The Soviet B-4 203mm heavy howitzer specialized in blasting enemy heavy fortifications or urban areas. Very heavy, it was best used as fixed or siege artillery that provided fire support at very long range. Its high-angled 100 kg shells can easily blast any building or grouping of light troops, even unidentified, in just a few shots. However the 203mm is imprecise at long range, and extremely slow, despite the fact it is self-propelled for local maneuvering thanks to an engine in that tracked chassis.
By itself, a single Gaubitsa unit is practically worthless, hitting wide of the mark, and taking quite a while to reload between shots. It's too inaccurate to do much damage despite its strength; however grouped together in units of 4+, and with the right target, Gaubitsas can destroy entire enemy bases, totally crippling and destroying war efforts in one well aimed volley.
Gaubitsa Artillery in the Saint-Petersburg Artillery Museum's courtyard
History
This section was directly translated off of the Russian Wikipedia. Just wondering if someone can improve the language mistakes.
In November 1920, at the Artillery Committee (Artkome), which was headed by RA Durlyahov was created Artillery Design Bureau under the direction of F. F. Lender . He was, in January 1926 and tasked to develop the project "203-mm howitzer great distance." After the death of FF Lander project was transferred to the plant "Bolshevik" . December 11, 1926 at a meeting Artkoma made a decision: "To instruct CB Artkoma in 46 month project to develop 203-mm howitzer great distance ..." Letter № 51225/12YA5 on March 22, 1927 AK ordered CB "Artkoma" to make common projects 122 - mm gun cabinet, 203-mm howitzers ARGK and 152-mm guns ARGK. The project was completed howitzers January 16, 1928 in two versions: with and without muzzle brake it. Body of guns and ballistics in both versions were identical. Preference was given to the trunk without a muzzle brake. Detailed drawings of the swinging howitzers were developed KB "Artkoma" and working drawings of the machine gun carriage on tracks KB factory "Bolshevik." The first prototype 203-mm howitzer B-4 was produced at the plant "Bolshevik" at the beginning of 1931 in July and August 1931 conducted by NIAP Shooting for the purpose of selection of the charges to the B-4. After a long and ground military trials in the 1933 howitzer was adopted by the Red Army under the designation of 203-mm howitzer arr. 1931
Weapons
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 Large cal. HE shell |
31 | 31 | 31 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2.4km |
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Gallery
