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Osprey New Vanguard #280
World War II German Super-Heavy Siege Guns
This is a new history of Germany's powerful super-heavy siege artillery of World War II, which were designed to smash the most formidable fortresses on the Western and Eastern fronts.
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 was 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.
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 was 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.
48 pages, Paperback
First published July 23, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
February 2, 2021
I think I was as disappointed in the book 'World War II German Super-heavy Siege Guns' as the German generals were in the guns themselves. I consider myself a connoisseur of the books in this series and while a lot of information is provided as to when, where, and how these guns came into use, I have found other books more to my liking. It wasn't a bad book; a lot of research went into this. It just wasn't, what's the word, ... exciting. I suppose it is a good place to start if you are researching the topic, and there are a lot of cool pictures and art work. The problem was I found myself dozing off reading the same paragraph over and over.
If you don't know anything about these monster guns this book will give you information. Did you know that the Karl mortar had a barrel 60cm wide, yet it could run on tracks like a tank? Did you know that the biggest gun ever made had a barrel 80cm wide and had to be set up on parallel sets of railroad tracks? Yet as fascinating and technological achievements as these guns were, they ended up failing to do what they were suppose to do: crush fortifications.
If you don't know anything about these monster guns this book will give you information. Did you know that the Karl mortar had a barrel 60cm wide, yet it could run on tracks like a tank? Did you know that the biggest gun ever made had a barrel 80cm wide and had to be set up on parallel sets of railroad tracks? Yet as fascinating and technological achievements as these guns were, they ended up failing to do what they were suppose to do: crush fortifications.
August 13, 2020
good details
June 17, 2022
One of the best
I admit being addicted to Osprey, especially those volumes focused on military technology. A text on super heavy German World War II siege guns was something I had to have. I was certainly not disappointed.
The illustrations are, as usual, beautifully done, but in this case they also showcase important elements of each weapon’s use.
The historical text is well written and researched, providing a number of insights I have not found elsewhere.
If you have any interest in German World War II heavy weapons, you must have this book. I intend to buy a hard copy as a companion to my Kindle version.
Absolutely outstanding in every way. Bravo!
I admit being addicted to Osprey, especially those volumes focused on military technology. A text on super heavy German World War II siege guns was something I had to have. I was certainly not disappointed.
The illustrations are, as usual, beautifully done, but in this case they also showcase important elements of each weapon’s use.
The historical text is well written and researched, providing a number of insights I have not found elsewhere.
If you have any interest in German World War II heavy weapons, you must have this book. I intend to buy a hard copy as a companion to my Kindle version.
Absolutely outstanding in every way. Bravo!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews