier.
SPECIFICATIONS
| Caliber |
|
76.2 mm |
| Length (overall with muzzle brake) |
|
11.4 ft. |
| Length of barrel (including breech ring) |
|
10.4 ft. |
| Length of barrel |
|
299 cm (9.8 ft.) |
| Rifling |
|
32 lands and grooves; R.H. twist |
| Length of rifling |
|
215 cm (7.05 ft.) |
| Max. range |
|
14,216 yds. |
| Wt. in action |
|
3,535 lb. |
German: p. 115
Published on
July 24, 2010 in
German.
This fixed round of ammunition is fired from the old model of German 5 cm short-barrel tank gun. The projectile has a plastic needlepoint ballistic cap, a mild steel projectile body, a tungsten carbide core, and a tracer. The cartridge case contains a propelling charge of diethylene glycol dinitrate tubular stick powder, and a charge of nitrocellulose granular igniter powder. An electric primer containing a quickmatch and black powder charge is also used.
The center of the projectile body is trimmed down, lightening the round and giving the ammunition an extremely high muzzle velocity. Armor-penetrating qualities are very good, but can be used only for short ranges due to the instability of the projectile in flight. On impact with armor plate, the plastic ballistic cap shatters and the tungsten carbide core is the only part that penetrates.
The projecile is unusual in that the forward bearing surface acts as the rotating band, and the rear bearing surface as the bourrelet. The rear bearing surface is in two parts, due to the crimping groove dividing it.
SPECIFICATIONS
| Weight of complete round |
|
5 lb., 3 oz. |
| Weight of projectile as fired |
|
1 lb., 15.86 oz. |
| Weight of tracer composition (kind not known) |
|
0.12 oz. |
| Weight of primer composition (quickmatch and black powder) |
|
0.07 oz. |
| Weight of igniting charge (nitrocellulose granular) |
|
0.45 oz. |
| Weight of propellant |
|
1 lb., 2.69 oz. |
| Length of complete round (overall) |
|
14.480 ins. |
| Length of projectile w/tracer cup |
|
5.75 ins. |
| Length of cartridge case |
|
11.342 ins. |
| Diameter of bourrelet |
|
1.950 ins. |
| Diameter of rotating band |
|
2.269 ins. |
| Diameter of body midway of projectile |
|
1.258 ins. |
German: p. 307
Published on
July 24, 2010 in
German.
This deadly device is a hollow charge finned bomb for use on the 37 mm German Pak. It is believed that this type of ammunition was developed for the purpose of making this obsolescent gun more effective for antitank use.
The stick bomb which is made of pressed steel has a steel rod which fits into the bore and a perforated sleeve which fits around the barrel of the gun. The hollow charge is at the rear of the steel cup (or cone) and consists of two blocks of TNT with cyclonite. A nose fuze of the instantaneous percussion type and an instantaneous tail fuze are used. The nose fuze is used for impact against armor and the tail fuze is for graze action. Both fuzes arm on setback. The propelling cartridge consists of a steel case and is charged with tubular stick powder, an igniting charge of granular powder, and a percussion type primer.
Twenty-nine of these grenades were tested at Aberdeen. One was statically detonated against the face of 7-inch homogeneous armor plate. It penetrated completely, leaving a hole 2 1/8 inches wide at the face and 1 1/8 inches at the rear. The other rounds were fired from a German 37 mm A.T. gun for which they were designed. Range was found to be 203 yards at 5° elevation and 857 yards at 25° elevation. Accuracy was hard to determine because of the inexperienced gun crew.
SPECIFICATIONS
| Caliber of rod | | 37 mm |
| Weight of grenade as fired | | 18 lb., 12 oz. |
| Weight of burster | | 5 lb., 5 oz. |
| Weight of propelling cartridge | | 1 lb., 6 oz. |
| Overall length of round | | 29 1/8 ins. |
| Diameter of projectile body | | 6 1/4 ins. |
| Types of fuze | | 1—P. D. Instantaneous
2—B. D. Instantaneous |
| Average velocity | | 350 f/s |
| Average pressure | | 18,600 p.s.i. |
| Range |
| 5° elevation | | 203 yds. |
| 25° elevation | | 857 yds. |
German: p. 306
