Schwere Artillerie 20,3

[Guardian 5]

Good Evening Comrades,

This well executed post card of an 8 inch (203mm; 20,3 cm ) gun arrived the other day and I thought those of you with a soft spot for the "king of battle" would appreciate seeing it.

If you have ever served a beast like this or even had your teeth rattled by its mighty roar at Grafenwoehr, please write in.

"The field artillery lends dignity to what would otherwise be a vulgar brawl."
Unknown

"The artillery may be the king of battle, but the queen of battle (INFANTRY) always tells him where to put his balls."
CPT Lemza, CO C, 3-8 IN (MECH)

All the best,
TJ

[hoover]

The picture is from a series made for the Bundeswehr press office.

Very interesting is not the gun but the uniforms. Very early Filzlaus without flags, so between 1959 and April 1961. Also the equipment is a mix from all kind of equipments in Bundeswehr use from 1956 to 1960.

https://www.facebook.com/Bundeswehr1956bis1989/
The header of our new Bundeswehr-Facebook collectors page shows a picture from the same series. Currently I am knowing 6 pictures from that gun with crew.

Bye
Frank

[Proud Kraut]

TJ, as a former gunner and "Redleg" I can only say THANKS for posting this great postcard! The 8" caliber saw long time service in the German Artillery from the mid 1950's until the early 1990's. Beginning with the depicted M115, followed up by the self propelled M110 and finally M110A2 with extended barrel and muzzle brake. I'll never forget her and her sister's (M107) "sound" when firing.

Zu-Gleich!