Can also be translated from German as the Fat Bertha. By Staff Writer
The Big Bertha was a German initiative put into action before and during the First World War, where artillery started becoming more mobile than in previous wars. The name itself 'Big Bertha' is usually associated with many World War 1 large caliber guns.
The female name 'Bertha' comes from the descendant of Krupp Steel - an arms manufacturer. The Big Bertha could lob 2,200lb shells over 9 miles. The Big Bertha took a crew of 200 men over six hours to assemble and disassemble the weapon.
It's most notable action was against a series of 'undefeatable' Belgium forts. The Big Bertha's lay waste to the forts, demoralizing the Allied forces and convincing the Germans to continue exploration into more mobile and more powerful howitzers which included the 'Paris Gun' - though highly inaccurate - the mighty howitzer that terrorized Parisians from over 70 miles away showing French countrymen that their country was not safe from the war.
The Bertha could fire at a rate of 8 rounds per hour with a muzzle velocity of 400 meters per second (1,300 feet per second). Elevation was limited to +40 - +75 degrees with a traverse of 4 degrees. While twelve total units were constructed, eighteen additional barrels also existed.
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Image Courtesy of the Library of Congress.
1914
Designation:Big Bertha Siege Gun Classification Type:M-Gerat Howitzer Contractor:Krupp Armaments Factory - Germany Country of Origin: Imperial Germany Number Built: 12
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