152 mm M1937

The 152 mm M1937 (ML-20) was a Soviet howitzer employed during World War II. Developed by the State-run No 172 manufacturing plant, the first batch was delivered to the Red Army in 1937. This artillery piece was made until 1946, totalling 7,100 howitzers.

Fielded in every battle of the Eastern Front, it was designated gun-howitzer, because it was sometimes used in the direct-fire role against bunkers, tanks, and buildings. However, it was usually utilized to provide the front line troops with fire support (indirect fire) in the howitzer mode. The 152mm M1937 was also employed as a self-propelled artillery piece as it was mounted on the chassis of Soviet tanks (Su-152 and ISU-152).

After World War II, this Russian artillery piece was redesignated as the ML-20 as it was also part of the Eastern European countries arsenal. It also saw combat action in armed conflicts of the Cold War, such as the Korean War, the Six-Day War (1967) and the Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan (1979-1985).

Specifications

Barrel length: 4.4 m (10 ft)

Overall length: 8.1 m (26 ft 10 in)

Weight: 7.27 tons

Recoil: hydro-pneumatic

Breech: interrupted screw

Caliber: 152 mm

Shell: 152 x 547 mm; weight: 48 kg (HE), 40 kg (anti-concrete shell)

Carriage: split-trail

Range: 17.23 km (10.7 miles)

Below, a photo of the 152mm M1937 in March 1945 in Danzig. After the war, it would be fitted with a muzzle brake.