Prior to World War 1, the Italian Army obtained a license production deal with the German concern of Krupp, makers of many types of heavy and light artillery guns, to produce their "Kanone M1906" (also known as the "M.06") field gun. In the Italian Army inventory, the weapon system took on the designation of Cannone da 75/27 modello 06 and was introduced in 1906. The weapon went on to serve Italian interests well during its peak usage, ultimately seeing combat in two World Wars as a standard army field gun.
When World War 1 spilled out across Europe in August of 1914, dormant alliances sprung into action. For all intents and purposes, Italy should have joined the powers of Imperial Germany and the Austro-Hungarian Empire but ultimately delayed their contribution to the war effort for nearly a year to observe which the direction the war would progress. In April of 1915, Italy finally sided with the Triple Entente (Allies) made up of Britain, Russia and France. As history would show, artillery would play a major role in the bloody battles that encompassed World War 1. Thusly, the Cannone da 75/27 modello 06's strengths came into play, its 75mm high-explosive projectiles providing good service in the war.
After the war, the weapon continued operational service. By the time of World War 2 in 1939, the modello 06 was readily available as a frontline weapon and, once the Axis powers went to work to begin a new World War in Europe, the weapon was placed into combat with Italian Army units once again. By this time, the wooden wheels were replaced with steel rims with rubber tire coverings for improved transportation support on and off roads (though some original versions still saw service). The modello 06 went on to see widespread use in the conflict, being served as conventional artillery field guns, as fixed fortification guns and even issued to German Army artillery units when their own artillery inventory was limited due to wartime demands elsewhere. As common practice throughout the war, the German Army designated these guns as "7.5cm FK 237(i)" to indicate their "Italian" origins. Modello 06 systems saw extended use in the North African Campaign and beyond, proving adequate in battle but more or less outmoded by the 1940s. The newer "Cannone da 75/27 modello 12" appeared and attempted to improve upon the limited elevation of the original modello 06 series, mainly due to the use of the pole trail carriage system. These weapons slightly increased the elevation range to -12 and +18 degrees which inevitably led to increased firing ranges overall. Additionally, the weapon was further "cleaned up" to become a lighter overall design - some 400lbs less than the original World War 1 version. That particular quality, of course, made transport and relocation slightly easier in-the-field. The German Army designation for these guns was "7.5cm FK 245(i)". After the Italian surrender to the Allied cause in September of 1943, many remaining Italian guns in or near German Army positions were claimed and used against their former owners. The Cannone da 75/27 series of 75mm guns fell largely out of use with the end of the war in 1945.
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Specifications
Krupp - Imperial Germany / State Factories - Italy Manufacturer(s)
FIRE SUPPORT / ASSAULT / BREACHING
Support allied forces through direct / in-direct fire, assault forward positions, and / or breach fortified areas of the battlefield.
7.4 ft (2.25 meters) Length
2,381 lb (1,080 kg) Weight
1.2 tons (Light-class) Tonnage
None. This is a towed artillery piece. Drive System
4 miles (7 km) Road Range
1 x 75mm (7.5cm) gun barrel
AMMUNITION
Dependent upon ammunition carrier.
Cannone da 75/27 modello 06 - Base Series Designation.
Cannone da 75/27 modello 12 - Increase elevation; lightened design of just 2,000lbs; limited production numbers.
7.5cm Feldkanone 237(i) - German Army Designation of modello 06 types.
7.5cm Feldkanone 245(i) - German Army Designation of modello 12 types.
Images
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Right side view of the Cannone da 75-27 modello 06 field gun
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