380 mm/45 Modèle 1935 gun

The 380mm/45 Modèle 1935 gun was a heavy naval gun of the French Navy. It was the largest calibre naval gun ever fielded in French service.

380mm/45 Modèle 1935
Remaining gun under Recouvrance Bridge, Brest
Typenaval gun
Place of originFrance
Service history
In service1935-1969
Used byFrance
WarsSecond World War, Suez Crisis
Production history
Designed1935
No. built16 guns
Specifications
MassTurret: 2,476 tonnes
Single Gun: 94.13 tonnes
Length17.882 m (58 ft 8 in)
Barrel length17.257 m (56 ft 7 in)

ShellAP: 884 kilograms (1,950 lb)
separate charges and shell
Calibre380 mm (15 in)
BreechWelin breech block, hydro-pneumatically powered
Recoil132.5 cm (4 ft 4 in)
Elevation6°/s
Traverse300°, 5°/s
Rate of fire1.8 /min
Muzzle velocity830 m/s (2,700 ft/s)
Maximum firing range41,700 m (45,600 yd) 35° elevation, streamlined shell

History

The built-up guns were used on the two battleships of the Richelieu class, Richelieu and Jean Bart. They were mounted in quadruple turrets, which allowed mounting all the main battery at the bow, and saved weight on turret armour in the context of the Washington Naval Treaty.

During World War II seven guns were captured by the Germans and three of these were taken to Norway. It was planned to install them in a coastal battery at Vardaasen (MKB 6./501 Nötteröy), using Bettungsschiessgerüst (Firing platform) C/39 armoured single mounts, but the war ended before the battery became operational. In 1949 the guns were returned to France (in exchange for 3 German 38 cm SKC/34 from "Batterie Todt") where they were then refurbished at Ruelle.

Five guns remain: one is on display at the Arsenal of Brest, under Recouvrance Bridge; another at Lanvéoc at the École Navale; and a third gun survives at Gâvres, near Lorient.[1] Two others are on display, at Ruelle and at La Spezia.[2] The honour room of the École Navale also displays two 380mm shells and tampions.[3]

See also

Weapons of comparable role, performance and era

Notes

  1. Wahl. p. 57.
  2. Tony DiGiulian. "France 380 mm/45 (14.96") Model 1935 and Model 1936". NavWeaps. Retrieved 2022-08-20.
  3. Le cuirassé Richelieu.

Bibliography

  • Wahl, Jean-Bernard (2008). "Installés par les Allemands en batterie côtière en Norvège, retour en France des canons de 380 du Jean-Bart". Bunkerarchéo (in French): 44–57.
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