10 cm schwere Kanone 18 or K-18 cannon

Started by Strelnikov, 15 May 2017, 08:13:57 PM

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Strelnikov

One weapon that is missing from BKC III is the K-18 Cannon or schwere Kanone. This 105mm gun (L52) was mounted on the same chassis/trail for the 150mm howitzer. It was used mostly as indirect artillery (effective range 20,000 yds). However, it was also used extensively during 1941 of Operation Barbarossa by the Germans in the anti-tank/direct fire role, similar to that of the 88mm FLAK. Robert Forczyk's book "Tank Warfare on the Eastern Front 1941-1942" chronicles several instances where the K-18 was used against T-34 & KV-1 tanks. BKC II had the K-18 listed, but only as an off-board artillery unit. It should also be listed as an artillery support unit, with direct fire range & effectiveness slightly less effective as the 88mm FLAK (due I imagine to it's slower rate of fire & lack of optical sights).

More information:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/10_cm_schwere_Kanone_18

Ithoriel

Would also be nice to see the Soviet B-4 203mm tracked howitzer, also used in direct fire as well as "off-board," included in the lists.

At least 8 captured  B-4s were used by the Germans and designated 20.3-cm N.503 (r).
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Techno

Welcome to the forum, Strelnicov !

Cheers - Phil

Lord Kermit of Birkenhead

Hi. The K-18 is easy to fudge - it has 3 dice per battery, and can be used for counter battery fire. You can assume that the arty command has set it the right place. For direct fire treat it like a Flak 36 88mm. Similarly the 203mm would be 5 dice for indirect with CB ability.

IanS
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Dr Dave


Lord Kermit of Birkenhead

Which one Dave - all 105's are 3....5.5"-155mm 4, anything larger is 5 ?
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Strelnikov

Quote from: ianrs54 on 16 May 2017, 09:09:40 AM
Which one Dave - all 105's are 3....5.5"-155mm 4, anything larger is 5 ?

The K-18 is listed in BKC II on the German Mid & Late Eastern Front, Italy, & NW Europe lists. It is listed as an artillery unit, has 4 dice, costs 60 pts.

In another set of rules, author Frank Chadwick lists the K-18's direct fire ability as effective as the 88mm FLAK vs armor out to 1800 yds. In BKC terms, this may equate to something like an AT of 5/80.

One well known battle involving the K-18 was Mtsensk/Voin on October 6, 1941. 4th Panzer Division had a battery of them in action vs Katukov's 4th Tank Brigade.

Lord Kermit of Birkenhead

Hmmm - strange - the Germans considered it far too much gun for it's effect, so I'd have thought 3 dice was more accurate. However......
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Dr Dave

The 10.5cm howitzer fired a 14.8kg shell, the 10cm (actually 10.5) k18 fired a 15.1kg shell. Perhaps that's the reason for the extra dice?

Dr Dave

Quote from: Strelnikov on 16 May 2017, 02:00:59 PM
The K-18 is listed in BKC II on the German Mid & Late Eastern Front, Italy, & NW Europe lists. It is listed as an artillery unit, has 4 dice, costs 60 pts.

In another set of rules, author Frank Chadwick lists the K-18's direct fire ability as effective as the 88mm FLAK vs armor out to 1800 yds. In BKC terms, this may equate to something like an AT of 5/80.

One well known battle involving the K-18 was Mtsensk/Voin on October 6, 1941. 4th Panzer Division had a battery of them in action vs Katukov's 4th Tank Brigade.

They should in the North Afrika lists as well.

Lord Kermit of Birkenhead

Dave that extra .2 or .3 kg would make FA difference at the receiving end. The records I have show a throw weight of 30lb, which is identical to the US M101/M1 105mm - and that is 3 dice.
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Strelnikov

19 May 2017, 05:20:18 PM #11 Last Edit: 19 May 2017, 05:22:07 PM by Strelnikov
Quote from: Dr Dave on 18 May 2017, 12:55:54 PM
They should in the North Afrika lists as well.

Frank Chadwick also lists the K-18 as available in Africa in "Benghazi Handicap." Frank also lists the K-18 as better at direct fire armor penetration out to 900 yds than either the FH-18 105mm Howitzer or the s.FH-36 150mm howitzer. Over 900 yds, they are all about the same.

It seems to me that direct fire heavy guns in BKC III have taken a hit. In BKC II, the FH-18 105mm howitzer is an AT of 4/40, the s.FH-36 150mm is an AT of 6/40. In BKC III, they have dropped to AT's of 2/100 and 1/100 respectively. What is the rationale for such a change or is this another one of the "erratas" that need fixing?