At the beginning of the First World War the German Army had an operational field artillery which included 5,000 77mm light artillery pieces. The original piece employed in 1914 was once designed by the Erhardt and Krupp corporations. By 1916 German Stormtroopers were dragging these light artillery pieces across no-man’s-land since the 77 was fairly mobile – in terms of artillery – and it brought a significant weight of power to the Stormtroopers’ assault as they pushed deeply into enemy territory.
The 77mm, 1896 Model
The Krupp and Erhardt corporations designed and built the Model 1896 77mm to compete in the field against the French 75mm, according to William C. Dooly Jr., in his book Great Weapons of World War I. The original 1896 could not compete with the 75mm, however. While the 77mm had a maximum range of 9,260 yards, fired a 15 pound shell with a muzzle speed of 1,526fps, and a length of 27.3 calibers, it could not compare with the accuracy or speed of the French 75mm.
The Model 1916, 77mm
By 1916 Krupp and Erhardt were producing an improved 77mm. This new weapon would soon be employed by the Stormtroopers in their assaults. The new 1916 model used a smaller shell – 13.4 pounds – which increased the pieces range to nearly 12,000 yards. Krupp and Erhardt also expanded the size of the weapon’s powder chamber. This expansion increased the muzzle velocity to nearly 2,000fps. Finally, to help facilitate this, the manufacturers increased the caliber length from 27.3 to 35 calibers.
Stormtroopers and the Model 1916, 77mm
The German Stormtroopers used the Model 1916, 77mm in larger operations since a team of men could maneuver the piece across no-man’s-land. Stormtrooper Pioneers put smaller wheels on the carriages of the 77mms, allowing the weapons to present less of a target for the enemy’s machineguns and artillery. While the smaller wheels did make the piece harder to move, the Model 1916’s ability to be used as an anti-tank weapon increased its desirability.
The Model 1916’s use as an anti-tank weapon came to light at the Battle of Cambrai, according to Dooly, when the British launched a massive armor assault against the German defensive positions. While German infantry unites were rolled back, a battery of the Model 1916, 77mms were used to destroy and incapacitate on-coming tanks, and continued to do so until the battery was silenced.
Stormtroopers, in their counterattacks at Cambrai, made sure to bring 77mms forward. Not only did these pieces help remove trouble spots as the Stormtroopers advanced, but they were also employed to stop British armor reserves attempting to reinforce gaps in their lines.
Thus the Model 1916, 77mm was better than its 1896 predecessor. The Model 1916 had greater mobility, had improvements in muzzle velocity, distance, and delivery. With shortened wheels and an elevation of 60 degrees, the 77mm proved itself not only a formidable light field piece, but as an anti-tank weapon as well.
Sources
Dooly, William C., Jr. Great Weapons of World War I. New York, NY: Bonanza Books, 1971.
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