| Ross Mcpharter | 02 Jul 2009 1:47 a.m. PST |
Does anybody know what type of gun or a link for this? I presume it's a foreign AA gun pressed into German service. link |
| Griefbringer | 02 Jul 2009 4:31 a.m. PST |
Sort of difficult to say anything from that picture. 90mm AA-guns were used at least by the US, Italians and French. Griefbringer |
| Ross Mcpharter | 02 Jul 2009 6:12 a.m. PST |
Cheers Griefbringer. It's also described as a 50mm KWK gun here. Confusing link |
| VonStengel | 02 Jul 2009 6:25 a.m. PST |
Might it be a Russian 85mm M1939 AA gun or the Italian Cannone da 90/53? |
| Ross Mcpharter | 02 Jul 2009 6:36 a.m. PST |
Cheers, VonStengel I'm suspecting it maybe something even smaller like, say, an Ansaldo 75/46 or similar? It sure looks unusual |
| Ross Mcpharter | 02 Jul 2009 6:40 a.m. PST |
Apparently in bad weather it gets covered to protect it, and has to be dug out, as the sand covers it every year, so it's not always visible |
| Goober | 02 Jul 2009 6:46 a.m. PST |
Indeed.I spent some time a couple of years ago trying to dig it out on a visit, just for giggles. G. |
| zoneofcontrol | 02 Jul 2009 7:08 a.m. PST |
The Atlantikwall website has info on each WN position: maps, known armaments, types of emplacements and manpower. WN 5 LaMadaline lists 50mm KwK guns in a bunker and ring stands as the largest pieces on the sight. There is a closer and clearer photo of the gun and emplacement in question on the site.
atlantikwall.org.uk |
| Palafox | 02 Jul 2009 7:21 a.m. PST |
From the webpage Zoneofcontrol shows seems a 47mm Hotchkiss without the gun shield. picture |
| Ross Mcpharter | 02 Jul 2009 7:28 a.m. PST |
Thanks Zoneofcontrol! So it appears to be a 47mm PAK181 an ex French gun. Thought it looked unusual. |
| Ross Mcpharter | 02 Jul 2009 7:29 a.m. PST |
And Thanks to you too Palafox! |
aecurtis  | 02 Jul 2009 7:44 a.m. PST |
Different angle here: link |
| toofatlardies | 02 Jul 2009 10:36 a.m. PST |
What I can say for sure is that in 1944 this position was directly overlooking the beach; the dunes have crept to now place it about ten to fifteen yards back. As such I am sure that this is not an anti-aircraft gun, but an anti-tank weapon. According to the French published Heimdal Guide to Utah beach (which is utterly superb) the position is a 5cm KwK tobruk positon in an H667 casemate and the weapon is a 4.7cm Pak 181 (f) Mle A anti-tank gun.
This link takes you to a site that is in French, but the pictures tell the story. link I hope that helps. Cheers Rich |
| Ross Mcpharter | 02 Jul 2009 10:54 a.m. PST |
Once again thanks for everybodies help and the links. I think Rich has wrapped it up for me there, very interesting to see the changes to the gun over 60 years or so. Cheers, Dave |
