D-1 (Model 1943)

History

With the widespread acceptance of barrel rifles and efficient recoil and breech devices, armies began to develop and adopt 35mm and larger artillery systems - Anti-tank guns, field guns and howitzers. The Russian Empire reborn as the Soviet Union after the Bolshevik uprising and political, social and military victories during and after World War I was no exception. Several designs were stockpiled in the years between the two world wars until the necessity of World War II - due to the German invasion of the Soviet Union - spurred the rapid development of new, more powerful field weapons .

Although the warnings were relayed to Soviet leader Joseph Stalin, they were ignored until June 1941 when his country was occupied by the German-led Axis powers in Operation Barbarossa. Soviet troops were killed in battle, retreating or surrendering in droves, and in most cases ill-equipped and ill-prepared for an Axis attack. It was just that the supply lines were too long, Soviet resolve in some key areas, and the arrival of the Russian winter slowed the advance beyond Moscow.

The lull of the fighting allowed the Soviets to reallocate and retake resources and personnel to the front, while rebuilding their strong industrial base in the east.

Specification

Base

Year of Service

1943

Origins

Soviet Union

Crew

8

Production

2,827

Manufacturer

Factory No. 9 - USSR

Operators

Afghanistan; Albania; Belarus; Bulgaria; China; Cuba; Czechoslovakia; East Germany; Egypt; Hungary; Iraq; Mozambique; Poland; Romania; former Soviet Union; Syria; Ukraine; Vietnam

ROLLING

Fire Support/Attack/Breakthrough

Support allied forces with direct/indirect fire, attacking forward positions and/or breaking through fortified areas of the battlefield.

Dimensions and Weight

Length

22. 0 feet

6.7m

Weight

7,937 lbs

3,600 kg

Tonnage

4.0 tons

Power and Performance

Engine:

No. This is a towed gun.

Area

7. 7 miles

(12.4 km)

Weapons

1 x 152 mm gun

AMMOTION

Depends on the ammo carrier. Options include HE, HE-FRAG, AP, illumination and chemical projectiles.

Variant

D-1 - Base Production Series Designation M1943 152mm Howitzer (D-1) - Official Designation M1943 - Alternative Designation