7.5 cm kanon PL vz. 37
Encyclopedia
The 7.5 cm kanon PL vz. 37 (Anti-aircraft Gun Model 37 was a Czech anti-aircraft gun used in the Second World War. Those weapons captured after the German occupation of Czechoslovakia
in March 1939 were taken into Wehrmacht
service as the 7.5 cm Flak M 37(t) or Flak Skoda. The Germans sold many of them to Italy where they were designated as the Cannone da 75/49 or 75/50. Surviving guns were taken back into German service after Italy's surrender in 1943. 20 were sold to the Finns in November 1940. Twelve were in Luftwaffe service between April and September 1944.
. It could fire a 6.5 kilograms (14.3 lb) armor-piercing shell for direct fire. It was intended for motor towing as it rode on a two-axle carriage with pneumatic wheels, but could be towed by horses if necessary. The side legs of the cruciform mount folded for transport.
Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia or Czecho-Slovakia was a sovereign state in Central Europe which existed from October 1918, when it declared its independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, until 1992...
in March 1939 were taken into Wehrmacht
Wehrmacht
The Wehrmacht – from , to defend and , the might/power) were the unified armed forces of Nazi Germany from 1935 to 1945. It consisted of the Heer , the Kriegsmarine and the Luftwaffe .-Origin and use of the term:...
service as the 7.5 cm Flak M 37(t) or Flak Skoda. The Germans sold many of them to Italy where they were designated as the Cannone da 75/49 or 75/50. Surviving guns were taken back into German service after Italy's surrender in 1943. 20 were sold to the Finns in November 1940. Twelve were in Luftwaffe service between April and September 1944.
Description
The gun had a semi-automatic, vertical sliding block breech that automatically ejected the cartridge case after firing, but had to be hand-loaded for the next shot. It had a standard hydro-pneumatic recoil system and a muzzle brakeMuzzle brake
Muzzle brakes and recoil compensators are devices that are fitted to the muzzle of a firearm or cannon to redirect propellant gases with the effect of countering both recoil of the gun and unwanted rising of the barrel during rapid fire...
. It could fire a 6.5 kilograms (14.3 lb) armor-piercing shell for direct fire. It was intended for motor towing as it rode on a two-axle carriage with pneumatic wheels, but could be towed by horses if necessary. The side legs of the cruciform mount folded for transport.